- April 18, 2024
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Flagler County Prescribed Fire Program Supervisor Michael Orlando last week shared his expertise in the field as one of 15 instructors who taught basic wildland fire training at Wekiwa Springs State Park in Apopka on behalf of the Central Florida Prescribed Fire Council.
“I am very passionate about what I do, and I love teaching others who have a budding interest in fire management fighting wildfires,” Orlando said. “We depend on each other so much when we are working together out in the field, so I’m happy to do whatever I can to prepare fellow wildland fire professionals.”
Twenty-one students from nine different organizations across the state of Florida participated in the training.
The combined coursework – officially S-130/190 and L-180, created and offered through the National Wildfire Coordinating Group – is designed to provide entry-level firefighter skills, and is often required for participation in prescribed burning activities. Participants will receive federally-recognized certificates of completion for the Nov. 17 training.
According to the National Wildfire Coordinating Group website, the course certifies that participants will be able to do the following:
Orlando’s experience includes 11 out-of-state deployments, and work on more than 400 separate, documented wildland fires.
“We are fortunate in Flagler County to have someone on the team with his depth of experience, and passion for educating others about fire management,” said Public Lands and Natural Resource Manager Michael Lagasse. “He is definitely an asset to our team and to the county at large.”
Orlando’s most recent deployment was in August spent working the “Monument Fire” near Willow Creek, California. Within Flagler County, his experience serves the annual ecological burning goals on county-owned conservation lands such as Princess Place Preserve, Haw Creek Preserve, and others.
“My motto has always been: seek more training,” Orlando said. “This allows you to be the best you can be every day.”
