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IFUASS Qualification and Curriculum Board

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Mission Statement

Mission Statement

The Interagency Fire Unmanned Aircraft Systems Subcommittee (IFUASS) Qualification and Curriculum Board (QCB) provides strategic guidance and direction on Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) training and workforce development related to performance criteria, evaluation processes, delivery methods, business requirements, processes, and operational standards.

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Primary Objectives

Infograph describing formula for performance success is the result of lessons learned plus qualification plus curriculum plus delivery.

  • Establish and provide leadership to position steering committees.
  • Collects seasonal updates:
  • Makes recommendations to IFUASS for implementation.
  • Reports to IFUASS.

Background

The IFUASS provides national leadership to develop and disseminate guidance on the use of UAS in wildland fire management (incident) operations. As UAS programs have become more prolific across the interagency spectrum, the need to recognize and share strategic, philosophical, and educational guidance has become clear. As UAS capacity and pilot demand continue to increase, the need for a sanctioned ‘Board’ to demonstrate transparent and collaborative leadership for UAS training and workforce development is recommended. By NWCG definition, a board is a “long-standing body of subject matter experts organized to establish performance criteria, evaluation processes, business requirements, and operational standards in specific NWCG business areas (e.g., airtankers, incident reporting, position naming).”

Membership

  • Diverse representation of philosophy, expertise, experience, and strategic relevance.
  • Seven – Nine Members:
    • CHAIR
    • Unmanned Aircraft System Pilot (UASP) Steering Committee Chair
    • Unmanned Aircraft System, Module Leader (UASL) Steering Committee Chair
    • Unmanned Aircraft System, Manager (UASM) Steering Committee Chair
    • Unmanned Aircraft System, Data Specialist (UASD) Steering Committee Chair
    • Interagency Ariel ignition Committee (IAIU) Chair
    • NWCG Representative
    • Other

Supervision

  • Oversees Position Steering Committees:

Chair: Baxter, Justin

NWCG Coordinator: Schultz, Dave

Parent Committee: Interagency Fire Unmanned Aircraft Systems Subcommittee

Meeting Schedule:

TBD

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NWCG Latest Announcements

2025 Week of Remembrance

Date: June 27, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
6 Minutes for Safety Subcommittee

As we approach the 2025 Week of Remembrance (WOR), June 30–July 6, we dedicate this time to reflect on the past incidents from 2015 and honor the fallen through learning. Since its inception in 2014, WOR has honored wildland firefighters who made the ultimate sacrifice while encouraging critical discussions that reinforce lessons learned.

Throughout the week, we encourage thoughtful and generative conversations—whether in briefing rooms or at tailgates—that promote a culture of continuous learning and safety.

References:

2025 Week of Remembrance: Letter to Leadership

Wildland Fire Lessons Learned Center

ETC Equipment Bulletin: 25-003 Flame-Resistant Shirt Survey

Date: June 12, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Equipment Technology Committee

The U.S. Forest Service National Technology and Development Program (NTDP) is seeking input on the Forest Service-designed flame-resistant (FR) shirt, currently available through the National Interagency Support Cache system and FedMall.

NTDP is conducting a product review to improve future FR shirt designs. As part of this effort, a short survey is now open for federal employees who have worn any of three recent FR shirt models. Feedback will guide design improvements to better meet the needs of wildland firefighters.

To comply with the Paperwork Reduction Act, responses are limited to federal employees. The survey is open through September 12, 2025. 

References:

NWCG Alerts

ETC Equipment Bulletin: 25-003

NEW! S-130, Firefighter Training (Blended) Now Available

Date: June 10, 2025
If you have questions, please visit our FAQ page. 
If your question is not answered there, you can 
submit your question using our Contact Us form. 
 

The S-130, Firefighter Training (Blended), equips new wildland firefighters with essential skills through a mix of online learning and hands-on training. The course features a required online component and an instructor-led exercise, reinforcing online concepts with practical performance-based training.

The course builds competencies in wildland fire operations, safety, and equipment use, applicable across various operational environments. Both the online component and instructor-led field exercise must be completed to receive a certificate of completion. Students are required to finish the prerequisite S-190, Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior, before enrolling in S-130, Firefighter Training (Blended).

References:

S-130, Firefighter Training (Blended)

S-190, Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior

Wildland Fire Learning Portal

EMC Memo 25-001: Interim Rapid Extraction Module (REMS) Training and Qualification Requirements

Date: June 3, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Emergency Medical Committee

The Emergency Medical Committee has issued interim guidance for Rapid Extraction Module Support (REMS) teams. Until further notice, Type I and II REMS teams must designate a team leader qualified at Firefighter Type 1 Squad Boss (FFT1) or higher. This temporary change replaces the Single Resource Boss (SRB) requirement, which is currently not feasible due to administrative barriers.

This memorandum does not include any other changes to the NWCG Standards for Rapid Extraction Module Support, PMS 552. This interim change takes effect immediately and will remain in place until further notice.

References:

EMC Memo 25-001: Interim Rapid Extraction Module (REMS) Training and Qualification Requirements

NWCG Standards for Rapid Extraction Module Support, PMS 552