National Wildfire Coordinating Group

National Interagency Fire Center
3833 S. Development Avenue
Boise, ID 83705

On May 14, 2009, NWCG established a contract with Comprehensive Health Services (CHS) to conduct follow-up work for arduous duty Department of the Interior (DOI) employees who are currently in pending status as part of the Wildland Firefighter Interagency Medical Qualification Standards Program (IMSP). DOI employees may now submit supporting medical documentation to CHS to resolve pending cases. The Forest Service is not a part of this contract, and Forest Service employees should continue to follow previously issued guidance when dealing with pending status cases.

This contract provides a way to reach resolution on medical cases that are in pending status. Employees are instructed to follow the process and procedures outlined in the IMSP “Wildland Firefighter Exam Flowchart, which can be found on the IMSP website at: http://www.nifc.gov/medical_standards/images/FY08_exam_flowchart.pdf. This is the same process that has previously been in place regarding adjudication of pending cases.

Employees who have already seen a personal physician to obtain follow-up documentation should send that documentation to CHS via mail or fax as outlined in the Further Evaluation letter they received from CHS requesting further information for a specific medical condition.

Employees who are in pending status, but have yet to receive a letter from CHS, should first verify that their mailing address information is correct in CAS (Client Access System), then contact the IMSP Customer Service Representatives at (888) 286-2521 or wlffcsr@blm.gov and request that another Further Evaluation letter is sent to the address of record.
Local Unit IMSP Managers should have access to CAS to follow the progress of individual employees. Questions regarding the pending process should be directed to the IMSP Customer Service Representatives.

We must be clear that this contract does not mean any further exams will be scheduled or conducted as part of the IMSP. A new contract for future medical exams is still under development. Likewise, employees who receive a limiting condition on the SF-78, United States Civil Service Commission Certificate of Medical Examination, as part of the Medical Standards Program Transition Plan should have that issue adjudicated at their home unit and these will be handled on a case-by-case basis.

Agency specific questions should be addressed to your agency’s Medical Standards Program representative at the National Interagency Fire Center.

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