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NWCG Systems Improvement

Improvement of NWCG systems components is an ongoing effort intended to support the core mission – enabling interoperable wildland fire operations among federal, state, local, Tribal, and territorial partners. Systems improvement efforts include:

photo of 2 firefighters climbing a hillWebsite

  • Increase visibility of and access to NWCG materials.
  • Convert publications to web portals as appropriate.
  • Consolidate information and reduce redundancy and discrepancy across website.

Publications

  • Establish a comprehensive catalog of publications and portals.
  • Improve capability to identify and simultaneously revise interrelated materials.
  • Ensure that primary documents focus on NWCG standards and best practices.

Firefighters walking up a hill with tools.  Decorative.Position Management

Wildland fire personnel throughout the nation mobilize by NWCG position under NIMS-ICS principles. This enables consistent and uniform position performance in support of nationally interoperable wildland fire operations. Improved position management will strengthen that connection and improve our ability to successfully teach, train, and operate to accurate position-related standards. Improvement efforts include development of Incident Position Descriptions (IPDs), implementation of a systematic process to identify training and performance support needs for each position, and development of position-specific standards. The Incident Position Performance Cycle demonstrates the interconnectedness of these elements.

Position pages provide the single authoritative source for:

  • IPDs
  • Standards and References

Position Qualification Requirements (established through the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1)

Training Materials

  • Make all materials fully accessible according to Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act.
  • Make training and performance support content freely available so it is fully interconnected, easily accessible, and can readily serve as reference material. This includes:
  • Post training and performance support material in the training catalog using the NWCG course page template to ensure consistency, branding, and ease of use.
    • For PowerPoint materials, use the NWCG standard template to eliminate duplication and conflict between slide content and instructor notes and to ensure training content is available for current and future reference. This will also serve as the instructor guide for the course, containing both presentation material and instructor notes.
    • Other NWCG templates are available for instructor guides.
  • Use NWCG standards publications as student workbooks to eliminate redundancy and conflict and to train to established standards.

Training Templates

Training templates are designed to help create and deliver NWCG Training. They ensure that all training products are consistent, on-brand, and accessible for everyone.

Position Task Books (PTBs)

  • Improve connectivity between established position-specific standards, position qualification requirements, and the PTB.
  • Ensure that PTBs are effective training and evaluation tools.
  • Eliminate unnecessary roadblocks to qualification.
  • Work within a system that allows/supports responsive changes in position duties.
  • Remove unnecessary redundancy.

NWCG Wildland Fire Learning Portal (WFLP)

The NWCG Wildland Fire Learning Portal (WFLP) is a learning management system intended to enable training providers and users to manage and track training information, including:

  • Training schedules
  • Student nominations and registration
  • Self-directed (online) training courses
  • Pre-course work for instructor-led (classroom) training courses
  • Simulations, exams, and other instructor-specific materials
  • Local enhancements, per NWCG Standards for Course Delivery, PMS 901-1
  • Student assessment and performance tracking

Non-NWCG Positions

  • Non-NWCG positions, including those found in the Federal Wildland Fire Qualifications Supplement, will not being evaluated by NWCG due to constraints of oversight to positions.
  • The Federal Wildland Fire Qualifications Supplement would add 117 positions to the process. NWCG does not establish or facilitate the development of the standards, training, publications, and support materials associated with these positions.

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