**Chapter 03**

**National Park Service Program Organization & Responsibilities**

**Agency Administrator Roles**

**Director**

The Director of the National Park Service is responsible to the
Secretary of the Interior for fire management programs on public lands
administered by the National Park Service. The Division of Fire and Fire
Aviation Management is responsible to the Director for policy
formulation and program oversight.

The Chief, Division of Fire and Aviation Management will meet the
required elements outlined in the *Management Performance Requirements
for Fire Operations.*

**Regional Director**

The Regional Director is responsible to the Director for fire management
programs and activities within their region.

The Regional Director will meet the required elements outlined in the
*Management Performance Requirements for Fire Operations* and ensure
training is completed to support delegations to line managers and
principal actings.

**Park Superintendent**

The Park Superintendent is responsible to the Regional Director for the
safe and efficient implementation of fire management activities within
their unit, including cooperative activities with other agencies or
landowners in accordance with delegations of authorities. The Park
Superintendent or principal acting will meet the required elements
outlined in the *Management Performance Requirements for Fire
Operations*.

Management Performance Requirements for Fire Operations

+---------------------------------------+---------+---------+---------+
| PERFORMANCE REQUIRED                  | NPS     | R       | Park    |
|                                       | Di      | egional | Supt.   |
|                                       | rector. | Di      |         |
|                                       |         | rector. |         |
+=======================================+=========+=========+=========+
| 1.  Take necessary and prudent        | X       | X       | X       |
|     actions to ensure firefighter and |         |         |         |
|     public safety.                    |         |         |         |
+---------------------------------------+---------+---------+---------+
| 2.  Ensure sufficient qualified fire  | X       | X       | X       |
|     and non-fire personnel are        |         |         |         |
|     available to support fire         |         |         |         |
|     operations at a level             |         |         |         |
|     commensurate with the local and   |         |         |         |
|     national fire situations.         |         |         |         |
+---------------------------------------+---------+---------+---------+
| 3.  Ensure Fire Management Officers   | X       | X       | X       |
|     (FMOs) are fully qualified as     |         |         |         |
|     identified in the *Interagency    |         |         |         |
|     Fire Program Management           |         |         |         |
|     Qualification Standards.*         |         |         |         |
+---------------------------------------+---------+---------+---------+
| 4.  Provide a written Delegation of   | X       | X       | X       |
|     Authority to individual(s)        |         |         |         |
|     responsible for wildland fire     |         |         |         |
|     management activities to ensure   |         |         |         |
|     an adequate level of operational  |         |         |         |
|     authority, including MAC Group    |         |         |         |
|     authority, as appropriate. These  |         |         |         |
|     written delegations may be        |         |         |         |
|     provided to the Chief Ranger,     |         |         |         |
|     FMO, designated Fire Coordinator, |         |         |         |
|     Park Group FMO, or to individuals |         |         |         |
|     from neighboring fire management  |         |         |         |
|     organizations, provided a written |         |         |         |
|     agreement or memorandum of        |         |         |         |
|     understanding is in-place. Where  |         |         |         |
|     applicable, an Inter-park         |         |         |         |
|     Agreement that specifies the      |         |         |         |
|     reciprocal responsibilities of    |         |         |         |
|     the Superintendent and Park Group |         |         |         |
|     FMO will be prepared. This        |         |         |         |
|     Inter-park Agreement will be      |         |         |         |
|     accompanied by an annual          |         |         |         |
|     delegation of authority.          |         |         |         |
+---------------------------------------+---------+---------+---------+
| 5.  Identify resource management      |         | X       | X       |
|     objectives to maintain a current  |         |         |         |
|     fire management plan (FMP) that   |         |         |         |
|     identifies an accurate and        |         |         |         |
|     defensible Normal Year Readiness  |         |         |         |
|     of funding and personnel.         |         |         |         |
+---------------------------------------+---------+---------+---------+
| 6.  Develop protection and use        |         | X       | X       |
|     standards and constraints that    |         |         |         |
|     are in compliance with agency     |         |         |         |
|     fire policies.                    |         |         |         |
+---------------------------------------+---------+---------+---------+
| 7.  Ensure use of fire funds is in    | X       | X       | X       |
|     compliance with Department and    |         |         |         |
|     Agency policies.                  |         |         |         |
+---------------------------------------+---------+---------+---------+
| 8.  Management teams will meet once a | X       | X       | X       |
|     year to review fire and aviation  |         |         |         |
|     policies, roles,                  |         |         |         |
|     responsibilities, and delegations |         |         |         |
|     of authority. Specifically        |         |         |         |
|     address oversight and management  |         |         |         |
|     controls, critical safety issues, |         |         |         |
|     and high-risk situations such as  |         |         |         |
|     team transfers of command,        |         |         |         |
|     periods of multiple fire          |         |         |         |
|     activity, and Red Flag Warnings.  |         |         |         |
+---------------------------------------+---------+---------+---------+
| 9.  Review safety policies,           |         |         | X       |
|     procedures, and concerns with     |         |         |         |
|     field fire and fire aviation      |         |         |         |
|     personnel. Discussions should     |         |         |         |
|     include issues that could         |         |         |         |
|     compromise safety and             |         |         |         |
|     effectiveness during the upcoming |         |         |         |
|     season.                           |         |         |         |
+---------------------------------------+---------+---------+---------+
| 10. Ensure timely follow-up actions   | X       | X       | X       |
|     to program reviews, fire          |         |         |         |
|     preparedness reviews, fire and    |         |         |         |
|     fire aviation safety reviews,     |         |         |         |
|     fire critiques, and post-season   |         |         |         |
|     reviews.                          |         |         |         |
+---------------------------------------+---------+---------+---------+
| 11. Ensure fire and fire aviation     |         | X       | X       |
|     preparedness reviews are          |         |         |         |
|     conducted in all unit offices     |         |         |         |
|     each year.                        |         |         |         |
+---------------------------------------+---------+---------+---------+
| 12. Ensure an approved burn plan is   |         | X       | X       |
|     followed for each prescribed fire |         |         |         |
|     project, including follow-up      |         |         |         |
|     monitoring and documentation to   |         |         |         |
|     ensure management objectives are  |         |         |         |
|     met.                              |         |         |         |
+---------------------------------------+---------+---------+---------+
| 13. Meet annually with major          |         | X       | X       |
|     cooperators and review            |         |         |         |
|     interagency agreements to ensure  |         |         |         |
|     their continued effectiveness and |         |         |         |
|     efficiency. (may be delegated).   |         |         |         |
+---------------------------------------+---------+---------+---------+
| 14. Ensure that a Wildland Fire       |         |         | X       |
|     Situation Analysis (WFSA) is      |         |         |         |
|     completed and approved on all     |         |         |         |
|     fires that escape initial attack. |         |         |         |
+---------------------------------------+---------+---------+---------+
| 15. Ensure reviews are conducted on   |         | X       | X       |
|     all fires that require a WFSA.    |         |         |         |
|     Personally attend reviews on Type |         |         |         |
|     1 and Type 2 fires (Regional      |         |         |         |
|     Director may delegate).           |         |         |         |
+---------------------------------------+---------+---------+---------+
| 16. Ensure that a Wildland Fire       |         |         | X       |
|     Implementation Plan (WFIP) is     |         |         |         |
|     completed and implemented for all |         |         |         |
|     fires managed for resource        |         |         |         |
|     benefits.                         |         |         |         |
+---------------------------------------+---------+---------+---------+
| 17. Provide management oversight by   |         | X       | X       |
|     personally visiting wildland and  |         |         |         |
|     prescribed fires each year.       |         |         |         |
+---------------------------------------+---------+---------+---------+
| 18. Provide incident management       |         |         | X       |
|     objectives, written delegations   |         |         |         |
|     of authority, and Agency          |         |         |         |
|     Administrator briefings to        |         |         |         |
|     Incident Management Teams.        |         |         |         |
+---------------------------------------+---------+---------+---------+
| 19. Monitor the fire situation and    | X       | X       | X       |
|     provide oversight during periods  |         |         |         |
|     of critical fire                  |         |         |         |
|     activity/situations of high risk. |         |         |         |
+---------------------------------------+---------+---------+---------+
| 20. Evaluate the need for resource    |         |         | X       |
|     advisors for all fires, and       |         |         |         |
|     assign as appropriate.            |         |         |         |
+---------------------------------------+---------+---------+---------+
| 21. Convene and participate in annual | X       | X       | X       |
|     pre- and post-season fire         |         |         |         |
|     meetings.                         |         |         |         |
+---------------------------------------+---------+---------+---------+
| 22. Attend *Fire Management           |         | X       | X       |
|     Leadership Course.*               |         |         |         |
+---------------------------------------+---------+---------+---------+
| 23. Ensure appropriate investigations | X       | X       | X       |
|     are conducted for incidents,      |         |         |         |
|     entrapments, and serious          |         |         |         |
|     accidents.                        |         |         |         |
+---------------------------------------+---------+---------+---------+
| 24. For all unplanned human-caused    |         | X       | X       |
|     fires where liability can be      |         |         |         |
|     determined, ensure trespass       |         |         |         |
|     actions are initiated to recover  |         |         |         |
|     cost of suppression activities,   |         |         |         |
|     land rehabilitation, and damages  |         |         |         |
|     to the resource and improvements. |         |         |         |
+---------------------------------------+---------+---------+---------+
| 25. Certify Wildland Fire             |         |         | X       |
|     Implementation Plan or Wildland   |         |         |         |
|     Fire Situation Analysis on a      |         |         |         |
|     daily basis.                      |         |         |         |
+---------------------------------------+---------+---------+---------+
| 26. Complete Go/No-Go checklist for   |         |         | X       |
|     prescribed fire.                  |         |         |         |
+---------------------------------------+---------+---------+---------+
| 27. Ensure there is adequate          |         |         | X       |
|     direction in fire management      |         |         |         |
|     plans to identify fire danger     |         |         |         |
|     awareness with escalating fire    |         |         |         |
|     potential.                        |         |         |         |
+---------------------------------------+---------+---------+---------+
| 28. Ensure compliance with National   | X       | X       | X       |
|     and Regional Office policy and    |         |         |         |
|     direction for prescribed fire     |         |         |         |
|     activities and ensure that        |         |         |         |
|     periodic reviews and inspections  |         |         |         |
|     of the prescribed fire program    |         |         |         |
|     are completed.                    |         |         |         |
+---------------------------------------+---------+---------+---------+
| 29. Review Prescribed Fire Plans and  |         | X       | X       |
|     recommend or approve the plans    |         |         |         |
|     depending upon the delegated      |         |         |         |
|     authority. Ensure that the        |         |         |         |
|     Prescribed Fire Plan has been     |         |         |         |
|     reviewed and recommended by a     |         |         |         |
|     qualified technical reviewer who  |         |         |         |
|     was not involved in the plan      |         |         |         |
|     preparation.                      |         |         |         |
+---------------------------------------+---------+---------+---------+

**Fire Management Staff Roles**

**National Office**

The Fire Director, NPS-NIFC, provides leadership for their fire and
aviation management programs, and assists regions and parks to develop,
implement, and maintain safe, effective, and efficient fire and aviation
management programs that meet land management objectives.

The Fire Director is responsible and accountable for developing policy,
program direction, and international coordination. The Fire Director
works with interagency cooperators to coordinate, reduce duplication,
increase efficiencies in wildland fire management, and provide feedback
to regional offices on performance requirements.

**Regional Office**

The Regional Fire Management Officer (RFMO) provides leadership for
their fire and fire aviation management program.

The RFMO is responsible and accountable for providing planning,
coordination, training, technical guidance, and oversight to the park
fire management programs. The RFMO also represents the Regional Director
on interagency geographic coordination groups and Multi-Agency
Coordination (MAC) Groups. The RFMO provides feedback to units on
performance requirements.

**Park**

The Fire Management Officer (FMO) is responsible and accountable for
providing leadership for fire and fire aviation management programs at
the local level. The FMO determines program requirements to implement
land use decisions through the Fire Management Plan (FMP) to meet land
management objectives. The FMO negotiates interagency agreements and
represents the Agency Administrator on local interagency fire and fire
aviation groups.

The Superintendent annually shall provide and update the expectations of
the FMO duties by means of two instruments. One is a limited Delegation
of Authority (DOA) that encompasses the scope of duties outlined above.
The other is an Inter-park Agreement for those cases where a Park Group
FMO handles defined duties on behalf of another NPS unit within the
defined FIREPRO Park Group.

**Fire Management Staff Performance** Requirements for Fire Operations

+-----------------------------------------------+----------+-----+----+
| PERFORMANCE REQUIRED                          | Fire     | R   | F  |
|                                               | Director | FMO | MO |
+===============================================+==========+=====+====+
| 1.  Maintain safety first as the foundation   | X        | X   | X  |
|     for all aspects of fire and fire aviation |          |     |    |
|     management.                               |          |     |    |
+-----------------------------------------------+----------+-----+----+
| 2.  Ensure completion of a job hazard         |          |     | X  |
|     analysis (JHA) for fire and fire aviation |          |     |    |
|     activities so mitigation measures are     |          |     |    |
|     taken to reduce risk.                     |          |     |    |
+-----------------------------------------------+----------+-----+----+
| 3.  Ensure work/rest and length of assignment | X        | X   | X  |
|     guidelines are followed during all fire   |          |     |    |
|     and fire aviation activities. Deviations  |          |     |    |
|     must be approved and documented.          |          |     |    |
+-----------------------------------------------+----------+-----+----+
| 4.  Ensure that only trained and qualified    | X        | X   | X  |
|     personnel are assigned to fire and fire   |          |     |    |
|     aviation duties.                          |          |     |    |
+-----------------------------------------------+----------+-----+----+
| 5.  Develop, implement, evaluate, and         | X        | X   | X  |
|     document fire and fire aviation training  |          |     |    |
|     program to meet current and anticipated   |          |     |    |
|     needs.                                    |          |     |    |
+-----------------------------------------------+----------+-----+----+
| 6.  Establish an effective process to gather, | X        | X   | X  |
|     evaluate, and communicate information to  |          |     |    |
|     managers, supervisors, and employees.     |          |     |    |
|     Ensure clear and concise communications   |          |     |    |
|     are maintained at all levels.             |          |     |    |
+-----------------------------------------------+----------+-----+----+
| 7.  Develop and maintain an open line of      | X        | X   | X  |
|     communication with public and             |          |     |    |
|     cooperators.                              |          |     |    |
+-----------------------------------------------+----------+-----+----+
| 8.  Ensure that the fire and fire aviation    | X        | X   | X  |
|     management staff understand their role,   |          |     |    |
|     responsibilities, authority, and          |          |     |    |
|     accountability.                           |          |     |    |
+-----------------------------------------------+----------+-----+----+
| 9.  Based on allocated funding level, provide | X        | X   | X  |
|     a safe, effective, and efficient fire     |          |     |    |
|     protection and use program.               |          |     |    |
+-----------------------------------------------+----------+-----+----+
| 10. Organize, train, equip, and direct a      | X        | X   | X  |
|     qualified work force. An Individual       |          |     |    |
|     Development Plan must be provided for     |          |     |    |
|     incumbents who do not meet new standards. |          |     |    |
|     Establish qualification review            |          |     |    |
|     committees.                               |          |     |    |
+-----------------------------------------------+----------+-----+----+
| 11. Take appropriate action when performance  | X        | X   | X  |
|     is exceptional or deficient.              |          |     |    |
+-----------------------------------------------+----------+-----+----+
| 12. Ensure fire and fire aviation policies    | X        | X   | X  |
|     are understood, followed, and coordinated |          |     |    |
|     with other agencies as appropriate.       |          |     |    |
+-----------------------------------------------+----------+-----+----+
| 13. Monitor to recognize when complexity      | X        | X   | X  |
|     levels exceed program capabilities.       |          |     |    |
|     Increase managerial and operational       |          |     |    |
|     resources to meet the need.               |          |     |    |
+-----------------------------------------------+----------+-----+----+
| 14. Initiate, conduct, and/or participate in  | X        | X   | X  |
|     fire management related reviews and       |          |     |    |
|     investigations.                           |          |     |    |
+-----------------------------------------------+----------+-----+----+
| 15. Provide for and personally participate in | X        | X   | X  |
|     periodic site visits to individual        |          |     |    |
|     incidents and projects.                   |          |     |    |
+-----------------------------------------------+----------+-----+----+
| 16. Utilize the incident complexity analysis  |          | X   | X  |
|     to ensure the proper level of management  |          |     |    |
|     is assigned to all incidents.             |          |     |    |
+-----------------------------------------------+----------+-----+----+
| 17. Review and evaluate performance of the    | X        | X   | X  |
|     fire management organization and take     |          |     |    |
|     appropriate actions.                      |          |     |    |
+-----------------------------------------------+----------+-----+----+
| 18. Ensure incoming personnel and crews are   |          | X   | X  |
|     briefed prior to fire and fire aviation   |          |     |    |
|     assignments.                              |          |     |    |
+-----------------------------------------------+----------+-----+----+
| 19. Ensure a Wildland Fire Situation Analysis |          | X   | X  |
|     (WFSA) is completed and retained for all  |          |     |    |
|     fires that escape initial attack.         |          |     |    |
+-----------------------------------------------+----------+-----+----+
| 20. Monitor fire season severity predictions, | X        | X   | X  |
|     fire behavior, and fire activity levels.  |          |     |    |
|     Take appropriate actions to ensure safe,  |          |     |    |
|     efficient, and effective operations.      |          |     |    |
+-----------------------------------------------+----------+-----+----+
| 21. Ensure that adequate resources are        | X        | X   | X  |
|     available to implement fire management    |          |     |    |
|     operations.                               |          |     |    |
+-----------------------------------------------+----------+-----+----+
| 22. Provide fire personnel with adequate      |          | X   | X  |
|     guidance, training and decision-making    |          |     |    |
|     authority to ensure timely decisions.     |          |     |    |
+-----------------------------------------------+----------+-----+----+
| 23. Ensure a written/approved burn plan       |          | X   | X  |
|     exists for each prescribed fire project.  |          |     |    |
+-----------------------------------------------+----------+-----+----+
| 24. Ensure all escaped prescribed fires       | X        | X   | X  |
|     receive a review at the proper level.     |          |     |    |
+-----------------------------------------------+----------+-----+----+
| 25. Ensure effective transfer of command of   | X        | X   | X  |
|     incident management occurs and oversight  |          |     |    |
|     is in place.                              |          |     |    |
+-----------------------------------------------+----------+-----+----+
| 26. Develop and maintain agreements, annual   | X        | X   | X  |
|     operating plans, and contracts on an      |          |     |    |
|     interagency basis to increase             |          |     |    |
|     effectiveness and efficiencies.           |          |     |    |
+-----------------------------------------------+----------+-----+----+
| 27. Provide the expertise and skills to fully | X        | X   | X  |
|     integrate fire and fire aviation          |          |     |    |
|     management into interdisciplinary         |          |     |    |
|     planning efforts.                         |          |     |    |
+-----------------------------------------------+----------+-----+----+
| 28. Work with cooperators to identify         | X        | X   | X  |
|     processes and procedures for providing    |          |     |    |
|     fire safe communities within the wildand  |          |     |    |
|     urban interface.                          |          |     |    |
+-----------------------------------------------+----------+-----+----+
| 29. Develop, maintain, and annually evaluate  |          | X   | X  |
|     the FMP to ensure accuracy and validity.  |          |     |    |
+-----------------------------------------------+----------+-----+----+
| 30. Ensure budget requests and allocations    | X        | X   | X  |
|     reflect Normal Year Readiness in the FMP. |          |     |    |
+-----------------------------------------------+----------+-----+----+
| 31. Develop and maintain current operational  | X        | X   | X  |
|     plans, e.g., dispatch, pre-attack,        |          |     |    |
|     prevention.                               |          |     |    |
+-----------------------------------------------+----------+-----+----+
| 32. Ensure that reports and records are       | X        | X   | X  |
|     properly completed and maintained.        |          |     |    |
+-----------------------------------------------+----------+-----+----+
| 33. Ensure fiscal responsibility and          | X        | X   | X  |
|     accountability in planning and            |          |     |    |
|     expenditures.                             |          |     |    |
+-----------------------------------------------+----------+-----+----+
| 34. Assess, identify, and implement program   |          | X   | X  |
|     actions that effectively reduce unwanted  |          |     |    |
|     wildland fire ignitions and mitigate      |          |     |    |
|     risks to life, property, and resources.   |          |     |    |
+-----------------------------------------------+----------+-----+----+
| 35. Effectively communicate the "natural      | X        | X   | X  |
|     role" of wildland fire to internal and    |          |     |    |
|     external agency audiences.                |          |     |    |
+-----------------------------------------------+----------+-----+----+
| 36. Complete trespass actions when unplanned  |          | X   | X  |
|     human-caused fires occur.                 |          |     |    |
+-----------------------------------------------+----------+-----+----+
| 37. Ensure compliance with National and       | X        | X   | X  |
|     Regional Office policy and direction for  |          |     |    |
|     prescribed fire activities and ensure     |          |     |    |
|     that periodic reviews and inspections of  |          |     |    |
|     the prescribed fire program are           |          |     |    |
|     completed.                                |          |     |    |
+-----------------------------------------------+----------+-----+----+

**Requirements for Fire Management Positions**

All NPS employees assigned dedicated fire management program
responsibilities at the park, regional, or national level shall meet
established interagency and NPS competencies (knowledge, skills and
abilities) and associated qualifications.

All NPS employees assigned to wildland fire management incidents will
meet the training and qualification standards set by the National
Wildfire Coordinating Group.

All wildland fires will be managed by an individual qualified and
certified at the command level appropriate to the complexity level of
the incident.

The qualification standards identified in the *Interagency Fire Program
Management Qualifications Standards* will be required, in conjunction
with specific agency requirements, when filling vacant fire program
positions, and as an aid in developing Individual Development Plans
(IDPs) for employees.

**Training**

**Training for Park Superintendents**

The following training is required for park superintendents with
significant fire programs, including but not limited to those that are
fire program funded.

**Fire Management Leadership**

The national course is the preferred alternative to the
regionally-sponsored course. The training should be completed within two
years of appointment to a designated management position.

**Training for Fire Management Officers**

The following training is required for fire management officers.

-   Fire Program Management

**Delegation of Authority**

**Delegation for Regional Fire Management Officers**

In order to effectively perform their duties, the RFMO must have certain
authorities delegated from the Regional Director. The delegation of
authority should include the following roles and responsibilities:

-   Serve as the Regional Director's authorized representative on
    geographic area coordination groups, including MAC groups.

-   Coordinate and establish priorities on uncommitted fire suppression
    resources during periods of shortages.

-   Coordinate logistics and suppression operations regionwide.

-   Relocate agency pre-suppression/suppression resources within the
    region based on relative fire potential/activity.

-   Correct unsafe fire suppression activities.

-   Direct accelerated, aggressive initial attack when appropriate.

-   Enter into agreements to provide for the management, fiscal, and
    operational functions of combined agency operated facilities.

-   Suspend prescribed fire activities when warranted.

-   Give authorization to hire Emergency Firefighters in accordance with
    the DOI Pay Plan for Emergency Workers.

-   Approve emergency fire severity funding expenditures not to exceed
    the Regional annual authority.