Agency Administrator

An Agency Administrator is the official with the delegated authority, responsibility, and qualifications for decision-making on incidents or prescribed fires within a particular administrative unit. 

There are six separate and distinct qualifications for agency administrators related to fire management—three for wildfire decision making (WFA 1/2/3) and three for prescribed fire (RXA 1/2/3). This qualification program is a multi-level process where Agency Administrators demonstrate competence in one of three levels.

Agency Administrator training and qualification guidance for both wildfire and prescribed fire are described in Chapter 5, USFS Program Organization and Responsibilities, of the Interagency Standards for Fire and Fire Aviation Operations (Red Book). Specific training and experience requirements are listed in the Federal Wildland Fire Qualifications Supplement (Federal Supplement). 

Required Training and Experience: Refer to the Federal Wildland Fire Qualifications Supplement (Federal Supplement) for current training requirements for WFA 1/2/3 and RXA 1/2/3. Contact the Forest Training Officer for additional information. 

Position Task Books: Agency Administrator trainees must complete a Position Task Book for each distinct qualification. The Forest Supervisor can initiate Agency Administrator Task Books for Forest employees. The Deputy Regional Forester must initiate Agency Administrator Task Books for Forest Supervisors. The Deputy Regional Forester must certify all Agency Administrator Task Books after RLOT review. All documents must be processed through the Forest Training Officer. 

Incident Qualification Cards (Red Cards): Incident qualification cards for any responder with Agency Administrator qualifications will be signed by the Regional Forester and shall not be delegated to Forest Supervisors or Regional Fire Directors regardless of other qualifications. An electronic incident qualification card utilizing the IQCS portable document format (PDF) is authorized. The Forest Training Officer will process all Red Card requests related to Agency Administrator qualifications. 

Currency Requirements: Agency Administrators must perform satisfactorily in a specified position within the last five years in order to maintain qualification for the position. Experience must be documented on an IQCS Responder Update Sheet.