Facilitation Notes and Implementation Plan of the

“Interagency Fire Program Management Qualifications Standards and Guide (IFPM)”

3/5/2003

Washington, DC

Implementation of the IFPM Standards and Guide is tentatively set for October 1, 2003 as agreed upon by a joint committee of Fire and Aviation and Human Resource managers from the DOI and the USDA.  All bureaus and agencies were represented (see last page for attendees).

Definitions:

The Interagency Fire Program Management Qualifications Standards and Guide will be referred to in the white paper as the IFPM Guide.  It includes all Fire Program Management competencies and the Supplemental Qualification Standard for the GS 401 Fire Management Specialist position, along with program complexity descriptors and other tools.

IFPM Standards are wildland fire and safety standards.  They are addressed by a combination of interagency NWCG fire qualifications, specialized experience and additional required training outlined in the Guide under the 14 identified fire management positions. The IFPM Standards are separate from the OPM GS-401 Fire Program Management Specialist Standard.

I.  The steps identified to implement the Guide by the target date include:

1. Establishment of the Rules for Transition to the new Standards
2. Internal and lower level communications with Deputies, Fire Managers, and the Human Resources Community.
1. Develop a White Paper (emphasis should be on the connection with current administration direction and initiative.
2. Hold Meetings with National Fire Plan Coordinators
3. Hold meetings with Directors, Assistant and Under Secretaries as appropriate and the Union
4. Post memo of change on web along with Standards
5. Provide memo and Standards on CD ROM
3. Establish a Timeline to Complete implementation along with assignments.

 II.  Establishment of Rules for Transition to the IFPM Guide and IFPM Standards

1. Objectives to be attained in transition to the new Standards

1. To improve wildland firefighter safety through establishment of Interagency Fire Program Management (IFPM) Qualification Standards based on the Federal Fire Policy and Review of 1995 and the update of 2001 for wildland fire safety.
2. To have incumbents meet the new IFPM standards within 3 years of implementation
3. To determine and minimize the impact on the workforce resulting from standards implementation.
4. To take advantage and make greater use of existing experience, education and training through the implementation of a bridge from the technical to the professional series.  This is provided by the adoption of the Supplemental Qualification Standard for the GS 401 Fire Management Specialist position.
5. To streamline the hiring process and obtain the best qualified people.
6. To assure interagency consistency in hiring practices.

2. Incumbents must meet the IFPM wildland fire and safety standards within 3 years of implementation.  Failure to meet the IFPM standards will result in the incumbent’s removal from their current fire position.
1. Agencies will identify through assessments incumbents who do not meet the IFPM Qualifications.
2. The Agencies will work with these incumbents to develop an Individual Development Plan (IDP).
3. The Agencies will provide funding and official time to assist incumbents in meeting the requirements.
4. The Agencies will provide Extensions for not meeting IFPM qualifications in the 3 year time limit.  Extensions:

a. Are granted only at the National Level Headquarters H.R. Office.

b.      Are granted only for conditions beyond the control of the employee.

c. Must be signed off by the immediate supervisor at the initiating level.

d.      Must be initiated no later than 3 months prior to the end of the 3 year expiration date.

3. A full Implementation of the GS 401 series qualification standards among all the agencies is necessary following established procedures.
1. Professional fire management positions not in the GS 401 Series will be converted to the GS 401 series (e.g. 454, 460).  All professional fire management positions outlined in the IFPM Guide will be advertised and filled in the GS 401series. 
2. Technical fire management positions may be converted to GS 401 depending on the nature and complexity of the job. The need to convert the position will be determined by the evaluating unit.
3. All incumbents in professional and non-professional wildland fire positions will have 3 years to meet the IFPM standards outlined in the IFPM Guide.
4. No positions will be announced as dual technical and professional, e.g. GS 462/ GS 401.
5. GS 401 positions must be approved for firefighter retirement appropriate to the position prior to the assignment of an incumbent who is in a covered position.
6. GS 401 reclassification and conversions will be applied to existing encumbered positions as follows:

Note: The above process will minimize adverse impact of conversion to workforce but assure the establishment of the IFPM standards in all positions identified within the IFPM Guide.

III. OUTLINE OF WHITE PAPER and internal and external communications timeline

A.  Back Ground:

1. Background of fire deaths (South Canyon, Thirty Mile) and completion of the Tri-Data study and the Federal Wildland Fire Policy, leading to direction to establish qualification standards.
2. Identified need to increase safety within fire program management positions and agency administrators.
3. Need to develop a better trained and more professional fire workforce.

An interagency group developed standards and competencies based on direction of the Federal Wildland Fire Policy.

4. Meets needs of current program direction and administrative initiatives including E-gov. and the National Fire Plan.

5.  Meets needs identified by studies of fire workforce including the Brookings Workforce Study and the Jacobs Report.

B.  Objectives:  (Insert and expand on above listed objectives)

C.  Steps to Implementation:

            Section B expanded with explanation of authorities and regulations

D.  Timeline for Accomplishments

IV.              Conference Call Schedule for Review and Update

Co-Chairs are: Lisa Williams and Billy Terry

Responsibilities:

1. Coordinate calls
2. Oversee adherence to deadlines
3. Oversee progress

Interagency Fire Program Management Qualifications Standards and Guide Meeting

March 5-6, 2003

Washington, DC

List of Attendees