The Fire Manager provides overall fire management supervision and coordination for the geographic area for which s/he is designated in this capacity.

Responsibility and Authority of Fire Manager

• ensures that TNC's fire guidelines and requirements are met or exceeded
• has authority to modify or exempt specific fire management guidelines or requirements as defined in the Fire Management Manual, with written justification
• has authority to design and implement standards specific to the programs they oversee, providing that those standards meet or exceed organizational standards
• mentors, evaluates and designates Burn Bosses, in writing, with notification to the Fire Management Coordinator; certifies RxB2 and RxB3 task books
• approves specific burn unit plans for implementation by an RxB3; notifies the Fire Management Coordinator of his/her approval of the RxB3 to lead burns in the state or geographic area for which they are responsible
• has authority to approve Site Fire Management Plans and Prescribed Burn Unit Plans
• conducts or assists with training at local and national levels
• has authority to temporarily suspend fire management program operations because of safety concerns or non-compliance with Conservancy standards
• ensures that fire personnel qualification records are maintained; collects annual updates of information for IQCS
• provides technical and scientific support to Fire Planners and Burn Bosses
• reviews proposed contracts for prescribed fire operations, and provides comments to TNC legal counsel
• approves qualifications of contractors hired to conduct prescribed burns
• keeps current on internal and external developments in the field of wildland fire management in order to maintain excellence in his/her program
• builds strong partnerships with public and private partners to further the goals of the Conservancy in his or her area of responsibility
• keeps senior leadership in his/her area informed of fire program activities, needs, risks and accomplishments

The Fire Manager may temporarily suspend (or "stand down") operations of a particular fire program under his or her supervision if there is clear evidence of safety violations, serious risk of potential safety violations, or non-compliance with Conservancy SOP, requirements or guidelines. The Fire Manager must notify the program's Burn Boss and the Fire Management Coordinator of the stand down order by written memo or email, stating the reasons for the action. The Fire Manager, Burn Boss and Fire Management Coordinator will work together to resolve the problem as quickly as possible. If necessary, the Fire Manager and Fire Management Coordinator may conduct a full review of the program before the stand down is lifted. The State Director and Program Director will be notified of the stand down and its resolution.

To be successful, the Fire Manager, burn bosses, and conservation science staff within a program must be in regular communication on fire management issues. The Fire Manager should also communicate regularly with the Fire Management Coordinator on issues that develop within the program.

Qualifications

Fire Managers are designated by the Fire Management Coordinator for specific geographic regions (usually one or more states). Must be familiar with the fuel types and sites for which plans are being approved. Must have a demonstrated ability to evaluate people, programs and potential problems, and to build partnerships.

Last updated April 30, 2008.