How to Get a Red Card When You’re Not Part of a Fire Agency

If you’re a landowner, volunteer, contractor, or aspiring fire practitioner, you might assume that getting a Red Card (Incident Qualification Card) is only possible through a fire department or government agency. Fortunately, that’s not the case.

The Healthy Forest Alliance Foundation provides a clear, legitimate pathway for individuals not affiliated with a fire agency to earn and maintain a Red Card—while staying compliant with NWCG standards.

Below is a step-by-step guide based on the process outlined on our website and used by hundreds of prescribed fire practitioners across California.

What Is a Red Card?

A Red Card is an official Incident Qualification Card (IQCS) that verifies you meet the training, experience, and fitness requirements for a specific wildland fire or prescribed fire position (such as FFT2, RXCM, FIRB, etc.).

Red Cards are required to:

• Participate on prescribed burns

• Assist with wildfire incidents

• Work on NWCG Position Task Books

• Operate under incident command safely and legally

Who This Process Is For

This pathway is designed for:

• Prescribed fire practitioners

• Private landowners and ranchers

• Members of Prescribed Burn Associations (PBAs)

• Forestry and fuels contractors

• Volunteers and trainees

• Non-agency firefighters

You do not need to be employed by CAL FIRE, the USFS, or a local fire department.

Step-by-Step: How to Get a Red Card Through Healthy Forest Alliance

1. Become a Fire Practitioner Member

To issue Red Cards, an organization must act as a qualified issuing unit. Healthy Forest Alliance Foundation fulfills this role for paid Fire Practitioner Members.

Membership gives you access to:

• NWCG Task Book initiation

• Training records management

• Experience tracking

• Incident Qualification Card issuance

2. Complete Required Training

You must complete the NWCG-required courses for your target position. For example, FFT2 typically requires:

• S-130 Firefighter Training

• S-190 Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior

• L-180 Human Factors

• I-100 / ICS-100

Training certificates are uploaded to your My Training Documents area in the HFA member portal.

3. Gain Supervised Field Experience

Experience must be:

• Documented on actual prescribed fires or wildfire incidents

• Supervised by qualified personnel

• Logged in the Fire Practitioner Experience Database

Healthy Forest Alliance events, partner PBAs, and approved projects all count toward experience.

4. Complete (If Required) a Position Task Book

Some positions require an NWCG Position Task Book (PTB). HFA can:

• Initiate your task book

• Assign qualified evaluators

• Track progress and final certification

5. Meet the Fitness Requirement

Each Red Card position has a fitness level (Arduous, Moderate, or Light).

You must complete the appropriate Work Capacity Test (Pack Test) or approved equivalent and submit documentation.

6. Request Your Red Card

Once all requirements are met, you can request your Incident Qualification Card directly through the Healthy Forest Alliance member system.

HFA will:

• Review your training, experience, and fitness

• Verify compliance with NWCG standards

• Issue your official Red Card

Cards are typically issued annually and must be maintained with refresher training and updated experience.

Why Use Healthy Forest Alliance?

Healthy Forest Alliance Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to expanding access to prescribed fire training and qualifications—especially for people outside traditional agencies.

Through our programs, we:

• Remove barriers to entry

• Support community-based fire capacity

• Maintain NWCG-compliant records and oversight

• Help practitioners build legitimate fire careers

This system is widely used by PBAs, landowners, and emerging fire professionals across California.

Ready to Get Started?

If you’re serious about prescribed fire, wildfire response, or building qualifications outside an agency structure, this pathway is built for you.

Visit HealthyForestAlliance.org to:

• Join as a Fire Practitioner

• View training opportunities

• Track experience

• Request a Red Card

Good fire starts with qualified people—and everyone deserves a path to get there.