This website has been developed to provide information for personnel who want to take part in the EPA/USFS "mentoring" program. This program allows EPA personnel who meet specific training requirements to team up with a US Forest Service (USFS), National Incident Management Organization (NIMO) or interagency Incident Management Assistance Team (IMAT) for a period of 5-7 days during fire season. EPA personnel will work with a member of the USFS team in a Command or General Staff position for which they have received training. They will work at the Incident Command Post (ICP) and shadow in the assigned Command or General Staff position for the entire length of the deployment. They will sleep in tents and eat with the team members and the crews. EPA personnel will contribute to the team objectives, briefing preparation, and development of the Incident Action Plan (IAP). Personnel taking part in this program should expect an evaluation from the team member they mentored with (the evaluation is not released to anyone except the person doing the mentoring - it is intended to be a learning tool). This is an excellent opportunity to put in to practice all the class room training and exercises on an actual incident.
Please note that USFS IMATs and NIMOs normally work a 16-hour day. Also note that you should not attempt to go to the fireline unless escorted by USFS personnel.
The successful candidate for the shadowing program must meet the following criteria:
- Be a member of an IMT, EPA's N-IMAT, Response Support Corps, an OSC or a member of a Special Team;
- Completed ICS 300/400 and Key Leadership Training for the position assigned to shadow;
- Have management approval;
- Be ready to go within 72 hours of notification;
- Participate in a training Webinar prior to deployment;
- Provide an after action report upon returning from deployment (see format under "documents").
This is a list of items you will need to take with you on the deployment:
- Boots, high top, laced, non-skid soles (RSC personnel please contact RSC Coordinator from your program)
- Leather gloves
- Tents (these may be checked out from the Supply Unit at the ICP, however, you may prefer to take your own)
- Sleeping bag and foam pad (these may be checked out from the Supply Unit as well)
- Cell phone
- Clothing for cold and wet weather (expect extreme temperature variations in high elevations)
- Toilet articles
- EPA Incident Management Handbook
- EPA Job Aid for position
Nice to have:
- Lap top
- Flashlight and batteries
- Camera (we will post photos on this website)
- Coffee Cup
- Sun glasses
It is the responsibility of the participant to either supply their own equipment (with the exception of boots for the RSC members) or check the equipment out from the Supply Unit. All equipment checked out from the Supply Unit must be returned at the completion of the deployment.
Please contact the National NIMS Coordinator, Steve Ridenour, at (202) 564-9831, should you have any questions concerning the program.
To apply for the mentoring program, please complete the form in the "documents" section and email it, copy to your manager, to ridenour.steve@epa.gov.
