File Code:
Route To:
Subject:
5100
Date: July 25, 2003
Releaseof FSH 5109.17(Fire and Aviation ManagementQualifications
Handbook)
To: Regional Foresters, Station Directors, Area Director, IITF Director, Job Corps,
and WO Staff
The Fire and Aviation ManagementQualificationsHandbook(FSH5109.17)hasbeenrevised
andwill be issuedwith an effectivedateof July 8, 2003. This handbookservesasthe primary
position qualificationrequirementsguide for ForestServiceemployees.FSH 5109.17
supplementsthe Wildland andPrescribedFire QualificationSystemGuide,PMS 310-1. PMS
310-1 providesnationalminimum incidentmanagement
andprescribedfire requirementsfor
personnel.The FSH 5109.17describesmore specificskill levelsandlists additionaltraining to
meetagencyspecificrequirements.
FSH 5109.17 is designed to establish a single qualification standard for the Forest Service.
Regional Foresters can supplement fire and aviation managementqualifications requirements
only to comply with State or local law.
This amendmentidentifies additional required National Wildfire and Coordinating Group and
equivalent courses for some positions. Individuals who have initiated task books for those
positions shall be required to complete the training prior to certification for the position.
Bill Terry, Branch Chief for Fire Training, Fire and Aviation Management Staff, Washington
Office has established an FSH 5109.17 ad hoc committee with memberswho serve as: contacts
representing the Branch Chief for Fire Training; and subject matter experts in the functional
areasof the Incident Command System positions, including the technical specialist. A listing of
the ad hoc committee representativesand contact phone numbers, along with the functional areas
they represent, can be found on the National Training Information Communications System
(TICS) world wide web/lnternet: htt. ://www.nationaliretrainin .net
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The handbook is available electronically on the Forest Service Web site at
htt!)://fsweb.wo.fs.fed.us/directives/fsh/51 09.17/ and to other agenciesand the public on the
World Wide Web at htm://www.fs.fed.us/im/directives/fsh/51 09.17/.Please review the
document in its entirety and implement it on your units.
/s/ Robin L. Thompson(for)
JOELD. HOLTROP
DeputyChief StateandPrivateForestry
To open this document in the Records database, click on this link ->~
Table of Contents
02
03
04
05
06
07
!
-OBJECTIVE
-POLICY
-RESPONSIBILITY
-DEFINITIONS
-REFERENCES
-REVIEW AND REVISION
4
4
4
4
6
7
02 -OBJECTIVE
To establishpositions,qualifications,and certificationrequirementsin fire and aviation
managementto ensureForestServicepersonnelhavethe organization,training, and
qualificationsto carry out fire and aviationmanagement
policies andprogramsin a safe,costefficient manner,consistentwith land andresourcemanagementobjectives.
03-POLICY
1. Comply with the qualificationsrequirementsfor the skills andknowledgeuniqueto
fire and aviationmanagement
and the IncidentCommandSystem(ICS) as establishedby the
National Wildfire CoordinatingGroup (NWCG) in the Wildland and PrescribedFire
Qualification SystemGuide,PMS 310-1 (sec. 12 and FSM 5108). Comply with anyadditional
ForestServicerequirementsfor additionaltraining andqualificationsas set forth in sections25.1
through 25.3 of this Handbook,FSH 5109.17,which is the controlling documentwith respectto
all fire and aviationmanagement
qualifications for ForestServiceemployees.
2. Accept personnel from State agencies or other non-Federal cooperators hired as
Administratively Determined (AD) personnel participating in cooperative fire management
efforts, provided they meet the minimum position requirements as specified in the NWCG
Wildland and Prescribed Fire Qualifications Systems Guide, PMS 310-1 (sec. 12 and
FSM 5108).
04 -RESPONSIBILITY
1. The WashingtonOffice Staff Directors,RegionalForesters,StationDirectors,Area
Director, ForestSupervisors,and District Rangersareresponsiblefor assessingthe training
developmentneedsof employeesin their units andproviding appropriatetraining opportunities.
2. Employeesare ultimately responsiblefor their own developmentand shouldrespond
to training opportunitiesthatwill improve their performance.
3. Managersandemployeeshavethe responsibilityto review directionand propose
necessaryrevisionsaspart of the annualreview and revisionprocessfor this Handbook(sec. 07).
05 -DEFINITIO,.,IS
For additionaldefinitions oftenns relatedto the IncidentCommandSystem(ICS), refer to
FSM 5105 andthe Glossaryof Tenns for the Fireline Handbook,NWCG 410-1 (FSH 5109.32a,
sec.05).
Certification. The process in which a managerconfirms that an individual has met all
minimum qualifications and is qualified to perform in a specified position based on performance.
The certification is documented on a data managementsystemprogram and with the issuanceof
Form PMS 310-3, Qualification Card Incident Command System, to the qualified individual.
CurrencyR~uirement. The requirementto haveperformedsatisfactorilyin a specified
position within the last 5 years(or last 3 yearsin aviationand dispatchpositions)to maintain
qualification for thatposition. (Seealso "Other PositionsMeeting CurrencyRequirements.")
De-certification. The processof removingor reducingan individual's fire suppression,
fire use, and/orprescribedfire managementposition(s)qualification(s).
Evaluator. A personwho is certified in the positionin which the traineeis being
evaluatedand who is assignedto evaluatea trainee'sperformance.Prior to evaluatinga trainee's
performance,the Evaluatormusthaveservedin a minimumof two assignments
as fully qualified
in the position.
Ex~erience.Documented,satisfactoryperfonnancein specifiedICS positionsthat is
neededto qualify for another(usuallyhigher level) position; in the caseof a trainee,satisfactory
perfonnancein the position for which the traineeis to qualify.
Grandfathering. Linking ~nrecognized or uncertified position experience and/or training
together to establish a qualification. There is no "grandfathering" allowed for any position
contained in this Handbook, FSH 5109.17.
IncidentCommandSystem(lCS). The combinationof facilities, equipment,personnel,
procedures,and communicationsoperatingwithin a commonorganizationalstructure,with
responsibilityfor the managementof assignedresourcesto effectively accomplishstated
objectivespertainingto an incident.
Other PositionsMeetin1!CurrencyReauirements.Positionsin anotherfunction, or at an
equivalentor lower level in the samefunction, that meetthe currencyrequirementsfor the
positionunder which they arelisted.
Position Performance Assignment. An assignment in which an individual is being
evaluated for tasks found in the position task books. Exceptions for the Single Resource Boss
and Strike Team Leader positions are found on page A-13 of the NWCG Wildland and
Prescribed Fire Qualification System Guide, PMS 310-1.
Qualified Individual. An individual whoseagencyhasdocumentedthat the individual
has successfullycompletedall requirementsfor training, experience,andphysical fitness for a
specific ICS position.
Re-certification. ReissuanceofFonn PMS 310-3, QualificationCard IncidentCommand
System,certifying that an individual hasregainedqualificationfor an ICS position.
SatisfactoryPerfonnance.Perfonnanceby an individual that meetsor exceedsthe
written standardsfor a specific ICS positionasevaluatedby the individual's incident or agency
supervtsor.
Skill Position. A position that requires specific skills and knowledge to perfonn on a
wildland fire incident. Examples include Firefighter, Fire Behavior Analyst, Single Resource
Boss, Prescribed Fire Bum Boss, or Ignition Specialist.
Subject Matter Exnert. A person who has a thorough technical knowledge and recent
field experience in perfOnIling and/or supervising the task in question. A person generally
recognized among working associatesas being very competent at perfonIling thetask(s).
TechnicalSRecialist.A personhavinguniqueskills perfonnedin an everydayjob that
are neededto supportan incidentoperation. ExamplesincludeContractingOfficer,
Environmental Specialist,Electrician,andMeteorologist.
Trainee. An agency-approved
individual who is preparingto qualify for a position
through completionof training coursesand on-the-jobtraining. Also, a personwho is attempting
to demonstratetask evaluationor positionperformanceof requiredjob tasksunderthe direct
supervisionof an evaluatorwho is qualified in the position.
Trainer/Coach. A qualified individual who providesinstructionto a trainee in the
classroom,on thejob, or on an incident. A Trainer/Coachmustbe currentlyqualified in the
position being observedand musthave successfullyperformedin a minimum of two assignments
in the position for which the Trainer/Coachis training others.
Training Snecialist. A personwho identifies incidentevaluationopportunitiesfor
traineesand ensuresthat the assignmentis properlydocumented.On initial attackand extended
attackincidentsthe Training Specialist'sdutieswould be perfonnedby unit personnel.
06-REFERENCES
For additional directionand infonnation, consultthe referenceslisted in FSM 5108 andthe
following references:
1. ForestServiceWorld Wide Web/IntemetFire website: http://www.fsfed.us/jire.
2. InteragencyHelicopter OperationsGuide,NFES 1885(FSM 5716.03).
3. InteragencyAir Tactical GroupSupervisorGuide,NFES 1393(FSM 5716.03).
4. InteragencyIncidentBusinessManagementHandbook,PMS901-1 (FSH 5109.34).
5. Fireline Handbook,PMS 410-1 (FSM 5109.32a).
6. InteragencyAerial Ignition GuideNFES 1080(FSM 5142.2).
7. InteragencySingleEngine Air TankerOperationsGuide,NFES 1844(FSM 5716.03).
8. InteragencyRappelGuide (FSM 5711.11).
9. Standardsfor Fire and Aviation Operations(FSM 5108).
07 -REVIEW
AND REVISION
To maintain the currency ofFSH 5109.17, Fire and Aviation Management Qualifications
Handbook, the Director, Fire and Aviation Management Staff, Washington Office, has
established a process for annual review and revision of the direction in this Handbook.
1. The Director of Fire and Aviation Management, Washington Office, shall issue an
annual call1etler by September 1 to field units and Washington Office Staffs requesting their
review of this Handbook and submission of responses. Comments and proposed revisions are
due back by October 1.
2. Field units should submitproposedrevisionsto their respectiveRegionalFire Training
Officers.
3. The RegionalFire Training Officers shall consolidateresponsesfor their Regionsand
forward them to the BranchChief for Fire Training, Fire and Aviation ManagementStaff,
WashingtonOffice or the representativedesignatedin the call letter.
4. The Branch Chief for Fire Training, Fire and Aviation Management Staff, Washington
Office, shall annually assemblea working team to review the consolidated comments submitted
by field units and Washington Office Staff Units; consult with subject matter experts and
Regional Fire Training Officers as appropriate; and determine the need for revision.
The working teamshall include a PartnershipCouncil Representative
and ForestService
REDCARD ProjectLeader,aswell as selectedRegionalFire Training Officers and appropriate
subjectmatterexperts(for example,FuelsSpecialists,HelicopterOperationsSpecialists,and so
on).
5. An FSH 5109.17ad hoc committeehasbeenestablishedby the BranchChief, Fire
Training, Fire and Aviation ManagementStaff, WashingtonOffice, with memberswho serveas:
a. Contactsrepresentingthe BranchChief for Fire Training, and
b. Subjectmatterexpertsin the functionalareasof the ICS positions,including the
technicalspecialist. A listing of the adhoc committeerepresentativesand contact
phonenumbers,along with the functionalareasthey represent,canbe found on the
National Training InformationCommunicationsSystem(TICS) world wide
web/Internet: http://www.nationalfiretraining.net
Table of Contents
11 -NATIONAL
INTERAGENCY INCIDENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
3
11.1 -Organizational Chartsfor IncidentCommandSystem
12 -WILDLAND
AND PRESCRIBED FIRE QUALIFICATION
310-1
12.04 -Responsibility
3
SYSTEM GUIDE,
PMS
15
,
15
11 -NATIONAL
INTERAGENCY
INCIDENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
(For further direction, seeFSM 5133
All wildland fire protectionagenciesareorganizedto manageforest,brush,and grassfires
within their jurisdictions. They can usuallymanagelarge,complexfires with their own
resources.However, additional or substantialoutsideassistancemaybe required at times. To
addressthis need,a nationwide multi-agencymanagement
systemhasbeenadopted,called the
National InteragencyIncident ManagementSystem(NIIMS), which providesthe total systems
approachnecessaryfor responsein emergencysituationsinvolving a wide rangeof natural or
human-causedincidents.
NIIMS consistsof five major subsystems,which togetherprovide a total approachto incident
management.The subsystemsand their functionsareasfollows:
1. IncidentCommandSvstemacs). An on-scenestructureof genericmanagementlevel positions suitableto manageanyincident.
2. Training. Development and delivery of training courses,
3. Qualifications and Certification. National standards for qualifications and
certification for ICS positions.
4. Publications Management. Development, control, sources,and distribution ofNIIMS
publications provided by the National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG).
5. Supporting Technology. Technology and systemsused to support an emergency
response, such as orthophoto mapping, National Fire Danger Rating System, remote automatic
weather stations, automatic lightning detection systems,infrared technology, and
communications.
11.1 -Organizational
Charts for Incident Command System
Exhibits 01 through 09 display the organization and reporting lines for Incident Command
System (ICS) positions for the most complex incidents.
Following is the key to the qualification flow charts. The charts in this chapter show the
progression
of qualifications
!!Q!
organization
charts.
. from one position to another within the system. These charts ~
Eachbox within the chartscontainsinfonnationpertainingto prerequisitequalifications,
training, and physical fitnessandshouldbe readas shownin the following diagram:
IWOAMENDMENT5109.17-2003-2
5109.17_10
EFFECTIVE DATE: 06/25/2003
DURATION: This amendment is effective until superseded or removed.
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Page 4 of 15
FSH 5109.17 -FIRE AND AVIATION MANAGEMENT QUALIFICATIONS
HANDBIOOK
CHAPTER 10 -NATIONAL
INTERAGENCY INCIDENT' MANAGEMENT SYSTE:M
An asterisk (*) indicates that
a position perfonnance
assignment on a wildland or
prescribed fire is needed prior to
final qualifications in this position.
Jobtitle andmnemonicsidentifier
for position.
Positions(listed by mnemonics)
for which a prerequisite
qualificationis required.
Training course(s) required
for qualificationin this position.
Seesections21-25 of this Handbook
for a completelist of requiredtraining,
knowledge,and skills needed.
Required level ofI
physical fitness for this position:
A -Arduous, M -Moderate,
L -Light, N -None.
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