What is a red card certification?

Category: events and attractions outdoor activities
4.1/5 (58 Views . 10 Votes)
The Incident Qualification Card, commonly called a Red Card, is an accepted interagency certification that a person is qualified to do the required job when arriving on an incident. The National Wildfire Coordinating Group sets minimum training, experience, and physical fitness standards for wildland fire positions.



Similarly one may ask, how do you get a red card certified?

  1. a minimum 32 hours of training (S-130/190 Basic Firefighting and Wildland Fire Behavior)
  2. demonstration of physical fitness at the “arduous” level, by completion of the Pack Test — walking 3 miles in 45 minutes or less carrying a 45 pound pack.
  3. an employing agency to certify the individual.

One may also ask, what certifications do I need to be a wildland firefighter? Aspiring wildland firefighters commonly complete high school or pass the GED test. Completion of an associate's degree program or higher in fire science may prove beneficial during the application process. Wildland firefighters must be able to withstand strenuous physical activity and largely work outdoors.

Also asked, what do you need to do to pass the pack test?

For the Pack Test, begin by hiking a 3-mile flat course without a pack. When you can cover the course in less than 45 minutes, add a pack with about 25 pounds. Increase the weight until you can hike 3 miles in 45 minutes while carrying 45 pounds. Also, hike hills with a pack to build leg strength and endurance.

How much do hotshots make an hour?

As a federal worker, a Hotshot Firefighter earns an average of $13 per hour during off-season. The pay increases during the peak fire season where they work up to 16 hours, sometimes even extending up to 48-64 hours. They earn an average salary of $40,000 during a six-month season (including overtime and hazard pay).

36 Related Question Answers Found

Does a red card expire?

Red cards remain valid after 1 July 2008, and do not need to be transferred to construction induction cards; a construction statement of attainment issued by an RTO, pending processing of a construction induction card, or.

How much do firemen make?

How much do firefighters get paid? According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average firefighter makes about $46,870 annually or $22.53 per hour.

How do you get a red card for firefighting?

Above the Engine Boss level, it's necessary that personnel complete the required training and position task book for the desired position. Once the task book and training are complete, and personnel demonstrate proficiency at the desired level, a Red Card will be issued at that level.

How long does it take to get a red card?

Applying for the Target REDcard
With the online application, you simply fill out a few forms and submit your information. You may be approved instantly, or your application may require further review. It can take up to 7-10 days to find out if you have been approved for the card.

What does a hot shot do?


In the United States, an Interagency hotshot crew (IHC), or simply hotshot crew, is an elite handcrew consisting of 20-22 wildland firefighters, with specific qualifications to provide leadership for initial-attack and extended-attack on wildland fires across the nation.

What does it take to be a hotshot?

Are you physically fit to be a hotshot?
  • 1.5 mile run in a time of 10:35 or less.
  • 40 sit-ups in 60 seconds.
  • 25 pushups in 60 seconds.
  • Chin-ups, based on body weight. More than 170 lbs. = 4 chin-ups. 135-170 lbs. = 5 chin-ups. 110-135 lbs. = 6 chin-ups. Less than 110 lbs. = 7 chin-ups.

What is a firefighter Type 2?

Firefighter Type 2 certification qualifies a firefighter to fight wildfires, as well as work to prevent, suppress and mitigate wildfire situations. A firefighter must obtain an FFT2 certification, often called a red card, to be considered for any job related to fighting or preventing wildfires.

How do I join hotshot crew?

The path to becoming a Hotshot can vary, but it typically includes experience as a Type-2 Firefighter on a Fire Engine Module, Type 2 Handcrew, Fire Use Module, or Helitack Crew with one of the Federal land management agencies (such as the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, or National Park Service).

Is the Pack Test hard?

what exactly is the Pack Test? The pack test might seem a bit intimidating to those new to fire, and at first blush, it does seem a bit challenging. A 45lb pack is heavy. Three miles is a decent distance, and 45 minutes seems like a stiff pace.

How many wildland firefighters die a year?


From 1990 to 2017, there have been 485 firefighters killed during activities involving brush, grass or wildland firefighting — an average of 17 deaths per year. There were an average of 12 such deaths per year over the past decade.

How much money do Smokejumpers make a year?

Each grade is divided into 10 steps. For example, the GS-5 pay for smokejumpers goes up to $31,087 per year for step 5 and reaches a maximum of $35,657 yearly at step 10. The differences between each step amounts to an annual $914.

How long is the pack test?

Pack Test: The pack test is a job-related test of the capacity for arduous work. It consists of a 3-mile hike with a 45-pound pack over level terrain. A time of 45 minutes, the passing score for the test, approximates an aerobic fitness score of 45, the established standard for wildland firefighters.

What is Test Pack?

The test pack is the fundamental unit of test development. It is a collection of tests that evaluate a coherent set of device capabilities, that is, those which have a close functional relationship. Often these tests are derived from a single specification.

How much do forest firefighters make an hour?

Many move on to full time work in other fields so employment turnover is high in this occupation. Rates of pay for certified wildland firefighters range from $19.44 to $23.93 an hour (2010 estimates).

How much do forest firefighters make in California?

Wildland Firefighter Annual Salary in California ($52,721 Avg | Feb 2020) - ZipRecruiter.

What are the requirements to become a hotshot?

In addition to physical and educational requirements, all applicants must be at least 18 years old and have a high school diploma or equivalent degree. Aspiring wildland firefighters may find that fire departments or other potential employers prefer to hire people with previous firefighting experience.