UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
BUREAU OF LAND
MANAGEMENT
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20240-0036
http://www.blm.gov/

May 3, 2010

In Reply Refer to:
1400-300 (400) I

EMS TRANSMISSION 05/11/2010
Information Bulletin No. 2010-071

To:

State and Center Directors
Attn:
Fire Management and Human Resources Officers

From:

Director

Subject:

Interagency Fire Program Management
Implementation Responsibilities and Timelines

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) appreciates the progress that our program
employees, their supervisors, and human resource managers and staff have made
over the last few years regarding the Interagency Fire Program Management (IFPM)
position requirements. We are pleased with the efforts of people throughout the
BLM who have worked hard to ensure they have met the IFPM requirements and are
in good standing as the October 1, 2010 implementation deadline approaches. We
are less than a year away from fully implementing IFPM requirements and it is
important to review some helpful information concerning those deadlines.

The Department of the Interior (DOI) Office of Human Resources has requested
that the Bureaus begin monthly, reporting information on the status of employees
who do not meet the IFPM requirements for their position. According to the IFPM
Implementation Plan, an employee agreement should have been signed by incumbents
who did not meet the IFPM requirement at the time of implementation. A condition
of employment should have been signed by employees hired into IFPM positions
after implementation started who did not meet the requirements at the time of
hire.

The IFPM requirements are:

For GS-401 (Professional) Fire Management
Specialist Positions: a) basic positive education requirements; b) specialized
experience; c) National Wildlife Coordinating Group (NWCG) incident management
qualifications; and d) additional required training, if applicable.

For GS-0455/0462 (Technical) Range/Forestry Technician Positions: a)
specialized experience; b) NWCG incident management qualifications; and c)
additional requirement training, if applicable.

As the implementation date approaches, managers must monitor the progress of
impacted employees and be prepared to advise employees who are at risk of not
meeting the IFPM minimum qualification standards by the deadline. To assist in
this process, the attached timeline has been developed to ensure that proper
actions are being completed on time. Supervisors and managers are responsible
for ensuring employee agreement or conditions of employment documents are in
place; updating the Incident Qualification and Certification System (IQCS);
creating Individual Development Plans (IDP); assisting employees in locating
opportunities for education, training, and specialized experiences identified in
the IDP; monitoring employees’ progress; and providing opportunities for
completion of National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) qualifications, as
applicable. Supervisors and managers are advised to work closely with their
servicing Human Resources Office to discuss options such as reassignment, change
to lower grade, or removal from Federal service for those employees who do not
meet the IFPM requirements by October 1, 2010.

To collect this additional information, each state should work with units
that have employees who do not currently meet and will not meet the IFPM
requirements by the October 1, 2010, deadline, and verify that a signed employee
agreement or condition of employment is in place. As part of the verification
process, a hard copy of signed documents should be maintained in the State Human
Resources Office.

Again, we thank you for working diligently toward meeting the IFPM
requirements. We are nearing an important milestone in the IFPM program and want
you to be aware and informed of important requirements regarding the process. If
you have any questions regarding this Information Bulletin (IB), please contact
a member of the IFPM Implementation Team: Tamara Neukam, Human Resources
Officer, Fire & Aviation, (208) 387-5514; Cindy Pogue, Human Resources
Specialist, Fire & Aviation, (208) 387-5951; or Ted Mason, Fire Management
Training Unit Program Leader, Fire & Aviation, (208) 387-5334. Additional
information regarding IFPM can be found at http://www.ifpm.nifc.gov/. This IB request
has been coordinated with the Assistant Director, Human Capital Management, and
Assistant Director, Fire and Aviation.

Signed by:
Mike Pool
Acting, Director

Authenticated by:
Robert M.
Williams
Division of IRM Governance,WO-560

3 Attachments

1-
IFPM Action Item Timetable 2010 (1 p)
2-
IFPM Employee Agreement (For Employees Currently Occupying IFPM Positions) (2
pp)
3-
IFPM Condition of Employment Agreement (For New Hires) (1 p)