"Empowering Excellence, Uniting Expertise: Igniting Tomorrow's Fire Practitioners"
REQUEST A INCIDENT QULIFICATION CARD
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Prescribed fire is a dynamic solution to mitigate wildfire risks, restore ecosystems, and maintain healthy landscapes. To fully realize the potential of this essential tool, we understand the critical need to expand and strengthen the capacity of individuals and organizations involved in prescribed fire activities.
MEMBERS DIRESCTORY
Investing in education and training is at the heart of our strategy. We collaborate with educational institutions, organizations, and experts to provide comprehensive training programs for individuals passionate about becoming prescribed fire practitioners. By nurturing a skilled workforce, we ensure that the knowledge and expertise required for safe and effective prescribed burning are readily available.
COLLABORATIVE NETWORK
We believe in the power of collaboration. The Healthy Forest Alliance provides a platform for networking and collaboration among organizations, agencies, and professionals involved in prescribed fire. By fostering a culture of shared knowledge and experiences, we create a community that continuously learns and evolves.
Incident Qualification Cards
"RED CARDS"
A Wildland Fire "Red Card," officially known as the Incident Qualification Card, is a nationally recognized certification in the United States indicating that an individual is qualified to work on wildland fires. It is issued to personnel who have completed the required training and demonstrated the necessary skills and knowledge to perform safely and effectively in wildland fire operations.
The Red Card system ensures that firefighters meet minimum standards of training, experience, and physical fitness required to respond to and work on wildland fires. It includes various levels of certification, from basic firefighter to positions such as crew bosses, engine bosses, and incident commanders, each indicating increasing levels of responsibility and expertise.
In essence, the Red Card serves as proof that an individual has met the qualifications and is prepared to participate in wildland firefighting efforts under the auspices of agencies like the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, and state fire organizations.
The Healthy Forest Alliance will be responsible for Initiating and Certification of our Employees & Volunteer Members.
A Incident Qulification Card is valid for one year from the date of.
National Wildfire Suppression Association (NWSA)
AUTHORITY TO ISSUE
The National Wildfire Suppression Association (NWSA), through its Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG), has the authority to issue Incident Qualification Cards (IQCs). These cards are essential for documenting and verifying the qualifications of wildfire responders, ensuring they meet the national standards set by the NWCG. The IQCs track an individual's training, experience, and certification levels, confirming their readiness for various roles in wildfire suppression and incident management.
Under this MOU, only NWSA Certified Instructors are authorized to issue IQCs, ensuring that individuals receive qualifications from trained professionals who adhere to NWCG standards. The NWSA is responsible for maintaining accurate records and verifying that responders meet the established criteria before issuing IQCs.
This system promotes safety and effectiveness in wildfire suppression efforts by ensuring that personnel are properly trained and certified. The collaboration between NWSA and NWCG fosters consistency across wildfire management agencies and supports the development of a skilled workforce capable of responding to complex wildfire incidents. By ensuring that only qualified responders are deployed, this partnership helps ensure that wildfire management teams are prepared to handle increasingly challenging wildfire events.
| NWSA TRAINING MANUAL – TABLE OF CONTENTS 4 Downloads | 114 Byte | |
| CHAPTER 20 NWSA TRAINING ORGANIZATION 2 Downloads | 101 Byte | |
| CHAPTER 30 QUALIFICATIONS AND CERTIFICATION 6 Downloads | 225 Byte | |
| CHAPTER 40 NATIONAL INTERAGENCY INCIDENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM 1 Downloads | 132 Byte | |
| CHAPTER 50 OPERATING PROCEDURES 1 Downloads | 291 Byte | |
| CHAPTER 60 POSITION TASK BOOK ADMINISTRATION 14 Downloads | 106 Byte | |
| CHAPTER 70 THIS CHAPTER INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK 0 Downloads | 9 Byte | |
| CHAPTER 80 THE NWSA DATABASE SYSTEM 2 Downloads | 105 Byte | |
| CHAPTER 90 EMPLOYEE FILE AND MAINTENANCE SYSTEM 0 Downloads | 107 Byte |
National Wildfire Suppression Association (NWSA)
ACCEPTED TRAINING PROVIDERS
National Wildfire Suppression Association (NWSA)
Certificate Validity for Incident Qualification Card
We only accept certificates from NWSA-approved training providers in accordance with the NWCG MOU. Please check the list of accepted providers to ensure your certificates are valid. Certificates from providers marked in red cannot be accepted for Red Card issuance.
To proceed, verify your certificates, upload them (along with your headshot and CPR/First Aid cards) to your profile, and ensure your training is from an approved provider. If you have questions or need clarification, please contact us for assistance.
NOTE: California is in REGION 5
| NWSA-Accepted-Provider-List-2024 8 Downloads | 34 Byte |
HELP US IMPLEMENT “GOOD FIRE" IN OUR COMMUNITIES.
HOW TO REQUEST A "RED CARD"
To request a Incident Qulification Card, you will need to follow these general steps:
Click on the specific Position below to view relevant training and responsibilities.
Read the Required Training, Required Experience, and Physical Fitness Level: Verify the necessary training courses and the required qualifications for the position you are seeking peruse. NWCG STANDARDS FOR WILDLAND FIRE POSITION QUALIFICATIONS
Click the DOWNLOAD / ORDER IT Botton ( Associate members will see "ORDER IT" and Paid members will see "DOWNLOAD" button)
Associate Members will have the option to "BUY MORE" or "CHECK OUT".
Provide Proof of Prerequisite Training: Upload copies of your training certificates, task books and other required documentation to your "My Documents" folder in the members' area of the website. Include certificates for courses such as Basic Firefighter Training (FFT2), Introduction to Fire Behavior (S-190), and the Work Capacity Test (Pack Test). NWCG STANDARDS FOR WILDLAND FIRE POSITION QUALIFICATIONS
Upload a Professional Looking Headshot into your "my Documents"
Use the HELP DESK feature to Let the Training Officer know you have requested an Incident Qulification Card be issued.
Wait for Processing: The processing time for Red Card applications can vary depending on whether you have uploaded all required training documentation. Red Cards will be emailed over as soon as verification is completed. Contact the HELP DESK from the members area if you have not received a response within a reasonable timeframe.
You will receive your Incident Qulification Card: Once your application is approved,.
PRICING
- Each Additional Qualified Position above the Firefighter Type 2 Level....... $5.00
- Each Additional Trainee Positions above the Firefighter Type 2 Level.....$5.00
- Each Additional Qualified Position above the Firefighter Type 2 Level....... $FREE
- Each Additional Trainee Positions above the Firefighter Type 2 Level.....$FREE
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AVAILABLE POSITIONS
FIREFIGHTER TYPE 2 (FFT2)
The Firefighter Type 2 serves on a hand crew, engine crew, or helitack crew, performing fire suppression and fuels management duties in the most adverse climate, fuel, and terrain conditions. The FFT2 has no supervisory responsibilities and is supervised by the Firefighter Type 1 (FFT1) or one of the Single Resource Bosses.
FIREFIGHTER TYPE 1 (FFT1)
The Firefighter Type 1 leads a small group (usually not more than seven members) and is responsible for their safety on wildland and prescribed fire incidents.
FIRE EFFECTS MONITOR (FEMO)
The Fire Effects Monitor (FEMO) is responsible for collecting incident status information from personal observations at the incident, and providing this information to the fireline supervisor as directed.
INCIDENT COMMANDER TYPE 5 (ICT5)
The Incident Commander Type 5 (ICT5) develops strategies and oversees the implementation of tactics, while providing for the safety of the public and all personnel assigned to the incident.
INCIDENT COMMANDER TYPE 4 (ICT4)
The Incident Commander Type 4 (ICT4) develops strategies and oversees the implementation of tactics, while providing for the safety of the public and all personnel assigned to the incident.
INCIDENT COMMANDER TYPE 3 (ICT3)
The Type 3 Incident Commander (ICT3) manages all aspects of an initial attack or extended attack Type 3 incident. The ICT3 is responsible for developing incident objectives, assigning operational personnel based on complexity and span of control.
BASIC FALLER (FAL3)
The Basic Faller (FAL3) is an entry-level chainsaw operator that serves as a member of a firefighting crew or module. The FAL3 engages in low complexity fireline saw operations, including tree felling, bucking, brushing, and limbing, and should be closely supervised during operations.
INTERMEDIATE FALLER (FAL2)
The Intermediate Faller (FAL2) has demonstrated the proficiency to work unsupervised while engaging in moderate complexity fireline saw operations, including tree felling, bucking, brushing, and limbing.
ADVANCED FALLER (FAL1)
The Advanced Faller (FAL1) has multiple years of experience in chainsaw operations and has demonstrated proficiency in performing high complexity saw operations, including tree felling, bucking, brushing, and limbing.
SINGLE RESOURCE BOSS: CREW (CRWB
The Crew Boss (CRWB) leads a hand crew and is responsible for its safety on wildland and prescribed fire incidents. The CRWB supervises assigned crewmembers and reports to an assigned supervisor.
SINGLE RESOURCE BOSS: ENGINE (ENGB)
The Engine Boss leads a single fire engine and attached personnel and is responsible for their safety on wildland and prescribed fire incidents. The ENGB supervises assigned engine and personnel and reports assigned supervisor.
SINGLE RESOURCE BOSS: FIRING (FIRB)
The Firing Boss leads ground and/or aerial ignition operations and coordinates with holding resources on prescribed fire and wildfire incidents. The FIRB supervises assigned firing resources and reports to an assigned supervisor.
SAFETY OFFICER, LINE (SOFR)
The Safety Officer, Line (SOFR) is responsible for monitoring the overall operation of an incident from a risk management perspective to provide for the welfare of assigned resources. SOFRs can be assigned to incidents of any complexity level.
HELP DESK
SUPPORT TICKETS
To request help from website administrators, click on "Support Tickets" link below. Provide detailed issue information. Expect timely resolution and communication from our dedicated team.
KNOWLEDGE BASE
Visit our website for helpful knowledge base articles and how-to videos. Access step-by-step solutions to common issues, maximizing your experience with our products and services.
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