Conservancy
Representative
Fire Management
Advisory Team
Fire Management
Coordinator
Fire Manager
Burn Boss (RXB1)
Burn Boss (RXB2)
Burn Boss (RXB3)
Incident Commander
Type 4 (ICT4)
Single Resource Boss
(SRB)
Squad Boss (FFT1)
Firefighter (FFT2)
RX Crew Member
(RXCM)
Engine Operator
Chainsaw Operator
ATV/ UTV Operator
(ATVO/ UTVO)
Supervised Participant
Fire Observer

 

The Fire Manager provides overall fire management supervision and coordination for the geographic area for which they are designated. They provide technical and scientific support to their business unit to ensure that Conservancy fire management activities requirements and guidelines are met or exceeded. They also inform Conservancy leadership of fire-related activities, needs, risks, and accomplishments.

To succeed, a program's Fire Manager, burn bosses, and conservation science staff must regularly communicate on fire management issues. The Fire Manager should also communicate regularly with the Fire Management Coordinator on issues within the program.

Four types of Fire Managers are described below, depending upon the local need:

  1. Fire Manager: oversees fire management in a specific area, ensuring guideline compliance and providing technical support.
  2. Prescribed Fire Manager (RXMG): specializes in prescribed burns, approving plans and ensuring burn safety standards.
  3. Acting Fire Manager: temporarily assumes duties during the primary Fire Manager's absence, with limited authority.
  4. Supporting Fire Manager: aids in operational support and safety when burns are led by a Prescribed Fire Manager.

1. FIRE MANAGER

Key responsibilities of a Fire Manager include providing technical support to the designated business unit for fire management activities related to wildfires, fire training and fire qualifications. Specifically, a Fire Manager:

  • Ensures Conservancy fire management requirements and guidelines are met or exceeded;
  • Keeps senior leadership in their area informed of fire program activities, needs, risks and accomplishments;
  • Ensures that fire personnel qualification records are maintained and collects annual updates of information for the IQCS database (US staff);
  • Ensures notifications are made for all reportable fire incidents and oversees needed internal reviews;
  • Ensures timely annual reporting of the program's fire management activities;
  • Reviews proposed contracts and agreements related to fire management activities, and provides comments to TNC legal counsel;
  • Conducts or assists with fire management training at local, regional and national levels;
  • Keeps current on internal and external developments in the field of wildland fire management to maintain excellence in their program; and
  • Builds strong partnerships with public and private partners to further the goals of the Conservancy in their area of responsibility.
  • Suspends fire management program operations under the following circumstances:
    The Fire Manager may temporarily suspend (or "stand down") operations of a particular fire program under their supervision if there is clear evidence of safety violations, serious risk of potential safety violations, or non-compliance with Conservancy SOPs, requirements, or guidelines. They must notify the program's Burn Boss, Business Unit Director and the Fire Management Coordinator of the stand-down order by memo or email, stating the reasons for the action. The Fire Manager, program staff 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 Business Unit Director and relevant program staff will be notified of the resolution of the stand down.
Qualifications for Fire Manager

A Fire Manager and Prescribed Fire Manager is designated by the Fire Management Coordinator for a specific geographic region, typically one or more states or countries. This designation must be in writing, with the memo kept with the Fire Manager's qualifications documents. A Fire Manager must be familiar with the fuel types and geography for which fire management activities occur and must have a demonstrated ability to evaluate people, programs and potential problems, and to build partnerships. Attendance at a Conservancy Fire Manager's Workshop is strongly recommended.

2. PRESCRIBED FIRE MANAGER (RXMG)

This specialized type of Fire Manager applies specifically to prescribed burn work in the U.S. With prescribed burn qualifications including RXMG and RXB2, the position can review and approve prescribed burn plans, contractor credentials and provide mentoring and support to other burn bosses. Specifically, the Prescribed Fire Manager’s duties include the Fire Manager items listed above and the following additional prescribed burn responsibilities:

  • Approves fire management plans and Prescribed Burn Plans, including burn plans to be implemented by a contractor
  • Approves qualifications of contractors hired to conduct prescribed burns
  • Modifies or exempts specific fire management guidelines as defined in the Fire Management Manual, with written justification
  • Provides Ignition Authorizations for Conservancy prescribed burns
  • Provides technical and scientific support to Fire Planners and Burn Bosses
  • Designs and implements fire safety standards specific to the programs overseen, provided that those standards meet or exceed organizational standards
  • Mentors, evaluates and designates Burn Bosses, in writing, with notification to the Fire Management Director; certifies all burn boss position task books (PTB's)
Qualifications for Prescribed Fire Manager

In addition to the qualifications required above for a Fire Manager, a Prescribed Fire Manager will also be qualified in the RXMG position as defined by NWCG 310-1. To be qualified as RXMG, one must be qualified as an RXB2 Burn Boss and complete the RXMG position taskbook (PMS 311-70).

The RXMG qualification is required after March 15, 2024.

3. ACTING FIRE MANAGER

A Fire Manager may designate an Acting Fire Manager to serve all or part of their area of responsibility during brief periods of unavailability. The Fire Management Coordinator, all relevant burn bosses, and business unit managers will be notified in writing of Acting Fire Manager designations (email is acceptable). An Acting Fire Manager should be familiar with the program's fuel types, activities, and personnel. If the Acting Fire Manager is not an existing Conservancy Burn Boss or Fire Manager and prescribed burn activities are involved, the Fire Management Coordinator must be consulted. An Acting Fire Manager does not have the authority to modify or exempt fire management guidelines, designate new burn bosses, or approve new contractor burn boss qualifications.

4. SUPPORTING FIRE MANAGER

A Prescribed Fire Manager should designate a Supporting Fire Manager whenever they lead a burn within their area of responsibility. The Supporting Fire Manager is identified from current Conservancy Prescribed Fire Managers or Burn Bosses familiar with the fuels and weather of the region being burned. The Supporting Fire Manager will:

  • Receive burn-day notifications from the Fire Manager to support their burn.
  • Review and approve Ignition Authorizations when the relevant Prescribed Burn Plan includes an Ignition Authorization attachment.
  • Review any day-of-burn changes to the Prescribed Burn Plan proposed by the Fire Manager, approving those with justification.
  • Support the business unit in the event of a Reportable Incident related to the activities led by the Fire Manager.

Last updated November 30, 2023.

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