AWIMA (Arizona Wildfire & Incident Management Academy) is the premier wildland firefighter training in Arizona and is recognized nationally. AWIMA’s Mission Statement is “To develop professional and safe responses in the wildland environment by offering training and education that meets or exceeds the National Wildfire Coordinating group standards”.
Each year, over 600 firefighters and instructors attend during a week of intense wildland fire fighter training. Training is done at every level from entry level wildland fire fighting all the way to incident command. Funding is provided by tuition paid by each attending fire fighter, donations and grants from various entities.
Each year, over 600 firefighters and instructors attend during a week of intense wildland fire fighter training. Training is done at every level from entry level wildland fire fighting all the way to incident command. Funding is provided by tuition paid by each attending fire fighter, donations and grants from various entities.
Every year we tragically lose firefighters battling wildland fires. June 30, 2013 hit the Yavapai County Arizona community with an irrefutable loss of 19 members of our Granite Mountain Hotshots. Many of these member had been instructors or members of the Incident Management Team for AWIMA from its creation.
AWIMA continues to provide the best possible training available for our wildland firefighters.
With the help of generous benefactors such as Ann and Steve Atkinson, many more firefighters will be able to attend classes thru scholarships. Proceeds from the sale of Steve’s original painting and posters, “Answering the Call”, will ensure sustainability in providing the best trained wildland firefighter and Incident Management Teams.
Wildland Division Chief Duane Steinbrink (ret)
“Esse Quam Videri”
AWIMA continues to provide the best possible training available for our wildland firefighters.
With the help of generous benefactors such as Ann and Steve Atkinson, many more firefighters will be able to attend classes thru scholarships. Proceeds from the sale of Steve’s original painting and posters, “Answering the Call”, will ensure sustainability in providing the best trained wildland firefighter and Incident Management Teams.
Wildland Division Chief Duane Steinbrink (ret)
“Esse Quam Videri”
Fund Training for Wildland FirefightersPrescott artist Steve Atkinson donated the painting “Answering the Call” to the Academy in 2013 in honor of wildland firefighters. The original painting was sold to an anonymous donor and funded more than 90 days of classes. A signed giclee is on permanent display at the Prescott Resort. Steve and Ann have joined with other involved residents from Williamson Valley, Arizona to create a scholarship fund for firefighters to expand their skills at the Arizona Wildfire & Incident Management Academy (AWIMA). As of March 2014, the Williamson Valley Group has raised more than $14,000 to fund firefighter scholarships. Below, Steve describes the journey that lead to this painting. |
I started this painting a couple of years ago but it just never felt finished. I put it away to pick it up again another time. Then the 2013 wildfire season came raging in our lives. My wife Ann and I evacuated during the Doce fire and then just days later, our hearts were broken when the 19 Granite Mountain Hotshots perished in Yarnell. We felt compelled to do something to help. Over 4th of July, the Prescott Rodeo opened each event with a mounted cowboy leading a riderless horse. The community was grieving, and so were we.
With renewed purpose, the painting was finished in 2013. The rider is answering the call while leading a riderless horse in honor of the fallen. Firefighters may ride a fire line to mark the path Hotshot Crews will clear. Essential supplies are also carried into remote wildland areas by horseback. A purple ribbon is the color to honor wildland firefighters who have made the ultimate sacrifice. The clouds hint at rain that may fall too late. Smoke from the fire mingles with the clouds.
With eternal gratitude, thank you to all who answer the call."
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Support AWIMA by ordering a full color poster, signed by the artist, Steve Atkinson.
20"high x 16" wide $25 with free shipping. $20 for free pick up from Steve Atkinson Studio in Prescott, Arizona. Click here to contact the artist for more pickup info. 100% of the profits from these posters fund scholarships for fire fighters to attend the Arizona Wildfire and Incident Management Academy. Please send a check or money order made payable to AWIMA with the memo of "scholarship". Include the shipping address. We can ship to more than one address per order. Mail to: AWIMA c/o Steve Atkinson Studio 11255 N Waylands Trail Prescott, AZ 86305 |