5109.17_20
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FOREST SERVICE HANDBOOK
NORTHERN REGION (REGION 1)
MISSOULA, MT
FSH 5109.17 – FIRE AND AVIATION MANAGEMENT
QUALIFICATIONS HANDBOOK
CHAPTER 20 – QUALIFICATIONS AND CERTIFICATION
Supplement No.: R1 5109.17-2003-1
Effective Date: June 10, 2003
Duration: This supplement is effective until superseded or removed.
Approved: CINDY S. SWANSON FOR
BRADLEY E. POWELL
Regional Forester
Date Approved: 05/20/2003
Posting Instructions: Supplements are numbered consecutively by Handbook number and
calendar year. Post by document; remove entire document and replace it with this supplement.
Retain this transmittal as the first page(s) of this document. The last supplement to this
Handbook was 5109.17, to chapter 20.
New Document(s):
5109.17_20
2 Pages
Superseded Document(s) by
Issuance Number and
Effective Date
5109.17-96-1 (05/03/96)
2 Pages
5109.17,26, ex.04-ex07
Digest:
22.04 – Adds responsibility for reviewing qualifications and signing Form PMS 310-3,
Qualification Card Incident Command System (Red Cards).
26 – Removes Region 1 direction; it is now found in WO Amendment 5109.17-2002-3,
section 25.14 – exhibit 01.
R1 SUPPLEMENT 5109.17-2003-1
EFFECTIVE DATE: 06/10/2003
DURATION: This supplement is effective until superseded or removed.
5109.17_20
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FSH 5109.17 – FIRE AND AVIATION MANAGEMENT QUALIFICATIONS HANDBOOK
CHAPTER 20 – QUALIFICATIONS AND CERTIFICATION
22.04 - Responsibility for Signing Form PMS 310-3, Qualification Card Incident
Command System
1. The Regional Director of Fire, Aviation and Air must review and approve Form PMS
310-3 for the following positions:
a. Area Command (all positions).
b. Incident Management Team Command and General Staff positions, Type I.
The Director, Fire, Aviation and Air, shall establish a FQRC to oversee all Regional Office
employee fire qualifications and approve positions listed above. The Deputy Director for Fire,
Aviation and Air shall approve Regional Office employee fire qualifications. Forest Supervisor,
or designated representative, shall approve fire qualifications for personnel within their authority.
2. Forest Supervisors are responsible to review and approve Form PMS 310-3 for the
following positions:
a. Air Operations Branch Director.
b. Air Tactical Group Supervisor.
c. Helicopter Manager.
d. Helitorch Manager.
e. Plastic Sphere Dispenser Operator.
f. Incident Business Advisor.
Forest Supervisors shall establish a Fire Qualification, Review and Certification Committee
(FQRC) composed of Forest and District representatives with sufficient fire management and
suppression experience to assess the fire experience, performance, qualifications, and formal
training of personnel being rated. The committee must include a Human Resources and Union
representatives as appropriate.
Forest Supervisors are responsible for assuring personnel have current approved fire
qualification cards prior to dispatch to an incident.