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S 212 Wildland Fire Chainsaws 2012 Administration

Decorative banner: Four photos showing wildland firefighters performing duties. Two firefighters assess a tree for felling. A firefighter sits on ground working on his chainsaw in his lap. Four firefighters climb a steep hill carrying chainsaws and equipment. Three firefighters digging a line with hand tools.

 

Administration

 

The homepage for the Hazard Tree Subcommittee referenced in the S-212 course has changed. The new web address is https://www.nwcg.gov/committees/hazard-tree-subcommittee. The website is referenced in the following locations:

  • Instructor Guide page 4C.3
  • PowerPoint slide 4C-3
  • Appendix A page 6

A video has been added to the Pre-Course Work page for S-212. The video segment discusses recent events regarding refueling accidents. Reference to the video will need to be included in the course selection letter. Cadres should include a short discussion on the video during the course. The original video file can be viewed here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RG9l7YkBSOg.

Wildland Fire Chain Saws, S-212, is now a required National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) training course for individuals desiring to be qualified as a Basic Faller (FAL3). Please amend the current preface and course instructions as follows:

Preface

Wildland Fire Chain Saws, S-212, is a required National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) training course for individuals desiring to be qualified as a Basic Faller (FAL3) in the National Interagency Incident Management System: Wildland Fire Qualification System Guide,PMS 310-1. It is a suggested course for individuals desiring to be qualified as a Firefighter Type 1 (FFT1), Incident Commander Type 5 (ICT5), or Felling Boss, Single Resource (FELB) in the National Interagency Incident Management System: Wildland Fire Qualification System Guide, PMS 310-1.

Course Instructions

VI. STUDENT TARGET GROUP

The target group should consist of individuals desiring to be qualified as Basic Faller (FAL3), Firefighter Type 1 (FFT1), Incident Commander Type 5 (ICT5), or Felling Boss, Single Resource (FELB).

This course is suggested training for individuals who use chain saws in their NWCG wildland firefighting positions. It provides basic instruction in chain saw use for tactical fireline applications.

In addition, the Chain Saw Operator Field Evaluation Form found in Appendix C on the course materials CD needs to be updated by the evaluator.
• Apprentice (FALA) update to Basic Faller (FAL3)
• Intermediate (FALB) update to Intermediate Faller (FAL2)
• Advanced (FALC) update to Advanced Faller (FAL1)

The form also appears on the PowerPoint Slides 0-11 and 4D-13. Instructors will need to note the change when discussing the form.

Applies to 2012 Version.

 

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USWDS Paragraph Bundles

 

NWCG Latest Announcements

Updated NWCG Standards for Fire Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operations, PMS 515

Date: May 10, 2024
Contact: IFUASS Qualification and Curriculum Board (IFUASS) 

The 2024 revision of the NWCG Standards for Fire Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operations, PMS 515 is now available. PMS 515 standardizes the processes and procedures for interagency use of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), including pilot inspections and approvals. This publication is now available as a PDF for easy use offline.

References:

NWCG Standards for Fire Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operations, PMS 515

Memorandum 24-003: Removal of Type 1 Command and General Staff (C&G) Incident Position Qualification Pathways

Date: May 10, 2024
Contact: Aitor Bidaburu 

The purpose of this memorandum is to provide NWCG direction for removal of the Type 1 Command and General Staff (C&G) incident position qualification pathways to transition to Complex Incident Management (CIM). Responders may continue to utilize available NWCG pathways to attain Type 1 C&G qualifications until December 31, 2024.

References:

Memorandum 24-003

CIM Story Map

2024 Professional Reading Program

Date: April 26, 2024
Contact: Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program (WFLDP) 

The Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program is announcing the 2024 Professional Reading list! The intent of the Professional Reading Program is to promote the reading and discussion of these books throughout the year. Discussion guides are provided and the corresponding Wildland Fire Leadership Levels have been identified.

The five books chosen for this year are: Young Men and Fire by Norman Maclean, The Wisdom of the Bullfrog by William H. McRaven, The Art of Clear Thinking by Hasard Lee, Emotional Agility by Susan David, and Writing to Persuade by Trish Hall.

References:

Professional Reading Program

Wildland Fire Leadership Levels

NWCG Training Catalog now on Wildland Fire Learning Portal

Date: April 25, 2023
Contact: NWCG Training  

The National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) has migrated the training catalog from the NWCG website to the Wildland Fire Learning Portal (WFLP) as part of our ongoing efforts to streamline processes and improve efficiency. To facilitate this transition, the training catalog remains available on www.nwcg.gov through April 2024.

Starting May 2024, the training catalog will no longer be accessible on www.nwcg.gov. However, you can still access the complete training catalog by logging in as a guest to the WFLP.

References:

Wildland Fire Learning Portal