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.