S-219 Firing Operations

Funding for this project provided by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection's Business and Workforce Development Grants as part of the California Climate Investments Program

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Good Fire Training Network · NWCG Training

S-219

Firing Operations

Blended NWCG Firing Operations training with instructor-led exercises and an additional day of supervised live-fire field experience. Develop the planning, communication, risk management, and leadership skills needed to support safe wildland and prescribed fire ignition operations.

Plan the ignition. Lead the team. Manage the risk.
CourseNWCG S-219 (2025)
FormatOnline + Instructor-Led
Field Offering3 Days, Including Live Fire
PrerequisiteFFT1 Trainee

Course Information

Blended Firing Boss development with expanded field experience.

NWCG S-219, Firing Operations (Blended) develops knowledge and skills for planning, implementing, and evaluating firing operations on wildland and prescribed fires. Students complete the required online component and participate in instructor-led learning and exercises.

The Good Fire Training Network's proposed expanded offering includes two instructor-led training days plus a third day dedicated to supervised live-fire experience. Students practice applying firing plans, briefings, ignition team coordination, holding considerations, contingency planning, and risk management in realistic operational settings.

The live-fire experience is supplemental to the approved NWCG course delivery and is dependent on suitable burn conditions. Completion of S-219 or attendance at a live-fire day does not automatically qualify a student as FIRB or guarantee position task book sign-offs.

Course Skills

  • Firing Boss roles and responsibilities
  • Firing objectives and desired fire behavior
  • Fire weather, fuels, and topography
  • Ignition equipment and device selection
  • Firing plans and operational briefings
  • Communication and crew coordination
  • LCES, risk assessment, and contingency planning
  • Coordination with holding resources
  • Operational monitoring and evaluation
  • Supervised live-fire participation when authorized

Prerequisites & Student Preparation

Arrive ready for both classroom learning and operational field training.

FFT1 Trainee StatusStudents must be current Firefighter Type 1 (FFT1) trainees for this Good Fire Training Network offering. Confirm eligibility with the training coordinator.
Online Course CompletionComplete the required S-219 online learning and bring any required documentation before instructor-led sessions.
Field ReadinessBe physically capable of working in uneven terrain and potentially smoky outdoor conditions while wearing assigned PPE.
Operational RequirementsLive-fire participation requires an approved burn operation, qualified supervision, proper PPE, and any additional requirements specified by the host.
IMPORTANT: The additional live-fire day is not guaranteed. If a safe, authorized burn is unavailable, the host may substitute dry-run scenarios or reschedule the live-fire portion. Any live-fire assignments must remain within the student's qualifications and the incident's supervision structure.

Three-Day Training Itinerary

Proposed 8:00 AM–5:00 PM schedule following required online preparation.

Day 1 — Firing Fundamentals & Planning

Safety · Fire behavior · Equipment · Firing plans

8:00 AMIntroductions, course objectives, online learning review, safety briefing.
9:00 AMFIRB responsibilities, ignition objectives, and operational organization.
10:00 AMFire behavior, fuels, weather, topography, and desired fire effects.
11:00 AMFiring devices, equipment inspection, safe handling, and operational limitations.
12:00 PMLunch.
1:00 PMFiring plans: objectives, resources, communications, coordination, and contingency considerations.
2:30 PMRisk management, LCES, holding support, escape routes, and stop-work triggers.
4:00 PMSmall-group firing plan development and instructor feedback.
4:45 PMDaily review and preparation for operational exercises.

Day 2 — Firing Operations & Field Exercises

Briefings · Team coordination · Scenarios · Dry-run skills

8:00 AMSafety briefing, weather and scenario review, training objectives.
9:00 AMOperational briefings, assignments, communications, and crew accountability.
10:00 AMFiring methods and sequencing concepts, operational coordination with holding resources.
11:00 AMTabletop scenarios: changing weather, holding challenges, and contingency decisions.
12:00 PMLunch.
1:00 PMField-based dry-run: ignition-team organization, equipment familiarization, and communications checks.
2:30 PMSupervised operational simulations, go/no-go decision-making, and reassessment.
4:00 PMTeam briefings and planning for a possible live-fire field day.
4:45 PMEquipment check, debrief, and instructor feedback.

Day 3 — Supervised Live-Fire Operations

Conditional live fire · Operational coordination · Holding · Evaluation

8:00 AMSite-specific operational briefing; confirm burn authorization, permits, approved plan, weather, staffing, communications, and contingency resources.
9:00 AMReview objectives, assigned roles, LCES, ignition and holding coordination, and stop-work criteria.
10:00 AMQualified leadership conducts operational go/no-go assessment; supervised ignition activities only if authorized.
12:00 PMLunch and operational reassessment as conditions allow.
1:00 PMContinue supervised field assignments when safe; observe fire behavior, communications, and operational adjustments.
2:30 PMHolding, mop-up, patrol, and post-ignition responsibilities as assigned by incident leadership.
4:00 PMEquipment accountability, documentation, instructor feedback, and operational after-action review.
4:45 PMFinal debrief, learning objectives review, and next steps toward FIRB development.
LIVE-FIRE NOTICE: All times are illustrative. Fire operations are never scheduled to proceed regardless of conditions. The burn boss/incident commander may delay, modify, or cancel ignition at any time. Live-fire training is contingent on the approved burn plan, permits, local restrictions, weather, fuels, qualified staffing, and available resources.

Required Materials & Equipment

Course-specific instructions will be provided before the field days.

Wildland PPE

  • Approved wildland fire helmet
  • Flame-resistant shirt and pants
  • Wildland fire gloves
  • Approved leather fire boots
  • Eye protection
  • Fire shelter if required by assignment

Field Equipment

  • Hydration and field pack
  • Weather-appropriate layers
  • Notebook and pen
  • Radio if assigned
  • Ignition equipment only if assigned and authorized
  • Other gear specified by host

Course Documents

  • Required online completion documentation
  • FFT1 trainee status documentation
  • Assigned pre-course materials
  • Current task book, if applicable
  • Site-specific briefing materials
  • Lunch and personal necessities
EQUIPMENT NOTICE: Confirm equipment availability with the host. Do not bring or operate ignition devices without express authorization from the training cadre and incident leadership.

Live-Fire Safety & Oversight

Every ignition operation must be authorized, supervised, and supported.

Live-fire training will occur only under an approved operational plan with required permissions, qualified incident leadership, adequate holding and contingency resources, medical planning, communications, and appropriate risk controls. Students must follow the established chain of command and stop work immediately when instructed or when an unsafe condition is identified.

Qualified personnel retain operational authority. Students may observe, assist, or perform tasks only within their qualifications and under appropriate direct supervision. Participation does not itself establish FIRB qualification or guarantee task book evaluations.

Who Should Attend?

For FFT1 trainees and developing firefighters preparing to take on firing leadership responsibilities.

Developing Firing BossesFFT1 trainees preparing for FIRB responsibilities and future supervised assignments.
Prescribed Fire PractitionersFFT1 trainees seeking additional ignition planning and operational experience.
Wildland Fire Crew LeadersPersonnel involved in firing operations, coordination, and tactical supervision.
Fire and Fuels ProfessionalsFire and fuels personnel supporting safe implementation of wildland and prescribed fire operations.

Course & Qualification Information

NWCG S-219 (2025) is a blended course supporting development toward Firing Boss, Single Resource (FIRB). This offering accepts FFT1 trainees; verify current NWCG course prerequisites separately before advertising official S-219 completion. Qualified instructors and evaluators oversee course and field activities. The additional live-fire day is a host-developed supplemental training opportunity, not a separate NWCG course requirement. Qualification requires all applicable position standards, experience, evaluation, and agency certification.

Official course information: NWCG S-219 Firing Operations (Blended).

Plan Carefully. Ignite Responsibly. Lead Safely.

Practical firing operations training for wildland and prescribed fire practitioners.

Good Fire Training Network

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