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)
Chainsaw Operator
ATV/ UTV Operator
(ATVO/ UTVO)
Supervised Participant
Fire Observer

  BURN BOSS TYPE 2 (RXB2)

The Burn Boss Type 2 directs prescribed fire operations on low and moderate complexity burns, and oversees training and qualifications of prescribed fire staff and volunteers at the local level.

Responsibility and Authority

  • Directs prescribed fire operations on low and moderate complexity broadcast burns
  • Directs Non-broadcast burn activities
  • Coordinates necessary fire suppression activities, e.g. prescribed fire contingency response
  • Confirms crew member training, qualifications and position currency
  • Prepares and provides technical review of Prescribed Burn Plans and other fire management plans
  • Trains and organizes hired prescribed burn crews or modules; conducts annual fireline safety refreshers, administers physical fitness testing
  • Serves as instructor for entry to upper-level wildland fire courses
  • Responsible for safe and effective fire operations
  • Instructs the science and practice of ecological burning

How to become a Burn Boss Type 2

An RXB2 must meet minimum training, experience and physical fitness requirements listed below, and complete the RXB2 Position Task Book (PMS 311-74) as a trainee on three or more prescribed burns that are supervised by a Type 1 or Type 2 burn boss.

Required Training:

  • S-390 Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior Calculations
  • Rx-410 Smoke Management Techniques, Required for all trainees after October 1, 2017
  • Workshop on Ecological Burning (WEB); or both RX-301 Prescribed Fire implementation, and RX-341 Prescribed Fire Plan Preparation

Other Training (not required) which supports development of knowledge and skills:

  • S-219 Firing Operations
  • L-380 Fireline Leadership
  • RX-310 Introduction to Fire Effects
  • Rx-510 Advanced Fire Effects

Required experience:

  • Incident Commander Type 4 (ICT4)
  • Firing Boss (FIRB) plus an additional Single Resource Boss (Engine Boss is preferred)
  • Participation in a total of at least 20 prescribed burns whose primary purpose is not training

Required Physical Fitness:
Moderate

Position Task Book:
Conservancy Fire Manager must Initialize and Agency Certify the RXB2 position task book. The Fire Management Coordinator must Initialize and Agency Certify all task books for a designated Fire Manager.

Aviation:
A burn boss must have the following training and experience to be a passenger in an aircraft on a prescribed fire they are leading or serving as Firing Boss: A-100 Basic Aviation Safety Course or S-270 Basic Air Operations; and one trainee experience in the air (this could be from an experienced pilot and/or PLDO Operator coaching a first flight or from an experienced FIRB/ Burn Boss coaching from the back seat).

For a burn boss on the ground utilizing aerial ignition on a prescribed fire, the training described above is recommended but not required. A-100 training can be found at Interagency Aviation Training.

Position Currency

To remain qualified in a RXB2 position:

Position Documentation

The Fire Manager has the final authority and responsibility for designating an individual as a TNC Burn Boss Type 2. The designation must be made in writing with a memo or letter signed by the Fire Manager, and a copy sent to the Fire Management Coordinator. Sample memo. Meeting all of the above standards for RXB2 does not automatically qualify and give a person authority to conduct prescribed burns. The designation will depend on the recommendations from fellow burners and careful evaluation of leadership qualities by the Fire Manager. An individual may be restricted to burning in certain fuel types or in specific sites or geographic areas. If a burn boss moves to another program, he/she must be redesignated in writing by the new program's Fire Manager.

A Burn Boss is responsible for maintaining awarded training certificates, completed Position Task Books, fitness test documentation, and a log or record of his/her wildland fire experience. Upon designation of a burn boss, the local program must send copies of these documents to the Fire Management Coordinator. Copies may also be kept in a state or local office for documenting an individual's information in the IQCS database.

Under no circumstances should any Conservancy staff, volunteer, or contractor conduct a burn for which he/she has not been approved in writing as a qualified Burn Boss.

If a Burn Boss shows persistent deficiencies in fulfilling his/her role, the Fire Manager or Fire Management Coordinator may conduct a review of that person's qualification status, and may permanently or temporarily revoke Conservancy burn boss status.

Last updated November 9, 2021.

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