How to Get a Red Card

The full process to obtain a Red Card and progress upward through the qualification system to higher responsibility is outlined in the PMS 310-1 Wildland Fire Qualification System Guide. Pay special attention to the early sections, as they provide a description of the overall system, including certification, maintaining currency, required training, position task books, fitness standards and incident complexity.
Healthy Forest Alliance issues red cards to non-federal firefighters affiliated with our organization. Here are the documents required to obtain a card. All must be received by the Healthy Forest Alliance prior to the issue of a card:

Steps to Obtain Certification

Basic Firefighter

Every firefighter must meet these requirements for a basic redcard:

• S-130 Firefighter Training
• S-130 Firefighter Training Skills Day Evaluation*
• S-190 Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior
• L-180 Human Factors in the Wildland Fire Service
• I-100 Introduction to Incident Command System and IS-700 National Incident Management System (NIMS)
• Pass a fitness test. Most wildland fire agencies use the "pack" test. Depending on your anticipated fireline assignment, there are three levels of pack testing: light, moderate and arduous. Primary firefighters are required to pass the arduous level test: a three-mile walk with a 45-pound pack that must be done in less than 45 minutes.   More Information About The Work Capacity Test

Moving Up In the System

To move beyond this level (the next level is Advanced Firefighter/Squad Boss, FFT1) requires a combination of courses and on-the-job training. Required courses must be completed first, and then a "position task book" will be issued to the firefighter. A task book contains a list of various tasks and duties that must be performed in a variety of situations under the supervision of a firefighter certified at an equal or higher level. Upon completion of each task, your supervisor initials your task book to signify that you have done the job successfully. When the entire book is complete, and following certification by the appropriate authority, the firefighter will be considered qualified and certified at the next level.
Taskbook Guidance

Obtaining Training

Contact the Healthy Forest Alliance Fire Training Program for all your wildland fire training needs.  

Incident Qualification System (IQS) Forms

This form is available for download and can be mailed, sent as an email, or printed and brought to a relevant training.

In the ever-evolving field of ecological restoration and wildfire management, the role of a Certified Burn Boss is crucial. These skilled individuals lead prescribed burns, implementing carefully planned fires to rejuvenate landscapes, reduce wildfire risks, and promote overall ecosystem health. At the forefront of this initiative is the Certified Burn Boss Training & Mentorship Program – a comprehensive and transformative journey for those looking to become stewards of controlled burns.

The Urgent Need for Building Prescribed Fire Capacity in California

Introduction:

California's landscapes are no stranger to the fiery embrace of wildfires. In recent years, the state has faced increasingly severe wildfire seasons, prompting a reevaluation of traditional fire management strategies. As the specter of uncontrolled wildfires looms larger, there is a growing consensus among experts and policymakers that building prescribed fire capacity is a critical and timely investment for California's future.

Introduction:

California's diverse landscapes, ranging from lush forests to arid chaparral, have long been shaped by the natural force of fire. However, in recent decades, the state has faced escalating challenges due to wildfires exacerbated by climate change and dense vegetation. In response to this growing threat, communities across California have come together to form Prescribed Burn Associations (PBAs), proactive groups dedicated to utilizing controlled burns as a tool for managing wildfire risk and restoring ecosystems.