Rx Fire Leadership Module

Overview

The National Interagency Prescribed Fire Training Center (NIPFTC) Rx Fire Leadership Module is designed to give individuals an opportunity to increase their prescribed (Rx) fire practitioner skills and gain confidence in their own ability to conduct prescribed fires and assume leadership roles on their home unit's fire program.

During the session, students will experience hands-on burning in complex situations such as wildland urban interface and various fuel types, working with several different agencies and organizations with unique management objectives. Students will gain up-to-date knowledge on prescribed fire safety, prescribed fire planning, smoke screening tools, monitoring, and current fire policy. They will also learn how prescribed fire practitioners have developed successful programs and public support.

The variety of field experience, along with the different prescriptions, planning procedures, and techniques of the various agencies and organizations, offers an accelerated learning program that will increase the home unit's capacity in fire management leadership. Student progress will be documented through training assignments and completion of tasks in NWCG Position Task Books.

Session Objectives

Gain practical leadership experience as RXB2, FIRB, ENGB, FEMO, FFT1 among other NWCG Position Task Books.
Enhance strengths and improve upon weaknesses.
Improve self confidence.
Interact one-on-one with experienced prescribed fire practitioners from across the country to gain a better understanding of fire regimes, condition classes, ignition techniques, smoke management, and fire effects.
Gain an understanding of prescribed fire as an essential tool in land management while implementing key elements of a successful fuels program in wildland and urban landscapes.
Enhance prescribed fire knowledge and skills through practical, experiential learning for a myriad of ecological objectives.
Demonstrate the ability to perform as a trainee, safely and effectively, in prescribed fire related positions on multiple burn assignments that are designed to help facilitate completion of NWCG Position Task Books.
Perform in leadership roles that will benefit home unit's fire program.
Plan and implement prescribed burns for various agencies (including federal, state, local, tribal, and non-governmental organizations) that may have different methodologies, objectives, and operational capabilities.
Experience fire monitoring elements through hands-on application to assess the effectiveness of fire treatments in meeting objectives.
Share experiences and backgrounds with other participants from different agencies and organizations, geographical areas, and countries to build a network of contacts.

Upcoming Dates and Schedule

Session 1: 01/05/2025 through 01/24/2025

Session 2: 02/09/2025 through 02/28/2025

Session 3: 03/09/2025 through 03/28/2025

Session 4: 04/06/2025 through 04/25/2025

Session 5: 04/27/2025 through 05/16/2025

The schedule consists of an orientation with presentations covering safety, ignition techniques, fire research, and lessons learned, followed by field trips covering fire planning and implementation, fuels, research and ecology, and wildlife and fire. Burning will occur at various federal, state, and private cooperator sites. On the last day, students will closeout with NIPFTC Staff.
The session includes interaction with active federal and state prescribed fire programs. The selected session start/end point will be communicated after selection. During the session, students will move within the geographic region to take advantage of burning windows and programs. This will necessitate changing lodging multiple times during the session.

How to Apply

The application deadline for all 2025 sessions is October 17, 2024. Applications will not be accepted after close.

Applications are completed on the Wildland Fire Learning Portal. Click on the following: NIPFTC Prescribed Fire Leadership Field Modules - 2025 and you will be redirected to the login page. Login with your Wildland Fire Learning Portal credentials and click on "Enroll Me." From there your should be able to complete the application.
If you don't have a Wildland Fire Learning Portal account follow the directions for creating one on the login page. Once you receive notification that you have an account, come back to this announcement and follow the above directions.

Cost and Requirements

There is no tuition. All costs for travel, per diem, salary, and overtime will be the responsibility of the sending unit. NIPFTC will provide transportation during the session.
All students must have watched the video "The New Generation Fire Shelter" (NFES-2712). Students must also arrive with appropriate PPE.