COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course provides students with the skills necessary to perform as a Field Observer (FOBS) and/or a Fire Effects Monitor (FEMO). Topics include roles and responsibilities of the FOBS and FEMO; how to make observations and document those observations; how to produce hand drawn and GPS field maps; and how to navigate using a compass and GPS. The navigation unit has 4½ hours of field exercises and the final field exercise is 8 hours. For pre-course work, students need to read and complete exercises in Basic Land Navigation, PMS 475.
TARGET GROUP:
Personnel desiring to be qualified as Field Observer (FOBS). Fire Effects Monitor (FEMO)
PREREQUISITES:
- Successful completion of S-290, Intermediate Wildland Fire Behavior.
- Successful completion of pre-course work.
- Basic understanding of how to use a GPS receiver.
- If you are taking the course to become a FOBS: Qualified as any single resource boss.
OR
- If you are taking the course to become a FEMO: Qualified as a Firefighter Type 2 (FFT2).
STUDENTS MUST BRING THE FOLLOWING TO CLASS:
- Laptop or Tablet Device with Cal Topo Cal Topo Link
- S-244 Student Workbook Click Here To Download
- S-244-APPENDIX C Handouts Click Here To Download
- Wildland Fire Incident Management Field Guide Click Here To Download
- Basic Land Navigation, NFES 2865 Click Here To Download This Course Must Be Completed Before The First Day Of The Course.
- Fireline Handbook (including Appendix B), NFES 0065 Click Here To Download
- Incident Response Pocket Guide, NFES 1077 Click Here To Download
- Fire Effects Monitor, Field Observer Task Book
- Field clothes with PPE
- Engineer’s ruler Amazon Link
- UTM grid Amazon Link
- Compass with adjustment for magnetic declination Amazon Link
- Clinometer (if not in the compass)
- GPS receiver and download cable REI Link
- Belt weather kit and / or Kestrel Weather Meter
- Markers, pens, and pencils
- Day pack for field exercises
NOTES:
Participants enrolled in this courses will receive a Pre-study packet or online pre-study that must be completed prior to attending and available to the instructor at the beginning of the class.
ADDITIONAL REOURCES: