Program Orientation for Apprentices & Supervisors

Program Orientation for Apprentices & Supervisors

Mission Statement: To develop and enhance today s wildland firefighters with the skills, knowledge and abilities to perform as tomorrow s competent and effective leaders.

Introduction The National Interagency Wildland Firefighter Joint Apprenticeship Program serves as a nationally registered apprenticeship program, under the Department of Labor, to enhance and develop future wildland fire managers.

The program is administered by the Pacific Southwest Region and operates under an agreement with the: Department of Labor USDA Forest Service USDI Bureau of Land Management USDI National Park Service

The program provides a career entry firefighter with education, training, and work experience that will allow an individual to reach journey level status, fully qualified to perform the work at or above the level of Firefighter I Squad Boss

Roles and Responsibilities

National Interagency Joint Apprenticeship Committee: Determines apprenticeship program standards and guidelines. Maintains oversight of and develops the Wildland Firefighter Apprenticeship Program Operating Plan. Develops training guidelines, evaluates curriculum, and measures effectiveness of the program. Acts on behalf of sponsoring agencies to provide oversight the program. Promotes the apprenticeship program. When possible, interacts with the apprentices and academy staff to hear issues and concerns.

Agency Joint Apprenticeship Committee Identify and resolve agency specific issues as related to the implementation of the apprenticeship program. Forwards issues and recommendations of an interagency nature to the NIJAC for a solution. Disseminate information/direction from NIJAC through agency channels. Develop and administer the agency billing policy in the event an apprentice does not complete all program requirements. Receives and rules on apprentice waiver requests from apprentices.

NATIONAL INTERAGENCY JOINT APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM ORGANIZATION CHART National Interagency Joint Apprenticeship Committee (NIJAC) Program Manager Academy Coordinator USFS Joint Apprenticeship Committee (AJAC) BLM Joint Apprenticeship Committee (AJAC) NPS Joint Apprenticeship Committee (AJAC) Agency WFAP Coordinator Agency WFAP Coordinator Agency WFAP Coordinator Regional Coordinator State Coordinator Regional Coordinator Unit Apprenticeship Manager Unit Apprenticeship Manager Unit Apprenticeship Manager First-Line Supervisor First-Line Supervisor First-Line Supervisor Apprentices Apprentices Apprentices

Regional/State Apprenticeship Coordinator Roles and Responsibilities The Regional/State Apprenticeship Coordinator provides oversight to and works directly with the Unit Apprenticeship Manager on apprenticeship matters. Responsible for conveying all information regarding Regional/State Apprentices and regional issues to the National Apprenticeship Program Coordinator.

Regional/State Apprenticeship Coordinator Roles and Responsibilities Provides advice and counsel to Unit Apprenticeship Manager and Agency Administrators. Forwards Work processes reports to the National Coordinator on a quarterly basis (Jan 30, March 30, June 30, Sept 30).

Unit Apprenticeship Manager Initial point of contact for apprenticeship program questions from Apprentice Supervisor of Record Coordinates progress with Supervisor of Record Maintains local records and training hours Reviews work process hours for correctness then forwards to Regional/State Coordinator Maintains knowledge and understanding of service, mobility, and apprenticeship agreements

Unit Manager Continued.. Ensures performance standards and IDPs are completed Serves as a mentor/coach for assigned unit apprentices Liaison between Regional/State Apprenticeship Coordinator, agency administrator and local fire staff Point of contact between Supervisor of Record and Regional/State Apprentice Coordinator

Unit Manager Continued.. Maintains knowledge and understanding of employment processes and student employment authority as it applies to the apprenticeship program Notifies Regional/State Coordinator of reasonable accommodation needs or change of status of apprentices Annually submits lost time accident report to Regional/State Coordinator for forwarding to National Coordinator by January 20 th Forwards Work processes reports to the Regional/State Coordinator on a quarterly basis (Jan 30, March 30, June 30, Sept 30).

Supervisor of Record Serves as mentor/coach and first line supervisor of apprentices Documents work process and training hours for apprentice and forwards the documentation to the Unit apprenticeship manager. Coordinates apprentice progress with Unit Manager Completes performance standards, evaluations and Individual Develop Plans (IDP s) Provides tutoring, daily technical supervision and on-thejob training

Supervisor of Record Continued Ensures varied and diverse work process experience Maintains knowledge of service, mobility and apprenticeship agreements Ensures that the apprentice performs work process hours under the guidance of a fully qualified journey person Ensured apprentices have all uniform components and field equipment prior to academy attendance

Apprentice Maintain academic/physical fitness standards Be prepared to pass all required courses per the academic standard Have fully successful performance while completing all work process areas Adhere to agency ethics and conduct policies & guidelines Sign and abide by the service, mobility, and Department of Labor Agreements (Agency Specific) Notify Unit Manager of any learning or physical disabilities that may require reasonable accommodation to successfully complete program goals and objectives 60 days prior to academy attendance

Apprentice Continued Possess & maintain a current State Drivers License, with appropriate agency required endorsements, at time of enrollment and throughout the program. Maintain an individual record of work experience, onthe-job training, and supplemental technical training received. It is the Apprentice s responsibility to submit monthly work processes reports to the Unit Apprenticeship Manager for the previous month, by the 10 th of each month.

Apprentice Program Outline

Program Components The term of Apprenticeship consists of 24 to 48 working months of training and experience in wildland fire and aviation management. This is divided into three major areas: Formal Academy Training (2 four-week residential academies) On-the-job training and work experience (4000 hours) Technical Related Supplemental Training (Minimum 258 hours)

Apprentice Wage Schedule Apprentice may start at the GS-2 GS-5 level depending on previous firefighter experience and education. The Unit Manager/First Line Supervisor must complete a training plan identifying program objectives that must be met by the apprentice in order to move to the next wage level as identified on the DOL Agreement. The OPM Qualification Standards for Technical and Medical Support Positions will be used for determining entry grade and promotions. Sample Progression if hired at GS-3 level: GS-3 GS-4 = 6 mo. specialized experience and satisfactory performance.

Wage Schedule Cont. Promotions (GS3 to GS4): When all performance requirements are met as identified in apprentices training plan X-118 requirements must be met Training plan should allow completion of requirements/promotion within a 12 months period Depending on hiring authority, time in grade may be required

Wage Schedule Cont. Probationary Periods: SCEP Apprentices will have a two year trial period Merit Apprentices will have a one year probationary period Within Grade Increases: Waiting period is the same for SCEP and Merit Apprentices When apprentice has performed at a successful level

Work Process Hours The apprentice will be given credit towards their work processes for previous experience. Credit hours may be allowed at a 1:1 ratio, not to exceed 2000 hours, or the maximum allowed per category. Credit will be given for wildland fire experience directly relating to the work process categories only. Credit for previous experience is given for no more than 172 hours per month.

Work Process Hours The Calculating Work Processes for Previous Credit form will be used to determine previous experience credit for each of the categories. This form will be forwarded to the National Coordinator along with the DOL Agreement. Prior to attending their Basic Academy, apprentices must complete a total of 500 hours of work processes in work process categories three and/or four.

Work Process Categories Category 1: Wildland Fire Safety Category 2: Wildland Fire Preparedness Category 3: Fire Suppression Handcrew Engine Helicopter Category 4: Fuels Management Category 5: Fire Business Practices Category 6: Dispatch Functions Category 7: Prevention/Education Category 8: Review Local Plans

Work Process Cont. Each hour worked can only be reported in one category. Overtime can be credited towards work processes hours. It is the responsibility of the apprentice and supervisor to insure that work process reports are complete, totaled, legible and timely.

Formal Academies

Basic Academy Prerequisites (must be completed prior to attending Basic) A total of at least 500 hours of work processes in work process categories three and/or four. S-130/190 Basic Firefighter/Intro to Wildland Fire Behavior I-100 Orientation to ICS Agency specific New Employee Orientation Completed Agreements (DOL, other agency specific) Current work capacity test Completed Basic Academy Student Information Sheet Copy of valid State Driver s License

Basic Academy Curriculum Academy Orientation S-190 Basic Fire Behavior (Exam Only) Nutrition, Wellness & Physical Fitness Basic Fire Prevention L-280 Followership to Leadership S-131 Advanced Firefighter I-200 ICS for Single Resource S-260 Interagency Incident Business Management Wildland Fire Skills Map Reading and Compass Use Communications and Radio Use Fire Shelters and Entrapment Avoidance Weather Observations Handtool Use Tactical Decision Making After Action Review Brief

Advanced Academy Prerequisites Completed Basic Academy Current Work Capacity Test (within previous 12 months) Completed Advanced Academy Student Information Sheet

Advanced Academy Curriculum Academy Orientation S-234 Ignitions Operations S-270 Basic Air Operations S-290 Intermediate Fire Behavior L-380 Fireline Leadership Fuels Management and Wildland Fire Use Physical Fitness Career/Personal Development

Academic Standards Apprentices are required to pass all academy course material at the 80% level with the exception of the NWCG courses having a 70% passing score. All tests are closed book written tests. If an apprentice fails an exam (with the exception of S- 190), they will be allowed to retake only once during the academy. Students who are absent for more than 25% of a course or for the course exam will receive a course incomplete and will be required to make up the coursework in the formal academy setting. The Academy Coordinator will make the determination as to whether a student will receive a course incomplete.

Reasonable Accomodations An individual who is requesting reasonable accommodations is responsible for providing written notification to their home unit. This notification must include a description of the disability, documentation of the disability, and the requested mitigation for the disability. The Academy Coordinator must be notified at least sixty days prior to the beginning of the Academy in order to determine if the request can be facilitated. The home unit Agency Administrator and Academy Coordinator are responsible for following agency policy in consulting with the appropriate resources to identify, approve or disapprove reasonable accomodation.

Physical Fitness Requirements Apprentices must pass the Work Capacity Test at the Arduous level. Apprentices are expected to arrive in good physical shape and able to run 1.5 5 miles daily. Apprentices should use the physical fitness guidelines found in the Fit to Work publication. Once at the academy, daily aerobic and physical fitness training will be part of both residential academies. Individuals unable to participate in physical fitness activities should plan on attending a later academy.

Academy Facilities Lodging is provided to students for the duration of their assigned academy. Meals are provided Monday through Friday. Students staying on the weekends are responsible for their own meals and will be reimbursed M&IE allowances at the Sacramento area rate via travel voucher.

Technical Related Supplement Training

Related & Supplemental Required Courses: (Required prior to Basic Attendance) S-130/190 Basic Firefighter/Intro to Wildland Fire Behavior I-100 Orientation to ICS Agency specific New Employee Orientation

Related & Supplemental Required Courses Continued: (Provided by home unit) D-110 Dispatch Recorder S-211 Portable Pumps & Water Use S-212 Wildfire Power Saws level A S-271 Helicopter Crewmember Additionally Apprentices are required to complete a minimum of 120 hours of elective courses.

Elective Courses (Minimum of 120 Hours) A-111 Flight Payment Documentation A-112 Mission Planning and Flight Request A-116 General Awareness Security Trng A-200 Annual Mishap Training Aircraft Dispatcher ATV Training (Agency Specific) Driver Training Engine Operator Training FI-210 Wildland Fire Origin and Cause Determination First Responder Medical Forest Protection Officer GPS for Fire Management Hazardous Materials (Agency Specific) Horsemanship Skills I-300 Intermediate ICS M-410 Facilitative Instructor Remote All Weather Systems (RAWS) Maintenance

Elective Courses Continued RX-310 Introduction to Fire Effects S-200 Initial Attack Commander S-203 Introduction to Incident Management S-215 Fire Operations in the Wildland/Urban Interface S-230 Crew Boss (Single Resource) S-231 Engine Boss (Single Resource) S-232 Dozer Boss (Single Resource) S-233 Tractor/Plow Boss (Single Resource) S-244 Field Observer S-245 Display Processor S-248 Status/Check-In Recorder S-261 Applied Interagency Incident Business Management S-273 Single Engine Airtanker Manager S-336 Tactical Decision Making in Wildland Fire S-390 Intro to Wildland Fire Behavior Calculations Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) Wildland Fire Detection

Credit for Previously Completed Courses An Apprentice is allowed credit for supplemental technical training if they can provide proof that they have successfully completed the training course(s) within the previous three years from date of indenture. Certificates/182 s/class Rosters are required for proof of completion. Documents must be provided to the National Coordinator within 120 days of indenture with the first Required Supplemental Technical Training Report.

Agreements

Mobility Agreement (Agency Specific) During their apprenticeship training period, apprentices are expected to perform work processes in the following suppression areas: 1. Engines 2. Helitack 3. Handcrew Performing these duties will require that apprentices work at a variety of duty stations. Agency Guidelines and Travel Regulations will be followed when moving apprentices to receive required training.

Apprentice Processing/Reporting New Hire/Apprentice Processing (at time of hire submit): Completed Work Process Calculation form Complete Mobility Agreement Complete Department of Labor Agreement Initial Technical Related Supplemental Training form and certificates Copy of valid state drivers license Submit prior to Basic Academy attendance: Basic Academy Student Information Sheet Submit current WCT Submit Apprentice Training Plan

Processing/Reporting Cont. Submit prior to Advanced Academy attendance: Advanced Academy Student Information Sheet Submit current WCT (since Basic Academy attendance) Program Reporting: Monthly - Apprentice submit completed Work Process reports (WPR s) by the 10 th of each month for the previous month to Unit Manager Quarterly Unit Manager forward completed WPR s to Regional Coordinator Regional Coordinator forward WPR s to National Coordinator

Processing/Reporting Cont. Annual: Lost Time Accident Report sent forward from Unit Manager to National Coordinator by January 20 th for previous calendar year Apprentice Training Plan completed and forwarded to National Coordinator by November 1 st and May 1 st Ongoing: Any change in apprentice status with supporting SF- 52 (front & back w/signature for resignations) Any injury resulting in hospitalization

Conversion Process

Conversion Requirements Completion of the minimum 24 months in the program. Completion of all work process hours. Completion of Basic and Advanced Academies. Completion of Required Supplemental Technical Training. Fully qualified Squad Boss (FFT1). **OPM qualification standards for general schedule positions and time and grade requirements are met (specific to hiring authority).

Conversion Process Home units request certification of program completion through their Regional/State Coordinator who then forwards the request to the National Coordinator. Upon receipt of required documentation and records, the National Coordinator certifies program completion to the Department of Labor. The Department of Labor issues the formal certificate of program completion for the apprentice.

Conversion Process. After receipt of certification by the Department of Labor, the home unit will then take the appropriate steps, as required by the hiring authority used, to place the apprentice in the full performance level position. Conversion is into a GS-462-5 Senior Firefighter Position. *This process should not take longer that 120 days from certification of completion of program completion by Department of Labor.

Forms

CALCULATING WORK PROCESSES FOR PREVIOUS CREDIT (FOR COMPLETING THE DEPT. OF LABOR AGREEMENT) Wildland Firefighter Apprenticeship Program Apprentice Name: Home Unit: Date: Work Process Subject Categories 1. Wildland Fire Safety Identify and mitigate safety hazards in the work environment, review/write Job Hazard Analysis, conduct safety briefings during prescribed fire and Wildland fire activities. 2. Wildland Fire Preparedness (Examples: physical fitness conditioning, conduct fire ground proficiency drills, obtain weather forecasts and fire intelligence, maintain the following fire equipment: tools, vehicles, pumps; facility maintenance, etc.) 3. Fire Suppression *Experience working a minimum of 240 hours each with hand crews, engines and helicopters. Creditable and total required experience can be gained during initial attack, extended attack, large incidents, fire rehabilitation projects or restoration assignments as part of a hand crew, engine, or helicopter module. 4. Fuels Management A minimum of 200 hours must be on fire use projects. (Examples: serving in various functions during the planning, preparation, implementation and monitoring phases of fire use, including prescribed fire and/or mechanical or chemical vegetation treatments, etc.) 5. Fire Business Practices (Examples: timekeeping, record keeping, fire reports, medical forms, incident check-in and demobilization, etc.). 6. Dispatch Functions Hours Creditable for Previous Experience (2000 Maximum) Total Program Hours Required (4000 Hours) Hours Previous Experience (Credit) Program Hours Remaining (Term) 40 80 40 40 500 1000 300 700 975 1950 500 1450 Handcrew (240 min.) 400 0 Engine (240 min.) 100 140 Helicopter (240 min.) 0 240 (Examples: initial attack, expanded, aircraft, intelligence, recorder, etc.) 60 120 7. Prevention/Education (Examples: fire investigation, school presentations, issuing permits, public contacts, etc.) 8. Review Local Plans (Examples: fire management, prevention, pre-attack, cooperators, land use, etc.) 20 40 300 600 150 450 25 50 10 40 0 120 80 160 0 160 0 40 1000 3000 TOTAL PROGRAM HOURS 2000 4000 **Use this form to calculate credit/term hours to be used on the Department of Labor Agreement (DOL) blocks 14 &15 and for determination for on-the-job training needs. Forward this form to the National Coordinator along with original DOL Agreement.

WORK PROCESSES (ON-THE-JOB-TRAINING) - MONTHLY REPORT WILDLAND FIRE FIGHTER SPECIALIST - DOT 452.687-640 Form applies to apprentices hired under the National Apprenticeship Standards registered June 25, 2002, Registration No. N-93064 Month: January Forest / Unit: Comments: Year: 2006 Work Process Subject Categories Apprentice Name: District or Station: 1. Wildland Fire Safety Identify and mitigate safety hazards in the w ork environment, review /w rite Job Hazard Analysis, conduct safety briefings during prescribed fire and w ildland fire activities. 2. Wildland Fire Preparedness Examples: physical fitness conditioning, conduct fire ground proficiency drills, obtain w eather forecasts and fire intelligence, maintain the follow ing fire equipment: tools, vehicles, pumps, facilities, etc. 3. Fire Suppression - Experience working a minimum of 240 hours in the following categories: Handcrew, Engine, and Helicopter. Creditable and total required experience can be gained during initial attack, extended attack, large incidents, fire rehabilitation projects or restoration assignments. Handcrew Member Engine Crew 4. Fuels Management - A minimum of 200 hours must be on Wildland Fire Use projects. Examples: serving in various functions during the planning, preparation, implementation and monitoring phases for Wildland Fire Use and/or mechanical or chemical vegetation treatments, etc. 5. Fire Business Practices Examples: timekeeping, recordkeeping, fire reports, medical forms, incident check-in and demobilization, etc. 6. Dispatch Functions Examples: initial attack, expanded, aircraft, intelligence, recorder, etc. 7. Prevention/Education Examples: fire investigation, school presentations, issuing permits, public contacts, etc. 8. Review Local Plans Examples: fire management, prevention, pre-attack, cooperators, land use, etc. Totals Academy # Work Assignment: A B C D E F Total Program Hours Required Hours Previous Experience (credit) Total Work Process Hours EARNED in Previous Months Total Work Process Hours EARNED this Month (C + D) (A - B - E) TOTAL Work Process Hours EARNED Program Hours Remaining (term) 80 0 0 80 1,000 0 0 1,000 1,950 0 0 Member 0 0 Helicopter Module Member 0 0 1,950 600 0 0 600 50 0 0 50 120 0 0 120 160 0 0 160 40 0 0 40 4,000 0 0 0 0 4,000 Apprentice: Supervisor: Unit Apprenticeship Manager: Date: Date: Date:

REGION SUPPLEMENTAL TECHNICAL TRAINING REPORTING (Amended 10/18/06 for Basic 39) Wildland Firefighter Apprenticeship Program MO/YR: NAME: SSN#: ACADEMY NUMBER: FOREST: DISTRICT: FIELD STATION: COURSE HOURS DATE SCORE *S-190 Introduction to Fire Behavior 6 *S-130 Basic Firefighter 30-35.5 *I-100 Orientation to ICS 2-4 *S-190 Basic Fire Behavior 6-8 *New Employee Orientation Agency Specific S-211 Pumps & Water Handling Equipment 24 S-212 Power Saws Level A 30 S-271 Helicopter 30-40 Crewmember D-110 Dispatch Recorder 16 Electives (min 120 Hrs.): APPRENTICE SIGNATURE SUPERVISOR SIGNATURE **Identify Courses TOTAL HOURS Min. 264 SUPPLEMENTAL TECHNICAL TRAINING THIS MONTH HRS. PREVIOUS HRS. NEW TOTAL HRS. Apprentice First Line Supervisor Unit Apprentice Manager Date Date Date *Identifies those courses required to be completed prior to attending Basic Academy. *Complete this form and forward to the Unit Manager by the 10th of each month. Submit this form to the National Apprenticeship Coordinator at time of indenture, quarterly and at time of conversion with copies of certificates.