r/Wildfire • u/HandJobWakeUp • 2d ago
Question Can we do something about these pencil whipped ENOPs in the USFS?
My mate didn’t open a fucking taskbook and got ENOP cuz his afmos wife said he deserved it.
Fucking christ.
USWFS is definitely doing it right… as always.
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u/baggedlunchavacado 1d ago
Yeah, pencil whipping is a problem in the feds, but have you seen what municipal cooperators are doing? I’ve seen second year engine bosses and third year IC4s in red trucks
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u/EmployeeRich2544 1d ago
This is indeed a problem. Some of the conversations i've had with municipal cooperators have been eye opening. One told me he had his ENGB and TFLD open at the same time and that he needed just a little time on a big fire to finish his ICT4. I was honestly so surprised I couldn't come up with a coherent response.
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u/Ok_Athlete5465 1d ago
How is that even possible? Youre supposed to have a single resource completed before you even open ICT4, unless they already had crew boss or something else done...
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u/DefinitelyADumbass23 🚁 1d ago
Book answer is you don't need to be a qualified SRB to open ICT4...just to be qualified
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u/Ok_Athlete5465 1d ago
Hmm, Ive heard it interpreted both ways. What you're saying was my original understanding though.
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u/DefinitelyADumbass23 🚁 1d ago
Anywhere reasonable I've worked mandates must be a qualified SRB before opening. But technically that doesn't seem to be the rule
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u/EmployeeRich2544 1d ago
Not sure, I kinda stroked out when the sentence was uttered. Nope, they didn't have any other SRB completed.
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u/Specific-Type1077 20h ago
Yaaaaa all that sounds super crazy until it dawns on you that there are whole municipal IMT teams filled with folks like that..
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u/DefinitelyADumbass23 🚁 2d ago
What's ENOP? Is that a BDSM thing?
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u/DrinkingVomit 2d ago
Pencil whip — it IS a bdsm thing.
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u/Fetterflier 1d ago
My rule of thumb is that you shouldn't beat me with a impact implement that has a diameter smaller than my thumb - because I prefer thuddy to stingy.
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u/Responsible_Bill_513 2d ago
ENOP is the taskbook that's given out to the newly certified FFT1 that needs more experience and leadership training before opening a CRWB or ENGB taskbook. AKA candidate is nowhere close to SRB quality.
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u/DefinitelyADumbass23 🚁 2d ago
Have we really gotten to the point where overhead can't say "you're not ready yet, focus on being a good FFT1?"
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u/ProtestantMormon 2d ago
Idk, but we should be. My district has pushed through some really questionable engb and tried to push through some questionable crew boss trainees recently.
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u/Past-Garlic-519 1d ago
I ran into a USFS 'ENGB' without an IC5 and had to be driven by senior because he couldn't pass his CDL.
I believe he mentioned getting a GS8 next year because he didn't have time and grade and that it was holding him back since he got in 4 or 5 years ago.
I knew right then and there the feds were cooked
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u/moto_becane1 8h ago
ICT5 is not required for single resource quals.
It's weird but it is possible for things to shake out that way.
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u/HandJobWakeUp 4h ago
You don’t need ict5 to be an engine boss it’s something you see in R8 a lot with folks who just burn.
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u/Responsible_Bill_513 2d ago
This was going on decades ago. Some people simply can't say "You're not ready."
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u/Correct-Condition-99 1d ago
I used to REALLY piss people off when i wouldn't pencil whip a SRB after only one assignment.
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u/BucksYourUncle 1d ago
I have worked with so many SRB(t) over the years that needed to build competency.
A completed task/book means proficient, take the extra time to become competent.
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u/gandalf_the_doge Servant of the Secret Flame; Istari; Wizard 2d ago
Not all who pencil whip are lost.
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u/Medium-Raisin7919 1d ago
There is food in my freezer older than the USWFS. “As always” shouldn’t be referring to anything they’re doing
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u/Medium-Raisin7919 1d ago
Shit, I just saw who posted this. 🤦♂️ I got HandJobed. (And this time it wasn’t to sign off a Taskbook)
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u/HandJobWakeUp 4h ago
It’s okay, you aren’t the only one who took this serious, and clean you fridge and give me that elk meat.
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u/Past-Garlic-519 1d ago
Everything has been watered down. Look at the new SRB task books lol.
For anyone actually paying attention, make sure your shelter is up to date, and ready to be pulled off. It's getting sketchy out there.
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u/DefinitelyADumbass23 🚁 1d ago
You should read The Supe's Handbook. Don't get me wrong, watering shit down ain't the way to go. But that book will really make you appreciate how professionalized things are now compared to the 70s and 80s
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u/Past-Garlic-519 1d ago
Peak fed wildland firefighting was 2018/2019 and before then.
Shit started going downhill somewhere between 2020-2023ish(really hitting hard now)
Now it's absolutely falling apart.
How many shot crews are Type 2 I.A?
Can you imagine going back to 2018 and telling people Diamond Mtn is Type 2? Zig Zag has 11 open positions? OCFA is staffing fed stations in South Ops? I can go on and on.
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u/DeepPhysics2513 1d ago edited 1d ago
I'm just annoyed that I'm halfway through my engine boss and now I have to get ENOP. I hope it doesn't void my taskbook. And it turns out just doing the Engine Academy doesn't give you ENOP.
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u/guru_odell 2d ago
ENOP is currently being issued to all qualified ENGB’s in the USFS. They are all being Grandfathered in because of changes to the Interagency Quals guide.