Basic Faller

FAL3 decorative banner: photos depicting FAL3 position.

Position Incident Position Description Button

Position Qualification Requirements Button

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. A FAL3 may perform FAL2 tasks under the direct supervisor of a FAL2. The FAL3 reports to an Intermediate (FAL2) or Advanced (FAL1) Faller, a Firefighter Type 1 (FFT1), or one of the Single Resource Bosses (FELB, Crew Boss, Single Resource [CRWB], Engine Boss, Single Resource [ENGB], Firing Boss, Single Resource [FIRB], Helicopter Manager, Single Resource [HMGB]). The FAL3 works in the operations functional area.

Operations Section Organization Chart

Administratively Determined (AD) Class: D

The Forest Service and Department of Interior are enabled by Administratively Determined Pay Plans (AD Pay Plans) to hire persons for temporary duration for the following reasons:

To cope with a sudden and unexpected emergency caused by a fire, or extreme fire potential, flood, storm, or any other all-hazard emergency that threatens damage to federally protected property, has the potential to cause loss of life, serious injury, public health risk, or damage to natural or cultural resources unless brought under immediate control.
To provide emergency assistance to States under formalized agreements.
To meet mission assignments issued by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

The National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) Incident Business Committee (IBC) reviews positions annually and establishes pay rate classifications for each position.

For more information on the AD Pay Plans, go to https://www.nwcg.gov/committees/incident-business-committee

Position Change History

Date:

Jul 2022

Updated: Incident Position Description (IPD) updated.

Date:

Apr 2021

Added: Incident Position Description (IPD) approved.

Date:

Oct 2016

Removed: Look Up, Look Down, Look Around (S-133), based on acceptance of NWCG Curriculum Management Issue Paper #123. The S-133 curriculum has been incorporated into the new development of Firefighter Type 1 (S-131).

Date:

Oct 2014

Position created.

Established the Basic Faller (FAL3), Intermediate Faller (FAL2), and Advanced Faller (FAL1) positions. Transition plan and position task books are available at the NWCG web site.

Page Last Modified / Reviewed:

2022-11-01

Primary Committee:

Risk Management Committee

Steward:

Hazard Tree and Tree Felling Subcommittee

Key Stakeholder (s):

Incident Operations Subcommittee

Provide Feedback

Please Provide Feedback

form.antibot { display: none !important; } You must have JavaScript enabled to use this form.

NWCG values your constructive input and we thank you for taking the time to provide feedback.

Although contact information is optional, we hope that you provide a way for us to contact you in case we need clarification on your comment. If you would like to be contacted regarding your feedback, you must provide contact information.

Would you like a response?

Yes

If you would like a response, you must provide contact information (name and email) below.

Contact Information and Email (optional) *

Comments *

Do you need to add an attachment?

Yes

Due to recent hacking behavior, we are temporarily suspending our ability to upload documents. If you need to attach additional information, please email the file to BLM_FA_NWCG_Webmaster@blm.gov.

Leave this field blank

CAPTCHA

This question is for testing whether or not you are a human visitor and to prevent automated spam submissions.