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Incident Workforce Development Group

IWDG decorative banner: photos depicting IWDG position.

The Incident Workforce Development Group is jointly chartered by the National Multi-Agency Coordinating Group (NMAC), the NWCG Executive Board, and the Fire Management Board (FMB) to provide national leadership to enable long-term development and sustainability of a national interagency incident workforce.

Implementation of Complex Incident Management

IWDG StoryMap

Video: 2023 Implementation of Complex Incident Management (CIM)
Video: 2022 Implementation of Complex Incident Management (CIM)

Complex Incident Management Team (CIMT):  Action Plan for Implementation v3.0

Fall 2022 CIM AAR

Fall 2023 CIM AAR

Correspondence:

Data

IWDG Memorandum, Meeting Information and Membership

USWDS Paragraphs

Date Subject Recipient
February 22, 2024 Memo 24-01: IWDG Response to NMAC L2023-002: Tasking – Increasing Incident Support Capabilities Dave Haston, Chair, National Multi-Agency Coordinating Group
September 29, 2023 Memo 23-02: Complex Incident Management Team (CIMT) Mobilization Roster Negotiations Jeff Arnberger, Chair, National Multi-Agency Coordinating Group
March 17, 2023 Memo 23-01:  Expectations of Agency Administrators in Implementation of Complex Incident Management (CIM) Chris Wilcox, Chair, Fire Management Board
April 28, 2021 Memo 21-02:  The Agency Role in Implementation of Complex Incident Management Teams Erin Horsburgh, Chair, Fire Management Board
Frank Guzman, Chair, NWCG Executive Board
Josh Simmons, Chair, National Multi-Agency Coordinating Group
April 26, 2021

Memo 21-01: Submission of Complex Incident Management Team (CIMT): Action Plan for Implementation

 Erin Horsburgh, Chair, Fire Management Board
Frank Guzman, Chair, NWCG Executive Board
Josh Simmons, Chair, National Multi-Agency Coordinating Group
February 20, 2020

Memo 20-02:  Incident Management Teams to Support Complex Incident Management

 Tom Remus, Chair, Coordinating Group Advisory Council
February 20, 2020

Memo 20-01:  Incident Management Teams to Support Complex Incident Management

 Noel Livingston, Chair, National Incident Commander/Area Commander Council
January 9, 2020

Memo: Interagency Standard for Recognition of Prior Learning:
Recommendation to establish a standardized Recognition of Prior Learning process for the NWCG

 Grant Beebe, Chair, Fire Management Board
Garth Fisher, Chair, NWCG Executive Board
Dan Smith, Chair, National Multi-Agency Coordinating Group
November 27, 2018

Wildland Fire Training Awareness Letter

 Grant Beebe, Chair, Fire Management Board
Garth Fisher, Chair, NWCG Executive Board
Dan Smith, Chair, National Multi-Agency Coordinating Group

Member Role Organization Email
Aaron Thompson Vice Chair/Primary Member

BLM

 althompson@blm.gov
Carl Schwope Advisor

SWCG

 carl_schwope@fws.gov
Carol McElroy Advisor

FEMA

 carol.mcelroy@fema.dhs.gov
Chuck Russell Liaison

NMAC

 charles_russell@nps.gov
Cole Belongie Liaison

DMC

 cole.belongie@usda.gov
Colleen Gadd Advisor

AHIMTA

 cgadd@ahimta.org
David Celino Primary Member

IPSC

 david.celino@mass.gov
Hank Rowland Advisor

FEMA

 harmon.rowlandiii@fema.dhs.gov
James Osborne Primary Member

ICAC

 josborne@blm.gov
Jesse Bender Chair

IWDG

 jlbender@nps.gov
Jim Prevette Primary Member

NASF

 jprevette@southernforests.org
Joe Sean Kennedy Primary Member

USFS

 joseph.kennedy1@usda.gov
Jon Black Primary Member

IAFC

 jon.black@sccfd.org
Melissa Wegner Primary Member

GATR

 melissa.wegner@usda.gov
Patrick Pearson Advisor

RMCG

 patrick_pearson@nps.gov
Rich Harvey Primary Member

IAFC

 rharvey@CentralFireNV.org
Russ Lane Primary Member

NASF

 russ.lane@dnr.wa.gov
Sean Peterson Primary Member

NICC

 speterson@blm.gov
Shane Greer Primary Member

ICSC

 shane.greer@usda.gov
Zeph Cunningham Primary Member

NIMSIC

 zephaniah.cunningham@usda.gov

IWDG Agency Administrator (AA) Subgroup

IWDG AA Subgroup Charter (2022)

Member Role Organization Email
Chad Stewart Chair

USFS

 chad.stewart@usda.gov
Clay Jordan Primary Member

NPS

 clayton_jordan@nps.gov
Laurel Kullerud Primary Member

FWS

 laurel_kullerud@fws.gov
Lynn Polacca Primary Member

BIA

 lynn.polacca@bia.gov
Molly Ryan Primary Member

USFS

 molly.ryan@usda.gov
Sam Leneave Primary Member

NASF

 sam.leneave@fdacs.gov
Sam Parsons Primary Member

NASF

 Samuel.Parsons@state.co.us
Tanya Thrift Primary Member

BLM

 tthrift@blm.gov

Foundational Documents

Documents Available Upon Request Via Email

  • IMOSP Stakeholder Feedback Data Summary (2011)
  • EIM: An Analysis of Organizational Models for the Future (2011)
  • Completion of NWCG EIM Implementation Project (NWCG Memo 15-007)
  • Response to concerns regarding the NWCG EIM Project (NWCG Memo 14-014)
    • Response to NWCG TM 14-08 FMB direction for EIM via EIM Project Report
    • EIM Alternative Comparison Matrix
    • ICAP Agency Employee Snapshot Data Charts
    • ICAP National Data Charts
    • IMT Use By Agency Data Charts
    • FEC Memo to FMB Re: EIM
      • Note: NWCG Memo 14-015 & 14-016 are a carbon copy of the above information.
    • EIM Progress Report (NWCG Memo 13-009)
    • IMOSP Project - NWCG EB Decision (NWCG Memo 12-002)
      • EIMSIP Tasking Memo (NWCG Tasking Memo 12-001)
    • IMOSP Project Update and Release of IMOSP Stakeholder Feedback Data Summary (NWCG Memo 11-022)

    Acronyms

    • EB = NWCG Executive Board
    • EIM = Evolving Incident Management
    • FEC = Fire Executive Council
    • FMB = Fire Management Board
    • IMOSP = Incident Management Organization Succession Planning
    • OG = Oversight Group
    • ICAP = Incident Command Application Program

NWCG Latest Announcements

2024 Wildland Fire Emergency Medical Service Awards

Date: May 22, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Emergency Medical Committee

The NWCG Emergency Medical Committee (EMC) is proud to announce the recipients of the 2024 Wildland Fire Emergency Medical Service Awards. Each year, EMC recognizes individuals and groups who have demonstrated exceptional actions or accomplishments that go above and beyond their normal mission or job duties.

Congratulations to all the awardees and nominees. Through leadership and initiative, they have made significant contributions to the safety and well-being of the wildland fire community. These honors are well deserved.

References:

2024 Wildland Fire EMS Awards

NWCG Emergency Medical Committee

NWCG Welcomes the Incident Management Teams Association as an Associate Member

Date: May 21, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
https://www.nwcg.gov/contact-us

The NWCG Executive Board is honored to announce that the Incident Management Teams Association (IMTA) has joined the National Wildfire Coordinating Group as an associate member.

IMTA is a dedicated group of incident management professionals committed to enhancing the profession by promoting standards and fostering collaboration across federal, state, local, Tribal, and private sector partners throughout all phases of incident management.

“Joining NWCG aligns with our mission to elevate incident management professionals nationwide,” said Dr. Randal Collins, President of IMTA. “This is a proud moment for all of us committed to advancing public safety.”

References:

Incident Management Teams Association

National Wildfire Coordinating Group

Updated NWCG Guide for Wildland Fire Modules, PMS 431

Date: May 14, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Fire Use Subcommittee

The updated NWCG Guide for Wildland Fire Modules, PMS 431 serves as a supplemental resource for wildland fire module operations, providing information frequently used in the field.

PMS 431 defines the organizational structure, staffing, and qualifications for Type 1 and Type 2 Wildland Fire Modules, outlining their roles in wildland fire suppression, prescribed fire, and resource management. The NWCG Guide for Wildland Fire Modules, PMS 431, should be used in conjunction with the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Module Operations, PMS 430.

References:

NWCG Guide for Wildland Fire Modules, PMS 431

NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Module Operations, PMS 430

Updated NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Resource Typing, PMS 200 Now Includes Off-Highway Vehicle Typing Standards

Date: May 13, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Mobile Fire Equipment Subcommittee 

The NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Resource Typing, PMS 200 has been updated to include newly developed Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) typing standards. These standards organize OHV information into logical categories and outline key safety requirements for occupants.

NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Resource Typing, PMS 200 establishes minimum typing standards for aircraft, crews, and equipment used in national mobilization to wildland fire incidents. Typing designations are assigned based on measurable capability and performance criteria.

References:

NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Resource Typing, PMS 200