Course: S-219, Firing Operations (Blended), 2025 | Wildland Fire Learning Portal

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  • Overview

    Description

    This blended course is designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills to perform the duties of a Firing Boss, Single Resource (FIRB) position, as described in the NWCG Standards for Firing Boss, Single Resource, PMS-350-105.

    Objectives

    By the end of this course, you will be able to:

    • Identify the responsibilities of the Firing Boss, Single Resource (FIRB) for planning, implementing, and evaluating a firing operation on a wildland or prescribed fire.
    • Given a wildland or prescribed fire scenario, choose the proper components of a Firing Plan to meet specific objectives.
    • Implement a Firing Plan, adjusting as needed based on changing conditions.
    • Determine the unique considerations for managing higher complexity firing operations.

    Target Group

    Personnel desiring to be qualified as a Firing Boss (FIRB).

    Prerequisite Qualifications and Training

    Qualified as a Firefighter Type 2 (FFT2)

    Session Offerings

    Online Training (OLT) Component: Available for self-enrollment on the Wildland Fire Learning Portal (WFLP).

    Instructor-Led Training (ILT) Component:
    Contact your local Training Officer for more information about local course sessions. To view Geographic Area training schedules, use the Geographic Area menu dropdown at the top of the page.

    A Memo of Completion, received upon completion of the OLT, is required before attending an ILT session.

    Delivery

    Blended format.

    Course Components and Hours to Complete

      Course Component

      Course Time  

      Online Training

      5

      Instructor-Led Training

      7

      Total Hours

     12


    Course Level

    Local

    Minimum Instructor Qualifications

    Lead and unit instructors must be qualified as Firing Boss (FIRB).
    See NWCG Standards for Course Delivery, PMS 901-1, Instructor Standards for more information.

    Revision History

    Certification Date:

    Previous Certification Dates:

    • 08/2014

    • Course Delivery

      S-219 is a blended training combining an Online Training (OLT) component and an Instructor-Led Training (ILT) component.

      Coordinator/Instructor Information (Instructor-Led Delivery)

      Expectations of Instructors

      • Prepare thoroughly. Study the course content: two hours of prep for every hour of classroom time is highly recommended.
      • Each instructor should review the online (OLT) component of the course. This is necessary to understand what concepts and knowledge participants have been exposed to prior to the Instructor-Led Training (ILT).
      • Recruit enough cadre to adequately facilitate exercises and group activities: one instructor for every four students is ideal.
      • Establish a collaborative and constructive classroom environment.
      • Print all student materials before starting ILT.
      • Encourage and help facilitate student engagement.
      • Respect student diversity in backgrounds, talent, experience, and learning style.
      • Professionally represent your instructor cadre, your home unit, and your agency.

      Course Guidance

      Course coordinators and instructors should be thoroughly familiar with the NWCG Standards for Course Delivery, PMS 901-1, which establishes standards for all aspects of NWCG training course management and delivery. These standards should be used in conjunction with the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1, and the course-specific guidance stated in the NWCG Training Catalog.

      Recommended Class Size

      The recommended class size is 15-20 students. The recommended student-to-instructor ratio is 4:1. Cadre members should be present for all instructional sessions to enable strong mentorship by the cadre to the students.

      Cadre Meetings

      Conduct initial, pre-course, daily, and closeout instructor cadre meetings. These provide opportunities to plan, organize, preview materials, review training and exercises, and identify and address concerns and issues. Consider using an informal After Action Review process. Instructor cadre meetings are critical for instructors who do not have previous experience with the course. Additional information is located in the NWCG Standards for Course Delivery, PMS 901-1.

      Course Materials

      ILT Instructor course materials are available for download by zip file at the bottom of this page. A list of required course materials may also be found in the Instructor Guide on pages 2-3. It is preferred that the materials be printed and distributed to instructors or students as paper copies but may be provided digitally as appropriate.

      Technical Considerations

      All materials and presentations should be downloaded and tested before the start of class to ensure compatibility with software.

      Course Evaluations

      Use the NWCG Course Evaluation Feedback form to collect information critical to future training improvements.

      Students and cadre members are asked to contribute course evaluations. Input is welcome on all aspects of the training course, including course content, pre-course work, reference materials, quality of instruction, delivery methods, and testing procedures.

      Course Updates

      Version 2025

      Coordinator Resources

      • Course Materials

        The Online component of the course is available on the Wildland Fire Learning Portal here:
        https://www.wildlandfirelearningportal.net/course/view.php?id=4147

        The Instructor-led course materials are available for download from this link:
        **Download all materials in one zip file (378 MB)**

        Once downloaded, be sure to extract the files to an alternate location (separate file or a storage device) in order to use,

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      FIRING BOSS PTB

      NWCG Incident Position Standards for Firing Boss, Single Resource
      PMS 350-105