For questions or feedback regarding information on this site, contact the North End OR-MAF Forest Training Officer.
ANNOUCEMENTS
RT-130 Fire Refreshers and Work Capacity Tests for the 2026 fire season have concluded. If you are in need of a RT-130 Fire Refresher or Work Capacity Test, please contact your District Fire Management Officer or the Forest Training Officer.
You must be medically cleared prior to taking a Work Capacity Test. See the eMEDICAL & HSQ INFORMATION section below.
Target Group: RT-130 is required for designated positions in order to maintain currency. The intent of RT-130 is to focus line-going personnel on operations and decision-making issues related to fireline safety.
RT-130 is an instructor-led course and cannot be completed via independent study. The required attendance hours are determined by the lead instructor. Students must be present for the entire session and their attendance must be documented on the sign-in sheet to receive credit.
Personnel who have completed initial firefighter training (S-130) are not required to take RT-130 within the same calendar year. The RT-130 certification remains valid for 13 months.
Target Group: Work Capacity Tests are administered for employees to determine physical fitness for wildland firefighting activities. Employees may only take the WCT if they have an incident qualification that requires it and only at the fitness level required by that position.
The Work Capacity Test is valid for 13 months.
More information is available at https://www.fs.usda.gov/managing-land/fire/safety/wct.
This information is valid as of June 2026:
If you are planning to take a light, moderate, or arduous WCT in 2026 for a current position on your red card, start the eMedical process early so that you are medically cleared before your test.
How to open a new eMedical packet:
Go to the Connect HR Dashboard.
Select eMedical.
Choose New Packet.
All new packets will go through the updated HSQ process as the Arduous Medical Process (AMP) has been removed from the eMedical system while they revise and rebuild the process. More information is provided in the Letter to Regional Foresters from Deputy Chief John Crockett.
You may only take the WCT level required for the highest fitness level listed for a position on your red card. If you are unsure which WCT level you need, contact your HSQ Coordinator.
Monitor your email for follow up instructions or requests from eMedical.
Please note:
Employees with a qualifying “yes” answer on the Health Screening Questionnaire who do not have a prior medical exam on file in eMedical will be sent for an OF-178 Certificate of Medical Examination. A Forest Service Medical Officer will review the results of the exam and will issue a level of medical clearance.
Employees do not need to go for an OF-178 Certificate of Medical Examination for a qualifying “yes” answer on the HSQ if there is a prior OF-178 medical exam on file in eMedical. These HSQs will be sent to the Reviewing Medical Officer by the HSQ Coordinator.
Employees with prior waivers will need to fulfill all clearance/waivers and mitigation requirements where applicable. Waivers will indicate whether the employee will need another exam at some point for the listed medical condition. If an employee has a waiver, the HSQ Coordinator will ensure that the employee checks the waiver box appropriately and will then forward the packet to the Reviewing Medical Officers for review.
Questions? Contact your HSQ COordinator:
Supervisor’s Office: Courtney King or Eric Miller
Airbase: Clay Waley or Ethan Makarowski
Blue Mountain RD: Chad Lauer or Chris King
Prairie City RD: Mike Wall or David Blanco
Fire and Aviation Management Medical Qualifications Program: https://www.fs.usda.gov/managing-land/fire/safety/emedical
eMedical Qualifications Program Helpdesk: SM.FS.mqp_emedical@usda.gov