Frequently Asked Questions

Crosswalk and Gap courses

What is the Crosswalk?

The Crosswalk was developed through analysis and comparison of specific NWCG (National Wildfire Coordinating Group) Position Task Books with counterpart NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) position standards. The Crosswalk provides structural firefighters trained to NFPA Standard 1001 or 1021 (or equivalent) an academic and training framework for development of wildland firefighting skills. Wildland fire concept lesson modules and skills proficiency exercises are focused and incorporate a structural firefighter’s existing fire suppression knowledge and skills. In this fashion, the Crosswalk uses training time efficiently by minimizing curriculum redundancies between structure and wildland fire suppression training.

Who developed the Crosswalk?

Representatives from NWCG member organizations (Department of Interior, United States Forest Service, United States Fire Administration, and the National Association of State Foresters) worked with subject matter experts from the North American State Fire Training Directors, the International Association of Fire Chiefs, and the National Fire Protection Association to develop the Crosswalk.

Who can use the Crosswalk?

The Crosswalk was designed for use by structural firefighters meeting the NFPA Standard 1001 (NFPA Firefighter I and II) or NFPA Standard 1021 (Fire Officer I or higher); or those trained to an equivalent national structural fire training standard, as determined and certified by the fire department chief. Candidates must successfully assemble and use resource kits provided for each specific NWCG qualification.

Who will benefit from use of the Crosswalk?

Many structural firefighters have been fighting wildland fire within their communities with little or no specialized training; enhanced training will improve their safety and efficiency. Local departments become more effective in protecting their communities and in working cooperatively in mutual aid with neighboring communities and jurisdictions. Local firefighting resources are used effectively, reducing fire suppression costs. Firefighters gain NWCG qualifications through this reciprocity system and may earn certification for national-level wildfire incident mobilization. In this way, capacity can be expanded by increasing the pool of wildland firefighting resources nationally.

Where do I obtain the Crosswalk document?

The document is available on the USFA’s Website.

I have the Crosswalk document, and would like to implement this program in my department. What’s the next step?

There are several preliminary steps necessary before beginning coursework and other activities:

Step One: Determine what wildland position qualifications you are seeking.

Is it Firefighter Type 2 or 1, Engine Boss, or Strike Team Leader Engine? The following guide will help determine the appropriate position for the candidate.

• NWCG Firefighter Type 2 (FFT2): Crosswalking into FFT2 is appropriate for an entry-level structural firefighter (NFPA Firefighter 1). The basic S- 130 and S-190 courses, to include field exercises, are the requirements for this certification level.
• NWCG Firefighter Type 1 (FFT1): Crosswalking into FFT1 is appropriate for experienced structural firefighters (NFPA Firefighter II). Completion of the FFT1 Position Task Book (PTB) is necessary; candidates may begin the PTB prior to completing the required Crosswalk learning modules or Gap course.
• NWCG Single Resource Boss-Engine (ENGB): Crosswalking into ENGB is appropriate for experienced structural firefighters who manage engine operations (i.e. engineers, driver/operators), and structural firefighters at the lieutenant/captain rank (NFPA Standard 1021, level 1-3 ). Completion of the ENGB PTB is necessary.
• NWCG Strike Team Leader, Engine (STEN): Crosswalking into STEN is appropriate for experienced captains and battalion chiefs meeting NFPA Standard 1021 or equivalent. Completion of the STEN PTB is necessary.

Step Two: Determine the "Authority Having Jurisdiction" (AHJ) for the Position.

• What is an AHJ? The designated "authority having jurisdiction" (AHJ) plays a primary role in use and administration of the crosswalk system. The AHJ is defined in NFPA 1143, "Standard of Wildland Fire Management, 2003 Edition" as an organization, office, or individual responsible for enforcing the requirements of a code or standard, or for approving equipment, materials, installation or a procedure. (pg. 1143-4). State and/or local law designates the AHJ for wildland fire protection within a given jurisdiction. Fire Department Chiefs, the State Fire Marshal, State Foresters, Training Officers, and other qualified fire protection officials are typically designated as the AHJ.
• Who is the AHJ in my area? States, counties and geographic areas have developed a patchwork of diverse rules regarding wildland fire position certification. Administrative processes and rules on qualifications and certification vary across states and sometimes by position. For example, in some states, the AHJ for all NWCG positions is the State Forester or equivalent office (i.e. Department of Natural Resources). In other states, the local Fire Chief is the AHJ for NWCG positions up through and including ENGB; still others allow the Fire Chief to serve as the AHJ for NWCG FFT1 and FFT2. You�ll need to know if the AHJ for the position will accept equivalency earned through completion of the Crosswalk/Gap courses, the administrative procedures he/she uses, and how the certification process is managed.
• Why is this important? Use of the Crosswalk is discretionary within any state; in other words, the state government (i.e. State Forester’s Office) is not compelled to recognize completion of the Crosswalk as an equivalent qualification option. In this case, a fire department may use the Crosswalk if they intend to operate only within their jurisdiction, but qualifications of firefighters using the Crosswalk may not be accepted on lands outside of the department’s jurisdiction.

Step Three: Obtain the curriculum materials.

Once the Gap courses are released, information on how to obtain will be made available.

Step Four: Coordinate with local training officials to facilitate any mandatory classroom and field sessions.

The modules you must complete, and the materials you will need are described in the Crosswalk document. The modules have been organized into Gap courses for each of the four positions and details on the release date and how to access the courses will be announced on a USFA PREPnet Webcast. The initial distribution of the Gap courses has been sponsored by the USFA. Effective February 1, 2009, Gap courses may be obtained through the NWCG Publications Ordering System, as are all other NWCG courses.

Who validates the firefighter’s eligibility to use the Crosswalk?

The Fire Department Chief certifies the candidate’s eligibility for Crosswalk use (meeting NFPA Standard 1001 and/or NFPA Standard 1021, or equivalent). This may be provided in the form of a brief memo on letterhead, e-mail communication, or other means agreed upon with your local federal and/or state cooperators, and local geographic coordination centers (GACCs) you may work with. The firefighter should retain this documentation in his/her portfolio.

What are the AHJ’s record- keeping responsibilities?

The AHJ is responsible for maintaining appropriate documentation on all candidates using the Crosswalk to earn NWCG equivalency certification. The AHJ is the official or office making final qualification decisions and issuing red cards. The administrative requirements for the Crosswalk are not significantly different than that required for AHJs issuing standard NWCG certifications. The AHJ should retain copies of training completion certificates or transcripts, correspondence, performance evaluations, and other items supporting their decisions on candidate qualifications and certification.

When a firefighter completes learning modules from specific courses specified in the Crosswalk, does the course instructor:

• Test him / her on the module content only, or test them on the entire course?

Provide the candidate with the same test for the entire course that is required from the other students. This validates their knowledge of the entire course content, and should not be burdensome for them to complete.

• Issue a certificate for completion the entire course, or just the prescribed modules?

Completion of the prescribed course modules by crosswalk-eligible candidates is deemed equivalent to completion of the standard course.

Use of NWCG certificates as stated in the Field Managers Course Guide: Students that successfully complete a course sponsored by a NWCG member agency will receive a NWCG certificate. This includes students who did not meet the course prerequisites but were allowed in the course due to agency specific policy or unusual home unit need. NWCG course completion certificates will only be issued to students completing courses sponsored by NWCG member agencies (for a list of member agencies see NWCG Website). Educational institutions, contractor associations, and non-member agencies will not utilize the NWCG course certificate unless their lead instructor is an authorized representative of an NWCG member agency. Educational institutions or private training providers have the authority to issue certificates of course completion for NWCG courses, which bear the logo or insignia of that institution or company. All students are encouraged to keep their course certificates.

Instructors, training officers and GACCs may wish to coordinate locally to determine a consistent procedure with regard to certificates, if needed.

How is the Position Task Book (PTB) used within the Crosswalk? When can I begin my PTB?

First, it’s important to know PTBs for all positions were revised in May 2008. A PTB is valid for three years from the day it is initiated upon documentation of the first task in the PTB, the three-year time limit is reset from the new dates. If the PTB is not completed in three years from the date of the PTB initiation (or first task being evaluated) the PTB will no longer be valid. PTB will no longer be valid. A new PTB may be initiated, but all current qualification standards will then apply.

• What’s new about the position task books? What has changed?

The May 2008 PTB revision incorporates important changes have been made to PTBs for all NWCG positions. The PTBs have been revised to create a better connection between the tasks and the overall competency (skill or behavior) that is desired; tasks are matched to the competencies and behaviors, and are not in sequential order as in previous versions. Task books can now be initiated prior to completion of all required training but Trainees cannot become fully qualified for the position until the required training has been successfully completed. Tasks that were not meaningful to the desired behaviors have been deleted, and those found to be unnecessarily redundant have been removed. Some PTBs have added tasks to ensure the trainee demonstrates the needed skill for advancement into a fully qualified status

• Who can evaluate trainees? Are there any changes in the way PTBs are signed off?

Evaluators must be either qualified in the position being evaluated or supervise the trainee; however, Final Evaluators must be qualified in the trainee position they are evaluating. The term "qualified" means "qualified with currency." The protocol and procedures for signing off trainees have not changed. However, within this new format, evaluators are encouraged to look at the individual in terms of the competencies and behaviors, rather than focus exclusively on whether they can perform each discrete task.

I�ve completed the Crosswalk requirements; my PTB is complete and signed off. Can I be dispatched to national-level fire assignments outside of my jurisdiction or state?

Position certifications of firefighters and company officers completing the crosswalk process are accepted by NWCG member organizations as fully equivalent to standard NWCG certifications.

State-level laws and policies vary. Qualifying structural fire personnel may be mobilized for wildland fire operations outside their local jurisdictional area. Remember, the state’s recognition of the Crosswalk is discretionary. The state-level AHJ determines policy on firefighter qualifications for fire assignments; this office must ensure compliance with PMS 310-1, but also has the latitude to recognize equivalent qualifications. Fire departments most often enter into pre-season agreements with the state�level AHJ in order to be a statused resource in the state or GACC-level resource data base. It is recommended departments coordinate with the state-level AHJ on requirements for out-of state assignments.

What are the NWCG positions used for the Crosswalk?

Four specific NWCG positions are incorporated in the Crosswalk, each paired with a counterpart structural position as described in NFPA Standard 1001 or Standard1021, as shown below:

Structural Fire Counterpart Position	NWCG Position
Non-Supervisory Structural Firefighter, Basic	Firefighter 2 (FF2)*
Non-Supervisory Structural Firefighter, Advanced	Firefighter 1 (FF1)*
Driver/Operator/Engineer or Company Officer	Single-Engine Resource Boss (ENGB)
Experienced lieutenants, captains, chief officers	Strike Team Leader (STEN)

* NWCG firefighter position designations 1 and 2 are opposite of NFPA designation (Firefighter 1 = Advanced)

How is the Crosswalk Used?

The crosswalk system can be administered by State fire training authorities, state, county or city municipalities, rural fire districts, individual fire departments, or other agencies and organizations.

The AHJ determines firefighter eligibility for crosswalk system use. The Crosswalk matrix indicates the specific academic and practical exercises needed to address wildland fire suppression skills gaps for the specific NWCG position, and how to obtain information and associated materials for the lessons. Learning activities vary in their formats and venues. Substantial portions of the curriculum are available in modular self-study formats, such as web-based interactive lessons, CD-ROM, or written material. Other lessons require a structured instructor-facilitated setting, simulations, and hands-on field exercises for completion. Ideally, training officials should use the NWCG lesson components within the context of their own training development.

The NWCG Position Task Books serve as a framework for the successful performance and thorough documentation of required tasks, behavior and knowledge detailed in the crosswalk system. Additional or alternative types of training and experience documentation are acceptable, but must be equivalent in content to the position task book used for the position.

Upon completion of required academic and performance tasks, the AHJ reviews the candidate’s crosswalk documentation, with additional consideration of his or her knowledge of the candidate’s skills, abilities, experience, aptitudes and overall fit for the position. The AHJ has the authority to certify the individual as qualified for the NWCG position at that time, or to require additional study and/or practical training for certification.

What are the roles and responsibilities of the AHJ and the Firefighter?

NWCG and the US Fire Administration expect that fire protection organizations assuming wildland duties do so with safety as a first priority. The Crosswalk was developed to improve safety and operational effectiveness in wildland fire suppression activities. The Crosswalk acknowledges the existing skills of qualified structural personnel and accordingly allows for a more fully performance-based approach to qualifications. Successful implementation and of the Crosswalk - and it’s credibility as a system of certification and equivalency for the structural fire service- depends on the professionalism and accountability of its users. As such, participants in the crosswalk process have distinct roles and responsibilities to protect crosswalk integrity.

The AHJ is responsible for:

• Ensuring and certifying that a firefighter has satisfied crosswalk system requirements according to guidelines.
• Conducting rigorous and appropriate testing and assessments demonstrating the firefighter’s knowledge and ability to safely and effectively perform required skills through on-the-job performance, simulations, drills and exercises, or a combination of like situations
• Thoughtful and careful evaluation of a firefighter’s overall suitability for wildland firefighting position certifications attained through the crosswalk procedure. In doing so, he/she assumes considerable professional responsibility in this determination.
• Issuing qualifications cards or other documentation of qualification, as locally appropriate or legally required.
• Maintain documentation supporting certifications for all personnel using the Crosswalk.

The Firefighter is responsible for:

• Honest assessment of his or her own abilities, aptitudes, and overall suitability for assuming wildland firefighting positions.
• Completion of all Crosswalk academic and practical lesson components.
• Maintenance of accurate and thorough documentation of relevant wildland fire training and experience.
• Consistent review of learning materials and completion of appropriate refresher sessions and exercises

What are the benefits of the Crosswalk and Gap courses?

Most importantly, the use of Crosswalk enhances firefighter safety in wildland operations through enhanced technical training and improved situational and operational awareness.

Qualified structural firefighters already possess basic knowledge and competencies, and the Crosswalk focuses study and practical learning exercises on only critical wildland fire suppression concepts not addressed in structural training curriculum. Conceptual redundancies between wildland and structural fire suppression training programs are then significantly reduced. Completion of the standard NWCG curriculum would require over 200 classroom hours to complete coursework required for Strike Team Leader. The Crosswalk enables a qualified company officer (NFPA Standard 1021 or equivalent) to complete focused coursework in 94 hours.

What are the four Gap courses?

• G-130, Wildland Training (FFT2) for Structural Firefighters
• G-131, Wildland Training (FFT1) for Structural Firefighters
• G-231, Wildland Training (ENGB) for Structural Firefighters
• G-330, Wildland Training STEN) for Structural Firefighters

What do Gap courses provide for structural firefighters?

The Gap courses provide structural firefighters with the information and the skills training that they need to fight wildland fires. They are called "Gap" because structural firefighters already have significant firefighting experience but do not have specific knowledge of wildland fires. The skills that they need were identified in the Skills Crosswalk. Each Gap course is composed entirely of NWCG training material pulled into specific courses.

How are the courses to be used?

State fire training authorities, state, county or city municipalities, rural fire districts, individual fire departments, or the agencies and organization responsible for local firefighter training and/or certification may use the Gap courses to teach the wildland skills. They may serve as an avenue of equivalency with NWCG standards with the concurrency of the Authority Having Jurisdiction.

How can I obtain the courses?

The courses are available in CD-ROM format only. The CD-ROM contains the student workbook, instructor manual, and other course materials. Copies have been sent to each State Fire Training Director, State Forester, and Metropolitan Representatives. The CD-ROM can also be obtained through the NWCG Publications Ordering system, as are all other NWCG courses.

Who can I contact for additional information?

Robert J. Bennett
Training Specialist
National Fire Academy/USFA
(301) 447-1483

Kelly Hawk
Community Protection Specialist
Bureau of Land Management
National Interagency Fire Center
(208) 387-5984