Sorry, Online Registration is Closed
3/30/2020:
Thank you for your patience and understanding as we’ve navigated the ever-changing regulations on gatherings in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. As many of you are aware, many local, state and federal government entities have extended the stay-home and social distancing recommendations and as such we have decided to cancel the remaining RT-130 courses.
Refunds for your training will be issued to your original payment method, there is nothing else you need to do.
The USFS has updated their RT-130 and WCT Guidelines in response to COVID-19’s disruption of normal training schedules. Attached is a PDF with a copy of the memorandum(s) received by Northwest Management, Inc regarding the training requirement changes.
In summary, the updated guidelines for the completion of RT-130 and WCT verification are as follows:
For Incumbent/Returning Firefighters/Transferred Federal Firefighters
Medical Clearance: Required to complete a self-certification through their agency medical standards program.
USFS:
o Effective immediately, any employee with responses on the eMedical Health Screening Questionnaire (HSQ) that indicates that they must be cleared to the WCT by OF-178 Exam will temporarily not be required to complete a new OF-178 exam. Any employee who would normally complete an OF-178 exam will be directed by their unit HSQ Coordinator to provide the USFS Medical Qualifications Office with additional information in order to obtain a temporary medical clearance to the WCT for 2020.
o Work Capacity Tests (WCTs) are suspended for 2020. Employees will provide the local Incident Qualifications and Certification System (IQCS) account manager proof of medical clearance. Upon receipt of proof of medical clearance, the IQCS account manager will input a WCT competency based on the previously attained 2019 level (light, moderate or arduous). IQCS account managers will include appropriate documentation in the employees training record.
o RT-130, Wildland Fire Safety Training Annual Refresher (WFSTAR): Employees who have not completed RT-130 to date will be awarded the RT-130 competency. The competency will be awarded from their current expiration date identified in IQCS. This action will be implemented nationally through the agency’s National Training Officer. The following actions are recommended in lieu of the formal training:
§ Complete a self-study refresher utilizing the WFSTAR videos and support materials. Employees should include topics that focus on entrapment avoidance and related case studies, current issues, and other hazards and safety issues. (https://www.nwcg.gov/publications/training-courses/rt-130/wfstar-catalog).
§ To compensate for the hands-on fire shelter training, employees are encouraged to watch the “New Generation Fire Shelter” video (https://www.nwcg.gov/committees/fire-shelter-andpersonal-protective-equipment-subcommittee).
§ Predicted service information (https://www.predictiveservices.nifc.gov/predictive.htm)
§ Utilize content from the Lesson Learned Center (https://www.wildfirelessons.net/home). These exceptions apply to all Administratively Determined (AD) employees as well as applicable crew, water handling (engines and water tenders), and equipment contracts and agreements.
For Employees New to the Federal Firefighting Workforce
Medical Clearance: Obtain clearance through standard agency onboarding process.
USFS:
o Effective immediately, any employee with responses on the eMedical Health Screening Questionnaire (HSQ) that indicates that they must be cleared to the WCT by OF-178 Exam will temporarily not be required to complete a new OF-178 exam. Any employee who would normally complete an OF-178 exam will be directed by their unit HSQ Coordinator to provide the USFS Medical Qualifications Office with additional information in order to obtain a temporary medical clearance to the WCT for 2020.
o Work Capacity Test (WCT): Required to complete any related light, moderate, or arduous work capacity test.
§ Discourage reuse or sharing of pack test vests.
§ Encourage use of weight appropriate bladder bags or individually issued fire line packs
§ Basic Firefighter Training: Required to complete S-130, Firefighter Training; S-190, Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior; L-180, Human Factors in the Wildland Fire Service; IS-700, An Introduction to the National Incident Management System; and ICS-100, Introduction to the Incident Command System, and fire shelter proficiency training. The fire shelter training should be implemented using a standard fire shelter that no longer meets service parameters or a practice fire shelter as a one-person, one-time use.