Public Training Provider MOU Final 2024.docx

MOU Between XXXX and PNWCG Expires January 15, 2030

09/2024

Pacific Northwest Wildfire Coordinating Group

MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING

BETWEEN

PUBLIC TRAINING PROVIDER

AND

THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST WILDFIRE COORDINATION GROUP

I. PURPOSE

The Pacific Northwest Wildfire Coordinating Group (PNWCG), through its Training Committee (TC), Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Representative (MOU Rep) and Interagency Zone Training Committees (IZTC), desires to ensure that wildfire training conducted in Washington and Oregon meets or exceeds the standards developed by the National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG).

PNWCG desires to utilize Public Training Providers (PTP) as a resource to provide wildfire training to both member agencies, private contractors and the public.

PTPs desire to offer training for wildland fire qualifications.

NWCG encourages member agencies, at the local level, to assist educational institutions in an advisory and support capacity, establishing or guiding wildland fire training programs consistent with applicable laws, regulations and policies to include both classroom, blended, and field performancebased training.

The PNWCG and the PTP propose to form a partnership to accomplish delivery of the NWCG fire training courses up to the Strike Team Leader level.

II. AUTHORITY

This Memorandum Of Understanding, hereinafter referred to as MOU, is made and entered into by and between PUBLIC TRAINING PROVIDER, hereinafter referred to as the PTP, and the PACIFIC NORTHWEST WILDFIRE COORDINATING GROUP, hereinafter referred to as the PNWCG under provision of the charters and/or other authorities of each organization.

III. RESPONSIBILITIES

A. The PNWCG agrees to:

1. Provide NWCG instructor qualification requirements for wildland fire training courses that meet the NWCG Standards for Course Delivery, (PMS 901-1).

2. Identify to the PTP the source to obtain training materials and other supporting materials necessary to meet the provisions of this MOU.

3. Monitor a representative sample of the training provided by the PTP to ensure the quality and standard of training (see Appendix A – Monitoring PTP Courses and Instructor Records).

4. Verify that the PTP instructor qualification records meet current PMS 901-1 and NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, (PMS 310-1) requirements.

5. Recognize PTP Certificates of Course Completion issued to students successfully completing courses.

6. Recognize PTP instructors who are currently certified in accordance with NWCG standards.

7. Identify a process for the PTP to petition for offering other NWCG classes which are not a part of this MOU (see Appendix B).

B. The PTP agrees to:

1. Provide a written notification to IZTC of courses offered annually. The notification includes the course dates, time schedule, location, and instructor (s) name(s) and qualifications record(s).

2. Provide wildland firefighter training that meets or exceeds NWCG standards for course content and objectives. Course materials may be enhanced with appropriate related materials and/or information. Required course material shall not be substituted with non-standard material or information.

a. Supply course/student training and NWCG Course Evaluation.

b. Maintain student records for a minimum of five years. As a minimum, these records shall contain the following: course title, hours of instruction, location and dates; instructor(s) name(s), level of instructor certification, and company affiliation; and trainee name and ID number.

c. Provide PNWCG’s designated MOU representative access to student records upon request to the extent permitted by law.

d. Use only instructors who meet NWCG instructor standards identified in PMS 901-1. Bilingual interpreters, when used, will either meet NWCG instructor standards or will be paired with a qualified instructor. "Paired with" means that a qualified instructor shall be present at all times during instruction when presented by a bilingual interpreter who is not instructor certified.

e. Issue Certificates of Course Completion to individuals successfully completing training. Certificates shall display course number and title, course completion date, hours of instruction (total classroom and field exercise), PTP name, and lead instructor name and signature. The certificate may include the PTP logo, but shall not include the NWCG logo unless the lead instructor for the course is an authorized representative of an NWCG member agency.

3. Assure that a minimum of one qualified Lead Instructor is present to ensure the delivery of each course presented by the PTP. The Lead Instructor and/or Course Coordinator may also perform the following responsibilities: evaluate and recommend certification of unit instructors; hold cadre meeting as necessary; assure unit quizzes and final exams are administered properly as identified in each course Instructor's Guide; provide course evaluations and student rosters to the IZTC representative at the end of each course presentation.

4. Monitor the quality of the training provided and records maintained by their certified instructors to verify that the training and records are in compliance with the established standards (see Appendix A - Monitoring PTP Courses and Instructor Records).

5. Submit non-covered course petitions to the IZTC Chairperson for consideration and approval (See Appendix B).

C. PNWCG and the PTP mutually agree that;

1. The PTP will meet annually with the IZTC Chairperson to establish a course schedule and review previous year’s activities.

2. Revisions to this MOU will be made by the issuance of a written modification signed and dated by both parties.

3. Either party may terminate this agreement by providing a 30 day written notice.

4. Failure by the PTP or its instructors to meet the requirements of this MOU may result in PNWCG taking the following actions: requiring remedial action by the PTP to eliminate reoccurrence of the deficiency, suspending this MOU until the deficiency/deficiencies are corrected, not recognizing affected certificates of completion of training issued by the PTP, suspension of the MOU for non-compliance or cancellation of the MOU.

IV. DESIGNATED REPRESENTATIVES

A. The IZTC representative to contact for questions or issues arising out of this MOU is:

OR

Kevin Toombs MOU Representative U.S. Forest Service 1740 SE Ochoco Way Redmond, OR 97756 Phone: (541) 419-7039 kevin.toombs@usda.gov

B. The (Name of PTP) representative to contact for questions or issues arising out of this MOU is:

Name:

Title:

PTP Name:

PTP Address:

Work Phone Number:

Email:

Website if applicable

V. EFFECTIVE DATE

In WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this MOU as of the date last below written. This MOU will expire on January 15, 2030.

Representing PNWCG:

(Name: Please Print) Date

(Signature)

Representing (Name) Community College:

(Signature)

APPENDIX A

MONITORING PTP COURSES AND INSTRUCTOR AND STUDENT RECORDS

1. Courses

a. Course monitoring checklists (available from the R6 Contract Operations website Region 6 - Management (usda.gov) for each NWCG course being monitored will be provided to the IZTC member agency representative monitor(s) in advance of assignments. The checklists will serve as both a form for evaluating the course instruction and a report to be sent to the MOU- Representative(s).

b. Course monitors will introduce themselves to the lead instructor and explain that they are evaluating the course per the MOU. Upon completion of the course monitoring/evaluation, monitor will tell the lead instructor that a copy of the completed packet will be mailed to him/her within ten (10) working days.

c. When serious deficiencies are identified, monitors will contact the MOU-Rep immediately following the completion of the training and describe the situation. NOTE: Serious deficiencies include: omitting required course modules, substitution of training material that results in dropping portions of required course material, course instruction time reduced by more than 10%, required oral and written testing not done or done with open book, or other deficiencies that limit the ability of students to learn the course objectives.

2. Instructor Records

The PTP screens all instructors to ensure that instructors meet or exceed NWCG instructor qualification requirements and will maintain records for a minimum of five years. IZTC will assist in verification of instructors. Any questions in regards to instructor qualifications that cannot be determined at the local level, will be elevated to the PNWCG Training Committee.

3. Student Records

The PTP keeps records of students who successfully complete courses delivered under the MOU for a minimum of five years.

APPENDIX B

List of Wildfire Courses Approved for Public Training Provider Delivery And Noncovered Course Petition Procedures

GENERAL

PNWCG recognizes that a PTP may identify situations where a training need will be served by offering NWCG wildfire or ICS courses that are not specifically covered under this MOU. When a noncovered course offering benefits to the readiness of the wildfire community, does not conflict with other Pacific Northwest training schedules, and the PTP is capable of presenting a quality course; the PNWCG will support the incorporation of the course into a course schedule.

NON-COVERED COURSE PETITION PROCEDURES:

The Public Training Provider will submit the petition for a 300 ot 400 level course to the IZTC Chairperson listed on the MOU. More than one course may be included on a single petition. The written petition should include the endorsement of their Advisory Committee and include the following information required located at the link below:

https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd910825.pdf image1.jpeg