National Wildfire Coordinating Group

S-130, Firefighter Training, 2021

Decorative banner: – Four photos showing wildland firefighters doing various work. A firefighter hauls branches over road, a firefighter stands holding drip torch at night with flames in background, a female firefighter uses a drip torch to ignite grass and sage with flames in background, four firefighters work to build a fireline using handtools.

Course Overview Page ButtonCourse Delivery ButtonCourse Materials Button

Instructor-led Course Description

The intent of this course is to train new firefighters in basic firefighting skills. This includes a required field exercise that may be arduous in nature. 

S-190, Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior is a prerequisite and must have been successfully completed prior to taking the S-130, Firefighter Training course.

L-180, Human Factors on the Fireline, is no longer included as part of this course. Students that successfully complete S-130, Firefighter Training will no longer be given credit for completing L-180, Human Factors on the Fireline.

The L-180 course will now be presented as a standalone course. This can be accomplished through facilitation of an Instructor-Led version of the course or directing students to complete the Self-Directed (Online) version of the course. Review the specifics at https://www.nwcg.gov/publications/training-courses/l-180/course-delivery.

Objectives

Upon completion of the course, the student will be able to:

  • Describe the purpose of the Standard Firefighting Orders and Watch Out Situations.
  • Describe what the Lookouts, Communications, Escape Routes, and Safety Zones (LCES) system is and how it relates to the Standard Firefighting Orders.
  • Describe the various communication methods and tools used for collecting, producing, and distributing information.
  • Describe the standards, tools and equipment, and various methods used in fireline construction.​
  • Describe the methods for extinguishing a fire with or without the use of water.​
  • Demonstrate the ability to construct fireline to required standards using various methods, tools and equipment, and techniques. ​

Target Group

Personnel desiring to be qualified as entry-level firefighters and support personnel.

NOTE:  Be sure to check agency-specific guidelines; some agencies may have different requirements.

Prerequisite Qualifications and Training

Successful completion of S-190, Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior.

Delivery

S-130 is available as either blended training or instructor-led (classroom) training

Course Components and Hours to Complete

Component Hours:  Instructor-Led
Instructor-led training 29
Pre-course work N/A
Pre-selection assessment N/A
Online Training N/A
Field Exercise 8-12
Recommended Total Hours 37-41

Course Level

Local

Minimum Instructor Qualifications

  • Lead instructor must be a qualified Single Resource Boss (CRWBHEQBENGBFELBFIRB, and HMGB).
  • Unit instructors must be qualified as Firefighter Type 1 (FFT1).

See NWCG Standards for Course Delivery, PMS 901-1, Instructor Standards for more information.

This is an NWCG-certified course. View the NWCG certification statement for this course. 

This blended course includes an online component (estimate 22 hours) and a instructor-led component (required field exercise that may be arduous in nature). A description of the field exercise day can be found in Performance Day Requirements module.

Blended Course Description

This course was developed using a blended approach to learning. The course addresses the foundational skills universal to all wildland firefighters. The material is divided into 12 online modules (1 to 3 hours each) and a mandatory, instructor-led field exercise. Each online module explains the concepts and skills that will be performed and evaluated on the field exercise. Module 12 contains optional knowledge areas (pump operations, map and compass, fire investigation and cultural resources) that are very useful concepts, but not required due to time constraints.

To succeed on the field exercise, students must understand the concepts taught in modules 1 through 11 as documented by module certificates of completion. Both students and instructors can find an overview of the field exercise in module 13. This module informs instructors how to set up the exercise, lists materials needed, and provides evaluation checklists. It also provides students an idea of what to expect and what they will be evaluated on.

There is a challenge review at the end of each module. If you successfully complete the challenge review, you will be able to print a module certificate of completion.

Objectives

  • Explain what the LCES (Lookouts, Communications, Escape Routes, and Safety Zones) system is and how it relates to the Standard Firefighting Orders.
  • Construct fireline to required standards using various methods.
  • Strengthen, reinforce, and use holding actions on a fireline.
  • Extinguish the fire with or without the use of water.
  • Complete assigned tasks in a safe and efficient manner.
  • Given an assignment in a wildfire environment, describe factors in that environment which could impact safety.

Additional information about the course can be found on the Overview page.

Certification Date:

2021-11

2003-12

Previous Certification Dates:

None

 

Print Training Overview Page

 

 

 

Functional Area: 
Operations
Required For: 
FFT2, IADP, PIO3, STAM
Page Last Modified / Reviewed: 
2023-08-25

Please Provide Feedback

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. 

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.

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