UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIORBUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENTWASHINGTON, D.C. 20240-0036http://www.blm.gov/

May 3, 2010

In Reply Refer to: 1400-300 (400) I

EMS TRANSMISSION 05/11/2010 Information Bulletin No. 2010-071
To:State and Center DirectorsAttn:       Fire Management and Human Resources OfficersFrom: DirectorSubject: Interagency Fire Program Management       Implementation Responsibilities and Timelines
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) appreciates the progress that our program employees, their supervisors, and human resource managers and staff have made over the last few years regarding the Interagency Fire Program Management (IFPM) position requirements. We are pleased with the efforts of people throughout the BLM who have worked hard to ensure they have met the IFPM requirements and are in good standing as the October 1, 2010 implementation deadline approaches. We are less than a year away from fully implementing IFPM requirements and it is important to review some helpful information concerning those deadlines. 

The Department of the Interior (DOI) Office of Human Resources has requested that the Bureaus begin monthly, reporting information on the status of employees who do not meet the IFPM requirements for their position. According to the IFPM Implementation Plan, an employee agreement should have been signed by incumbents who did not meet the IFPM requirement at the time of implementation. A condition of employment should have been signed by employees hired into IFPM positions after implementation started who did not meet the requirements at the time of hire. 

The IFPM requirements are:
- For GS-401 (Professional) Fire Management   Specialist Positions: a) basic positive education requirements; b) specialized   experience; c) National Wildlife Coordinating Group (NWCG) incident management   qualifications; and d) additional required training, if applicable.   
- For GS-0455/0462 (Technical) Range/Forestry Technician Positions: a)   specialized experience; b) NWCG incident management qualifications; and c)   additional requirement training, if applicable. 

As the implementation date approaches, managers must monitor the progress of impacted employees and be prepared to advise employees who are at risk of not meeting the IFPM minimum qualification standards by the deadline. To assist in this process, the attached timeline has been developed to ensure that proper actions are being completed on time. Supervisors and managers are responsible for ensuring employee agreement or conditions of employment documents are in place; updating the Incident Qualification and Certification System (IQCS); creating Individual Development Plans (IDP); assisting employees in locating opportunities for education, training, and specialized experiences identified in the IDP; monitoring employees� progress; and providing opportunities for completion of National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) qualifications, as applicable. Supervisors and managers are advised to work closely with their servicing Human Resources Office to discuss options such as reassignment, change to lower grade, or removal from Federal service for those employees who do not meet the IFPM requirements by October 1, 2010. 

To collect this additional information, each state should work with units that have employees who do not currently meet and will not meet the IFPM requirements by the October 1, 2010, deadline, and verify that a signed employee agreement or condition of employment is in place. As part of the verification process, a hard copy of signed documents should be maintained in the State Human Resources Office. 

Again, we thank you for working diligently toward meeting the IFPM requirements. We are nearing an important milestone in the IFPM program and want you to be aware and informed of important requirements regarding the process. If you have any questions regarding this Information Bulletin (IB), please contact a member of the IFPM Implementation Team: Tamara Neukam, Human Resources Officer, Fire & Aviation, (208) 387-5514; Cindy Pogue, Human Resources Specialist, Fire & Aviation, (208) 387-5951; or Ted Mason, Fire Management Training Unit Program Leader, Fire & Aviation, (208) 387-5334. Additional information regarding IFPM can be found at http://www.ifpm.nifc.gov/. This IB request has been coordinated with the Assistant Director, Human Capital Management, and Assistant Director, Fire and Aviation. 
Signed by:Mike PoolActing, Director Authenticated by: Robert M.       WilliamsDivision of IRM Governance,WO-560 
3 Attachments
1-   IFPM Action Item Timetable 2010 (1 p)2-   IFPM Employee Agreement (For Employees Currently Occupying IFPM Positions) (2   pp)3-   IFPM Condition of Employment Agreement (For New Hires) (1 p)