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IFUASS Qualification and Curriculum Board

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Mission Statement

Mission Statement

The Interagency Fire Unmanned Aircraft Systems Subcommittee (IFUASS) Qualification and Curriculum Board (QCB) provides strategic guidance and direction on Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) training and workforce development related to performance criteria, evaluation processes, delivery methods, business requirements, processes, and operational standards.

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Primary Objectives

Infograph describing formula for performance success is the result of lessons learned plus qualification plus curriculum plus delivery.

  • Establish and provide leadership to position steering committees.
  • Collects seasonal updates:
  • Makes recommendations to IFUASS for implementation.
  • Reports to IFUASS.

Background

The IFUASS provides national leadership to develop and disseminate guidance on the use of UAS in wildland fire management (incident) operations. As UAS programs have become more prolific across the interagency spectrum, the need to recognize and share strategic, philosophical, and educational guidance has become clear. As UAS capacity and pilot demand continue to increase, the need for a sanctioned ‘Board’ to demonstrate transparent and collaborative leadership for UAS training and workforce development is recommended. By NWCG definition, a board is a “long-standing body of subject matter experts organized to establish performance criteria, evaluation processes, business requirements, and operational standards in specific NWCG business areas (e.g., airtankers, incident reporting, position naming).”

Membership

  • Diverse representation of philosophy, expertise, experience, and strategic relevance.
  • Seven – Nine Members:
    • CHAIR
    • Unmanned Aircraft System Pilot (UASP) Steering Committee Chair
    • Unmanned Aircraft System, Module Leader (UASL) Steering Committee Chair
    • Unmanned Aircraft System, Manager (UASM) Steering Committee Chair 
    • Unmanned Aircraft System, Data Specialist (UASD) Steering Committee Chair
    • Interagency Ariel ignition Committee (IAIU) Chair 
    • NWCG Representative
    • Other

Supervision

  • Oversees Position Steering Committees:

Chair: Justin Baxter

NWCG Coordinator: Dave Schultz

Parent Committee: Interagency Fire Unmanned Aircraft Systems Subcommittee

Meeting Schedule: TBD

Page Last Modified or Reviewed:

NWCG Latest Announcements

NWCG Equipment Technology Committee Releases Safety Warning: 24-001 Stihl Chainsaw Toolless Fuel Cap Spill Prevention

Date: November 14, 2024
Contact: Equipment Technology Committee

The Equipment Technology Committee (ETC) has released Safety Warning: 24-001 Stihl Chainsaw Toolless Fuel Cap Spill Prevention. Misaligned toolless fuel caps on Stihl chainsaws have led to recurring fuel spillage, fuel ignition, and burn injuries during wildland fire management operations.

This Safety Warning is intended to highlight the details and recommended procedures for the installation of a Stihl chainsaw toolless fuel cap, as well as how to identify and correct a misaligned, damaged, or broken fuel cap to help prevent fuel spillage.

References:

NWCG Safety Warning: 24-001 Stihl Chainsaw Toolless Fuel Cap Spill Prevention

Advertencia de equipos 24-001: Prevención de derrames de la tapa de combustible sin herramientas de la motosierra Stihl

NWCG Alerts

The Incident Position Standards and Next Generation Position Task Book are now available for Equipment Time Recorder (EQTR)

Date: November 13, 2024
Contact: Incident Business Committee

NWCG is excited to announce that the NWCG Incident Position Standards for Equipment Time Recorder, PMS 350-51 and NWCG Position Task Book for Equipment Time Recorder (EQTR), PMS 311-51 are now available.

The Performance Support Package, which for EQTR, includes the Incident Position Standards and Next Generation Position Task Book were developed through the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) effort. The Performance Support Package will support trainees, those qualified in the position, and evaluators.

References:

NWCG Equipment Time Recorder Position Page

NWCG Incident Position Standards for Equipment Time Recorder, PMS 350-51

NWCG Position Task Book for Equipment Time Recorder (EQTR), PMS 311-51

The Incident Position Standards and Next Generation Position Task Book are now available for Personnel Time Recorder (PTRC)

Date: November 13, 2024
Contact: Incident Business Committee

NWCG is excited to announce that the NWCG Incident Position Standards for Personnel Time Recorder, PMS 350-53 and NWCG Position Task Book for Personnel Time Recorder (PTRC), PMS 311-53 are now available.

The Performance Support Package, which for PTRC, includes the Incident Position Standards and Next Generation Position Task Book were developed through the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) effort. The Performance Support Package will support trainees, those qualified in the position, and evaluators.

References:

NWCG Personnel Time Recorder Position Page

NWCG Incident Position Standards for Personnel Time Recorder, PMS 350-53

NWCG Position Task Book for Personnel Time Recorder (PTRC), PMS 311-53

NWCG Risk Management Committee Releases Safety Bulletin: 24-001 Use of Respirators on Wildland Fires

Date: November 7, 2024
Contact: Risk Management Committee

The Risk Management Committee (RMC) has released Safety Bulletin: 24-001 Use of Respirators on Wildland Fires. As wildland fire respirators are available through several established vendors, wildland fire personnel need to understand regulations and limitations of respirator use in the workplace.

Safety Bulletin 24-001 outlines the following topics regarding respirator use for wildland fires:

  • Requirements for Respirator Use
  • Voluntary Respirator Use
  • Current Respirator Options
  • Unknown Risks of Respirator Use

This bulletin also provides mitigation recommendations to help reduce smoke exposure for wildland firefighting efforts.

References:

NWCG Safety Bulletin: 24-001 Use of Respirators on Wildland Fires

NWCG Smoke Management Guide for Prescribed Fire, PMS 420-3

VIDEO: Protecting Wildfire Personnel from Smoke - How Incident Management Teams Address Smokes Risks

VIDEO: Smoke, Knowing the Risks