Preparedness is an important step in wildland fire management. It is a continuous process that includes developing plans at the state/regional and national levels, predicting fire activity, hiring, training, and deploying wildland firefighters, evaluating performance, and improving overall operations. Preparedness takes place throughout the year, with routine evaluations of firefighters, training records, equipment, and land managers conducted before, during, and after fire season in each state.
Download the 2021 BLM Preparedness Review Guide
Click here to go to the Interagency Standards for Fire and Aviation Operations
Checklists
The standards reflected in the checklists are established national policy requirements. The checklists reflect the agency standard for operations and performance in each area of review and are not arbitrary standards set by the review team. These checklists are used on all of the Fire and Aviation Directorate (FAD) National Preparedness Reviews to maintain a consistent level of review nationwide. The individual states can request individual items of interest be added to the checklists used in their state review, but these additions must not contradict any established national policy requirements outlined in the standard checklist. Checklists are updated and posted by April 1.
Interagency Fire Preparedness Readiness Review front page
Checklist 1 Unit District Manager/Agency Admin.
Checklist 2 Fire Management Officer
Checklist 3 Fire Operations Supervisor
Checklist 4 Incident Business
Checklist 5 Safety Officer
Checklist 6 Fire Training and Qualifications
Checklist 7 Facilities and Cache
Checklist 8 Geographic Area Coordination Center
Checklist 9 Local Dispatch
Checklist 10 Aviation Management
Checklist 11 Aviation Base
Checklist 12 Helicopter Module
Checklist 13 Smokejumper Unit
Checklist 14 Firefighter
Checklist 15 Engine NEW 4/9/24
Checklist 16 Interagency Hotshot Crew
Checklist 17 Handcrew Non-IHC
Checklist 18 Dozer Tractor Plow
Checklist 19 Vehicles NEW 4/8/24
Checklist 20 Fuel Transport
Checklist 21 Exclusive Use Air Attack
Employee Orientation Checklist
Individual Feedback (Optional)
RADIO CHECKLISTS
CHECKLIST REVISIONS
Proposed revisions to the checklists can be sent to Marlene Eno-Hendren, FAD, BLM Fire Operations (meno@blm.gov). Comments should be typed into the “remarks” section of the checklist proposed for change. These checklists can be sent electronically to the above address for consideration. Proposed changes need to reflect current national policy and be a quantifiable item that directly applies to fire preparedness. The proposed revisions should include the exact verbiage that is being proposed. Checklists are reviewed for compliance with agency policy and standards each January. Proposed changes will need to be submitted by the end of January for consideration that year.
Drills And Skills
All resources will be given a field exercise. All field exercises will be reviewed for operational proficiency. The drills can be done in the field on “mock” fires or they can be done in the station. The same items will be reviewed regardless of the location of the drill. These drill formats are for reference only and not part of the written package that is submitted to the local unit at the completion of the review. These drills give the review team members and the local units an opportunity to know in advance what the standards are and what the team will be looking for and give a standardized set of skills testing for agency resources nationwide.
Drills & Skills (Optional) Drill Summary
Drill 1 Initial Response Protocol
Drill 2 Initial Report From Scene
Drill 3 Briefing - Risk Management
Drill 4 Mobile Attack
Drill 5 Stationary Attack - Hoselay
Drill 6 Foam Use
Drill 7 Spot Fire
Drill 8 Line Construction
Drill 9 Portable Pump Exercise
Drill 10 Helitack Initial Attack
Drill 11 Helitack Bucket
Drill 12 Helitack Helispot
Drill 13 Helitack Longline
Drill 14 Helitack Personnel
Drill 15 Dispatch
Drill 16 Smokejumper Response Procedures
Drill 17 Smokejumper Mission
Drill 18 Medical Emergency Response
Skill 1 Engine Inspection
Skill 2 Handtool Safety Checks
Skill 3 Firing Devices
Skill 4 Belt Weather Kit
Skill 5 Hydraulics
Skill 6 Fire Shelter Use
Skill 7 Pump and Flow Test
DRILL REVISIONS
Proposed revisions to the checklists can be sent to Marlene Eno-Hendren, FAD, BLM Fire Operations (meno@blm.gov). Comments should be typed into the “remarks” section of the drill proposed for change. These proposed changes can be sent electronically to the above address for consideration. Proposed changes need to reflect a quantifiable item that directly applies to fire preparedness. The proposed revisions should include the exact verbiage that is being proposed. Drills are reviewed for compliance with agency policy and standards each January. Proposed changes will need to be submitted by the end of January for consideration that year.
