FAQs

  • November 1 - March 1

    The Registration button is located at the top of every page and will be active during the registration time period.

    Registrations made after the closing date will be based on availability and will incur a $100.00 late fee. Call us to inquire about registering after the closing date.

    You are able to alter your registration before this date. If you registered for multiple courses and choose to drop a course, the cancellation policy will come into effect.

  • You have until February 22, 2026 to cancel and receive a 90% refund. If cancelling between February 22 and March 7, you will receive 50% refund. Cancelling after March 7, there are no refunds.

    The $5 registration fee is non-refundable.

    No refunds will be given for “No Shows”. Please contact the Academy if you need to substitute one employee for another. All cancellations must be made by email request to info@azwima.org.

  • The registration process is very easy. Click the “Register” button available November 1, 2024- March 10, 2025). You will be redirected to our registration site in a new window. You must pay at the time of registration and all major credit cards are accepted.

    After you register, you will immediately get a confirmation in your e-mail. If you do not receive that e-mail, then your registration is not complete. If that registration does not have your class listed on it, that means that your class registration is not complete. If you did not have to pay for your class, again something is wrong with your registration. If any of these things occur, contact the Academy Admin Staff immediately so we can figure out what happened. If you wait and do not contact us, the class may fill and you will not be in the class.

  • Tuition is $85/day

    There is also a one-time $5 non-refundable registration fee for each registration processed.

    *There are a couple exceptions where a course may cost more.

  • There is a one-time $5 non-refundable registration fee for each registration processed. This fee will not be applied to the final cost of courses taken.

  • We accept all major credit cards and checks. Payment is due at the time of registration to secure your spot in a course. Note that we will not hold a spot in the course without payment. It is possible that a course becomes full before we receive a check in the mail. Ensure you work closely with your supervisor to process check early in the registration process if that is your preferred payment method.

    Checks should be made payable to Arizona Wildfire and Incident Management Academy.

    Mail your check to:

    AWIMA

    PO Box 4184

    Prescott, AZ 86302

  • If a class is full, select “Join Waitlist” next to the course during the registration process. Make sure to submit your registration and that you receive an email confirmation. You will need to pay the $5 non-refundable event registration fee, however, you won’t have to pay the full cost of the course to be on the waitlist.

    If a spot opens in a course, an email will be sent out to those on the waitlist in order of those joining the waitlist. You have 2 hours from the time of receiving this email before the next registrant on the waitlist will be notified of an open spot in the course. If you are reading the email outside of the 2 hour window, it is possible that the next person on the waitlist completed registration with payment to secure the spot. Even if you are outside the 2 hour time frame, we recommend you click the link provided in the email as a spot may still be available.

    You must click the link in the email, modify your registration, and PAY for the course. If done correctly, you will receive an email with a new confirmation number. You will not have to pay the $5 non-refundable registration fee again.

  • Student: Select Student option if you are registering to take a class.

    Instructor: Select Instructor option if you have been recruited to teach a course at the academy.

    IMT: Select IMT option ONLY if you have been recruited to fill an actual IMT position at the academy. Team application is available at https://www.azwildfireacademy.org/imt

    IMT Trainee: Select Trainee option ONLY if you have been recruited to fill a trainee position on the academy team. Team application is available at https://www.azwildfireacademy.org/imt. You will need to select the number of commitment days and pay for daily meals.

    Vendor: Select Vendor option if you would like to have a booth in the vendor area for your business.

    Volunteer: Select Volunteer option if you would are going to help at the academy with check-in and merchandise sales.

  • Yes. You can update your registration by selecting "already registered" on the top of the registration page. You will need the email address originally used and the confirmation number from the email received once you completed the initial registration. Locate the “modify registration” button at the bottom to make changes. Be sure to submit your registration once you’re changes are made.

    We recommend that you use an email that you will have access to at all times and not use an agency email if you are a seasonal employee. This will ensure you do not miss any communications leading up to Academy in March.

  • For some courses, we offer multiple sessions. The material is exactly the same but multiple offerings of a course allow us to accommodate more students.

    Each session can hold a set amount of students so you may see an A and B option for a course with the same dates. Another reason would be to offer the same exact course but on different dates to fit it to various schedules.

    Ex: S-211A is taught Saturday-Sunday

    S-211B is taught Monday-Tuesday

    **You DO NOT need to sign up for more than one session.

  • We have limited funds to support both partial and full scholarships. You should apply BEFORE registering as we will not be able to refund tuition costs if you are awarded a scholarship. You can apply by navigating to Scholarships and filling out your information during the open application period.

  • No. Unlike other advanced NWCG courses such as S-420/520 where it is a requirement to be nominated by your Fire Management Officer (FMO) or training officer, this is not necessary to register for any course with AWIMA. You can register instantly for a course as long as there is space available.

  • Yes. An employer may register a student for any course being offered. Once the employer has entered the student’s personal information, they will need to check a box confirming that they are “registering on behalf of” the student. The employer should then enter their contact info incase we need to reach out for any reason.

    You can then select the course(s) and process payment.

  • Yes! Go through the registration process to register a student for a course(s). On the Registration Summary page, and before proceeding to payment, you have the option to “Add Group Member”. Add another student by repeating the process by entering their information and selecting the course(s).

    Once all students have been added, proceed to the payment screen to process one payment for the entire group. Be sure to check both the Registration Summary page closely and also the confirmation email for any inaccuracies.

  • Once you have gone through the registration process to add your information, select the course(s) you will take, reviewed your registration summary, you will be directed to payment. Enter the code issued to you by AWIMA in the discount code and click apply.

    If you are having issues applying the code, please contact us through email or give us a call ASAP! We will look into the issue and work to get it corrected as quickly as we can.

    Please, do not continue with registration and pay with a card as we will not be able to refund the amount that should be covered by your code.

  • Register your business for a vendor space. Each space is 10’ x 10’. If you need a bigger space, please register for an additional space at a discounted rate. If you will need electricity, please make sure you let the vendor liaison know in advance. Our vendor Liaison will be reaching out directly after you have registered. Visit the Vendors page for more information.

  • All attendees must be 18 years of age by May 1st the year of the academy. Anyone not 18 years old at the time of Academy attendance will need a signed waiver from their guardian.

  • No. The academy invites anyone to register and attend if they meet the pre-requisites required for a course.

  • The Arizona Wildfire and Incident Management Academy strives to create an enjoyable learning experience which supports the mission of the Academy and the organizations sponsoring that attend as students, faculty, and staff. Students and trainees should expect a learning environment which demonstrates civility and respect. Respect for the rights of others, for the Academy, and for our University hosts, staff, and property are essential expectations. During the period of the Academy’s scheduled classes and activities, these expectations apply to on-campus and off-campus behavior. The Academy reserves the right to refuse registration to students based on previous negative experiences.

    Honesty in academic work is a central tenet of the Academy’s learning environment. Students and trainees are expected to demonstrate honesty in the completion of Academy class work. Presenting another’s work as one’s own or the act of seeking unfair academic advantage through cheating, plagiarism, or other dishonest means are contrary to the Academy’s expectations. In addition, failure to abide by these expectations may result in removal from the Academy without a certificate.

  • In order to promote a professional educational environment, a dress code is required for all course attendees. Casual attire is appropriate with sturdy, closed toe shoes, long pants, and shirts without holes or offensive material. Shorts, skirts, open toed shoes/sandals, tank tops, and any revealing/offensive clothing is not permitted. Attendees in violation may be removed from their course without refund.

    Some classes take place in the field and will require certain PPE. If certain PPE is needed, this will be communicated prior to the academy. Please keep an eye out for emails from your instructor and the academy.

    Dress appropriately for the weather as we have seen everything from snow, rain and sunshine in the past.

  • Since the e-mails are automated, you may have email filters that will send our correspondence to junk/spam. Make an e-mail “rule” that allows you to receive e-mails from “Cvent”, “Admin Staff” and info@azwima.org.

    Please do not use an e-mail that you will not have access to for the months prior to your class. If you are a seasonal employee, use your personal e-mail so that you receive all communications leading up to the academy.

    Some instructors may elect to communicate via phone calls and text messages leading up to the course date.

  • Yes! We will be creating an app for this academy. Users can access the campus map, course schedules, vendor info, sponsor info, and receive notifications. Please consider downloading it when the information becomes available (usually 1 or 2 weeks prior to the academy). You don’t have to keep it forever, just during academy.

  • This depends on the course. There is no excuse for not completing your pre-work. Once ouregve successfulli registered, check your confirmation email for a link to your pre-work (if your class has pre-work). If you know your class has pre-work and it is not on the course information page you should call or e-mail the AWIMA office.

  • AWIMA welcomes requests for accommodations related to a disability and will grant those that are determined to be reasonable and maintain the integrity of a program or curriculum. The Academy is dedicated to ensuring access and inclusion for all students with disabilities. We accomplish this through partnering with students and instructors in the process of establishing reasonable accommodations.

    To make a request or begin a conversation about a possible request, please contact the academy as early as possible.

  • The Arizona Wildfire and Incident Management Academy strives to maintain an environment free from discrimination and harassment where faculty, staff and students treat each other with respect, dignity, and courtesy. The Academy adheres to the principle of equal educational opportunity without regard to age, race, color, gender, disability, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information or national origin.

    Further, the Academy is committed to the maintenance of an atmosphere of civility and respect for all individuals; individuals who feel that they have been harassed may obtain redress by bringing a complaint to the Academy Human Resources Specialist. Complaints will be responded to promptly. Confidentiality will be respected in the procedures, insofar as possible. Retaliation against individuals for bringing forward complaints is prohibited.

  • Your lunch is provided free at the ERAU Cafeteria on your class days. Lunch tickets will be issued in your class each day by your instructor. Lunch is all you can eat and there are several choices each day. **Breakfast and dinner are available for purchase at the ERAU Cafeteria as these meals are NOT included in your tuition.

    There is a Starbucks on campus at the library. We will also provide morning coffee in the Lower Hangar (Vendor Area). Other than that, you are on your own.

  • More information can be found on the Lodging page. This page is not an all-inclusive list of lodging options in the Prescott area. Room blocks will be set aside at select hotels for a pre-determined period of time so we recommend booking early.

    There is no camping on the ERAU Campus this year. If you wish to camp, the City of Prescott has opened Watson Lake camping area free of charge - first come first served. Please leave the site the way you found it, if not better!

  • There are many resources available in order to train and enter the wildland fire workforce. Check out NIFC Careers and NWCG for more information. Job opportunities can be found at USA Jobs as well as checking with both state government agencies and contract companies.

  • You may bring your INITIATED taskbook to the course with the possibility of "O" tasks being signed off. The decision to add ink to a taskbook is up to the instructor. Instructors will NOT sign off tasks if a taskbook is not initiated by the home unit. The Academy will not initiate taskbooks and courses taken at the academy do not count towards tasks designated as I, W, R, and RX.

    If you are serving as a Trainee on the IMT, bring your INITIATED taskbook with you. Filling an IMT roll at the Academy allows the opportunity for O and I tasks to be completed. Since the Academy is a planned event, not an incident, you cannot receive a final evaluation or recommendation for certification. That must be done on an incident.

  • Yes! We do our best to archive copies of all certificates issued to our students. Contact us to provide your name, the course you took and the year the course was taken. As long as it is in our system, we can email you a copy of the certificate at no additional cost.

  • Courses are held on the Embry Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU) campus in Prescott, Arizona. The address is 3700 Willow Creek Rd, Prescott, AZ 86301. Please check email communications prior to the academy for directions and instructions on getting a parking pass required by ERAU.

    Some courses do take field trips off campus.

  • There are many ways to get ahold of us.

    • Click “Contact Us” at the bottom of any webpage to send us a message and we will respond as soon as we can.

    • Call the main office at 928.777.1499 Monday - Friday. Office hours vary so leave a message if we don’t answer and we will get back to you.

    • Send an email directly to info@azwildfireacademy.org

  • AWIMA

    PO Box 4184

    Prescott, AZ 86302

  • Yes! Please complete the registration process and select “Volunteer” as the registration type. You will have options to help with merchandise sales at our t-shirt booth and/or help with the check-in process.

  • We strive to provide training opportunities within the IMT each year. An application, once available during the month of December, can be found on the IMT page. Those filling a trainee position should plan to be present for a minimum of 4 days.

    The Academy is run as a planned event and allows for the opportunity to put ink in NWCG and FEMA taskbooks.

  • The IC position is set for a minimum of 3 years and they tend to build the team for the same time period. Many of our ICs continue to work with past team members and vacancies may be rare.

    An application process is in place to join the team as either a rostered member or as a trainee. We wish we had enough roster spots for everyone. Due to the limited number of roster positions available and the overwhelming response, not every application will result in a rostered position. Section Chiefs will have authority to fill their sections. The final determination for IMT assignment is at the discretion of the Incident Commander. If you have any questions please email IC@azwima.org

    The IMT application will be available on the IMT page for the month of December. Team selections will be made in January and applicants notified. AZWIMA has the right to refuse any application.

  • NWCG policy does not allow us to conduct the pack test for anyone attending the Academy.

    A federal employee may only participate in a WCT that follows federal guidance within the Interagency Standards for Fire and Aviation Operations (Red Book).

    • DOI: DOI employees should refer to their specific agency chapters in the Red Book for guidance on participating in a WCT.

    • FS: A FS employee may not take a WCT administered by a non-federal partner.

    Non-agency firefighters will be certified by State or local fire departments, or private training providers approved by a memorandum of understanding (MOU) through their local GACC. Agencies will not assist in the administration or sponsor the work capacity test (WCT) as the certifying agency.