FIRE MANAGEMENT BOARD

FMB Memorandum No. 16-003

Date: 3 May 2016

TO: Fire Executive Council

FROM: Larry Sutton, Chair, Fire Management Board

SUBJECT: Decision Paper # 6: Interagency Fire Program Management (IFPM) Aviation 

Qualifications Implementation

The attached decision paper is the result of an agency request to include NWCG aviation 

qualifications for select Interagency Fire Program Management Standard (IFPM) positions. The 

request specifically focused on adding additional aviation qualifications as a method to qualify 

for Unit Fire Program Manager (UFPM), Wildland Fire Operations Specialist (WFOS), and 

Prescribed Fire and Fuels Specialist (PFFS) Positions. 

FMB fully supports and remains committed to the IFPM Standard and will continue to maintain the 

IFPM standard to ensure it meets the needs of the federal agencies. If you have any questions 

regarding this decision, please contact your agency IFPM fire representative. This decision paper 

can also be found on the IFPM website: http://www.ifpm.nifc.gov/.

Attachment:

Decision Paper# 6- Modification of Interagency Fire Program Management (IFPM) minimum 

NWCG qualification standards – Aviation qualifications for Unit Fire Program Manager (UFPM), 

Wildland Fire Operations Specialist (WFOS), and Prescribed Fire and Fuels Specialist (PFFS) 

Positions

Selective Placement Factors for IFPM Positions

cc: FMB Members; IFPM Subcommittee Members; John Glenn (Chair, National Wildfire Coordinating 

Group)
Subject: Decision Paper# 6- Modification of Interagency Fire Program Management (IFPM) 

minimum NWCG qualification standards – Aviation qualifications for Unit Fire Program Manager 

(UFPM), Wildland Fire Operations Specialist (WFOS), and Prescribed Fire and Fuels Specialist 

(PFFS) Positions

Effective Date: This decision is effective October 1, 2016.

Background: Allowing the use of aviation qualifications for select IFPM positions will expand the 

diversity of applicant pools, and ultimately allow the selecting official to select the best candidate 

for the position based on local program elements or by balancing the skill sets with the 

qualifications possessed by other employees that are already on the unit.

Decisions: Based on the position analysis conducted by the IFPM Implementation Team, FMB has 

made adjustments to NWCG qualifications requirements for the Unit Fire Program Manager 

(UFPM), Wildland Fire Operations Specialist (WFOS), and Prescribed Fire and Fuels Specialist 

(PFFS) Positions. These adjustments are identified in the attached table. 

Implementation: Bureaus will ensure that all staffing activities for positions impacted by this 

change are resolved prior to October 1, 2016. Bureaus will update automated staffing 

questions from October 1st through October 14th, 2016. All UFPM, WFOS, and PFFS positions 

will be advertised with the additional qualification pathways beginning October 17, 2016. 

The IFPM Standard and all supporting materials available on the IFPM web site will be updated 

by October 1, 2016. Primary Core Requirements, Secondary Core Requirements, and Additional 

Required Training are all mandatory and will be used as selective placement factors in vacancy 

announcements. Where an “OR” option is indicated within the Primary or Secondary Core 

Requirements Category, any NWCG qualification listed can be chosen to meet the qualification 

requirement. Where multiple qualification pathways are present for position (UFPM or WFOS) 

individuals must meet the requirements identified in either pathway to be considered qualified.

Scope: The revisions as outlined in this decision paper apply to all recruitment and qualification 

determinations for UFPM, WFOS, and PFFS IFPM positions starting October 1st, 2016.

cc: FMB Members; IFPM Subcommittee Members; John Glenn (Chair, National Wildfire Coordinating 

Group)
04/29/16 04/29/16

Larry Sutton Date Howard Hedrick Date

USDA-Forest Service Bureau of Land Management

Director, Fire Operations Fire and Aviation

Deputy Assistant Director

04/29/16 04/29/16

Aaron Baldwin Date Christopher Wilcox Date

Bureau of Indian Affairs U.S. Fish and Wildfire Service

Director, Branch of Fire Management Chief, Branch of Fire Management

04/29/16

Bill Kaage Date

National Park Service

Division Chief, Fire and Aviation