Course Target Group:
Personnel desiring to be qualified as fire behavior analyst (FBAN) and or long term fire analyst (LTAN) in wildland fire management operations. Nominees must identify which position(s) they are targeting on their nomination form.
Course Description:
This course was developed using a blended approach to learning, meaning that it contains a mix of online and instructor-led training (ILT). Students are required to complete the online training portion of the course prior to taking the ILT.
S-590 is an intensive course designed to provide prospective FBANs and LTANs with the groundwork they will need to succeed throughout the training process. The course focuses on the interpretation of fire behavior products and emphasizes the importance of communicating this information effectively. Ensuring the operational relevance of fire behavior information and inclusion of operational concerns into forecasts and briefings is highlighted as a key skill to providing useful input for both tactical and strategic decisions as well as being critical to fire fighter safety. The course focuses on the interpretation of fire behavior outputs and models on a variety of time scales ranging from immediate operational concerns to answering longer term strategic questions.
S-590 is a highly interactive class with full participation required from all students. Course material is presented through a combination of online material and exercises. The residence portion of the class addresses key topics interspersed with in depth fire scenarios. During the fire simulations, students will produce products, briefings and documentation under tight time constraints as they would on a fire assignment.
Class size is limited to 50 participants.
Course Objectives:
- Describe the FBAN/LTAN responsibilities and interactions with managers, management teams, meteorologists, and others.
- Demonstrate skills in analyzing, interpreting, displaying, and communicating fire behavior information and its implications.
- Demonstrate the ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing appropriate wildland fire behavior predictive information.
- Recognize the importance of and demonstrate the ability to prepare fire behavior documentation.
Total Hours: 80
Course Prerequisites:
Students seeking qualification as a fire behavior analyst (FBAN):
Training Prerequisites
- Advanced Wildland Fire Behavior Calculations (S-490)
Position Prerequisites
- Division group supervisor (DIVS)
Students seeking qualification as a long term fire analyst (LTAN):
Training Prerequisites
- Advanced Wildland Fire Behavior Calculations (S-490)
- Intermediate National Fire Danger Rating System (S-491)
- Geospatial Fire Analysis, Interpretation and Application (S-495)
Position Prerequisites
- Fire effects monitor (FEMO)
- Firing boss, single resource (FIRB)
Pre-Selection Assessment
All nominees will need to successfully complete a pre-selection assessment that requires proficiency in the skills taught in S-490. This is a 4 hour time limited and proctored test. Proficiency in the use of BehavePlus is critical to passing the S-590 pre-selection assessment.
Mentoring Program
An active mentoring program exists for FBAN and LTAN mentees to gain experience prior to attending S-590. S-590 Steering Committee, Geographic Area Coordinating Groups, Training Representatives and Coordination Centers work together in the priority placement of mentees with qualified FBANs and LTANs. Participation is not mandatory but has proven to assist confidence in the classroom. After getting support from your supervisor and unit Training Officer, contact your Geographic Area Training Representative to get more information about the mentoring program. The S-590 Course Coordinator may also assist with concerns or issues regarding the mentoring program.
For this program to be successful the following actions must occur:
- Geographic Area Coordinating Groups (GACG) must take a nationally consistent and active role in the identification, prioritization and nomination of candidates.
- Current Fire Behavior Analysts (FBAN) and Long-Term Fire Analysts (LTAN) take an active role in the mentoring of identified candidates.
- Mentoring opportunities provide candidates with meaningful experiences as Behave Technical Specialists, Geospatial Anaylst GSAN and as FBAN and or LTAN trainees.
Computer Requirements
All participants attending S-590 will need to provide their own laptop, portable printer and data cable.
Students should be equipped with the hardware (laptop & printer), and software to function as an FBAN and or LTAN and be self-sufficient at the course as if they were in the field. A detailed listing of hardware and software needs will be included in the course selection letter.
Additional Information
Success in S-590 will depend on the student's communication skills, both written and oral.
Additional skills could be obtained by completing the following:
- Facilitative Instructor (M-410) or other public speaking and technical writing courses.
- Participating in the S-590 Mentoring Program.
- Instructing portions of Advanced Fire Behavior Calculations (S-490) course.
- Attending Geospatial Fire Analysis (S-495), Interpretation and Application course. S-495 Self Paced Study material is available online through the FRAMES OCS
- Review of and practice with the BehavePlus program.
S-590 is a national level training course and as such participants can expect long days.