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Wilderness EMT & Red Card

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Aerie Courses / Wilderness EMT & Red Card

Wilderness

Wilderness EMT & Red Card

Course Details:

Wilderness EMTs take foundational EMT skills into austere locations, with hazardous environments and limited resources. Wilderness EMTs are taught to adapt to these challenges with numerous extensive, realistic scenarios and case studies. Upon successful completion of course requirements, students are eligible for the National Registry EMT and the State of Montana EMT certifications. This WEMT is offered for 3 University of Montana credits, ECP 331, for an additional fee ($155), paid directly to the University of Montana.

Red Card Details:
This course is designed to prepare you to operate as a Fireline EMT / Paramedic. The Fireline EMS positions are unique entry-level positions in the wildland fire service that are often asked to operate more independently than most entry-level fire positions. We acknowledge the unique risk this poses if you were to be contracted onto a fire, and so we have built a course to exceed national standards.

This course is completed over the duration of two in-person training days.  One day is largely classroom, discussion, and case-study based.  The other day is field based, where participants complete an arduous pack test (see below), fire shelter deployments and other fieldwork.

The in-person days may only be completed if the prerequisite online work is completed and submitted before the first day of in-person training.

SCHEDULE: Class will be held from 8am-6pm each weekday.

COST: $3,500. Tuition includes all course materials and fees for the practical exam. Room and board are not included or provided. A deposit of $1,000 is due at the time of registration.

LOCATION: Missoula College, 1205 E. Broadway St., Missoula, MT 59802.
You can use alternate sources of funding such as AmeriCorps or G.I. Bill® and we do offer payment plans. Room and board are not provided or included in the course cost.

Textbook: Students are required to purchase the EMT textbook for this course. It can be new, used, rented, or an electronic version: we highly discourage students from using previous versions of this textbook as curriculum points are outdated. The accompanying workbook is not recommended, and not required for course completion.
Prehospital Emergency Care (12th Edition)- Joseph Mistovich
ISBN-10: 0138223866
ISBN-13: 978-0138223861

Q. Do I need to purchase my own stethoscope?

A. No, Aerie will provide stethoscopes for students to use during class. However, we recommend that students consider purchasing their own stethoscope as they work toward obtaining their EMT license. There are many options available, and trying different models during class can help students determine which one suits them best. One highly recommended brand is Littmann® (https://www.littmann.com/en-us/home/classic-iii-stethoscope/).

Arduous Pack Test:
This course includes a test to show each firefighter is able to perform arduous duty. That is a 3-mile walk with a 45-pound pack completed in or under 45 minutes.

More information with all the course details will be emailed to every student before the course begins. Please be sure that your email is current and working.
For more information, please feel free to contact Aerie Backcountry Medicine at
(406) 542 - 9972 or email us at info@aeriemed.com

Wilderness EMT & Red Card | Jun 1, 2026 - Jun 30, 2026 Course Image
Wilderness EMT & Red Card | Jun 1, 2026 - Jun 30, 2026 Course Image
Wilderness EMT & Red Card | Jun 1, 2026 - Jun 30, 2026 Course Image
Wilderness EMT & Red Card | Jun 1, 2026 - Jun 30, 2026 Course Image
Wilderness EMT & Red Card | Jun 1, 2026 - Jun 30, 2026 Course Image
Wilderness EMT & Red Card | Jun 1, 2026 - Jun 30, 2026 Course Image
Wilderness EMT & Red Card | Jun 1, 2026 - Jun 30, 2026 Course Image
Wilderness EMT & Red Card | Jun 1, 2026 - Jun 30, 2026 Course Image
Wilderness EMT & Red Card | Jun 1, 2026 - Jun 30, 2026 Course Image
Wilderness EMT & Red Card | Jun 1, 2026 - Jun 30, 2026 Course Image

Missoula, MT

Jun 1, 2026 - Jun 30, 2026

22 Course Days

3 college credits

$3,500.00 USD

·

Course down payment: $1,000.00

Min: $1,000.00 (down payment) • Max: $3,500.00 (full payment)


Additional Course Information & FAQs

What do I need to bring to class?

Aerie classes are held both indoors and out. You will need to bring a notebook and writing utensils for classroom sessions. You will also need appropriate clothing to be outdoors for several hours at a time. This can vary significantly depending on the season, pay close attention to precourse materials sent before your class for specific clothing needs.

Do I need to order a textbook?

No, Aerie textbooks are distributed at the beginning of your course. If you’d like to review these materials ahead of class, you can access a free online version of our textbook here.

Can I receive University of Montana credit for Aerie courses?

Aerie students can receive academic credit for WFA, WFR, EMT, and WEMT courses through a partnership with the University of Montana. Please contact info@aeriemed.com for the correct registration form for your class.

Does Aerie provide lodging, food, or transportation?

No. Instructors will happily help coordinate carpools to field locations and give some ideas of easy food options near class locations. Aerie cannot officially coordinate any lodging, food, or transportation for out classes.
The Semester in Wilderness Medicine programs do provide all this support for students. Please visit the Semester page for more details about these programs.

Can I take a class if I am under 18 years old?

Yes, students as young as 16 years old can attend class alone or with a parent or guardian. Students younger than 16 years old are welcome in our classes but are required to attend with a parent or guardian. The parent or guardian will need to sign a minor release form before class begins for all students under 18 years old.

What can I expect my Aerie course experience to be like?

At Aerie we strive to create a positive learning environment for all of our students. Regardless of the course type, you will learn from passionate and experienced instructors. We provide the support needed to help our students succeed. While in class you will take part in a variety of activities and lessons to help further your knowledge of medicine. Our courses include hands-on practice with the instructors and fellow students, carefully thought out lectures to give you the information you need for your certification, and a combination of fun and challenging activities to help you comprehend each topic. Each course can look different depending on the location and level of certification, however we work at having a consistent curriculum so that all of our students receive the appropriate training.

What is a typical class schedule?

Aerie classes may differ slightly depending on the specific course type and needs of the host facility. Generally, class begins at 8:00am and ends at either 5:00pm or 6:00pm. You will have one hour for lunch around 12:00pm each day.

Who are my instructors?

Aerie instructors are passionate about what they do and enjoy motivating and educating our students. We cover not only the medical topics needed to obtain your desired certification, but we teach leadership skills, communication techniques and group dynamics. Each instructor has a combination of medical and professional outdoor experience. Learn more about our staff here.

I get squeamish at the sight of blood and broken bones, will that affect my learning experience?

Some presentations will have photos or videos that depict blood and other injuries. Instructors make every effort to properly prepare students for when these images will come onto the screen. Students are not required to view any of this content. Instructors will also use fake blood and wounds for scenarios during class. The makeup can be greatly reduced for students that are uncomfortable with the presentation. Aerie emphasizes the treatment of injuries and illness and recognizes that these skills can be taught without the use of gruesome images, videos, and makeup.

What does this training prepare me for?

At Aerie, our students go on to do a variety of different jobs or hobbies after their training, and we love helping our students prepare for their own unique futures. We prepare our students by creating custom medical scenarios, demonstrating medical events and treatments, and facilitating activities that will help our students gain confidence in patient care.

When will I receive my certification card?

Aerie will issue electronic certification cards directly to your email address within a week of course completion. Sometimes these certifications get caught in spam folders or other filters, please reach out to info@aeriemed.com if you are missing your certification.

How long does my certification last?

Aerie certifications last for two years. WFR, EMT, and WEMT certifications have specific recertification requirements that are outlined in the course materials. CPR and WFA classes are recertified by taking the course again.


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Testimonials

Instructors were great at providing examples and answering questions in a simple manner for all to understand.

WFA Student 3

This course more than met my expectations. There is a lot of information packed into a short time, but it was presented in a way that made it manageable. Some of the best medical scenarios I have ever been a part of–very realistic!

EMT Student 1

I loved this course! I could have done the Mass Casualty Incident (MCI) for a lot longer–it was so much fun!

WAFA Student 4

The course was very informative and practical. Thank you for providing a safe environment to learn and practice.

WAFA Student 3

Thank you! This course has made me want to go into the medical field even more! You are all amazing!

WAFA Student 2

Instructors were very fun and interactive and made the course very engaging. Thank you so much for all your work!

WAFA Student 1

This course exceeded my expectations. Training scenarios and instructors were professional, engaging, and made the course fly by. I learned a lot while having fun at the same time.

WEMT Student 2

All of the instructors are excellent! I appreciate the different teaching styles, and everyone was very knowledgeable. The extended care scenario was my favorite!

WEMT Student 1

I liked the course and I feel that I learned a lot, and am much more prepared for an emergency situation.

WFA Student 4

Instructors were very knowledgeable and were great communicators. Lectures were well planned and delivered with a good mix of engaging scenarios. Well done! Thanks!

WFRR Student 2

Awesome class! It was great to have an active wildland fire line medics and EMTs teaching the class. Aerie did a great job tailoring the class to our needs and focusing on relevant topics. Aerie is the best!

EMTR Student 4

Really great course. Extremely informative. I learned much more than was expected. Great instructors with a lot of knowledge and experience.

EMTR Student 3

Great class! Super thorough and incredibly informative.

EMTR Student 2

Great class! I appreciate how the course was tailored to our group. Thank you!

EMTR Student 1

This course was filled with a ton of excellent information. I really enjoyed the scenarios integrated into the lectures. Hands on is the way to go!

WFA Student 2

Really enjoyed the course, thank you! Glad to see the psychological first aid lectures.

WFA Student 1

Definitely feeling more confident having recertified for my second time while continuing my outdoor recreation and employment. Thanks again!

WFRR Student 3