Introducing S‑112: A New Era in Entry‑Level Chainsaw Training 🚧
What Is S‑112?
Effective April 30, 2025, NWCG officially added S‑112, Introduction to Chainsaw Operations, to its official training catalog and IQCS system National Interagency Fire Center+13iqcsweb.nwcg.gov+13The Healthy Forest Alliance Foundation+13. This new course is a blended learning course—consisting of:
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~4 hours online via the Wildland Fire Learning Portal
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1 day of classroom instruction
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2 days of hands‑on field training
It’s specifically designed as the entry‑level chainsaw operations course, targeted at personnel seeking the Basic Faller (FAL 3) qualification National Wildfire Coordinating Group+13fs-prod-nwcg.s3.us-gov-west-1.amazonaws.com+13sbbchidaho.org+13.
This aligns with the updated PMS 310‑1 qualification standards, which stipulate that FAL 3 training will now require S‑112 (instead of the previous S‑212 requirement), starting the year after the new course is certified iqcsweb.nwcg.gov+7fs-prod-nwcg.s3.us-gov-west-1.amazonaws.com+7fs-prod-nwcg.s3.us-gov-west-1.amazonaws.com+7.
Why the Change? A Shift Toward a Tiered Sawyer Curriculum
Previously, NWCG offered a single chainsaw course—S‑212 Wildland Fire Chainsaws—for the Basic Faller (FAL 3) position. But following the Brian Hughes fatality corrective action and recommendations from the Hazard Tree and Tree Felling Subcommittee, NWCG decided to restructure chainsaw training into a three‑level system:
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S‑112: Introduction to Chainsaw Operations (Basic Faller / FAL 3)
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S‑212: Intermediate Faller (FAL 2)
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S‑312: Advanced Faller (FAL 1)
This framework improves training relevance, safety, and graduated complexity across qualification levels fs-prod-nwcg.s3.us-gov-west-1.amazonaws.com+8fs-prod-nwcg.s3.us-gov-west-1.amazonaws.com+8fs-prod-nwcg.s3.us-gov-west-1.amazonaws.com+8sbbchidaho.org.
What This Means for FAL 3 Certification
Training Requirement Revision
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As of mid‑2025 and onward, individuals qualifying as Basic Faller (FAL 3) must complete S‑112, not S‑212, to meet NWCG certification standards.
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S‑212 remains part of the path—but now required only for Intermediate Faller (FAL 2) and above National Wildfire Coordinating Group+13fs-prod-nwcg.s3.us-gov-west-1.amazonaws.com+13The Healthy Forest Alliance Foundation+13.
Alignment with the PMS 310‑1 Qualification Matrix
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The NWCG PMS 310‑1 Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications will be updated to reflect this shift, with S‑112 replacing S‑212 as the FAL 3 training prerequisite.
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S‑212 and S‑312 will become benchmarks for higher-level chainsaw roles (FAL 2 and FAL 1 respectively) in the updated qualification matrix www-nwcg.fs2c.usda.gov+9fs-prod-nwcg.s3.us-gov-west-1.amazonaws.com+9National Interagency Fire Center+9.
Course Structure & Content
S‑112 offers foundational awareness and practical training for tasks typically performed by Basic Fallers:
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Safety protocols, personal protective equipment (PPE), and human factors
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Bucking, limbing, brushing, slashing, and simple directional felling
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Risk management, situational awareness, and LCES (Lookouts, Communication, Escape Routes, Safety Zones)
This course is built to comply with the new national chainsaw standards (PMS 212, March 2025), which emphasize interagency consistency and OSHA compliance fs-prod-nwcg.s3.us-gov-west-1.amazonaws.com+1fs-prod-nwcg.s3.us-gov-west-1.amazonaws.com+1U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service+2sbbchidaho.org+2The Healthy Forest Alliance Foundation+2.
Timeline & Rollout
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Beta testing: Conducted in Florida (February 2024) and California (June 2024)
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Final course edits and certification complete by early 2025
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Course added to official catalog and IQCS effective April 30, 2025 sbbchidaho.org+1U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service+1iqcsweb.nwcg.gov
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The updated PMS 310‑1 training matrix, once released, will reflect S‑112 as the required course for FAL 3 qualification—likely in the 2026 PMS 310‑1 revision cycle.
What This Means for You
✅ New trainees pursuing Basic Faller (FAL 3) certification after Spring 2025 will enroll in S‑112.
✅ Current qualification holders who already completed S‑212 and have active FAL 3 certification are not required to retake a different course—but new entries to the qualification track will follow the new S‑112 route.
✅ Agencies and training providers should update training plans, PTBs (Position Task Books), and study resources to support the new, tiered curriculum.
Summary
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S‑112 represents a tiered, foundational entry point into chainsaw operations for Basic Fallers (FAL 3).
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S‑212 and S‑312 now correspond to higher-level faller roles (FAL 2 and FAL 1).
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The shift enhances safety, clarity, and standardization across agencies, aligning training with PMS 212 national chainsaw standards.
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The official catalog and IQCS system make S‑112 available as of April 30, 2025, and the updated PMS 310‑1 qualification guidance is expected to follow shortly thereafter The Healthy Forest Alliance Foundation+9iqcsweb.nwcg.gov+9fs-prod-nwcg.s3.us-gov-west-1.amazonaws.com+9fs-prod-nwcg.s3.us-gov-west-1.amazonaws.com+6fs-prod-nwcg.s3.us-gov-west-1.amazonaws.com+6National Wildfire Coordinating Group+6National Interagency Fire Center+1sbbchidaho.org+1fs-prod-nwcg.s3.us-gov-west-1.amazonaws.com.
Final Thoughts
This new structure helps aspiring sawyers and training managers navigate chainsaw certification in a more logical, safety-first way. For Basic Faller certification starting mid‑2025 and beyond, S‑112 will be your required credential. Intermediate and advanced fallers will progress to S‑212 and S‑312 as their skill level and responsibilities increase. Agencies should begin onboarding the new course materials and updating task books accordingly.