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| >     | > 5100                |          | >  | June 1, 2007        |
|  File |                       |          |  D |                     |
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| > Sub | > Line Officer        |          |    |                     |
| ject: | > Certification       |          |    |                     |
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| > To: | > Regional Foresters  |          |    |                     |
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In response to the Fire Doctrine and the Fire and Aviation Management
Efficiencies initiative, the Line Officer Team (LOT) has recommended a
Line Officer Certification (LOC) program for your use. Two elements of
the Fire Doctrine state the following for leadership:

-   Demonstrated fitness for command is a requirement for leadership
    positions associated with fire fighting and;

-   Line officers with fire management responsibility will have
    knowledge and understanding of fire program management.

As such, you will find enclosed the "Line Officer Certification Program
for District Rangers and Forest Supervisors" and the companion document,
"Agency Administrator Coaching Program." The coaching program can be
used to build experience and competencies in existing line officers and
provide opportunities to develop competencies in aspiring line officers.
These programs are intended to provide consistency across regions, and
incorporate flexibility for Regional Foresters to implement them.
Regional Foresters are responsible for ordering and dispatching line
officers for coaching assignments and are accountable for certification
of line officers.

During the past decade, the challenges associated with wildland fire
have changed dramatically. The expanded wildland-urban interface,
drought, and high concentrations of fuels have all contributed to larger
and more complex fires. This increases demands on line officers to
ensure safe operations and make high risk management decisions. These
two programs are designed to ensure line officers have the tools and
training they need to perform in this complex environment.

The LOT will continue to monitor implementation of this program and make
changes if necessary. Comments and questions should be directed to your
LOT representative.

Thank you for your continued efforts in ensuring the safety of our
firefighting forces and support staffs.

  -----------------------------------------------------------------------

  */s/Sally Collins (for)*

  ABIGAIL R. KIMBELL

  Chief
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Enclosures

cc: pdl wo spf fam regional fire directors pdl wo spf fam leadership

pdl r4 lot