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NWCG Positions

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Position Catalog

NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1

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Alternative Pathways to NWCG Qualification

Command

NWCG positions enable consistent and uniform performance by personnel mobilized by position under NIMS-ICS principles. The position catalog provides comprehensive information about each NWCG position, those for which NWCG establishes qualifications standards. Agency-specific positions such as those located in the Federal Wildland Fire Qualifications Supplement are not included in this catalog.

Positions denoted with an asterisk (*) use the established FEMA National Qualifications System all-hazard position as the baseline for the NWCG wildland fire position.

Note: Filter all IPDs using the IPD Status column to quickly see which ones are under review.

Position Title Position Code Functional Area Steward Key Stakeholders IPD Status ID IDQR
Agency Representative AREP Command ICSC Approved 29525 32980
Area Commander ACDR Command ICSC Approved 29527 32988
Incident Commander Complex ICCI Command ICSC Approved 36902 36906
Incident Commander Type 1* ICT1 Command ICSC Approved 29547 32973
Incident Commander Type 2* ICT2 Command ICSC Approved 29548 32968
Incident Commander Type 3* ICT3 Command ICSC Approved 29626 32965
Incident Commander Type 4* ICT4 Command ICSC Approved 29627 32962
Incident Commander Type 5 ICT5 Command ICSC Approved 29628 32959
Liaison Officer* LOFR Command ICSC Approved 29549 32956
Public Information Officer Complex PIOC Command PIOSC Incident Command Subcommittee Approved 36928 36932
Public Information Officer Type 1* PIO1 Command PIOSC Incident Command Subcommittee Approved 29550 32778
Public Information Officer Type 2* PIO2 Command PIOSC Incident Command Subcommittee Approved 29551 32775
Public Information Officer Type 3 PIO3 Command PIOSC Incident Command Subcommittee Approved 37376 37375
Public Information Officer, Technician PIOT Command PIOSC Incident Command Subcommittee Approved 36419 36436
Safety Officer Complex SOFC Command RMC Incident Command Subcommittee Approved 36915 36926
Safety Officer Type 1* SOF1 Command RMC Incident Command Subcommittee Approved 29556 32886
Safety Officer Type 2* SOF2 Command RMC Incident Command Subcommittee Approved 29557 32883
Safety Officer Type 3 SOF3 Command RMC Incident Command Subcommittee Approved 1152096 32879
Safety Officer, Field SOFF Command RMC Incident Command Subcommittee Approved 568232 568235
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NWCG Latest Announcements

NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Chainsaw Operations, PMS 212, and Next Generation Position Task Book for Basic Faller Are Now Available

Date: April 14, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Hazard Tree and Tree Felling Subcommittee

The updated NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Chainsaw Operations, PMS 212, and NWCG Position Task Book for Basic Faller (FAL3), PMS 311-19 are now available.

The NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Chainsaw Operations, PMS 212 includes position standards designed to be used in conjunction with the Next Generation Position Task Book (Next Gen PTB). The Next Gen PTB for Basic Faller (FAL3) includes an evaluation guide with suggested rating elements to consider when assessing trainees.

References:

NWCG Standards For Wildland Fire Chainsaw Operations, PMS 212

NWCG Position Task Book for Basic Faller (FAL3), PMS 311-119

NWCG Basic Faller (FAL3)

RMC Memo 25-01: Summary of Updates to Safety Officer Positions

Date: April 9, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
RMC Member Eric Fransted

The Risk Management Committee (RMC) serves as the position steward for all Safety Officer incident positions and continues to improve position standards, training, and naming conventions. The implementation of Complex Incident Management (CIM) required changes to position titles. RMC collaborated with the NWCG Incident Position Standards Committee (IPSC) to propose and implement these updates. 

References:

RMC Memo 25-01: Summary of Updates to Safety Officer Positions 

NWCG Position Catalog

Updated, NWCG Guide to Wildland Fire Origin and Cause Determination, PMS 412

Date: April 8, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Wildland Fire Investigation Subcommittee

PMS 412 provides guidance for wildland fire investigations. This guide outlines recommended procedures, practices, techniques, and methods to promote a systematic approach. The last update to this publication was in 2016.

References:

NWCG Guide to Wildland Fire Origin and Cause Determination PMS 412

Updated NWCG Standards for Airtanker Base Operations, PMS 508

Date: March 31, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Airtanker Base Operations Unit

The updated NWCG Standards for Airtanker Base Operations (SABO), PMS 508 standardizes operations and procedures at interagency airtanker bases to ensure safe, efficient, and effective operations in support of interagency goals and objectives.

References:

NWCG Standards for Airtanker Base Operations, PMS 508