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FOREST SERVICE MANUAL
APACHE-SITGREAVES NATIONAL FORESTS
SPRINGERVILLE, AZ
FSM 5100 – FIRE MANAGEMENT
CHAPTER 5120 – PRESUPPRESSION MANAGEMENT
Supplement No.: 5100-97-1
Effective Date: October 1, 1997
Duration: This supplement is effective until superseded or removed.
Approved: JOHN C. BEDELL
Forest Supervisor
Date Approved: 10/01/1997
Posting Instructions: Supplements are numbered consecutively by title and calendar year.
Post by document; remove the entire document and replace it with this supplement. Retain this
transmittal as the first page of this document. The last supplement to this Title was Supplement
5100-94-5, Chapter 50.
New Document
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3 Pages
Superseded Document(s)
(Supplement Number and
Effective Date)
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3Pages
Digest:
Revises responsibilities for Forest Supervisor and District Rangers in the Red Card
qualification/certification process. This is not a significant change in text.
ASNF SUPPLEMENT 5100-97-1
EFFECTIVE DATE: October 1, 1997
DURATION: This supplement is effective until superseded or removed.
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FSM 5100 –FIRE MANAGEMENT
CHAPTER 5120 – PRESUPPRESSION MANAGEMENT
CHAPTER 5120 - PRESUPPRESSION MANAGEMENT
5126-3 - Fire Suppression Training and Qualification Requirements for Regular Forest Service
Employees.
1. Individual Responsibility. If health permits, each Forest Officer is expected to fight
forest fires when the situation demands it. All individuals are encouraged to maintain a high
physical fitness level. All Forest and District personnel with fire qualifications are to be red
carded. Except in emergencies, individuals should perform only in those fire positions for which
they are qualified and red carded.
2. Forest Supervisor's Responsibility. The Supervisor's Office will provide certification
approval for all permanent employees on the Forest. Evaluation and approval of red cards for
these employees will be accomplished by the unit rating committee. See the Fire Management
Action Plan for training qualifications and certification procedures.
3. District Ranger's Responsibility. The Ranger Districts will maintain individual fire
records for all District employees who have fire qualifications. Qualification cards and
certification for FFT1, FFT2, and HECM for temporary employees may be certified by the
Districts. Evaluation and approval of red cards for these employees should be accomplished by a
District rating committee.
4. Maintenance of Physical Fitness Level. An individual will qualify for a red card
position only as long as he/she meets the prescribed experience and training requirements and
can maintain the required physical fitness level. If the employee fails to maintain the required
fitness level, the red card must be revised to eliminate jobs for which the employee no longer
qualifies.
District Rangers will administer and maintain records for the agency physical fitness test
for District employees.
The Forest Dispatcher will be responsible for the same for Supervisor's Office
employees.
5. Organized Physical Training Program. All individuals whose primary job is fire
suppression, should undertake an organized physical training program. The program is to be
conducted daily and be a minimum of one-half hour in duration.
ASNF SUPPLEMENT 5100-97-1
EFFECTIVE DATE: October 1, 1997
DURATION: This supplement is effective until superseded or removed.
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FSM 5100 –FIRE MANAGEMENT
CHAPTER 5120 – PRESUPPRESSION MANAGEMENT
6. Tractor Operator. Journeymen and tradesmen such as tractor operators are not required to
pass the step test at a specific level, providing the following requirements are fulfilled:
A. No physical fitness level has been established for that skill.
B. Employee is only filling that specific skill.
C. Employee is in reasonably good health and can perform his skill. If there is a
question concerning their health, a physical should be required.
Example: A Forest Service equipment operator performing as a tractor operator on a fire would
not have to take a step test providing the above three elements were fulfilled. However, if that
employee was used to fill a tractor boss, tractor manager, or other fire position, he would be
required to meet that position's minimum physical fitness level.