Wildland Firefighter Apprenticeship Program – 2009

CA IB-2008-018
Information Bulletin

August 22, 2008

In Reply Refer To:
9215 (CA943) P

EMS TRANSMISSION: 8/22/08
Information Bulletin No. CA-2008-018

To:                   All State Fire Management Officers
                         All State Apprenticeship Coordinators

From:               State Fire Management Officer

Subject:           Wildland Firefighter Apprenticeship Program – 2009           DD:     09/30/08
                                                                                                                                            10/15/08
                                                                                                                                            11/01/08

The recruitment and selection process for Apprentices attending the 2009 Basic Apprenticeship Academies will be conducted by State Office Branches of Human Resources; all apprentices will continue to be hired under the Student Career Education Program (SCEP).  A national vacancy announcement will not be issued.  Most offices have indicated that they intend to select non-competitively in accordance with the SCEP hiring authority.  Each state may select on a competitive basis, however vacancy announcements will be processed by the respective State Office Branch of Human Resources for states that choose this process.  The following timeline has been established for response by the State Apprenticeship Coordinators for participation in the 2009 Apprenticeship Program.

Action

Date

Responsibility

State Recruitment Bulletin (for competitive selections only)

 

09/30/08 (closing date)

State Apprenticeship Coordinators / State Office Human Resources

Request number of slots needed for 2008 Basic Academies

09/30/08

State Apprenticeship Coordinators

Submit names of employees selected for 2008 Basic Academies

10/15/08

State Apprenticeship Coordinators

Submit final changes to slot allocations for 2008

11/01/08

State Apprenticeship Coordinators

Provide names of Apprentices returning for Advanced Academies

11/01/08

State Apprenticeship Coordinators

The National Office of Fire and Aviation will continue to cover the cost of tuition, room and board for participation in the Apprenticeship Program for two people per state for each Academy, both the Basic and Advanced (a total of four apprentices each year).  States wishing to enroll more than two people per Academy should advise the BLM Apprenticeship Program staff as soon as possible.  As in the past, if you choose to send more than two people to the Basic Academy, your state will encumber the cost of $2,750 per person for each person over the two-person allocation covered by the National Office of Fire and Aviation.  This cost covers lodging, meals (Monday through Friday,) and tuition for the Basic Academy.  Each state is responsible for the salary, overtime, uniform allowance, travel and per diem (Saturday and Sunday) for all program participants, in both the Basic and Advanced Academies.

All slots requested by a state which are not filled after November 1, 2008, become the fiscal responsibility of that state.  Please ensure that your State Coordinator advises the BLM Apprenticeship Program staff of any changes in the requested slots before November 1, 2008.  Be prepared to furnish a charge code when all slots are requested, if more than two are requested for either the Basic or Advanced Academy.   As indicated in the table above, State Apprenticeship Coordinators must provide the names of people returning for the Advanced Academies for 2009 no later than November 1, 2008.  In the event there is a no-show for the Advanced Academy after that date, the state will encumber the cost of $3,700.

Overtime required during the Basic and Advanced Academies (this does not include travel to and from the Academy site):

            Basic Academy           Academy check-in and Orientation                NTE 2 hours
                                                   Agency Orientation                                           NTE 1 hour
                                                   Field Exercise                                                    NTE 6 hours

               Total                                                                   NTE 9 hours

            Advanced Academy   Academy check-in and Orientation                NTE 2 hours
                                                   Agency Administrative Follow-up                  NTE 1 hour
                                                   Field Exercise                                                    NTE 4 hours

                                                   Total                                                                   NTE 7 hours                                               

The term of apprenticeship is 4,000 work hours, during a period not less than two or more than four calendar years.  Please visit the website:  http://www.wfap.net for curriculum information and prerequisite training for academy attendance. 

On the first morning of the Basic Academy, the S-190 Introduction to Fire Behavior examination is given (this course is an Academy prerequisite and is NOT taught at the academy.)  Apprentices must pass the examination with a score not lower than 70 percent to remain in the program.  Those who are not successful are returned to the home unit for removal from the apprenticeship program.

Basic Academy dates for 2009 are as follows:

                        Basic Academy 47                  March 8 through April 3
                        Basic Academy 48                  March 15 through April 10
                        Basic Academy 49                  March 29 through April 24
                        Basic Academy 50                  April 5 through May 1

Advanced Academies in 2009 will be held on the following dates:

                        Advanced Academies 42/43/44          January 11 through February 6
                        Advanced Academies 45/46                February 8 through March 6               

We have seen outstanding apprenticeship representation on behalf of the agency over the years in both academic and physical achievement.   We look forward to working with you in achieving training and workforce management objectives through this program.

Please contact Nate Gogna at 916-640-1080 for assistance, or ngogna@ca.gv.blm

 

Signed by:                                                                              
Craig Barnes                                                                          
State Fire Management Officer                                             

Authenticated by:
Richard A. Erickson
Records Management

Office

California State Office

Fiscal Year

2008