National Wildfire Coordinating Group

S-244, Field Observer, 2007

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Course Delivery Information

S-244 is available as instructor-led (classroom) training.

NWCG training materials are being updated to reduce redundancy and conflict among overlapping documents.  Course-specific student workbooks will be replaced by standards-bearing NWCG publications - the documents that actually guide operations.  Instructor guidance will be integrated into PowerPoint presentations rather than located in separate documents.  Instructors may use the instructor guide file (exported from the PowerPoint presenter notes), view the notes in presentation mode, or export the notes into the desired format.

Expectations of Instructors

  • Prepare thoroughly. Study the course content you are going to teach.
  • Establish a collaborative and constructive classroom environment.
  • Communicate expectations.
  • Encourage student engagement.
  • Respect student diversity in backgrounds, talent, experience, and learning style.
  • Professionally represent your instructor cadre, your home unit, and your agency.

Course Guidance

Course coordinators and instructors should be thoroughly familiar with the NWCG Standards for Course Delivery, PMS 901-1.  The NWCG Standards for Course Delivery establishes standards for all aspects of NWCG training course management and delivery. These standards should be used in conjunction with the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1, and the course-specific guidance stated in the NWCG Training Catalog.

See S-244 minimum instructor qualifications

Recommended Class Size

In order to facilitate field exercises, it is recommended that instructors maintain a maximum 6:1 ratio of students to instructors. Maximum class size is 24 students.

Cadre Meetings

Conduct initial, pre-course, daily, and close-out instructor cadre meetings. These provide opportunities to plan, organize, preview materials, review training and exercises, and identify and address concerns and issues. Consider using an informal After Action Review process. Instructor cadre meetings are critical for instructors who do not have previous experience with the course.  Additional information is located in the NWCG Standards for Course Delivery, PMS 901-1.

Course Materials

Each student must be provided the following:

Additional Materials and Equipment Needed

These materials are needed above and beyond the usual items (pens, paper, flip charts, markers, etc.).

  • Field PPE
  • Markers, pencil, and pen
  • Compass
  • Calculator
  • Clinometer
  • GPS
  • Belt Weather Kit
  • Ruler

Technical Considerations

All presentations should be downloaded and tested before the start of class to ensure compatibility with software.

PowerPoint presentations are built in Microsoft Office 2016. Saving them in an earlier version of PowerPoint may prevent some features from working correctly. Instructor notes are built in to the presentation slides under Presenter Notes.

For help, visit the Microsoft Office website, https://support.office.com/en-us/powerpoint, or contact your local IT support personnel. 

Course Evaluations

Use the NWCG Course Evaluation Feedback form to collect information critical to future training improvements.

Students and cadre members are asked to contribute course evaluations. Input is welcome on all aspects of the training course, including course content, pre-course work, reference materials, quality of instruction, delivery methods, and testing procedures.

Version 2007

S-244, Field Observer was revised in 2007; the position task books (PTB) for FOBS and FEMO were modified and combined in 2009. In an effort to capture information found in the revised PTB, the Fire Use Subcommittee (FUSC) has developed optional instructional materials that may be added to currently available course materials. The optional materials are available to be used as instructor-led materials or may be used as self-study materials. The materials are available on the web at frames.gov/partner-sites/niftt/training/nwcg-training-courses and include a sample modified agenda. If used, the material will add approximately 4 hours to the instructor-led course but will not exceed 24 hours to complete the course. The intent of these optional materials is to supplement the existing course not replace it, it is important that the currently approved S-244 objectives be met in order to receive an NWCG certificate.

 

Page Last Modified / Reviewed: 
2023-08-17

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.

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