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Planning Section Chief Type 2*

PSC2 decorative banner: photos depicting PSC2 position. PSC2 Position Description: The Planning Section Chief (PSC2), a member of the General Staff, is responsible for collecting, evaluating, disseminating, and using information about the development of the incident, status of resources, and demobilization of the incident.<br>Information is needed to understand the current situation, predict probable course of incident events, prepare alternative strategies and control operations for the incident, and provide for an orderly and economical demobilization of the incident.

The Planning Section Chief Type 2 (PSC2) manages all aspects of incident planning, situation and resource status, and demobilization of an incident. The PSC2 supervises members of the Planning Section. The PSC2 is part of the Command and General (C&G) Staff and reports to the Incident Commander (IC) under typical incident organizations. The PSC2 works in the Planning functional area.

The PSC2 performs position duties commensurate with Type 2 incident complexity and characteristics stated in the Interagency Standards for Fire and Fire Aviation Operations (Red Book). (Type 1, 2 and 3 PSC duties are identical but performed at different complexity levels.)

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The Forest Service and Department of Interior are enabled by Administratively Determined Pay Plans (AD Pay Plans) to hire persons for temporary duration for the following reasons:

  1. To cope with a sudden and unexpected emergency caused by a fire, or extreme fire potential, flood, storm, or any other all-hazard emergency that threatens damage to federally protected property, has the potential to cause loss of life, serious injury, public health risk, or damage to natural or cultural resources unless brought under immediate control.
  2. To provide emergency assistance to States under formalized agreements.
  3. To meet mission assignments issued by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

The National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) Incident Business Committee (IBC) reviews positions annually and establishes pay rate classifications for each position.

For more information on the AD Pay Plans, visit Incident Business Committee.

Date: Jan 2023

Removed: Required Training and Required Experience and replaced with  "The qualification pathway for this position is discontinued per NWCG direction on January, 2023. Responders with an active PTB will transition to the corresponding complex position PTB." 

Date: Dec 2022

Updated: Position Endorsement
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.

Date: May 2022

Added: Planning Section Chief Complex (PSCC) to "These Positions Maintain Currency For PSC2" and "PSC2 Maintains Currency For These Positions."

Date: Dec 2020

Added: Incident Position Description (IPD) approved.

Date: Oct 2018

Added: “Individuals utilizing this pathway must complete the Planning Section Chief Course (S- 440) prior to position qualification.”

Date: Oct 2015

Updated: Prerequisite experience modified as follows:

Satisfactory performance as a Situation Unit Leader (SITL).
     +
Completion and Certification of Position Task Book (PMS 311-23) as a Planning Section Chief Type 2 (PSC2) on a wildfire incident.
     OR
Satisfactory performance as a Resources Unit Leader (RESL).
     +
Completion and Certification of Position Task Book (PMS 311-23) as a Planning Section Chief Type 2 (PSC2) on a wildfire incident.
     OR
Satisfactory performance as a Planning Section Chief Type 3 (PSC3).
     +
Completion and Certification of Position Task Book (PMS 311-23) as a Planning Section Chief Type 2 (PSC2) on a wildfire incident.
     OR
Satisfactory performance as an Operations Section Chief Type 2 (OSC2).
     +
Completion and Certification of Position Task Book (PMS 311-23) as a Planning Section Chief Type 2 (PSC2) on a wildfire incident*.
     OR
Satisfactory performance as a Logistics Section Chief Type 2 (LSC2).
     +
Completion and Certification of Position Task Book (PMS 311-23) as a Planning Section Chief Type 2 (PSC2) on a wildfire incident*.
     OR
Satisfactory performance as a Safety Officer Type 2 (SOF2).
     +
Completion and Certification of Position Task Book (PMS 311-23) as a Planning Section Chief Type 2 (PSC2) on a wildfire incident*.

Date: Oct 1999

Added: S-420 Command & General Staff (32 hrs.).

Date: Oct 1993

Position created. 

Planning Section Chief (Multi-Branch), Planning Section Chief (Multi-Division) and Planning Section Chief (Multi-Leader) in 1984 PMS 310-1.

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Questions?  Please contact:
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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.

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

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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.”

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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

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Date: May 13, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
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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.

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References:

NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Resource Typing, PMS 200