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Agency Administrator Workshop

Agency Administrator Workshop Video
Overview

Agency Administrators and Line Officers are being tasked to aggressively implement fuels management programs. This consists of gaining additional skills to effectively manage evolving fuels management plans that may need to meet a variety of objectives.

Students of the National Interagency Prescribed Fire Training Center (NIPFTC) Agency Administrator Workshop (N9052) will network with successful fuels program managers and skilled prescribed fire practitioners to learn about fuels management direction, policy, planning, and implementation. Experienced and diverse cadre members also offer insight to management challenges, such as how to restore fire to the landscape and meeting objectives for multiple resources using prescribed fire.

Target Audience
  • U.S. Forest Service: District Ranger/Deputy, Forest Supervisor/Deputy*
  • U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service: Project Leader/Deputy, Refuge Manager/Deputy**
  • Bureau of Land Management: District Manager/Deputy, Field Manager/Deputy
  • National Park Service: Park Superintendent/Deputy
  • Bureau of Indian Affairs: Agency Superintendent/Deputy
  • Tribal: Tribal manager with Prescribed Fire Management responsibilities
  • Other federal and state government agencies, NGOs, and international organizations are also welcome to apply

*For U.S. Forest Service students, this workshop meets one of the requirements in FSM 5140 to approve prescribed fire plans. With the advent of the Agency Administrator taskbook, NIPFTC has worked with the National Line Officer Team to identify tasks that are met by this workshop. Currently there is the opportunity to accomplish up to 16 tasks.

**For U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service participants, this workshop meets Interagency Fire Management Leadership course requirements necessary to develop and maintain a Fire Management Plan, and to approve prescribed fire plans.

Workshop Objectives
  • Describe interagency fuels management direction, policy, and planning, and where to find current policies.
  • Describe the different elements found within the prescribed fire plan and identify risk-mitigation characteristics that contribute to safe implementation.
  • Explain the importance of prescribed fire policy, risk management, liability, and the decision-making process for Agency Administrators and signing officials.
  • Incorporate the key elements of successful complex fuels management programs into the development and implementation of an individual “Action Plan”.
  • Build a support network of successful program managers, skilled practitioners, and peers to drive the future growth and development of the home unit’s fuels management program.
  • Apply real time decision-making through hands on experience and tactical decision exercises, while demonstrating competency in a trainee role.
Upcoming Dates and Schedule

October 2025 AA Workshop: 10/30/25 through 11/4/25
January 2026 AA Workshop: 1/29/26 through 2/3/26
May 2026 AA Workshop: 5/14/26 through 5/19/26

  • The workshop itself is six full days. It begins at 0800 on a Thursday and concludes the afternoon of the following Tuesday (please note, this will require students to work through the weekend. Please make sure you and your home unit understand this and are prepared to accrue hours on Saturday and Sunday). Students should plan to travel the Wednesday prior and post.
  • Host sites include active federal and state prescribed fire programs across the country. Students will be notified of the workshop location upon selection. The workshop format, content, and the diverse cadre and students selected for each workshop remain priorities for all of our deliveries. Students will receive the same quality and content of training, and the same certificate, for all workshops.
How to Apply

The open application period for all Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) deliveries will be from May 13th, 2025 through July 8th, 2025. Applications will not be accepted after close.

  • Applications are on the Wildland Fire Learning Portal (click the following link to redirected: NIPFTC AA Workshop FY26 Application)
  • Chrome browser is preferred when using the Wildland Fire Learning Portal. You will be required to login with an active account to apply and, if selected, you will be required to use the Wildland Fire Learning Portal to complete pre-workshop requirements. It is recommended that you ensure you have a Wildland Fire Learning Portal account, and that your login email is current, before applying.
Cost and Requirements
  • There is no tuition. All costs for travel/per diem, salary, and overtime will be the responsibility of the sending unit (DOI students may have the opportunity to receive funding for travel and overtime, please inquire with your leadership or reach out if you have questions). Upon selection, students will receive information for making travel arrangements and hotel reservations. NIPFTC will also provide transportation during the workshop, rental cars are not required.
  • Aside from the workshop, there are also several pre-workshop items that must be completed upon selection, and deadlines met, including making hotel reservations and completing required questionnaires and assignments on the Wildland Fire Learning Portal. All these things should not take more than a day in total.
  • Part of the workshop consists of two live fire exercises (depending on weather). These exercises are designed to introduce participants to live fire while exploring the roles & responsibilities of involved parties. They are small, flat, open units that are not arduous. Participation on the live fire exercises is also flexible; however, please note that you may be on your feet for an extended period of time outside in inclement weather, and full Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) will be required (no matter the level of participation). Students will be required to contact their local fire staff, or dispatch, to obtain PPE (programmable King radio, hard hat, Nomex shirt and pants, 8" leather boots, leather gloves, eye protection, fire shelter & pack or belt to carry it). A current Red Card is not required.
Quotes from Past Students

"This workshop provided a sound foundation to maintain and grow a prescribed burning program. I appreciated getting in-depth on the reasoning and purpose to do so. The instructors/cadre members were obviously well experienced, and shared insight and experience in a clear, but concise manner. The principles discussed were appropriate for the time we are in as federal land managers. The engagement was really good between students and cadre members." -Michael Thom, USFS District Ranger, Custer Gallatin National Forest, January 2025 AAWS-Daytona Beach, FL

"One of things that stands out most was the course's interactive approach. In addition to the presentations, the instructors fostered an environment which promoted active participation and collaboration. Through group discussions, break-out sessions, interactive simulations, and hands-on exercises, participants were able to grasp the concepts more effectively. In addition, these exercises gave everyone the opportunity to exchange valuable insights and experiences with other participants." -Richard Di Valentino, BIA Deputy Superintendent, Fort Apache Agency, February 2024 AAWS-Jacksonville, FL

"My expectations were exceeded by the content, diverse learning experiences, high level of expertise among instructors, and relevance to the position of AA. I'm inspired by what I learned and can bring back to my home unit. The Cadre were well-prepared and very knowledgeable about the roles of AA (650 years of experience!). They created a supportive learning environment and worked hard to ensure that our objectives were met. -Meg Trebon, USFS CWI Planning Team Coordinator, Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, November 2023 AAWS-Orlando, FL

"This workshop has been extremely valuable to me. There are a number of conversations I have been thinking about for this pre-season period with my fire crew, and I am coming home with developed thoughts and best of all, concrete tools to help facilitate these as focused and productive meetings. My knowledge base has increased and put me on firmer footings as an AA." -Sean Brophy, USFWS Deputy Project Leader, San Luis National Wildlife Refuge Complex, Spring 2023 AAWS-Destin, FL

"It was very well thought out and covers all the aspects of the role of an AA in Rx fire...it helps build confidence and understand burn plan to implementation...I feel more confident to engage with my staff on Rx burning." -Abby Lane, USFS District Ranger, Lolo National Forest, Spring 2023 AAWS-Destin, FL

Contacts for Additional Information

Aubrey Saunders - NIPFTC Training Coordinator
Email: aubrey.saunders@usda.gov
Office: (850) 614-4585 ext. 1050