Emergency Firefighter Mobilizations

The New Hampshire Emergency Firefighter Mobilization Program makes available wildland fire fighters and emergency response personnel to support the national effort to suppress wildland fires and respond to all-hazard incidents to protect lives, property and natural resources. This national mobilization effort provides valuable training opportunities and experience for local resources to broaden their knowledge base which benefits New Hampshire by increasing firefighting skills, techniques and preparedness throughout the state.

Forest Rangers, Patrolmen and other firefighters are deployed to other areas to gain the experience they will later apply here in New Hampshire. The best way to learn firefighting and to one day become a fire line supervisor is to start at the ground level. The ground level in wildland firefighting consists of hand and engine crews.

The Forest Protection Bureau has participated in the national mobilization of wildland firefighting crews since 1975, through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Forest Service. Crews and single resources have been dispatched to many states over the years crisscrossing the nation. Requests for and coordination of resources (crews, overhead, engines, equipment) comes through the U.S. Forest Service. The Division staffs and maintains support functions for a mobilization center at the Manchester airport. The center facilitates the movement of crews and personnel from all New England states and New York to other points throughout the country where firefighting help is needed.

New Hampshire Emergency Firefighter Mobilization Program members are committed to making an effort to be available for assignments with the Division throughout the year, both in New Hampshire and nationally, with an emphasis on the nationwide demands commonly experienced during the summer fire season. This is necessary to ensure that the program can fulfill assignments during the periods of greatest need nationally, while also being available locally for in-state and regional assignments throughout the year. The Forest Protection Bureau strives to maintain its excellent reputation in the wildland fire community; this means having well-prepared crews staffed with professional, well-trained, hardworking firefighters.

Assignments at the national level require resources to commit to 14-days on the assignment. Travel time to and from the assignment is additional to the 14 days. This means that some assignments could be as long as 21 days and resources must make sure they are able to make this commitment and that their family and employer are aware.

Wildland Firefighter Brochure  

The state of New Hampshire follows the training and experience guidelines set forth by the National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG), PMS 310-1, and NWCG task books for qualifying and certifying firefighter positions. Other considerations before initiating task books and final certification are past performance, attitude, leadership qualities (duty, respect, integrity), and commitment.

To be a part of the New Hampshire out of state mobilization program, individuals must meet the following requirements:

• S-130-Firefighter Training – In-person – Contact Wildfire training and Prevention Coordinator Doug Miner (douglas.c.miner@dncr.nh.gov)
• S-190-Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior – online
• L-180-Human Factors in the Wildland Fire Service – online
• IS-100.C-Introduction to the Incident Command System – online
• IS-700-Introduction to the National Incident Management System – online

A copy of your certificates will need to be on file in the Concord office. All personnel from Strike Team Leader/Unit Leader and above will also be required to have successfully completed IS-800.

Every qualified individual must pass the physical requirements (work capacity test) each year plus take the annual RT-130 fire crew refresher. Four to six days are scheduled each year for all qualified fire fighters to re-qualify and to receive updated information and/or training.

Work Capacity Testing for Wildland Firefighters Brochure  

To meet the minimum NWCG national standards and maintain a professional level for New Hampshire Wildland Firefighters, individuals must meet the following requirements:

1. Successful completion of approved S-130/S-190/L-180/IS-100.C/IS-700 Courses
2. Submit an application packet
   1. Letter of interest
      1. Why you want to be a part of the program
      2. Previous fire or relevant experience
      3. If you do not reside in New Hampshire, describe your connection to the fire service in New Hampshire (Department membership/employment etc.)
   2. Three (3) Letters of Reference
      1. Current or Recent Employer
      2. Two (2) Personal Character References of your choice (Fire Service connection encouraged)
   3. State Application (these can be obtained by contacting the Concord Office)
   4. Training certificates for the courses outlined above
3. Ranger Interview
   1. In person or telephone
   2. Ranger follow-up letter or email filed directly with the Concord Office
4. After approval and certification of the application packet by the Chief, a conditional offer of employment will be granted and the following will be required.
   1. Firefighter Questionnaire
      1. The Emergency Firefighter Mobilization Program shares resources throughout the United States and Canada. Individuals going into Canada and some U.S. installations must have a conviction free criminal record, including convictions of Driving Under the Influence (DUI). Furthermore, we certify individuals as Drivers for assignments. For these reasons, we ask for information after your application has been accepted and you have been approved for hire.
   2. Proof of current passport.
      1. New Hampshire sends resources throughout the United States and Canada and needs all New Hampshire Wildland Firefighters to be available to fly for these assignments, therefore a Passport is required.
   3. Hiring Documents
      1. W-4
      2. I-9
      3. Direct Deposit authorization
      4. New Hampshire Wildland Firefighter Agreement
5. Completion of the New Firefighter Orientation Class
   1. This class is designed to give new firefighters in the New Hampshire program a look at our facility where we mobilize crews, discussion on expectations, gear packing, pay etc.
6. Successfully complete the work capacity test. The work capacity test also known as the "pack test," requires walking three miles in 45 minutes with a 45-pound pack for crew assignments. This test must be completed annually in accordance with federal requirements.