UC Cooperative Extension’s Northern Bay Area (Sonoma, Napa and Marin) Fire Science Program and the UC ANR Fire Network are pleased to announce an online Fire Safety Training course for the Ag Pass Program. This course was created to address a need expressed by agricultural stakeholders to support those seeking to participate in Ag Access and Pass programs in Sonoma County, as well as other counties. Applicants can visit the Ag Access Fire Training Registration link provided to learn how to register and take the online, self-paced course.
Wildfires experienced along the North Coast of California in 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020 highlighted the need for a program that would allow agricultural producers access into evacuation zones to conduct time-sensitive work and care for livestock. Assembly Bill (AB) 1130 provided legislation for agricultural producers and specifically livestock owners to access properties within an area under an evacuation order when deemed safe to do so by fire and emergency responders. One of the strengths of this AB 1130 is the legislation recognized that a one-size-fits-all program would not work as each County is unique. Since that legislation passed in 2021 Sonoma County was tasked with creating and implementing a policy and program for agricultural access. Sonoma County formally adopted its Ag Access Verification Program or ‘Ag Pass’ in 2022. The Program has evolved over the years with the latest update for Sonoma County being in 2025. This Program is set up to work for a number of emergencies including wildfire, floods and earthquakes. As of 2025, 41 counties in the state have developed Ag Pass Programs to address agricultural stakeholder access in the face of natural disasters or emergencies.
One of the eligibility requirements for Sonoma County’s Program is the completion of a Fire Safety Training class. Previously, this training had only been offered in-person at select times of the year, and space was limited. This left many Ag producers frustrated or without the requisite certificate to acquire an access verification id badge (Ag Pass) for the year. With support from the County of Sonoma’s Department of Agriculture/Weights and Measures (Sonoma County AWM), UC Cooperative Extension of Sonoma County has created an online Fire Safety Training course to provide greater access to Sonoma County Ag Producers.
This online course carries a $25 registration fee, which will serve to cover ongoing maintenance and updates to this program long-term. The training takes approximately two hours, provides preparedness and planning resources, and follows the curriculum set by the State Fire Marshal for Ag Pass Programs throughout the State. Sonoma County’s Ag Access Verification (Ag Pass) Program is valid for 42 months from the course completion/certification date. The Course consists of three units: the First Unit covering the Incident Command System and Fire Terminology, the Second Unit focuses on Fire Behavior while the Third Unit is on Safety and Accountability. The participant will acquire knowledge through videos, presentations and short assessments, before obtaining a Certificate of Completion, which is submitted as part of your Ag Access Verification Program application.
UCCE Sonoma intends to provide this course in Spanish to provide for even greater access to this valuable training for Ag Producers of Sonoma, as well as other Counties. For those outside of Sonoma County interested in this Fire Safety Training, please contact your local Ag Pass Program administrators to ensure the online training is accepted as part of your County’s specific policies and procedures. For more information on this curriculum, please contact Tori Norville at trnorville@ucanr.edu.