Wilderness First Responder
Hybrid Course. February 2025
Who Is It For?
Certification as a Wilderness First Responder is the industry standard for outdoor professionals including instructors, guides who lead multi-day group trips, Search and Rescue personnel, wildland firefighters, trail crews, conservation crews, rural EMT professionals, and those who take part in other high-risk or extended-stay outdoor activities. This is a required course for all students majoring in outdoor leadership studies and wildland fire science at WNMU.
Course Description
This hybrid course focuses on the assessment and treatment of traumatic, environmental, and medical emergencies in a wilderness environment. The course is divided into two distinct parts and you must complete both parts within one year to receive certification.
Note that you can register for this course through WNMU and earn academic credit (OLST 305). The course is also open to the general public (more information will be provided upon completion of payment)
Part 1 is an online, self-paced (independent study) component that provides the foundation for the practical session which is scheduled over two weekends on the WNMU Campus February 14-16 and February 22-23, 2025. The online component of the course requires a high degree of self-motivation and initiative. You must complete Part 1 before the face-to-face session.
Part 2 is the face-to-face practical session facilitated by an instructor. The practical session is 5-days long, split over two weekends, and requires successful completion of Part 1 (pre-course study and online exams.) Adult & Child CPR/AED and epinephrine injection certification is included in Part 2. The practical session labs teach field assessment and treatment skills and you are required to attend the full 5-day face-to-face session for certification.
Note: Course registration closes January 12. Once registration and payment are finalized, you will be provided a link to access the appropriate course content. You need to successfully complete BOTH Part 1 and Part 2 to receive certification as a wilderness first responder.
If you are interested in refreshing your WFR certification, please register for our wilderness first aid course.
REGISTRATION FOR SPRING 2025 will open soon
General Public: $900.00
Public Service Professionals (e.g. Grant County Search and Rescue): $850.00
WNMU Affiliate and limited income: $725.00
WNMU students/staff/faculty who are taking the course for academic credit: Contact the Outdoor Program Director (whitemank@wnmu.edu) for additional information prior to registering. This course is available for academic credit Spring 2025 and is a required course for students enrolled in the Outdoor Leadership Studies and Wildland Fire Science programs. Students interested in taking the course for academic credit may be eligible for the Opportunity Scholarship and should speak to a WNMU advisor, Admissions or, the Outdoor Program director at 575-538-6253. Faculty/staff tuition waiver cannot be used to cover any component of this course.
Part 2 ONLY: $450. Use this option if you have already successfully completed Part 1.
Register and Pay
WNMU students taking the class for credit should not register here. Register with your advisor or contact Dr. Whiteman to register (whitemank@wnmu.edu)
More About It
EMT Continuing Education Credits
This course will be accepted by the NM EMS Bureau for 50 continuing education credit hours, broken down as follows:
- Preparatory/Operations 5 hours
- Medical 20 hours
- Trauma 25 hours
EMT students need to complete Part 1 and Part 2 to receive continuing education credits. Notify the provider (WNMU if you intend to pursue CE credit)
Logistics
Getting Here, Where to Stay, and Things to Do
Nearest Airport: Grant County Airport (1-hour flight from ABQ and PHX). Advanced Air is the only airline operating from the Grant County airport. Contact the airline at 310-644-3344 or visit their website for more information and to schedule a flight. We can arrange pick-ups.
Where to stay: click HERE for lodging and camping information
https://outdoor.wnmu.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/57/2022/11/where-to-stay_WFR231.pdf
Course Location: The face to face course component will take place in Phelps Dodge Building on the WNMU Campus. Field simulation sites are nearby and may involve minimal travel (< 6 miles)
Parking: Park across the street from Phelps Dodge. Parking is free, no permit required.
Course handbook
file:///C:/Users/whitemank/Dropbox/PC%20(3)/Downloads/wmtc_student_handbook_11-2017.pdf
For more information contact:
Kathy Whiteman, Ph.D.
Center for a Sustainable Future and Outdoor Programs, Director
Kathy.Whiteman@wnmu.edu