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Alternative Pathways NWCG Qualification

Group of wildland firefighters walking through low hanging smoke. The NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1, establishes minimum NWCG position qualification standards for training, experience, physical fitness, and currency for national mobilization to wildland fire incidents. Position qualification requirements are located on the individual position pages of the NWCG Position Catalog.

Recognition of prior learning (RPL), NWCG position endorsements, and the National Fire Academy (NFA) Structural Fire Skills Crosswalk are methods for attaining NWCG PMS  310-1 positions outside of the qualifications pathway through formal processes and recognized programs. Use of these processes and programs are determined by each agency independently and only apply to positions identified in the NWCG PMS 310-1. The use of these alternate pathways ensures the critical knowledge and skills needed to perform on wildland fire incidents is attained while increasing response capacity through a shortened path to qualification.

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The NWCG Standards for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), PMS 309, establishes the use of a formal competency-based qualification process that allows any credentialing authority to recognize and account for competence acquired through life-long learning and experience. RPL is a process that evaluates an individual’s formal and non-formal learning to determine the extent to which that individual has achieved the required competencies to perform effectively in a specific emergency management or responder position. It is widely recognized that a standardized NWCG RPL process will reduce redundant training, support efforts to increase speed and time to competency, and support efforts to boost national resource surge capacity.

The NWCG Executive Board has developed NWCG position endorsements for the 45 common positions shared with National Incident Management System (NIMS) National Qualification System (NQS). A position endorsement is defined as “Documentation validating specific knowledge, skills, and abilities that an [Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ)] establishes beyond the minimum qualifications for a given position.” Endorsements allow utilizing NQS all-hazards qualified resources on wildland fire incidents. This process is not designed to review specific NWCG positions for use in all-hazards incidents.

Position analysis is underway. See analysis process for additional information regarding the process used during the analysis.

NWCG Position Catalog 

Please Provide Endorsements Feedback 

Details Title Sort descending Position Code Endorsed? Endorsement Approved Link to Recommendations

This is an inherently wildland fire position. All-hazards Air Operations Branch Director need to meet the wildland fire position qualification requirements. Rationale for not endorsing is based on prerequisite experience (e.g., strategic operations, complex air space coordination, complex frequency management, planning strategy and tactics for retardant operations, managing risk).

Air Operations Branch Director AOBD No AOBD Recommendations

ASGS Position Endorsement Requirements, 2022

Required Additional Training

  • None Required

Required Additional Experience

Physical Fitness Level: None Required

Air Support Group Supervisor ASGS Yes ASGS Recommendations

This is an inherently wildland fire position. All-hazards Air Tactical Group Supervisors need to meet the wildland fire position qualification requirements. Rationale for not endorsing is based on prerequisite experience (e.g., complex airspace coordination with incident aircraft, DIVS prerequisite qualification).

Air Tactical Group Supervisor ATGS No ATGS Recommendations

This is an inherently wildland fire position and has no endorsement. All-hazards Communication Unit Leaders will need to meet the wildland fire position qualification requirements.

Communications Unit Leader COML No COML Recommendations

COMP Position Endorsement Requirements, 2022

Required Additional Training

  • None required, but both S-260, Incident Business Management and e-ISuite training are recommended for anyone without wildland fire incident business experience.

Required Additional Experience

  • Successful completion and certification of position-specific tasks (#31-40) in the NWCG Compensation Unit Leader Position Task Book, PMS 311-47, on a wildland fire incident.

Physical Fitness Level: None Required

Compensation/Claims Unit Leader COMP Yes COMP Recommendations

COST Position Endorsement Requirements, 2022

Required Additional Training

  • None required, but both S-260, Incident Business Management and e-ISuite training are recommended for anyone without wildland fire incident business experience.

Required Additional Experience

  • Successful completion and certification of position-specific tasks (#16, 22, 23, 26) in the NWCG Cost Unit Leader Position Task Book, PMS 311-48, on a wildland fire incident.

Physical Fitness Level: None Required

Cost Unit Leader COST Yes COST Recommendations

This is an inherently wildland fire position and has no endorsement. Demobilization Unit Leader will need to meet the wildland fire position qualification requirements.

Demobilization Unit Leader DMOB No DMOB Recommendations

This is an inherently wildland fire position. All-hazards Division Group Supervisors need to meet the wildland fire position qualification requirements. Rationale for not endorsing is based on prerequisite experience (e.g., fire behavior, strategic operations, burn planning).

Division/Group Supervisor DIVS No DIVS Recommendations

DOCL Position Endorsement Requirements, 2022

Required Additional Training

Required Additional Experience

  • Successful performance as a DOCL trainee on a wildland fire incident (no position task book required).

Physical Fitness Level: None Required

Documentation Unit Leader DOCL Yes DOCL Recommendations

FACL Position Endorsement Requirements, 2022

Required Additional Training

  • None Required

Required Additional Experience

Physical Fitness Level: None Required

Facilities Unit Leader FACL Yes FACL Recommendations

FSC1 Position Endorsement Requirements, 2022

Required Additional Training

  • S-520, Advanced Incident Management or Complex Incident Management Course (CIMC)

Required Additional Experience

  • Successful completion and certification of NWCG Finance Section Chief Type 1 (FSC1) Position Task Book, PMS 311-46, on a wildland fire incident.

Physical Fitness Level: None Required

Finance/Administration Section Chief Type 1 FSC1 Yes FSC1 Recommendations

FSC2 Position Endorsement Requirements, 2022

The position for this endorsement is currently being evaluated to the new standards for Complex Incident Management, for current information regarding this change, please contact your NIMSIC representative.

Finance/Administration Section Chief Type 2 FSC2 Yes FSC2 Recommendations

FSC3 Position Endorsement Requirements, 2022

Required Additional Training

  • None Required

Required Additional Experience

  • Successful completion and certification of NWCG Time Unit Leader (TIME) Position Task Book, PMS 311-47, or Cost Unit Leader (COST) Position Task Book, PMS 311-48, on a wildland fire incident.

Physical Fitness Level: None Required

Finance/Administration Section Chief Type 3 FSC3 Yes FSC3 Recommendations

This is an inherently wildland fire position and has no endorsement. All-hazards Food Unit Leaders will need to meet the wildland fire position qualification requirements.

Food Unit Leader FDUL No FDUL Recommendations

This is an inherently wildland fire position. All-hazards Geographic Information System Specialists need to meet the wildland fire position qualification requirements. Rationale for not endorsing is based on the specialized wildland fire workflow requirements.

Geographic Information System Specialist GISS No GISS Recommendations

GSUL Position Endorsement Requirements, 2022

Required Additional Training

  • None required (NQS and NWCG are identical)

Required Additional Experience

  • None required (NQS and NWCG are identical)

Physical Fitness Level: None Required

Ground Support Unit Leader GSUL Yes GSUL Recommendations

ICT1 Position Endorsement Requirements, 2022

Required Additional Training

Required Additional Experience

  • Successful performance as a ICT1 trainee on a wildland fire incident (no PTB required). Use NWCG Incident Commander Type 1 (ICT1) Position Task Book, PMS 311-01, as a guide for the trainee assignment. Document performance on a PTB Evaluation Record.

Physical Fitness Level: None Required

Incident Commander Type 1 ICT1 Yes ICT1 Recommendations

ICT2 Position Endorsement Requirements, 2022

The position for this endorsement is currently being evaluated to the new standards for Complex Incident Management, for current information regarding this change, please contact your NIMSIC representative.

Incident Commander Type 2 ICT2 Yes ICT2 Recommendations

This is an inherently wildland fire position. All-hazards Incident Commander Type 3s will need to meet the wildland fire endorsement for Incident Commander Type 4 before moving up to Incident Commander Type 3. Rationale for not endorsing is based on the complexity of the wildland fire ICT3 position. Wildland fire has Extended Attack incidents as well as Type 3 Incident Management Teams (IMTS); each requires variable skills from the ICT3 in command. With the implementation of Complex Incident Management, the path forward on the wildland fire side is still unclear.

Incident Commander Type 3 ICT3 No ICT3 Recommendations

ICT4 Position Endorsement Requirements, 2022

Required Additional Training

  • S-130, Firefighter Training
  • S-190, Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior
  • S-131, Firefighter Type 1 Training
  • S-290, Intermediate Wildland Fire Behavior
  • S-200, Initial Attack Incident Commander
  • RT-130, Wildland Fire Safety Training Annual Refresher (WFSTAR)

Required Additional Experience

  • Successful completion and certification of tasks (#4, 6, 15, 21, 33, 34, 38, 39, 44) in the NWCG Incident Commander Type 4 (ICT4) Position Task Book, PMS 311-03, on a wildland fire incident.

Physical Fitness Level: Arduous

Incident Commander Type 4 ICT4 Yes ICT4 Recommendations
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Structural firefighters meeting NFPA 1001 or 1021 qualifications may utilize the Skills Crosswalk identified by the NFA to apply their existing fire suppression knowledge and skills towards qualification in three NWCG incident positions: Firefighter Type 1 (FFT1), Engine Boss, Single Resource (ENGB), and Strike Team Leader Engine (STEN).

Refer to NFA for additional information.

The Gap courses have been designed to fill the knowledge gap between structural and wildand fire. The course, along with the associated position task book are required for structural firefighters prior to obtaining qualification in each of the three NWCG positions.

Positions Highlights

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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