This section of the Manual focuses on the people engaged in fire management planning and implementation. Included are the details of personnel authority and responsibilities, and training and qualifications to further define Fire Management Requirement #2, which states that only qualified personnel of at least 18 years of age may participate in wildland fire management activities for the Conservancy.

Conservancy Representatives outside the U.S. must also comply with fire training and qualifications standards. The nature of these standards should mirror the U.S. system in concept but need not strictly comply. Staff must consult with the Fire Management Coordinator to determine appropriate equivalent training and experience requirements for the country where fire management activities will occur.

Conservancy staff should include appropriate language in their job descriptions describing their fire related roles and responsibilities. Speak to your Human Resources advisor about this issue.

Wildland Fire Position Qualification System

The Conservancy follows a qualifications system in the US that meets or exceeds standards outlined in the National Interagency Incident Management System Wildland Fire Qualification System Guide PMS 310-1 for Interagency wildland fire positions.

PMS 310-1 is a performance-based qualification system. Qualification in a position is based on having prerequisite experience, completion of required training, and successful position performance as documented through the completion of a Position Task Book (PTB) on fires, job activities, and in simulated exercises or classroom activities.

Maintaining Position Currency requires 1) completing Recurrent Training (e.g., RT-130, RT-300, First Aid/CPR, etc), 2) annual fitness testing, and 3) regularly successful performance in the position or a related position as spelled out in the 310-1 guidance.

Explanations of primary fire management positions used by the Conservancy are included in this section of the manual. Additional Interagency positions described in the Wildland Fire Qualification System Guide are accepted and occasionally used by the Conservancy but are not defined here, e.g. Fire Effects Monitor (FEMO) or Helicopter Crew Member (HECM). Refer to PMS 310-1 for minimum qualifications standards for these positions.

TNC-Specific Qualifications

Conservancy position qualifications exceed those described in PMS 310-1 in that additional training and experience are required for some Interagency positions. These additional requirements are summarized below. See the individual position descriptions for complete details.

• Firefighter Type 2 (FFT2) qualification requires participation on one fire as a trainee.
• Burn Boss (Type 1 or 2) qualification requires participation on at least twenty (20) prescribed burns whose primary purpose is not training; the individual must successfully serve as a trainee under the supervision of a qualified burn boss on at least 3 of the 20+ burns; and the individual must be qualified in a Single Resource Boss position additional to Firing Boss (Engine Boss is preferred).

Training additional to PMS 310-1:

• Engine Academy or Engine Operator for Engine Boss, ICT4, and all Burn Bosses
• Workshop on Ecological Burning (or RX-300) for RXB1 and RXB2
• Basic First Aid and CPR training, including Bloodborne Pathogens, for all field operations positions at or above the level of Squad Boss (FFT1)

Burn bosses (RXB1, RXB2, RXB3) are required to complete a safety refresh specific to the burn boss role (at least every two years) to meet currency requirements. See RT-300 Burn Boss Safety Refresher for details.

Fire Managers in the US who manage prescribed burn activities must be qualified as a Prescribed Fire Manager (RXMG) to approve burn planning documents and provide burn bosses with Ignition Authorizations.

The Training Pathway chart displays the typical development path from crew member to burn boss, including both Interagency and agency-specific positions (RXCM and RXB3).

When Position Currency Lapses

Position Task Books (PTB)

The Task Book provides an observable, measurable, and standardized means to evaluate and document trainee proficiency. Evaluation Records and PTB Verification and Certifications may be completed in hard copy or electronically provided all documentation is available to the Evaluator. The Director of Fire Management must Initialize and Agency Certify all task books for a designated Prescribed Fire Manager.

IQCS Database

All Conservancy personnel qualifications in the US will be tracked in the government Incident Qualifications and Certification System (IQCS) database to demonstrate compliance with US qualifications standards. It is important to note: tracking an individual's qualifications in the database does not imply a need for TNC to issue an Incident Qualifications Card. However, if such a card is needed, the IQCS system shall be used to issue the card. Conservancy staff should be in this database under the TNC identification code, and not in under the management of a partner federal agency. Nor should Conservancy staff be in the IQS database of a state or private conservation partner.

The following personnel are not required to be managed in IQCS:

• Any staff or volunteers working locally as Prescribed Fire Crew Member (RXCM)
• Any volunteers or short-term staff working locally as Firefighter (FFT2)
• Volunteers, and short-term or as-needed staff already in IQS or IQCS via another entity (with a current non-TNC Qualification Card)*

* Any burn boss position (RXB123) must be reviewed for compliance with Conservancy qualifications standards and approved in writing by the relevant Prescribed Fire Manager before the individual may be used to lead a Conservancy burn.

Prescribed Fire Managers and Burn Bosses are responsible for keeping IQCS records up to date, including administering and recording completion of annual fitness testing and recurring training, (e.g., RT-130 for all personnel and RT-300 for all burn bosses).

The Conservancy is not an Emergency Medical Services (EMS) agency and therefore should not issue Qualifications Cards or certify taskbooks for any fire personnel in EMT or other medical positions within IQCS.

Online versions of training

Both online and "blended" training is acceptable as long as delivery complies with the rules set forth in the NWCG Field Managers Course Guide.

Qualifications Review Committees

There may be justification for waiving some of the standard training or taskbooks for specific individuals; for example, a new employee who has significant fire experience, but whose former employer did not use the NWCG qualifications system. A Qualifications Review Commitee (QRC), authorized by the Fire Management Advisory Team, will examine the person's training and experience documentation and make a recommendation to the Fire Management Coordinator. The Fire Management Coordinator will make the final qualifications determination after receiving a recommendation from the QRC on a Qualifications Review Worksheet. To request a qualifications review, contact your Fire Manager, who will review your request and if appropriate, bring it to your representative on the Fire Management Advisory Team.

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Last updated December 30, 2025.