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S 212 Wildland Fire Chainsaws 2012 Administration

Decorative banner: Four photos showing wildland firefighters performing duties. Two firefighters assess a tree for felling. A firefighter sits on ground working on his chainsaw in his lap. Four firefighters climb a steep hill carrying chainsaws and equipment. Three firefighters digging a line with hand tools.

 

Administration

 

The homepage for the Hazard Tree Subcommittee referenced in the S-212 course has changed. The new web address is https://www.nwcg.gov/committees/hazard-tree-subcommittee. The website is referenced in the following locations:

  • Instructor Guide page 4C.3
  • PowerPoint slide 4C-3
  • Appendix A page 6

A video has been added to the Pre-Course Work page for S-212. The video segment discusses recent events regarding refueling accidents. Reference to the video will need to be included in the course selection letter. Cadres should include a short discussion on the video during the course. The original video file can be viewed here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RG9l7YkBSOg.

Wildland Fire Chain Saws, S-212, is now a required National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) training course for individuals desiring to be qualified as a Basic Faller (FAL3). Please amend the current preface and course instructions as follows:

Preface

Wildland Fire Chain Saws, S-212, is a required National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) training course for individuals desiring to be qualified as a Basic Faller (FAL3) in the National Interagency Incident Management System: Wildland Fire Qualification System Guide,PMS 310-1. It is a suggested course for individuals desiring to be qualified as a Firefighter Type 1 (FFT1), Incident Commander Type 5 (ICT5), or Felling Boss, Single Resource (FELB) in the National Interagency Incident Management System: Wildland Fire Qualification System Guide, PMS 310-1.

Course Instructions

VI. STUDENT TARGET GROUP

The target group should consist of individuals desiring to be qualified as Basic Faller (FAL3), Firefighter Type 1 (FFT1), Incident Commander Type 5 (ICT5), or Felling Boss, Single Resource (FELB).

This course is suggested training for individuals who use chain saws in their NWCG wildland firefighting positions. It provides basic instruction in chain saw use for tactical fireline applications.

In addition, the Chain Saw Operator Field Evaluation Form found in Appendix C on the course materials CD needs to be updated by the evaluator.
• Apprentice (FALA) update to Basic Faller (FAL3)
• Intermediate (FALB) update to Intermediate Faller (FAL2)
• Advanced (FALC) update to Advanced Faller (FAL1)

The form also appears on the PowerPoint Slides 0-11 and 4D-13. Instructors will need to note the change when discussing the form.

Applies to 2012 Version.

 

Print PDF

USWDS Paragraph Bundles

 

NWCG Latest Announcements

2024 Week of Remembrance

Date: June 27, 2024
Contact: 6 Minutes for Safety Subcommittee 

As we approach the 2024 Week of Remembrance (WOR), June 30 to July 6, we dedicate this time to thoughtfully reviewing and recognizing the events of the 2018 Mendocino Complex. As such, this year’s theme of “Learning From the Mendocino Complex” embodies a longstanding hallmark of WOR, honoring through learning.

Throughout the week, our energy will be directed toward fostering generative conversations in briefing rooms and at tailgates.

References:

6 Minutes for Safety - 2024 Week of Remembrance

Wildland Fire Lessons Learned Center

Updated NWCG Wildland Fire Risk and Complexity Assessment, PMS 236

Date: June 24, 2024
Contact: Incident and Position Standards Committee 

The June 2024 update of the NWCG Wildland Fire Risk and Complexity Assessment, PMS 236, is now available to meet the current needs for incident management typing.

The NWCG Wildland Fire Risk and Complexity Assessment should be used to evaluate firefighter safety issues, assess risk, and identify the appropriate incident management organization based on incident complexity. Assessing risk, determining incident complexity, and identifying an appropriate incident management organization is a subjective process based on examining a combination of indicators or factors, which can change over time.

References:

NWCG Wildland Fire Risk and Complexity Assessment, PMS 236

Operations Branch Director (OPBD) Next Gen PTB Available

Date: June 10, 2024
Contact: NWCG Feedback 

The NWCG Position Task Book for Operations Branch Director (OPBD), PMS 311-109 is now available for use within the OPBD position qualification pathway. As part of the transition to Complex Incident Management (CIM), the OPBD Next Gen PTB was developed and the position qualification pathway updated.

More information about the Next Gen PTB format can be found on the NWCG Position Task Book webpage.

References:

Operations Branch Director Position Page

Operations Branch Director Next Gen PTB

NWCG Position Task Books

Updated NWCG Standards for Interagency Incident Business Management, PMS 902

Date: June 5, 2024
Contact: NWCG Incident Business Committee 

The 2024 revision of the NWCG Standards for Interagency Incident Business Management, PMS 902 is now available. The uniform application of interagency incident business management standards is critical to interagency fire operations. PMS 902 assists NWCG agencies in constructively working together to provide effective execution of each agency's incident business management program.

References:

PMS 902