R5 on IFPM vs FS FPM positions

R5 Forest Fire Chiefs:

Currently WO-FAM Training is reviewing IQCS inputs to help WO-HR deal with concerns surrounding OPM issues and maintaining compliance with oversight groups (namely OIG). In reviewing the IQCS database, there appears to be confusion regarding what to record in IQCS for a person in a Fire position.

The key is whether the person is in an IFPM or FS FPM position, versus a Fire position not covered by either implementation standard.

Hopefully the following information will help clarify things.

IFPM: This is the interagency standards and guides for federal fire organizations under the Dept of Interior and the Forest Service. These are positions where the Incumbent must meet the implementation standards by 10/1/2009. The standards include the following: specialized experience; educational requirements (such as needed for GS-401-11+); NIMS qualifications; and specialized training.

FS FPM: Because IFPM was built on the Dept of Interior organizational module and they do not have the equivalent of a district level, much of our Fire organization was not included under the implementation standards. To include the missing positions, the Forest Service created the Forest Service Fire Program Management (aka, FS FPM) standards and guides. Incumbents in these positions have until 10/1/2013 to meet all the standards.

Listed below are the typical R5 positions and where they "fall" under these programs. This list may not be complete.... if a position is in question, please give me a call. (R5 Firefighters, use your chain of command if you have any questions.)

R5 Fire Positions at Regional Office Level
IFPM FS FPM Not Covered
Regional Fire Director    
    GACC positions
Deputy Regional Fire Director    
    Smokejumpers
Hotshot Superintendent Hotshot Captains GS-7 /Squad bosses GS-6  
    Aviation (pilots, mechanics, etc.)
 
R5 Fire Positions at Supervisor's Office Level
IFPM FS FPM Not Covered
Forest Fire Chief Deputy Chief  
    Vegetation Management Planner/Specialist
Forest Fuels (GS-11)    
Forest Prevention (GS-11)    
Center Manager    
Asst Center Manager    
Initial Attack Dispatcher    
 
R5 Fire Positions at District and/or IA Resource Level (regardless of who supervises whom)
IFPM FS FPM Not Covered
Hotshot Superintendent Hotshot Captains GS-7 /Squad bosses GS-6 AFEO GS-6
Helitack Superintendent Helitack Captains GS-7 /Squad bosses GS-6  
Engine Captains FEO GS-7  
Senior Fire Fighter    
  Prevention (GS-6-9)  
  Battalion Chiefs (GS-6-9)  
  Fuels (GS 7-9)  
  Division Chiefs (GS-11)  
 
IQCS_IFPM Module

Only folks in an IFPM position should have any data in this module. If a person is in a FS FPM positions or is in a position not covered by either program, leave this module in IQCS for the incumbent blank. In August 2008, there is supposed to be an IQCS_FS_FPM module deployed.

 
ADs

ADs, regardless of what position they retired from, should not have anydata in the IQCS_IFPM module.

 

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Jeanne Pincha-Tulley
Chief, Fire and Aviation Mgmt.
Incident Commander, Team 3
Tahoe National Forest