"Empowering Excellence, Uniting Expertise: Igniting Tomorrow's Fire Practitioners"
S-219 FIRING OPERATIONS:
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course provides information and develops skills required to perform and hold firing operations on wildland fires and prescribed burns. This course includes instructor-led training and (optional live fire exercises on Day 3). The students will be engaged in wildland firefighting and firing operations. Students are required to complete the s-219 Firing Operations NWCG 2014 ONLINE Component Only Course prior to taking the instructor-led training.
TARGET GROUP:
Personnel desiring to be qualified as Firing Boss, single resource (FIRB) and Firefighter Type 1 and 2 personnel looking to gain valuable information to conduct or participate in firing operations.
PREQUISITE:
Qualified as a firefighter type 2 (FFT2).
Students seeking a FIRB certification must have successfully completed:
• ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents (ICS-200).
• Annual Fireline Safety Refresher (RT-130).
• Crew Boss (S-230).
• Intermediate Wildland Fire Behavior (S-290).
Completion of the S-219 Firing Operations NWCG 2014 ONLINE COMPONENT Only is available in the NWCG Wildland Fire Learning Portal (WFLP).
STUDENTS MUST BRING THE FOLLOWING TO CLASS:
REQUIRED MATERIALS FOR THE SKILLS DAYS
Incident Response Pocket Guide 2022
Leather Work Gloves
Approved Safety Glasses
Long Sleeve 100% Cotton Shirts
100% Cotton Pants
.
LEATHER BOOTS
Lunch, water and snacks.
CAMPING GEAR
RUNNING SHOES & SPORTSWEAR
SCHEDULE FOR THE SKILLS DAYS
Day 1: Classroom Instruction (Theory and Safety)
0800-0830
Registration and Welcome
Sign-in and introduction to the course
Overview of course objectives and schedule
Safety briefing
0800-0830
0830-1000
Introduction to Firing Operations
Purpose and importance of firing operations in wildfire management
Different types of firing operations: ignition methods, firing patterns, etc.
When and why to use firing operations
1000 - 1015
Break
1000 - 1015
1015 - 1130
Fire Behavior and Firing Operations
Fire behavior basics: fuels, weather, topography, and fire dynamics
Understanding the interaction between fire behavior and firing operations
Identifying fire behavior hazards
1130 - 1230
Lunch Break
1130 - 1230
1230 - 1400
Firing Techniques and Methods
Different firing techniques: hand lighting, aerial ignition, etc.
Tools and equipment used in firing operations
When to use specific methods for different scenarios
1400 - 1450
Break
1400 - 1450
1415 - 1600
Safety and Risk Management
Safety considerations for firing operations
Planning and risk assessment: safety zones, escape routes, and contingency plans
Proper PPE and maintaining situational awareness
Human factors in firing operations
1600 - 1700
Review and AAR
Open discussion and questions
Review of key concepts from the day
Preparation for Day 2: field operations
1600 - 1700
Day 3: Field Day 2 (Advanced Firing Operations and Scenario-based Application)
0800 - 0830
Field Briefing and Safety Check
Review of lessons learned from Day 2
Re-emphasize safety protocols and situational awareness
Overview of Day 3 objectives
0800 - 0830
0830 - 1000
Scenario-based Exercise: Complex Firing Operations
Students are divided into groups and assigned different complex scenarios (e.g., firing on steep terrain, igniting on a windy day, managing multiple ignitions)
Planning phase: students develop firing operation plans based on the given conditions
1000 - 1015
Break
1000 - 1015
1015 - 1130
Execution of Firing Operations
Field practice where students execute their firing plans
On-the-ground decision-making: adjusting plans based on fire behavior and environmental factors
Instructor oversight and real-time guidance
1100 - 1130
Lunch Break
1100 - 1130
1230 - 1400
Contingency Planning and Risk Management in the Field
Developing contingency plans in case of unexpected events (e.g., spot fires, shifting wind)
Mock contingency activation where students adapt their plan based on changing conditions
Emphasizing communication and coordination with other teams
1400 - 1415
Break
1400 - 1415
1415 - 1530
Timeline Item Title
After Action Review (AAR) and Final Field Exercises
Final field exercise where students lead small sections of the operation
Group AAR: Discuss successes, mistakes, and lessons learned during the exercises
Evaluating fire behavior, ignition, and control efforts
1530 - 1700
Timeline Item Title
Final Review and Course Conclusion
Final group debrief on field operations
Course review, feedback, and any final questions
Issuance of certificates of completion (if applicable)
Course wrap-up and thank you
1530 - 1700
Day 2: Field Day 1 (Planning and Initial Firing Operations)
0800 - 0830
Field Briefing and Safety Review
Meet at the field location
Review safety procedures, escape routes, and briefing on the day’s operations
Introduction to field equipment
0800 - 0830
0830 - 1000
Field Exercise: Firing Techniques Overview
Demonstration of various firing techniques (e.g., hand ignition, drip torches, etc.)
Overview of firing pattern concepts
Hands-on practice with equipment under instructor supervision
1000 - 1015
Break
1000 - 1015
1015 - 1130
Practical Application: Fire Behavior Assessment
Field exercise where students assess fire behavior and terrain
Using the knowledge from Day 1 to evaluate conditions for firing operations
Identifying potential risks and developing firing operation plans
1130 - 1230
Lunch Break
1130 - 1230
1230 - 1400
Live Firing Exercise (Controlled Ignition)
Students conduct small-scale controlled ignition to practice firing techniques
Supervised demonstration and hands-on practice of ignition methods
Instructor feedback and discussion of results
1400 - 1415
Break
1400 - 1415
1415 - 1600
Fireline Construction and Maintaining Control
How to establish and maintain control lines during firing operations
Monitoring fire behavior and ensuring safe operations
Troubleshooting problems in the field (e.g., unexpected wind shifts or terrain obstacles)
1600 - 1700
Field Review and Debrief
Group debrief of the day’s field operations
Lessons learned and areas for improvement
Questions and clarification on Day 3 objectives
1600 - 1700
UPCOMING TRAINING
Wildland Firefighter Type 2 (Blended) - California Association Of RCDs - VACAVILLE
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