Interagency Fire Program Management Standard (IFPM)

The Interagency Fire Program Management Standard (IFPM) is a collaborative effort between the U.S. Forest Service and the Department of Interior wildland bureaus to establish minimum qualification standards for key positions in Fire and Aviation Management (FAM). In addition, the U.S. Forest Service implemented an agency addendum to IFPM called the Forest Service Fire Program Management Standard (FS-FPM).

All Forest Service National Standard Position Descriptions (NSPD) are identified in the US Forest Service Standard Position Description Crosswalk Addendum to IFPM, May 16, 2025, (PDF, 365 KB)

For assistance navigating through IFPM, use the Human Resources NWCG Qualification Hierarchy Job Aid, October 18, 2018, (PDF, 354 KB)

The Forest Service Implementation Plan for IFPM for the Interagency Fire Program Management Standard and Guide, September 9, 2010, (PDF, 782 MB)

• Appendix A - Complexity Analysis Guide, July15, 2011 (PDF, 208 KB)

• Appendix B - Position Identification, July 15, 2011 (PDF, 132 KB)

  • Page B-3 - Unit Position Identification Worksheet, (Requires download to open), (MS Word, 120 KB)

  • Page B-4 - Incumbent Declaration Form, (Requires download to open), (MS Word, 20 KB)

• Appendix C - Determination of Qualifications, July 15, 2011 (PDF, 164 KB)

• Appendix D - Notification of Qualification Status, July 15, 2011 (PDF, 164 KB)

  • Page D-2 Notification of Qualification Letter Template, (Requires download to open), (MS Word, 20 KB)

  • Page D-3 Notification of Non-Qualification Letter Template, (Requires download to open), (MS Word, 19 KB)

  • Page D4-5 Employment Agreement Template, (Requires download to open), (MS Word, 24 KB)

• Implementation Plan for the Forest Service Fire Program Management Qualification Standards and Guide, October 17, 2013, (PDF, 189 KB)

  • Appendix A - Position Identification, August 15, 2011 (PDF, 159 KB)

  • Appendix B - Determination of Qualifications, August 15, 2011 (PDF, 84 KB)

  • Appendix C - Notification of Qualifications, August 15, 2011 (PDF, 116 KB)

  • Appendix D - Employment Agreement, August 15, 2011 (PDF, 156 KB)