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Interagency Fire Program Management Group

IFPM decorative banner: photos depicting IFPM position.

 

The purpose of the Interagency Fire Program Management (IFPM) Group is to develop, maintain, and implement Interagency Fire Program Management Qualifications Standards for key fire management positions utilized by the federal land management agencies.

The IFPM Group is authorized to convene meetings and schedule agenda items. The Task Group is also authorized to make contacts, negotiate work assignments, and make commitments on behalf of the Task Group.

 

Key Documents

 

Membership

Member Role Organization Email
Brian Achziger Chair BLM bachziger@blm.gov
Joe Majewski Primary Member DOI joseph_majewski@ios.doi.gov
Russ Babiak Primary Member NPS Russell_babiak@nps.gov
Eric Ellison Primary Member BIA eric.ellison@bia.gov
Kevin Conn Primary Member FWS kevin_conn@fws.gov
Joe Sean Kennedy Vice Chair USFS joseph.kennedy1@usda.gov
Kim Darnall Primary Member BLM HR kdarnall@blm.gov
Jennifer Robinson Primary Member NPS HR Jennifer_robinson@nps.gov
Tamara Neukam Primary Member FWS HR  tamara_neukam@fws.gov
Angelica Romero Primary Member USFS HR angelica.romero@usda.gov

 

Foundational Documents

 

 

 

NWCG Latest Announcements

NWCG Equipment Technology Committee Releases Safety Warning: 25-001 Non-specification fire shelters

Date: January 15, 2025
Contact: Equipment Technology Committee

The Equipment Technology Committee (ETC) has released Safety Warning: 25-001 Non-specification fire shelters. Non-specification fire shelters claiming to meet Forest Service (FS) fire shelter specification 5100-606 were first found in February of 2023. As of September 2024, non-specification shelters are again being advertised and sold on the open market.

This Safety Warning outlines details and recommended procedures to purchase FS specification shelters made with materials and components that meet performance criteria and toxicity testing requirements outlined in FS Specification 5100-606. 

For additional information on identifying non-specification shelters, please view ETC Safety Warning 23-01.

References:

ETC Safety Warning 25-001: Non-specification fire shelters

NWCG Equipment Technology Committee

ETC Safety Warning 23-01

Paul Gleason Lead by Example Awards

Date: January 14, 2025
Contact: Leadership Committee

The NWCG Leadership Committee has awarded the 2023 Paul Gleason “Lead By Example” awards to individuals in the categories of Initiative and Innovation, Mentoring and Teamwork, and Motivation and Vision, as well as a Lifetime Achievement Award.

Congratulations to the awardees:

  • Sam Bowen, Superintendent of the Mark Twain Veteran Crew with the U.S. Forest Service.
  • Greg Titus, Zone Fire Management Officer for the St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
  • Renae Crippen, Manager of the Blue Mountain Interagency Dispatch Center with the U.S. Forest Service.
  • Eric Carlson, Instructor with OMNA International.

References:

Paul Gleason Lead by Example Award

Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program

Interview with Paul Gleason

Updated NWCG Standards for Water Scooping Operations, PMS 518

Date: December 19, 2024
Contact: Water Scooper Operations Unit

The NWCG Standards for Water Scooping Operations, PMS 518 establishes the standards for dispatching, utilizing, and coordinating water scooping aircraft on interagency wildland fires. These standards should be used in conjunction with the NWCG Standards for Aerial Supervision (SAS), PMS 505, and any local, state, or geographic/regional water scooping plans.

References:

NWCG Standards for Water Scooping Operations, PMS 518

Updated NWCG Standards for Aerial Supervision, PMS 505

Date: December 19, 2024
Contact: Interagency Aerial Supervision Subcommittee

The Interagency Aerial Supervision Subcommittee has updated the NWCG Standards for Aerial Supervision, PMS 505. PMS 505 establishes standards for aerial supervision operations for national interagency wildland fire operations. 

References:

NWCG Standards for Aerial Supervision, PMS 505