NWCG Prescribed Burn Qualification Track

IV. Qualification and Training Requirements for Prescribed Burn Personnel

The Minnesota DNR adheres to a two-track system with regard to prescribed burn qualifications: the DNR Prescribed Burn Qualification track and the National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) track. The track chosen by the individual will depend upon the prescribed burn complexity and level of interagency cooperation the individual intends to work with. Interagency burns involve both DNR and federal agencies. All interagency prescribed burns will adhere to NWCG qualification standards unless local agreements dictate otherwise. Consult with your supervisor or a member of your statewide or Regional Prescribed Burn Committee to determine the track that will meet your needs.

B. NWCG Prescribed Burn Qualifications Track 

NWCG Prescribed Fire Positions and Qualifications Chart

(NWCG Field Managers Course Guide) This is a PDF file. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to download it.)

1. Principal NWCG Prescribed Burn Positions

FFT2 | FFT1 | SRB | RXI2 | ICT4 | ICT3 | TFLD | RXB2 | RXB1

Firefighter (FFT2)

A firefighter is the basic resource used in the control and extinguishment of wildfires and in the preparing, firing and holding of lines for prescribed burns. They work either as an individual or as a member of a crew under the supervision of a higher qualified individual.

Required training

  • S-130 Firefighter Training
  • S-190 Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior

Recommended training to support knowledge and skills

  • I-100 Introduction to Incident Command System

Position task books

Physical fitness

  • Arduous

Advanced Firefighter/Squad Boss (FFT1)

A squad boss is a working leader of a small group of not more than 7 firefighters who is responsible for keeping assigned personnel fully employed on assigned jobs.

Required training

  • S-130 Firefighter Training
  • S-190 Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior
  • S-131 Advanced Firefighter Training

Recommended training to support knowledge and skills

  • I-100 Introduction to ICS
  • S-211 Portable Pumps and Water Use
  • S-212 Wildfire Power Saws
  • L-280 Followership to Leadership

Position task books

Physical fitness

  • Arduous

Single Resource Boss (Crew Boss CRWB, Engine Boss ENGB, Dozer Boss DOZB, Firing Boss FIRB, Tractor Plow Boss TRPB)

A single resource boss is responsible for supervising and directing a fire suppression module such as a hand crew, an engine, a dozer, a helicopter, a firing team or a tractor plow.

Required training

  • S-130 Firefighter Training
  • S-190 Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior
  • S-131 Advanced Firefighter Training
  • S-230 Crew Boss
  • S-290 Intermediate Fire Behavior

Recommended training to support knowledge and skills

  • I-100 Introduction to ICS
  • I-200 Basic ICS
  • S-211 Portable Pumps and Water Use
  • S-212 Wildfire Power Saws
  • S-231 Engine Boss
  • S-234 Ignition Operations
  • S-260 Interagency Incident Business Management
  • S-270 Basic Air Operations
  • L-280 Followership to Leadership

Position task books

Physical fitness

  • Arduous

Incident Commander Type 4 (ICT4)

The incident commander is responsible for incident activities including the development and implementation of strategic decisions and for approving the ordering and releasing of resources. A type 4 incident is normally limited to one operational period. Resources may vary from one to several single resources and possibly a task force.

Required training

  • S-130 Firefighter Training
  • S-190 Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior
  • S-131 Advanced Firefighter Training
  • S-215 Fire Operations in the Urban Interface
  • S-230 Crew Boss
  • S-290 Intermediate Fire Behavior

Recommended training to support knowledge and skills

  • I-100 Introduction to ICS
  • I-200 Basic ICS
  • S-200 Initial Attack Incident Commander
  • S-211 Portable Pumps and Water Use
  • S-212 Wildfire Power Saws
  • S-231 Engine Boss
  • S-234 Ignition Operations
  • S-260 Interagency Incident Business Management
  • S-270 Basic Air Operations
  • L-280 Followership to Leadership

Position task books

Physical fitness

  • Arduous

Ignition Specialist Type 2 (RXI2)

Ignition Specialist Type 2 (RXI2) are qualified to direct the ignition of low to moderate complexity (as per the NWCG Complexity Rating Guide NFES 2474) burns under the supervision of a Prescribed Fire Burn Boss Type 2 (RxB2). The RXI2 typically supervises a group of 3-5 igniters and/or holding crew members and may be responsible for use of a variety of ground ignition devices. They may also be responsible for monitoring weather and burning conditions to meet the desired fire effects and necessary level of control.

Required training

  • S-130 Firefighter Training
  • S-190 Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior
  • S-131 Advanced Firefighter Training
  • S-230 Crew Boss
  • S-290 Intermediate Fire Behavior

Recommended training to support knowledge and skills

  • I-100 Introduction to ICS
  • I-200 Basic ICS
  • S-211 Portable Pumps and Water Use
  • S-212 Wildfire Power Saws
  • S-231 Engine Boss
  • S-234 Ignition Operations
  • S-260 Interagency Incident Business Management
  • S-270 Basic Air Operations
  • L-280 Followership to Leadership

Position task books

Physical fitness

  • Agency determined (usually moderate)

Task Force Leader (TFLD)

The task force leader reports to the division group supervisor (DIVS) or the Incident Commander and is responsible for performing tactical missions as assigned on a division or segment of a division. The leader reports progress, resource status, and other important information to the supervisor and maintains records on assigned personnel.

Required training

  • S-130 Firefighter Training
  • S-190 Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior
  • S-131 Advanced Firefighter Training
  • S-215 Fire Operations in the Urban Interface
  • S-230 Crew Boss
  • S-290 Intermediate Fire Behavior
  • S-330 Task Force/Strike Team Leader
  • S-390 Fire Behavior Calculations

Recommended training to support knowledge and skills

  • I-100 Introduction to ICS
  • I-200 Basic ICS
  • S-200 Initial Attack Incident Commander
  • S-211 Portable Pumps and Water Use
  • S-212 Wildfire Power Saws
  • S-231 Engine Boss
  • S-234 Ignition Operations
  • S-260 Interagency Incident Business Management
  • S-270 Basic Air Operations
  • L-280 Followership to Leadership

Position task books

Physical fitness

  • Arduous

Prescribed Fire Burn Boss Type 2 (RXB2)

Prescribed Fire Burn Boss Type 2s (RXB2) are qualified of directing a prescribed burn of moderate or lower complexity (as per the NWCG Complexity Rating Guide NFES 2474) on agency or private lands. They have demonstrated proficiency in the fuel type(s) they are burning. Typically a RXB2 would handle medium to large grassland, oak savanna and hardwood under story burns, small to medium slash and small pine under story burns.

Required training

  • S-130 Firefighter Training
  • S-190 Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior
  • S-131 Advanced Firefighter Training
  • S-215 Fire Operations in the Urban Interface
  • S-230 Crew Boss
  • S-290 Intermediate Fire Behavior
  • S-390 Wildland Fire Behavior Calculations

Recommended training to support knowledge and skills

  • I-100 Introduction to ICS
  • I-200 Basic ICS
  • S-200 Initial Attack Incident Commander
  • S-211 Portable Pumps and Water Use
  • S-212 Wildfire Power Saws
  • S-231 Engine Boss
  • S-234 Ignition Operations
  • S-260 Interagency Incident Business Management
  • S-270 Basic Air Operations
  • L-280 Followership to Leadership
  • L-380 Fireline Leadership or equivalent
  • Rx-300 Prescribed Fire Burn Boss
  • Rx-310 Introduction to Fire Effects

Position task books

Physical fitness

  • Agency established (usually moderate)

Incident Commander Type 3 (ICT3)

The incident commander is responsible for incident activities including the development and implementation of strategic decisions and for approving the ordering and releasing of resources. A type 3 incident is expected to be contained/controlled during the first operational period. Resources vary from several single resources to several task forces.

Required training

  • S-130 Firefighter Training
  • S-190 Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior
  • S-131 Advanced Firefighter Training
  • S-215 Fire Operations in the Urban Interface
  • S-230 Crew Boss
  • S-290 Intermediate Fire Behavior
  • S-330 Task Force/Strike Team Leader
  • S-390 Fire Behavior Calculations

Recommended training to support knowledge and skills

  • I-100 Introduction to ICS??I-200 Basic ICS
  • S-200 Initial Attack Incident Commander
  • S-211 Portable Pumps and Water Use
  • S-212 Wildfire Power Saws
  • S-231 Engine Boss
  • S-234 Ignition Operations
  • S-260 Interagency Incident Business Management
  • S-270 Basic Air Operations
  • S-300 Extended Attack Incident Commander
  • L-280 Followership to Leadership

Position task books

Physical fitness

  • Arduous

Prescribed Fire Burn Boss Type 1 (RXB1)

Prescribed Fire Burn Boss Type 1s (RXB1) are qualified of directing a prescribed burn of high or lower complexity (based on the NIIMS Complexity Rating Guide) on all lands. They have demonstrated proficiency in the fuel type(s) they are burning. Typically they would handle large grass/brush, oak woods/savanna, hardwood under story, large slash and medium to large pine under story burns. RXB1 must meet the prerequisite qualifications of both an RXB2 and an NWCG Extended Attack Incident Commander (ICT3).

Required training

  • S-130 Firefighter Training
  • S-190 Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior
  • S-131 Advanced Firefighter Training
  • S-215 Fire Operations in the Urban Interface
  • S-230 Crew Boss
  • S-290 Intermediate Fire Behavior
  • S-330 Task Force/Strike Team Leader
  • S-390 Fire Behavior Calculations
  • S-490 Advanced Fire Behavior Calculations

Recommended training to support knowledge and skills

  • I-100 Introduction to ICS
  • I-200 Basic ICS
  • S-200 Initial Attack Incident Commander
  • S-211 Portable Pumps and Water Use
  • S-212 Wildfire Power Saws
  • S-231 Engine Boss
  • S-234 Ignition Operations
  • S-260 Interagency Incident Business Management
  • S-270 Basic Air Operations
  • S-300 Extended Attack Incident Commander
  • L-280 Followership to Leadership
  • L-380 Fireline Leadership or equivalent
  • RX-300 Prescribed Fire Burn Boss
  • RX-310 Introduction to Fire Effects
  • RX-410 Smoke Management
  • RX-510 Applied Fire Effects
  • M-580 Fire in Ecosystem Management
  • M-581 Fire Program Management

Position task books

Physical fitness

  • Agency determined (usually moderate)

2. Position Task Books

Becoming qualified for most positions requires completing a task book. Task books are a means of evaluating the performance of an individual who is in training for a new position or for recertifying individuals whose currency in the position has lapsed. They contain critical tasks that are required to perform the job. The task book can be used as a teaching and/or mentoring tool for trainees to learn job skills under the guidance of qualified individuals. The trainee must perform each task while being observed by an evaluator or person who is already qualified in that position. It is strongly recommended that each task book have more than one evaluator and more than one assignment. See the Wildland and Prescribed Fire Qualifications System Guide PMS 310-1 for more detailed information.

Trainees must complete all required training and prerequisite experience for a particular qualification prior to obtaining and initiating a position task book. Completion of a DNR Position Task Book does not qualify a person for an NWCG position. NWCG Task Books are available from MIFC or they can be downloaded from the Internet at http://www.nwcg.gov/pms/taskbook/taskbook.htm This link leads to an external site.

3. Training

Each prescribed burn position has identified required training and identified recommended training to support knowledge and skills. Required training must be completed prior to issuance of the task book for that position. Training that is recommended to support knowledge and skills is not required; however, if the training is not completed the employee must be able to demonstrate they have the knowledge and skills contained in the recommended coursework.

4. Physical Fitness

Nationally, physical fitness standards for NWCG prescribed burn positions are established at the agency level. Minnesota DNR physical fitness standards for prescribed burn positions are specified by an individual?'s condition of employment or determined by their supervisor where no employment condition exists.

5. Certification and Recertification

Refer to certification guidelines outlined in section IV.A.6. in this document.

6. Position Currency

The maximum time allowed for maintaining currency of prescribed burn positions is 5 years.

Currency can be maintained in the following ways:

  • Performance in the position qualified for within the 5 year period.
  • Performance in a higher position for which that position is a prerequisite within the 5 year period.
  • Position identified as "Other position assignments that will maintain currency" in the Minnesota Supplement to the Wildland and Prescribed Fire Qualification Guide.

For example, currency as a RXI2 Ignition Specialist Type 2 would be maintained by either performing as a RXI2 once in a five year period or performing as a Firing Boss FIRB in that same five year period.




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