Intermountain Region

The 2nd Annual Great Basin Engine Academy was held April 27th thru May 8th, 2009.  Twenty four students, which consisted of Engine Captains, Assistants and Leads on Type 4 and Type 6 Engines, were selected from all forests throughout the Region. Classroom learning was held at the Davis Conference Center in Layton, UT. The driving, pumping and maintenance practical applications where held at USFS Tanker Base which is located on Hill Air Force Base. The students were exposed to all aspects of wildland engine operations with an emphasis on safety, practical application and testing. The dedicated coaches provide many hours of evening study sessions and driving opportunities to perfect skills and commitment was shown by students, as all twenty four graduated!! Great job guys! 

This year’s 2009 Top student is Connor Gardia from the Boise National Forest. He had outstanding all around best scores in pumping, driving, hydraulics, and maintenance. The 2009 Top Engine Company under the direction of Cordell Taylor, Ashley NF (coach), Engine Company 6 was: Jared Peak - Boise NF, Mike Spilde - Unita-Wasatch-Cache NF, Michael Watson - Unita-Wasatch-Cache NF, and Jonathan White - Bridger-Teton NF.  Points were averaged based on overall scores of those in each company.

A huge thanks goes out to the Ashley, Boise, Bridger-Teton, Caribou-Targhee, Humbolt-Toiyabe, Salmon-Challis, Payette, Sawtooth, and Unita-Wasatch-Cache National Forests for supporting the academy with Management Team members. Without all of the help, Region 4 could not have pulled off such a professional academy….THANKS!! The Academy would also like to thank all forests for providing engines, support vehicles and equipment. This was a joint effort from all within Region 4, and with that, our engine captains/engineers will be able to go forth with greater professionalism, skills and knowledge to pass on to those they lead. We look forward to the upcoming 2010 academy!

CONGRADULATIONS TO:

Top Student: Connor Gardai, Boise NF

Top Company:

Coach - Cordell Taylor, Ashley NF
Students - Jared Peak, Boise NF; Mike Spilde, Uinta-Wasatch-Cache NF;
Mike Watson, Uinta-Wasatch-Cache NF; Jonathan White, Bridger-Teton NF