Welcome to the Don Biedebach Regional Training Center! This facility is located on the Angeles National Forest at the Los Angeles River Ranger District main office. Our mission is to provide students with the educational and logistical resources needed to make their training experience the best possible.
How to Contact Us
Traditional mail and other inquiries can be sent to:
Don Biedebach Regional Training Center
12371 Little Tujunga Canyon Rd.
San Fernando, CA 91342
If you need to phone or fax our facility, we can be reached at:
- Main (818) 899 - 4516
- Front Desk (818) 899 - 1900 ext. 239
- Fax (818) 899 - 8313
If you are sending a nomination form, please use email:
- Email dbtc@fs.fed.us
Facility Staff
Our Acting Training Officer is Tracy McGuff, and the Training Assistant is Tim Vanderveen. Training center staff are usually available Monday through Friday, from 7am to 5pm during the winter training season. The training center is closed on weekends and holidays. Course instructors and cadre can be contacted at the training center during class hours.
Transportation
The Don Biedebach Regional Training Center is located 20 minutes north of downtown Los Angeles in the city of San Fernando. Students who will be traveling by vehicle can use these directions:
From San Bernardino / Riverside / San Diego Areas - Students can take the I-15 and merge onto the 210 freeway west in the Rancho Cucamonga area. Travel west for 45 miles and exit Osborne St. Make a right off the freeway, and turn left at the immediate intersection which is Osborne St. Travel 2 miles along Osborne St. which will become Little Tujunga Canyon Road. Turn left at the sign for the Forest Service fire station, and proceed through the gates, making a left at the junction and continuing up the road to the training center.
From Sacramento / Ventura / Monterey Areas - Students can take the I-5 south towards Los Angeles, and merge onto the 210 freeway east in the Sylmar area. Travel east for 10 miles and exit Osborne St. Make a left off the freeway, and turn left at the second intersection which is Osborne St. Travel 2 miles along Osborne St. which will become Little Tujunga Canyon Road. Turn left at the sign for the Forest Service fire station, and proceed through the gates, making a left at the junction and continuing up the road to the training center.
Parking is available in the parking lot to the left and behind the main facility.
Students wishing to travel to the facility by air can book flights to Bob Hope Int. Airport (BUR), located in Burbank. For long distance travelers not wishing to fly, Amtrak offers rail service to their Burbank station, located at Bob Hope Airport. Rental cars are also available through several agencies at Bob Hope Airport.
Lodging and Meals
The training center no longer provides lodging and meals to our students. We recommend reserving your lodging accommodations in the Santa Clarita / Stevenson Ranch area, about 25 minutes from the training center. Below is a list of recommended establishments. Be sure to ask for government rates:
- La Quinta Inn & Suites Santa Clarita-Valencia
25201 The Old Road, Stevenson Ranch, CA 91381
Phone: (661) 286 - 1111
- Residence Inn - Santa Clarita
25320 The Old Road, Stevenson Ranch, CA 91381
Phone: (661) 290 - 2800
- The Fairfield Inn - Santa Clarita
25340 The Old Road, Stevenson Ranch, CA 91381
Phone: (661) 290 - 2828
The Santa Clarita / Stevenson Ranch area has a large variety of dining to choose from. Within short walking distance from the hotels listed above are several fast food restaurants including McDonalds, In ‘n Out Burger, Carl's Jr., Taco Bell, and more. Additionally within walking distance or a short commute are several casual restaurants including Outback Steakhouse, Wood Ranch BBQ, Claim Jumpers and more. The area also features many fuel and convenience stations, grocery stores, and several large shopping malls. It is central to many local recreational opportunities; just 5 minutes from Magic Mountain theme park, movie theaters and bowling, and 20 to 30 minutes from Universal Studios and City Walk, Dodger Stadium and Staples Center, and local beaches.
Students
All prospective students need to have a completed nomination form submitted through their agency's training officer to the training center well in advance of the course start date. Please do not send your nomination forms directly to DBTC. All non federal students (i.e. city, county, state) will have a collection bill submitted to their agency, or if paying as an individual, to the student.
A submitted nomination form does not guarantee acceptance into a course. Should a nominee be accepted into the course, an acceptance letter and packet will be sent to the nominee's training officer. The letter will provide course start dates, times, and other pertinent information.
If an accepted student wishes to withdraw his or her attendance, please do so at least 2 weeks prior to the course start date. If a cancellation must be made due to an emergency or other situation, please notify the training center as soon as possible and we will do our best to accommodate you. If you are a "no show" to a course without providing the training center of your desire to cancel, you or your agency will still be billed the tuition costs of the class.
Please arrive at the facility at least 10 minutes prior to the start of your class. This will ensure that you find parking, gather materials, and are ready to begin at the designated start time. Traffic on the local freeways can be heavy, so allow yourself extra time if needed. Late attendance may be cause for incompletion of the course you're attending. Respect the speed limit in the compound. There are many Forest Service employees and residents on location, and emergency equipment may be driving in and out of the facility. Please drive safely and stay alert.
Most wireless phone carriers do not have service at our location, however as a courtesy towards our instructors and other students, please turn off all phones, PDA's, and other electronic equipment while class is in session. If you need to make a phone call or use the fax, please ask the training center staff and they will assist you.
A lunch break will be provided for all classes. The time and duration of your break is up to the discretion of your instructor. You are welcome to bring a lunch in, or leave the facility and purchase lunch. Several fast food and convenience stores are available within a 10 to 15 minute drive. The training center has outdoor seating available for lunch and break periods. Most courses generally offer a short break after an hour or two. Smoking is permitted only in designated outdoor smoking areas, and must be at least 20 feet away from all buildings as a courtesy to others. Coffee and snacks may be provided. There are no vending machines on location.
Instructors
The training center staff are here to help ensure that your course runs smoothly. Please contact us as early as possible to coordinate your needs. We have a full library of course material on hand and at your disposal. If you have special requests for equipment or use of facilities, let us know in advance. Training center staff arrive at 7am.
