Course Descriptions
Arizona Wildfire and Incident Management Academy
2011 Course Descriptions
Basic Wildland Fire Courses
L-180 Human Factors in the Wildland Fire Service - (8 hours) Dates: March 19 Pre-requisites: None This training course is designed for unit-level supervisors to use when delivering orientation training to new crewmembers. Presentation of the course involves a few short lecture segments, but the primary content is delivered by video and supported with small group exercises. Topics include situation awareness, basic communication responsibilities, attitude and stress barriers, decisionmaking process, and teamwork principles. RT-130 Annual Fireline Safety Refresher Training (6-8 hours) Date: March 19 Pre-requisites: None Annual Fireline Safety Refresher Training should be designed to provide up to date fireline safety information to employees holding Incident Command System qualifications requiring this training per the 2006, PMS 310-1, Wildland Fire Qualification System Guide. Individual sessions of Annual Fireline Safety Refresher Training should contain content pertinent to the registered students. S-130/190 Basic Wildland Firefighting and Fire Behavior Dates: March 20 – 24 Pre-requisites: I-100 This course is designed to provide entry level firefighters skills. Many of the units are set up so they can be taught in either the classroom or the field; field time is encouraged. A version of L-180, Human Factors on the Fireline, has been included as part of this course. This course also provides instruction in the primary factors affecting the start and spread of wildfire and recognition of potentially hazardous situations. S-190 is typically taught in conjunction with or prior to Basic Firefighter Training, S-130. It is designed to meet the fire behavior training needs of a firefighter type 2 (FFT2) on an incident as outlined in the PMS 310-1, Wildland Fire Qualification System Guide and the position task book developed for the position. S-131/133 Firefighting Type 1/Look Up, Look Down Dates: Session A - March 19 Session B – March 25 Pre-requisites: Qualified as a firefighter type 2 (FFT2). Firefighter Type 1, S-131, is an eight-hour course designed to meet the training needs of the Firefighter Type 1 (FFT1). This course is designed to be interactive in nature. It contains several tactical decision games designed to facilitate learning the objectives and class discussion. Topics include fireline reference materials, communications, and tactical decision-making. This course is also designed to train Incident Commander Type 5 (ICT5) and Firefighter Type 1 (FFT1) to identify environmental factors and indicators of hazardous fire conditions, and how to use these indicators when implementing the Risk Management Process. View Class Schedule :Intermediate Fire Courses
L-280 Followership to Leadership Dates: March 23-24 Prerequisites: Experience on incident assignments in operations or support functions. Human Factors on the Fireline (L-180). Completion of pre-course work assignment. This training course is designed as a self-assessment opportunity for individuals preparing to step into a leadership role. The course combines one day of classroom instruction followed by a second day in the field with students working through a series of problem solving events in small teams (Field Leadership Assessment Course). Topics include leadership values and principles, transition challenges for new leaders, situational leadership, team cohesion factors, ethical decisionmaking, and after action review techniques. S-200 Initial Attack Incident Commander Dates: March 21-22 Prerequisites: Qualified as any single resource boss. This course is designed to meet the training needs of the incident commander type 4 (ICT4). It is presented in a discussion/exercise format. The six instructional units include Foundation Skills; Intelligence Gathering and Documentation; Size Up the Incident; Develop a Plan of Action; Post-fire Activities; Evaluating Incident Objectives and Manage the Incident. Evaluation of the student is by unit tests and performance based evaluations. S-203 Introduction to Incident Information Dates: March 21 – March 25 Pre-requisites: None The purpose of this course is to provide students with the skills and knowledge needed to serve as public information officers (PIOF). The course covers establishing and maintaining an incident information operation, communicating with internal and external audiences, working with the news media, handling special situations, and long term planning and strategy. S-211 Portable Pumps and Water Use Dates: March 21 – 23 Pre-requisites: None This is an instructor-led course intended to be presented at the local level. The course consists of three skill areas: supply, delivery, and application of water. Students will be required to demonstrate their knowledge of correct water use, basic hydraulics, and equipment care. The field exercise requires set up, operation, and maintenance of pump equipment. To receive credit for this course, students must have field work observed and approved, and take a closed book written final examination S-212 Wildland Fire Chain Saws Dates: March 20 – 23 Prerequisites: Qualified as a firefighter type 2 (FFT2). This is an instructor-led course intended to be presented at the local level. The course lessons provide introduction to the function, maintenance and use of internal combustion engine powered chain saws, and their tactical wildland fire application. Field exercises support entry level training for firefighters with little or no previous experience in operating a chain saw, providing hands-on cutting experience in surroundings similar to fireline situations. S-215 Fire Operations in the Wildland/Urban Interface Dates: March 21- 24 Prerequisites: Wildland Fire Agencies: Students must be Firefighter Type 1 (FFT1) qualified. Structural Fire Departments: Students should have completed Introduction to ICS (I-100), Human Factors on the Fireline (L-180), Firefighter Training (S-130), Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior (S-190), and Firefighter Type 1 (S-131); or equivalent training. Students attending this course must be knowledgeable of their agency firefighting policy as it relates to wildland/urban interface fires. This course is designed to assist structure and wildland firefighters who will be making tactical decisions when confronting wildland fire that threatens life, property, and improvements, in the wildland/urban interface. Instructional units include interface awareness, size-up, initial strategy and incident action plan, structure triage, structure protection tactics, incident action plan assessment and update, follow-up and public relations, and firefighter safety in the interface. S-230 Crew Boss (Single Resource) Dates: March 20 – 22 Prerequisites: Qualified as firefighter type 1 (FFT1). Successful completion of Intermediate Wildland Fire Behavior (S-290). This is a classroom course designed to produce student proficiency in the performance of duties associated with the single resource boss position from initial dispatch through demobilization to the home unit. Topics include operational leadership, preparation and mobilization, assignment preparation, risk management, entrapment avoidance, safety and tactics, offline duties, demobilization, and post incident responsibilities. S-231 Engine Boss (Single Resource) Dates: March 23-24 Prerequisites: Crew Boss, Single Resource (S-230). Qualified as a firefighter type 1 (FFT1). This is a skill course designed to produce student proficiency in the performance of the duties associated with engine boss, single resource (ENGB). Topics include engine and crew capabilities and limitations, information sources, fire sizeup considerations, tactics, and wildland/urban interface. S-234 Ignition Operations Dates: March 22-23 Prerequisites: Intermediate Wildland Fire Behavior (S-290). This course introduces the roles and responsibilities of a firing boss (FIRB), common firing devices, and general firing operations and techniques. Although comprehensive in nature, the coursework is not a substitute for the dynamic fire environment. The course provides students with important information concerning general tasks required to be successful. Any opportunity to show students a small prescribed burn or demonstrate how devices operate in the field will promote transferring these new skills to the job. Due to the wide variety and capabilities of sponsors presenting this course, the field exercise portion of the class is not defined. Therefore, the cadre and sponsoring unit are responsible for planning field exercises and demonstrations in accordance with their capabilities. S-244 Field Observer Dates; March 21-23 Pre-requisites: FOBS: Qualified as any Single Resource Boss FEMO: Qualified as a Firefighter type 2 Basic understanding of how to use a GPS receiver S-290 Successful completion of Pre-Course work Course provides students with the skills necesary to perform as a field observer (FOBS) and/or a fire effects monitor (FEMO). Topics incluse roles and resposiblities of the FOBS and FEMO; how to make observations and documents those observations; how to produce hand drawn and GPS field maps; and how to navigate using a compass and GPS. S-248 Status/Check-in Recorder Dates: March 20-21 Prerequisites: It is recommended that students have Basic ICS (I-200); Human Factors (L-180); and basic computer skills in the Windows environment This course is designed to introduce students to the tools and techniques used to perform the duties of a status check-in recorder (SCKN). The course provides an overview of what a student can expect if dispatched to an incident. S-260 Interagency Incident Business Management Dates: March 21-22 Prerequisites: None required, but suggested reference and training includes: Basic Fire Suppression Orientation, (S-110) Basic Incident Command System (I-200) Firefighter Training (S-130) Basic Aviation Safety Student Guide (NFES 2097) This course is designed to provide the prerequisite knowledge and skills necessary to perform the tasks of a communications technician (COMT) in the Incident Command System (ICS). Topics include installation, maintenance, and troubleshooting of National Incident Radio Support Cache (NIRSC) communications equipment on incidents. The course consists of classroom instruction, field exercises, a written exam, and a practical final exam. S-261 Applied Interagency Incident Business ManagementDates: March 23-25 Pre-requisites: None This is an instructor led course designed for entry-level finance positions. The format is a mix of exercises, facilitated group discussions, and lecture supported by PowerPoint presentations. Students work directly from the Interagency Incident Business Management Handbook for most of the exercises. S-261 is designed to be taken after completion of S-260, Interagency Incident Business Management. S-290 Intermediate Fire Behavior
Dates: Session A – March 19 – 22 Session B – March 22 – 25 Prerequisites: Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior (S-190). This is a classroom-based skills course designed to prepare the prospective fireline supervisor to undertake safe and effective fire management operations. It is the second course in a series that collectively serves to develop fire behavior prediction knowledge and skills. Fire environment differences are discussed as necessary; instructor should stress local conditions. View Class Schedule :
Advanced Fire Courses
ICS-300 Intermediate ICS: ICS for Supervisors and Expanding Incidents Dates: March 19- 21 Pre-requisites: I-200, Basic: ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents This course provides description and detail of the Incident Command System (ICS) organization and operations in supervisory roles on expanding or Type 3 incidents. Topics include ICS fundamentals review, incident/event assessment and agency guidance in establishing incident objectives, Unified Command, incident resource management, planning process, demobilization, transfer of command, and close out. This course was developed in conjunction with the U.S. Fire Administration (H465) and the Emergency Management Institute (G300). These courses are built on the same lesson objectives and content as the NWCG I-300 course and are interchangeable; they are all National Incident Management System (NIMS) compliant. M-410 Facilitative Instructor Dates: March 20 – 24 Pre-requisites: None This training course is designed to help students become effective facilitative instructors. The purpose of this course is to improve training quality by presenting instructional methods with an emphasis on student-oriented adult training techniques. This course is designed for students to meet NWCG instructor requirements. S-300 Extended Attack Incident CommanderDates: March 22 – 23 Prerequisites: Qualified as an incident commander type 4 (ICT4) and qualified as a task force leader (TFLD) OR Qualified as an ICT4 and as a strike team leader and any two single resource boss positions – one must be crew (CRWB) or engine (ENGB). Completion of pre-course work assignment. This course is designed to meet the training needs of the incident commander type 3 (ICT3). The focus is on the lessons of leadership and command as they relate to the ICT3 position. It is presented in participative lecture format with multiple tactical decision games for students to practice new knowledge. The seven instructional units cover Foundation Skills, Situational Awareness, Command and Control, Managing the Incident, Transitional Activities, Post-Fire Activities and a Final Simulation. There is also an optional Staff Ride Activity (Unit
if instructors choose to include it.
S-330 Task Force/ Strike Team Leader
Dates: March 19-21
Prerequisites: Qualified as any single resource boss.
Successful completion of pre-course work.
This is a 24-hour course designed to meet the training requirements outlined in the PMS 310-1, Wildland Fire Qualification System Guide and the position task books developed for the positions of task force leader and strike team leader. Examples and exercises in this package are specific to wildland fire suppression. If students are expected to perform in some other risk area, exercises and examples appropriate to the expected risk areas should be added
S-339 Division/Groups Supervisor Dates: March 23-25 Prerequisites: Qualified as a task force leader (TFLD) OR qualified as an incident commander type 3 (ICT3) OR qualified as an incident commander type 4 (ICT4) and in any two strike team leader positions (one must be STCR or STEN). Also see Instructor Certification at the beginning of this Guide. This course prepares students to perform in the role of division/group supervisor. It provides instruction in support of the specific tasks of the division/group supervisor, but will not instruct students in general management/supervision or in the incident command system (ICS), both of which the student should learn through prerequisite work. Topics include division/group management, organizational interaction, division operations, all-hazard operations, and tactical decision games (optional). There is a final examination in this course.
S-349 Resource Unit Leader Dates: March 22- 25 Prerequisites: Qualified as status/check-in recorder (SCKN). Successfully complete pre-course work and pre-course test. Basic knowledge of current automated resource status system, such as I-Suite. This course is designed to train potential resources unit leader (RESL) and demobilization unit leader (DMOB). It begins with a discussion on unit activation and management that is relevant for both the RESL and DMOB. Then it describes RESL responsibilities related to resource status systems, planning process, and resource products/outputs. Finally, it addresses DMOB’s responsibilities for developing and implementing the demobilization plan. Cadre decides if they want to use T-cards or the current automated resource status system for the ongoing exercise scenario that gives students hands-on experience. There is pre-course work students must complete. The pre-course work is available on the Operations and Workforce Development Committee web site at http://training.nwcg.gov/online.html. S-354 Facilities Unit Leader Dates: March 21- 23 Prerequisites: Satisfactory performance as a base/camp manager (BCMG) This course prepares students to perform the job of facilities unit leader (FACL) as outlined in the PMS 310-1, Wildland Fire Qualification System Guide and the position task book developed for the position. The instructional methods of the course include lecture with PowerPoint presentations, classroom exercises, and discussions. The lessons provide an introduction to operational leadership, mobilization, arrival at an incident, risk management, safety and tactics, demobilization, and post-incident responsibilities.
S-356 Supply Unit Leader Dates: March 19 – 21 Prerequisites: Qualified as an ordering manager (ORDM) and as a receiving/distribution manager (RCDM). This course is designed to prepare students to perform the duties of managing the incident supply unit.
S-359 Medical Unit Leader Dates: March 23-25 Prerequisites: Prior or current certification as an Emergency Medical Technician or equivalent This course is designed to provide the skills and knowledge needed to perform in the role of medical unit leader (MEDL). Topics include gathering information, organizing the medical unit, supervising the unit, evaluation, documentation, and demobilization
S-360 Finance/Administration Unit Leader Dates: March 21 – 24 Prerequisites: Qualified as personnel time recorder (PTRC) for time unit leader (TIME). Qualified as compensation-for-injury specialist (INJR) and claims specialist (CLMS) for compensation/claims unit leader (COMP). Qualified as equipment time recorder (EQTR) and meet agency procurement authority requirements for procurement unit leader (PROC). Have agency related cost estimation and analysis experience for cost unit leader (COST). This course is designed to introduce students to the knowledge and skills necessary to perform the tasks of finance/administration unit leaders: time unit leader (TIME), compensation/claims unit leader (COMP), procurement unit leader (PROC), and cost unit leader (COST). It provides cross training for all the finance/administration unit leaders. Students do not repeat the course to become qualified in other finance/administration unit leader positions, but must complete the appropriate position task book
S-390 Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior Calculations Dates: TBD Prerequisites:Intermediate Wildland Fire Behavior (S-290) Qualified as a single resource boss. This course is designed to introduce fire behavior calculations by manual methods, using nomograms and the Fire Behavior Handbook Appendix B. Students gain an understanding of the determinants of fire behavior though studying inputs (weather, slope, fuels, and fuel moisture). Students also learn how to interpret fire behavior outputs, documentation processes, and fire behavior briefing components. View Class Schedule : S-400 Incident Commander Dates: March 22 – 24 Prerequisites: Qualified as an incident commander type 3 (ICT3). Qualified as one of the general staff section chiefs at the type 2 level The course describes the role of the incident commander to manage type 2 incidents. Topics include team administration; communication, information and intelligence processing; agency administrator and IC responsibilities; transfer of command; and demobilization. The course provides exercisers to assist students in acquiring the knowledge to learn these skills. An optional “lessons learned” unit allows the addition of geographic area specific information, but the course time frame must be increased accordingly.
S-404 Safety Officer Dates: March 20 – 22
Prerequisites: Qualified as a division/group supervisor (DIVS). This course is designed to meet the training needs of the safety officer type 2 (SOF2) position in the incident command system. Topics include safety officer effectiveness, analysis techniques, safety messages, briefings and reports, and high hazard operations. S-440 Planning Section Chief
Dates: March 23 – 25 Prerequisites: Qualified as a Situation Unit Leader (SITL) and as a Resources Unit Leader (RESL).
Successful completion of pre-course work.
This course is designed to meet a portion of the training needs of the planning section chief type 2 (PSC2). Topics include information gathering, strategies, meetings and briefings, incident action plan (IAP), interactions, forms, documents, supplies, demobilization, and an optional technology section. In the final exercise, students observe a simulated planning meeting and use the information derived to find errors in an IAP. Students must pass the unit tests and the final exercise to successfully complete the course. S-445 Incident Training Specialist Pre-requisites: None Course is designed to meet the training needs of the Incident Training Specialist (TNSP). S-450 Logistics Section Chief Dates: March 24-25
Prerequisites: Qualified as facilities unit leader (FACL) and ground support unit leader (GSUL) OR facilities unit leader (FACL) and supply unit leader (SUPL).
