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Unit Identifier Board

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Mission Statement

Mission Statement

The Unit Identifier Board (UIB) provides national leadership in the approval and use of Unit Identifiers in support of effective fire management decision-making. Primary objectives include

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Primary Objectives

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  • Manage NWCG data standards, business rules, and processes related to Unit Identifiers and associated information.
  • Publish current Unit Identifiers in the document NWCG Unit Identifiers, PMS 931.
  • Ensure standards and processes are implemented consistently by Geographic Area Coordination Centers, agencies, and applications.

From the markings on a wildland fire engine to every incident listed on the daily Incident Management Situation Report (IMSR), the Unit Identifier (UI) is an integral piece of information.

Unit Identifiers may be the most fundamental and essential informational elements for the interagency incident management community because they uniquely identify organizational units within that community. Unit Identifiers are created by the interagency incident management community. They are the standard way organizational units communicate who they are, the incidents they are hosting, and the resources they provide, in a way that is common among agencies and applications.

In the past, misunderstandings, assumptions, lack of standards, and inconsistent utilization of Unit Identifiers has led to mistakes and inefficiencies, such as lost time and increased costs. Users were often forced to conduct uncoordinated and divergent workarounds to achieve desired outcomes.

Geographic Area Unit Identifier Data Custodians

Alaska Interagency Coordinator Center (USAKACC)

Name Email Phone
Peter Butteri Peter_Butteri@fws.gov (907) 356-5874
Jennifer Humphrey jhumphre@blm.gov (907) 356-5690

Northern California Area Coordination Center (USCAONCC)

Name Email Phone
Chris Bunker laura.bunker@usda.gov (530) 226-2800
Laurie Forni laurie.forni@usda.gov (530) 226-2800

Southern California Area Coordination Center (USCAOSCC)

Name Email Phone
Manuel Salas manuel.salas@usda.gov (951) 276-6725

Eastern Area Coordination Center (USWIEACC)

Name Email Phone
Jennifer Parrish jennifer.parrish@usda.gov (414) 391-6090

Great Basin Coordination Center (USUTGBC)

Name Email Phone
Gina Dingman gdingman@blm.gov (801) 531-5320

Northern Rockies Coordination Center (USMTNRC)

Name Email Phone
Jay McCallister jmcallis@blm.gov (406) 329-4880

Northwest Area Coordination Center (USORNWC)

Name Email Phone
Gina Papke gina.papke@usda.gov (503) 277-3391

Rocky Mountain Area Coordination Center (USCORMC)

Name Email Phone
Rob Juhola robert.juhola@bia.gov (303) 445-4304
Travis Hartsburg travis.hartsburg@usda.gov (303) 320-3000

Southern Area Coordination Center (USGASAC)

Name Email Phone
Nancy Ellsworth Dana.Ellsworth@usda.gov (678) 320-3000

Southwest Area Coordination Center (USNMSWC)

Name Email Phone
Kenan Jaycox kenan.jaycox@usda.gov (505) 842-3473
Juan Ortiz juan.ortiz@usda.gov (505) 842-3472

Unit Identifier Presentation

Chair: Gina Papke, Chair; Kara Stringer, Co-Chair

NWCG Coordinator: Dave Schultz

Parent Committee: Data Management Committee

Meeting Schedule: TBD

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NWCG Latest Announcements

Great Basin Cache Upgrading to New Inventory System

Date: May 7, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Great Basin Cache
Phone: (208) 387-5104
Fax: (208) 387-5573

The Great Basin Cache (GBK) is transitioning to a new inventory system to better serve the wildland fire community. During this upgrade, GBK will be unable to process standard orders from Part 1: Fire Supplies and Equipment and Part 2: Publications between May 8-20, 2025, with exceptions made for emergency fire orders. Orders will be accepted through close of business May 7.

To browse the latest available items, please refer to the National Fire Equipment System (NFES) catalogs. 

References:

NWCG NFES Catalog-Part 1: Fire Supplies and Equipment, PMS 449-1

NWCG NFES Catalog-Part 2: Publications, PMS 449-2

NEW! Air Operations Summary (ICS 220 WF) Now Available

Date: May 2, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
National Interagency Aviation Committee

The Air Operations Summary (ICS 220 WF) provides the Air Operations Branch with the number, type, location, and specific assignments of helicopters and air resources. The new ICS 220 WF also includes medical extraction capabilities and air resources tracking.

Understanding the capabilities of aviation assets is critical for effective medical and extraction responses. Coordination with the Medical Unit Leader is essential to ensure alignment and consistency between the ICS 220 WF and the Medical Plan (ICS 206 WF). 

References:

Air Operations Summary (ICS 220 WF)

National Interagency Aviation Committee

Incident Command System (ICS) Forms

Incident Position Standards and Next Generation Position Task Book Available for Firing Boss, Single Resource

Date: April 30, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Fuels Management Committee

NWCG is excited to announce that the NWCG Incident Position Standards for Firing Boss, Single Resource, PMS 350-105, and the NWCG Position Task Book for Firing Boss, Single Resource (FIRB), PMS 311-105, are now available. 

These resources, part of the Performance Support Package developed through the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) effort, support trainees, qualified personnel, and evaluators. 

Any changes to qualification pathways will take effect with the next update of the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1.

 

References:

NWCG Firing Boss, Single Resource Position Page

NWCG Incident Position Standards for Firing Boss, Single Resource, PMS 350-105

NWCG Position Task Book for Firing Boss, Single Resource (FIRB), PMS 311-105

Incident Position Standards and Next Generation Position Task Book Available for Helicopter Crewmember

Date: April 28, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Interagency Helicopter Operations Subcommittee

NWCG is excited to announce that the NWCG Incident Position Standards for Helicopter Crewmember, PMS 350-22, and the NWCG Position Task Book for Helicopter Crewmember (HECM), PMS 311-22, are now available.

These resources, part of the Performance Support Package developed through the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) effort, support trainees, qualified personnel, and evaluators.

Any changes to qualification pathways will take effect with the next update of the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1.

References:

NWCG Incident Position Standards for Helicopter Crewmember, PMS 350-22

NWCG Incident Position Standards for Helicopter Crewmember, PMS 350-22

NWCG Position Task Book for Helicopter Crewmember (HECM), PMS 311-22