Wildland Firefighter Type 1, Certificate of Completion

School of Health, Wellness & Public Safety (HWPS)

This certificate of completion provides students with the technical competencies required of an entry-level wildland firefighter.  Successful students will earn NWCG Wildland Firefighting, and EMT- Basic certifications.

See Recommended Sequence of Courses

Educational Option Information

• This educational option is an: Certificate of Completion
• This educational option can be completed: Full-time or Part-Time
• This educational option is designed for: Immediate employment and for transfer into CNM’s Fire Science, Associate of Applied Science.
• This educational option can be started: Any Term
• Primary course location: Advanced Technology Center, Online, Main Campus, Offsite.

Approximate Costs of this Educational Option

• Cost of Attendance
• Tuition
• Books
• Program and Course Fees

Financial Aid Considerations

• This is a financial aid eligible program.
  • Direct Subsidized Loans: 150 percent rule
  • Some courses are not eligible for Financial Aid. Please check the list here when considering a course.

Special Requirements

Criminal Background

Most of the health programs in HWPS require students undergo the New Mexico Department of Health caregiver’s criminal history screening program. This involves state and federal felony criminal background checks with fingerprints. This must be completed prior to starting their program or prior to beginning their clinical experiences. Students with a disqualifying conviction can appeal some of those convictions through the New Mexico Department of Health. Depending on the program, students may or may not be allowed to remain in the program pending appeal. Students who do not successfully appeal a disqualifying conviction will not be allowed to start or remain in the program. A successful appeal does not guarantee eligibility for licensure after graduation in professions that require licensure. 

Physical Requirements

Students must be in good physical and psychological health. Students may be asked to provide documentation of a recent physical examination. Many health programs require the student to be able to safely lift and/or move a minimum of 50 pounds. Reasonable accommodations are made for students with disabilities. However, some disabilities may prohibit students from completing program specific competencies or gaining employment. Students with disabilities that may interfere with completing program competencies are advised to contact the School of Health, Wellness & Public Safety (HWPS) Office for more information.

Additional Supplies

Additional tools, and supplies may be required for individual courses during the program.

Educational Opportunities

This certificate is embedded in CNM’s Fire Science, Associate of Applied Science allowing students to complete this certificate and continue seamlessly into their associates degree.  Many of the courses in this degree are transferable and some may be applied to two and four-year degree programs.  CNM currently has transfer agreements with many colleges and universities in New Mexico and elsewhere.

Career Opportunities

The Bureau of Labor and Statistics reports that in 2016 there were 327,300 firefighter jobs in the United States.  Additionally, the Bureau of Labor and Statistics projects a 7% growth in the employment of firefighters from 2016-2026.

Firefighters are traditionally employed by the local, state, federal governments.

Gainful Employment information is available from Job Connection Services.

Ten Year Rule for CTE Courses

Career and technical education courses in this program will qualify for credit for a period of ten academic years. Due to changing technologies, trends, and professional demands, courses completed ten or more years in the past will satisfy program requirements only if they are approved by the instructional school in which they were offered. Cohorted programs may have additional restrictions.