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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 Co-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 Vice Chair/Primary Member

NPS

 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 Co-Chair/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
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NWCG Latest Announcements

Updated! L-280, Followership to Leadership (Instructor-led) Course

Date: October 3, 2024
Questions? Please contact:
Leadership Committee

NWCG is pleased to announce the updated L-280, Followership to Leadership (Instructor-led) course is now available. L-280 is intended for operational personnel at the Firefighter Type 1 level, and for individuals pursuing Leadership Level 2, New Leader. 

This instructor-led course is a primer on leadership and the second formal course in the Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program. It helps emerging leaders build the confidence, skills, and mindset needed to lead effectively in high-risk environments. 

For more information about leadership development and available courses, visit the Leadership Committee Web Portal.

References:

L-280, Followership to Leadership (Instructor-led)

Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program

Wildland Fire Learning Portal

Equipment Advisory 25-01: Pre-2006 Fire Shelter Degradation and Discontinuation of Use

Date: Sept 26, 2025
Questions? Please contact:
Equipment Technology Committee 

The Equipment Technology Committee (ETC) has released Equipment Advisory 25-01: Pre-2006 Fire Shelter Degradation and Discontinuation of Use. This advisory recommends all pre-2006 fire shelters should be removed from service by January 1, 2026.

This advisory recommends firefighters and fire managers to:

  • Inspect fire shelters immediately
  • Replace and destroy any pre-2006 shelters (identified by white or pink insert label)
  • Order replacements as needed

For further details, please refer to the complete advisory. 

References:

Equipment Advisory 25-01: Pre-2006 Fire Shelter Degradation and Discontinuation of Use

NWCG Fire Inspection Flowchart, PMS 411-1

NWCG Alerts

NEW! S-219, Firing Operations (Blended) Now Available

Date: Sept 11, 2025
Questions? Please contact:
Fuels Management Committee 

The S-219, Firing Operations (Blended) course is now available on the Wildland Fire Learning Portal. Developed through the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) effort, this training supports individuals working towards Firing Boss, Single Resource (FIRB) incident qualifications.

This blended course combines online and instructor-led training to provide students with the knowledge and skills required to perform the duties of the FIRB, as described in the NWCG Incident Position Standards for Firing Boss, Single Resource, PMS 350-105.

Any changes to qualification pathways will take effect with the next update of the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1, scheduled for January 2026.

References:

S-219, Firing Operations (Blended)

NWCG Firing Boss, Single Resource Position Page

Wildland Fire Learning Portal

NWCG Committees Observe Suicide Prevention Awareness Week: September 7-13, 2025

Date: Sep 5, 2025
Questions? Please contact:
Mental Health Subcommittee

The NWCG Mental Health Subcommittee (MHSC) and Risk Management Committee (RMC) recognize the unique challenges and demands faced by the wildland fire community. The MHSC and RMC know that we are all stronger together and believe in fostering a culture of support, understanding, and resilience.

Suicide Prevention Awareness encourages us to actively connect with and support each other. For more information that could make a difference for yourself or someone else please review the materials and resources provided for the 2025 Suicide Prevention Awareness Week.

References:

2025 Suicide Prevention Awareness Week Materials and Resources