Outdoors in RI: 75 local wildfires in 2024 – train to fight. Take So. RI survey. Offshore Wind. 2A update

Photo, top: DEM S-130 Wildland Firefighter Training, class of 2023

DEM to Host Wildland Firefighting Training Class

In an effort to build Rhode Island’s capacity to respond to wildfires, the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management’s (DEM) Forest Fire Program is offering an entry level course to train participants in the tools, tactics, and strategies used to suppress uncontrolled wildland fires. No prior experience in firefighting is needed or expected, but applicants must be at least 18 years of age. Wildfires are expected to become more frequent as climate change continues to create warmer, drier conditions, leading to longer and more active fire seasons.  

In 2024, southern New England saw a historic fall fire season, with RI experiencing a total of 75 wildfires, 41 occurring between Oct. 18 and Nov. 19. In 2024, DEM’s Forest Fire Program treated 130 acres of state property with prescribed fire, nearly a threefold increase from 2023. Last year, DEM conducted shaded fuel break brush clearing projects along various stretches of forestland on state lands to lessen the risk of uncontrolled wildfires. DEM has trained 46 new wildland firefighters in the past two years to help build RI’s capacity to respond to wildfires.   DEM has trained 46 new wildland firefighters in the past two years to help build RI’s capacity to respond to wildfires.   

DEM will hold the no-cost, five-day, and classroom and field-based training S-130-S-190 course – with the curriculum designed by the National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) – at its George Washington Management Area office in Chepachet from June 9 – 13 at 8 AM – 5 PM daily. It will qualify students to a higher Firefighter Type 2 (FFT2) skill designation level recognized by the NWCG.

The training includes the use of live fire and personal protective equipment (PPE), lunch, and refreshments will be provided. There is a final evaluation at the end of the training, and students will receive a certificate of completion.

Although no prior experience in firefighting is required, applicants are required to complete the following online sections prior to classroom training sessions: 

The online courses are expected to take 12.5 hours to complete, and students can save their progress and resume the courses at their convenience. After completion, evaluation certificates must be sent to [email protected].  “DEM’s Forest Fire Program works closely with Rhode Island fire departments to suppress wildfires,” said Principal Fire Control Officer and Training Officer Ben Arnold of DEM’s Division of Agriculture and Forest Environment.

“We rely on municipal fire departments to fight wildfires and fire departments rely on us in the same way. This class offers an opportunity to both DEM employees and Rhode Island firefighters who seek wildfire suppression training at the national standard.” 

Space is limited with priority given to local municipal firefighters and DEM employees. Registration is open until Feb. 28. Acceptance letters will be sent to applicants of their admission. Questions about the class may be directed to Ben Arnold ([email protected]) or Allan Waterman ([email protected]) of DEM’s Forest Fire Program.  To apply for the training course, please click here.  

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Southern Rhode Island Conservation District Hosts Annual Input Session

The Southern Rhode Island Conservation District (SRICD) will hold a Local Working Group public input session Saturday, February 22 from 10:30 am -12:20 pm at Louttit Library, 274 Victory Highway, West Greenwich, RI.

For those who cannot attend in person, there is an option to provide feedback through an online survey. To register and/or complete the survey, visit tinyurl.com/sricdinput.

Local working groups provide recommendations to the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service on local and state natural resource priorities and criteria for conservation activities and programs. The meetings are open to the public. For additional information, contact Christine Cooke at [email protected].

The Southern Rhode Island Conservation District (SRICD) promotes and achieves a healthy environment and sustainable use of natural resources for the people of Kent and Washington Counties and the State of Rhode Island, now and for the future, by coordinating partners to provide technical, educational and financial resources.

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Whale deaths – offshore wind connection?

The International Fund for Animal Welfare, the agency charged with responding to whale deaths and distress situations has recorded 600 mammal strandings last year – more than double that of the annual average – 11 large whales, hundreds of dolphins. So far in 2025 there have been 2 additional whale strandings – a humpback and a sperm whale. What is happening with offshore wind is questionable right now. Many groups such as ACK4Whales are drawing a deep connection between turbine construction pounding and distress of our animals. Pres. Trump’s pause on offshore wind may or may not immediately impact our shores as most advocacy is focused off the New Jersey shore. Stay tuned. Be a good advocate.

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2A Update

President Trump Executive Order

President Trump promised gun-owning voters that Biden’s unconstitutional anti-gun disasters would “get ripped up and torn out” during the first week of his Administration. But – we just officially passed that milestone in the Trump-Vance Administration – and Biden’s anti-gun policies are still in effect. On the campaign trail, President Trump specifically promised to take the following actions to roll back anti-gun efforts:

Gun Owners of America Alert: ATF could use Facial Recognition Software with National Gun Registry

In recent years, ATF has admitted to Congress that it possesses nearly one billion gun and gun owner records. A 2022 report by Gun Owners of America details that this registry is both digital and searchable.

By ATF’s own admission this registry is “not searchable by name” because “ATF is the only agency that pays Adobe” to disable search functionality of ATF’s PDF gun registry. However, ATF could simply re-enable the functionality to search its digital registry by name.

Additionally, Senate appropriators are already advocating for “Law Enforcement Advanced Analytics” funding “to implement software using advanced analytics to correlate open source, commercial, and native agency data.”

Translation: the gun control lobby wants to fund facial recognition technology for agencies like ATF, to monitor law-abiding citizens.

Apparently, ATF is “increasingly relying on the analysis of huge volumes of information, including open-source information” during its enforcement of gun control on the American people. It seems as if ATF is preparing to use Clearview AI in conjunction with its illegal gun registry to identify gun owners and what firearms they own—just like the New Jersey police have already done. And clearly, there are questions remaining as to the extent of ATF’s facial recognition technology usage.

With anti-gun politicians in Congress attempting to pass legislation that removes restrictions on ATF, like the AIM Act, the stage is set for ATF to have a registry of guns and gun owners, with their facial data as well. Gun Owners of America has said it will “fight this overreach tooth and nail in both Congress and in the courts”.