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PMS 901-1

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NWCG Standards for Course Delivery, PMS 901-1

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NWCG Standards for Course Delivery, PMS 901-1

The NWCG Standards for Course Delivery establishes standards for all aspects of NWCG training course management and delivery. These standards should be used in conjunction with the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1, and the course-specific guidance stated on the Wildland Fire learning Portal (WFLP). These standards:

  • Promote consistent, professional, and standardized training in support of national interagency wildland fire management objectives.
  • Define course management and delivery procedures for agencies, instructors, and Course Coordinators.
  • Describe the course organization system.
  • Provide direction that enables users to augment course content based on local needs.
  • Provide direction on establishing agency-specific course equivalency.
  • Establish minimum requirements for course completion certification.

Member agencies have agreed to meet or exceed the standards stated in this publication for all NWCG training course deliveries that will result in agency personnel receiving credit for course completion.

Non-member agencies or entities (e.g., educational institutions, contractor associations) may deliver NWCG training courses when the standards established in this publication are met. Non-member agencies or entities are encouraged to establish formal agreements with local or geographic area member agencies when delivering NWCG training. Such cooperative efforts are beneficial to the cooperators and to all students.  For course completion certification, see Issuing the NWCG Training Course Completion Certificate.

The NWCG Standards for Course Delivery is developed and maintained by the Training Delivery Committee (TDC), an entity of the National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG). 

Previously, these standards were in either the Field Manager's Course Guide (FMCG), PMS 901-1, or the Course Coordinator's Guide, PMS 907. The two publications were combined in May 2020. While previous versions may contain current or useful information, the FMCG and Course Coordinator's Guide are obsolete. The user of this information is responsible for confirming that they have the most up-to-date version. NWCG is the sole source for the publication.

Comments, questions, and recommendations shall be submitted to the appropriate agency program manager assigned to the TDC. View the complete roster.

Training Development

NWCG training development is an integral part of the Incident Position Performance Cycle. Performance support needs analyses, instructional design processes, and course development, alignment, and maintenance are conducted in a cooperative effort between the NWCG committees and NWCG training specialists. Process guidance components reside in NWCG committee and staff mission statements and related support materials.

Course Availability

NWCG training courses are available from the Wildland Fire learning Portal. Courses are available by download or by order from the National Fire Equipment System. See the Wildland Fire learning Portal for full information.
RT-130, Wildland Fire Safety Training Annual Refresher (WFSTAR) modules  are available from the WFSTAR Catalog.

Training Course Components and Delivery Methods

Most NWCG courses are designed to be delivered as Self-Directed (Online) training, Instructor-Led Training (ILT), or as Virtual Instructor-led Training. Some courses are Blended (designed to employ a hybrid of these methods). Self-Directed (usually online) NWCG courses are specifically designed for distance learning delivery.

Term Definition
Asynchronous Training where the students and/or instructors are not interacting with each other in real time. Typically, the students are accessing learning resources at a time of their choosing.
Blended Training Training that is specifically designed to meet course objectives through a combination of self-directed online training and Instructor-led training. The online component typically contains a portion of the curriculum content and must be successfully completed in order to complete the course.
Distance Learning A system and a process that connects learners with distributed learning resources. While distance learning takes a wide variety of forms, all distance learning is characterized by:
  • Separation of place and/or time between instructor and learner, among learners, and/or between learners and learning resources; and
  • Interaction between the learner and the instructor, among learners and/or between learner and learning resources conducted through one or more media; use of electronic media is not necessarily required; and
  • The learner is an individual or group that seeks a learning experience offered by a provider. The provider is an organization that creates the learning opportunity. The provider approves and monitors the quality of the learning experience. Providers include schools, colleges and universities, business and industry, professional associations, labor unions, government agencies, the military and other public and private organizations.
Field Training Instructor-led training that is conducted in field environment.
Flipped Classroom The flipped classroom is a training model and a type of blended learning in which asynchronous content is delivered, often online, before a synchronous training. This allows for enhanced discussion and practical engagement when students and cadre interact in real time.
Instructor-Led training (ILT) Training that is delivered by an instructor in a classroom or field setting. Classroom instructor-led training may be delivered in person in a physical classroom or virtually using a video- or audio-conferencing platform.
Learning Management System A learning management system (LMS) is a computer-based operating system used by training organizations to register, track and monitor activity in the training function. LMSs have evolved from earlier systems to now include course and student monitoring, resource management, assessments, completion rates and more.
Online Training This term is commonly used to describe any training that employs the internet as a medium of instruction. There are other instances when the term is used to refer specifically to asynchronous Self-Directed (Online) training.
Pre-selection Assessment  An assessment that must be passed before admittance into the course.
Pre-course Work  Work that is assigned before a training session begins. The purpose is to prepare learners for an upcoming training with the knowledge and skills required to participate in training activities. Pre-course work typically consists of readings, videos, online resources, or gathering of information that will be pertinent to the course.
On-the-Job Training Training that is conducted in actual work environments. This is accomplished under the guidance of an Evaluator/trainer who uses the Position Task Book and Position Standards to document performance.
Remote Delivery Synchronous distance learning where students participate individually or with small groups of other students at the same physical location. Qualified instructors are not physically present with each student/group.
Satellite Delivery Synchronous distance learning where students participate individually or with small groups of other students at the same physical location.  An instructor who is qualified as a Unit Instructor (or higher) is physically available to interact with each student/group. This delivery configuration allows for inclusion of hands-on training. Note that the use of the word 'Satellite' here does not refer to the means of providing internet connectivity.
Self-Directed (Online) Training (usually online) that is self-directed by the student. Asynchronous learning activities that the learner accesses using a web browser. The learner manages the timing of content delivery. A key characteristic is that in addition to reading or watching content, the learner interacts with the content. For example, knowledge checks may periodically be presented as part of the training delivery to assess the learners understanding of concepts. This type of training is often referred to in other terms, such as Web -Based training, e-learning, on-demand learning, or self-paced learning.
Synchronous Training where the students and instructors interact with each other at the same time.
Virtual Instructor-led training (VILT) A type of ILT that is delivered as Distance Learning on an online platform, which is sometimes called a Virtual Classroom.

Course Numbering System

Each course is assigned a subject area designator, as follows:

  • D:  Dispatch
  • FI:  Fire Investigation
  • G:  Gap Courses
  • L:  Leadership
  • M:  Management
  • P:  Prevention
  • RT:  Refresher Training
  • RX:  Prescribed Fire
  • S:  Skills
  • X:  Miscellaneous

Each course is assigned a three-digit number which establishes complexity level, and recommends delivery level (national, geographic area, or local). Delivery level information is more accurately stated in the course-specific information located on the Wildland Fire learning Portal.  

  • 100 – 200:  entry-level skills development; local delivery
  • 300 – 400:  mid-level management skills; regional, state, or geographic area delivery
  • 500 – 600:  advanced – level management skills, national delivery

Fidelity to Course Design, Structure, and Materials

Instructors and coordinators must ensure fidelity to course design, structure, and materials of the base course. NWCG courses are aligned with established practices and position requirements; deviation from course materials will weaken this connection. Instructors are encouraged to enhance course materials to reflect the conditions, resources, and policies of the local unit and area, but the base course elements must be adhered to.

Virtual delivery methods cannot be used for required field training components, such as those in S-130 and S-212; these must still be completed as in-person field experiences.

Fidelity to base course elements must be maintained in these areas:

Currency:

  • Use the most current certified version of the course.
  • Previous versions may be used no more than six months after a new release.

Length:

  • Adhere to recommended course and unit instructional hours.

Course Objectives:

  • Achieve the established course and unit objectives.
  • Do not alter or omit established objectives.

In-Course Exams/Quizzes/Evaluations:

  • Exam/quiz/evaluation elements from the base course may not be deleted.
  • Exam/quiz/evaluation elements that reflect the conditions, resources, and policies of the local unit or area may be added but cannot be used to determine successful course completion.
  • Should exam/quiz/evaluation elements become invalid due to evolving practices subsequent to the course, full credit should be given.
  • If there is an overarching issue with the exam, please contact NWCG Training.

Final Course Evaluation:

  • Standard passing score for an NWCG courses is 70 percent. Evaluation criteria for each course is defined within the course materials. The passing score is based on the final exam unless otherwise stated. Some courses may use course components (pre-course tests, unit tests, class participation, or final exams) to aggregate the passing score.

Prerequisite Training and/or Position Qualification

Prerequisite position qualification and/or training requirements are stated in the course-specific pages of the Wildland Fire learning Portal. These requirements ensure a common standard of knowledge and experience for all students. Agencies may request exceptions to prerequisite requirements for their employees. This process may be established by each agency or by regional or geographic areas.

Establishing Agency-Specific Course Equivalency

Agencies may establish agency-specific course equivalency when they have determined another course to be equivalent to an NWCG course. This may enable agencies to reduce training costs and/or increase trained-personnel capacity. When course equivalency is established, the agency may use the equivalent course as an alternative to the corresponding NWCG course. Course equivalency must be re-evaluated when the corresponding NWCG course is revised.

Equivalency evaluation should be national or state level, meet pertinent agency-specific guidance, and be conducted by individuals the agency deems qualified. The equivalency evaluation should ensure that the candidate course achieves the following:

  • Meets or exceeds all learning and performance objectives of the NWCG course.
  • Meets or exceeds the instructor qualification requirements of the NWCG course.
  • Meets or exceeds student prerequisite position qualification or training requirements of the NWCG course.
  • Does not conflict or contradict established NWCG guidelines or standards.
  • Is not numbered using the NWCG course numbering system.

Issuing the NWCG Training Course Completion Certificate

Course Coordinators or instructors may issue successful students the NWCG Training Course Completion Certificate, PMS 921-1 for NWCG courses sponsored by an NWCG member agency.

Educational institutions, contractor associations, and non-member agencies may issue successful students the NWCG Training Course Completion Certificate, PMS 921-1 for NWCG courses if one of the following conditions is met:

  • The Lead Instructor is an authorized representative of an NWCG member agency
  • The entity sponsoring the NWCG course has a formal agreement established with an NWCG member agency.
  • For entities providing course completion certificates, Lead Instructors must sign the certificates by hand OR in digital format, to indicate an original document.  

Certificates issued with logos or insignia other than the NWCG logo may not be accepted by NWCG member agencies.

Completion of a training course does not necessarily qualify an individual for a position.

Training Records Retention

  • NWCG training records retention is an agency-specific prerogative and responsibility.
  • Agencies sponsoring students should provide direction on training records retention.
  • Students should be encouraged to retain personal training records permanently.
  • NWCG does not retain or have access to training records.

Providing Course Feedback

Students, Instructors, and Course Coordinators can submit course feedback using the online feedback form.

Instructor Qualification

  • NWCG Instructor qualification standards are established in this publication and in the course-specific pages in the NWCG Course Catalog.
  • Instructor qualification is implicitly granted when the instructor’s home unit/agency supervisor and the Course Coordinator agree that established qualification requirements have been met. Written certification is not required.
  • Qualified instructors may be placed on Active Instructor Lists in Incident Qualifications System (IQS) and Incident Qualification Certification System (IQCS), but this is not required.
  • When position qualification is used to meet the instructor qualification requirements, the annual Work Capacity Test (WCT) and RT-130, Wildland Fire Safety Training Annual Refresher (WFSTAR) currency requirements are waived.
  • NWCG Instructors are categorized as Lead, Unit, and Adjunct Instructors.

Lead Instructor Responsibilities

  • Coordinate course planning efforts with the Course Coordinator.
  • Provide leadership to the instructor cadre.
  • Oversee the entire presentation of the course.
  • Provide students an organized and professional training experience.
  • Ensure the course objectives are achieved.
Qualifications Requirements Course Content Knowledge/Experience Requirements

100 – 200 Level Courses

One of the following:

  • Meet or exceed by one position level the course-specific instructor qualifications requirements stated on the NWCG course page.
  • Obtain written approval by Course Coordinator to instruct a specific unit or technical portions of one or more units.

300-600 Level Courses

One of the following:

  • Meet or exceed by one position level the course-specific instructor qualifications requirements stated on the NWCG course page.
  • Currently qualified in a Type 1, Type 2, or Complex Command and General Staff position in the same functional area as the course being presented.
  • Meet the NIMS Training Program instructor criteria for the specific course (supplemented by the NIMS ICS All-Hazards Position Specific Training Program: Administrative Guidelines).
  • Obtain written approval from NWCG member agency geographic or national level fire director excepting the above requirements.

AND one of the following:

  • Formal instructional certification or training (e.g. State fire training certificate, college teacher’s credential, college education courses, NWCG M-410 Facilitative Instructor course), and 40 hours of successful fire service instruction.
  • 80 hours of successful fire service instruction.

All Courses

Sufficient experience in presenting all course units in order to substitute for unit instructors (technical complexity of some courses may preclude this).

300 – 600 Level Courses

One of the following:

  • Successful completion or audit of course being taught.
  • Successfully assisted in instructing the course.
  • Successfully completed Train-the-Trainer course (if applicable) and successfully taught the course in the past 5 years as determined by the Course Coordinator.

Unit Instructor Responsibilities

  • Assist the Lead Instructor and fellow instructor cadre members.
  • Provide students organized and professional training experience.
  • Ensure the course objectives are achieved.
Qualifications Requirements Course Content Knowledge/Experience Requirements

100 – 200 Level Courses

One of the following:

  • Meet or exceed by one position level the course-specific instructor qualifications requirements stated on the NWCG course page.
  • Obtain written approval by Course Coordinator to instruct a specific unit or technical portions of one or more units.

300-600 Level Courses

One of the following:

  • Meet or exceed by one position level the course-specific instructor qualifications requirements stated on the NWCG course page.
  • Currently qualified in a Type 1, Type 2 or Complex  Command and General Staff position in the same functional area as the course being presented.
  • Meet the NIMS Training Program instructor criteria for the specific course (supplemented by the NIMS ICS All-Hazards Position Specific Training Program: Administrative Guidelines).
  • Obtain written approval from NWCG member agency geographic or national level fire director excepting the above requirements.

AND one of the following:

  • Formal instructional certification or training (e.g. State fire training certificate, college teacher’s credential, college education courses, NWCG M-410 Facilitative Instructor course).
  • 40 hours of successful fire service instruction.

All Courses

Experienced in the lesson content they are presenting.

300 – 600 Level Courses

One of the following:

  • Successful completion or audit of course being taught.
  • Successfully assisted in instructing the course.
  • Successfully completed Train-the-Trainer course (if applicable) and successfully taught the course in the past 5 years as determined by the Course Coordinator.

Adjunct Instructor Responsibilities

  • Provide limited instruction in specialized knowledge and skills at the discretion of the Lead Instructor.
Qualifications Requirements Course Content Knowledge/Experience Requirements

All Courses

One of the following:

  • Subject matter expert on course related materials.
  • Demonstrated course related technical expertise.
  • Published subject related article or paper in previous 5 years.

All Courses

Known or demonstrated expertise on one or more subjects associated with the course.

Instructor Evaluation

  • Instructor evaluation is embedded into the training course delivery process.
  • Instructor evaluations are obtained by the Course Coordinator and routed to the pertinent instructor and the home unit/agency supervisor.
  • The home/unit agency is responsible for addressing unsatisfactory evaluations, including taking necessary corrective action prior to qualifying the instructor to for future courses.

The Course Coordination Standards provide the necessary administrative information and tools for Course Coordinators, Lead Instructors, training specialists, and other managers to successfully coordinate an NWCG course at any level (local, regional, or national). The content found herein will guide coordinators through the process of preparing for course delivery, completing needed activities before the start of the course, ensuring successful course delivery, and completing needed activities after the course is complete. For more information click on the accordions below.

Developing a Course Timeline Checklist

Course Coordinators should develop a Course Timeline Checklist to organize tasks, identify a sequence, identify additional personnel, and ensure all tasks related to the course are completed on time ahead of delivery. Some of these tasks, such as contracts, or facility reservations, may take months to accomplish. The tendency is to not allow enough time for everything that must be done. This is especially true for a course that must be developed or adapted for a specific geographical setting.

Identify the Course

Once management has identified a need for skills development that can be provided by a course, the next step is to describe what the course will be and identify who will be attending. Review the course objectives, target audience, prerequisites, and other attendance criteria. The education, experience, and organizational levels of students are important and will affect the date, location, facilities, and formality of the training delivery.

Identifying Delivery Method

There are circumstances where it is beneficial to deliver training virtually, as distance learning. Virtual delivery can be used to take advantage of emerging technology, reduce travel and training expense, assist with cadre staffing, and allow for safety mitigations during periods of inclement weather or infectious disease. Many NWCG training courses can be delivered in this manner.

On Demand Self-Enrolled (Online) courses are designed for virtual delivery. These courses are currently available in Wildland Fire Learning Portal (WFLP).

ILT courses can also be delivered to a decentralized audience as Virtual Instructor-Led Training (VILT). However, since most ILT was designed for a physical classroom environment, delivery must sometimes be modified to ensure that instructional objectives are met when presented in a virtual classroom environment. Instructors must ensure recommended course and unit instructional hours are adhered to. 

Instructor-Led Delivery (On-Site)

Secure Location and Equipment

Logistics should be a principal factor when considering where to conduct a course. Select a location that will support the training goal and is compatible with the methods used during the course. Check regularly with the hotel or facility for any issues that may arise.

Items that need to be considered when determining a location include but are not limited to:

  • Quality and cost-efficiency of facilities.
  • Proximity of restaurants and hotels.
  • Transportation needs.
  • Number of students, instructors, observers, and role players.
  • Number of classrooms and additional rooms, if necessary.
    • Consult with instructors to determine the need for additional rooms.
  • Arrangement of the classroom(s) and the size and number of tables and chairs.
    • Desks or tables should be arranged to allow students to work in small groups or as individuals, depending on the course needs.
  • Instructional media equipment, electrical cords, and outlets in the room.
  • Availability of technical equipment and support:  copiers, printers, computers, phones, network and/or internet access, etc.
  • Comfort of training environment:  heating, cooling, lighting control, and ventilation.
  • Use of walls for hanging posters, or number of available whiteboards.
  • Acoustics and need for a sound system (room should be quiet and not susceptible to outside interruptions).
  • Exclusive room availability:  Check on other meetings being held in the facility at the same time.
  • Security requirements.
  • Proximity to restrooms.
  • Proximity to staff ride or other field locations.

Instructional equipment to be obtained or reserved may include:

  • Easel and flip charts
  • Projection screen
  • Projector
  • Lectern
  • Whiteboard
  • Computers
  • Connectivity accessories
  • DVD player
  • Sand table

Field exercises are incorporated into some courses. These require an outdoor site and potentially require extra planning regarding transportation, permission to use the site, tools, subject matter experts, job hazard analysis, medical evacuation plan, and medical personnel.

Distance Learning Delivery 

Many options exist for virtual delivery of training courses. Video conferencing platforms are commonly used and readily available from the internet. Learning Management Systems (LMS) or learning portals can be valuable tools for the virtual delivery of training. This is particularly true for progress tracking or activities such as questionnaires or quizzes, which require students to submit responses and be graded. The Wildland Fire Learning Portal (WFLP) is available specifically for training related to wildland fire. There are tutorials available in the WFLP that provide more information on the activities and resources available for virtual delivery.

Modern productivity software and office suites have online tools such as forms, presentation software, and basic website creation. These can be applied to virtual course delivery.

Many agencies provide access and support for particular platforms. Course coordinators and instructors should follow agency direction when choosing which platform to use.

Configurations

There are a variety of available methods for delivering an ILT as a VILT. The chosen configuration depends on the content of the training material as well as the tools and technology available for any particular session.

The simplest configuration for VILT is a web conferencing platform (webinar) to present the course material in a virtual environment, replicating the classroom version of the course hour for hour. This preserves the synchronous nature of instructor/student interaction. It works well for course material that is primarily knowledge-based (cognitive).

Other VILT configurations may take more work for a coordinator and cadre to implement than hosting a webinar.

One option is to use the tools available in the virtual environment to present the material more effectively. Some material can be taken out of the synchronous instruction and presented asynchronously. This allows for more instructor engagement and concept application during the synchronous sessions (this is often called flipping the classroom).

For example, if an ILT course was designed to have videos shown in class, these can be given to the students to watch prior to the VILT session. This presents the material in a more engaging manner and reduces the time necessary for synchronous interaction while still covering the required content.

There are opportunities and accepted academic community practices to utilize VILT for more complex educational outcomes. Effective instructional methods, in combination with virtual tools, allow the virtual environment to emulate the desired course objectives which focus on skills such as communication and leadership.

In selecting asynchronous learning methods, collaborative tools such as conversations, forums, and similar interactive tools are used to preserve learning outcomes designed for more traditional synchronous approaches that demand a higher level of interaction. For cognitive learning goals not requiring interaction, asynchronous tools such as assignments, quizzes, and videos are appropriate. 

Some material cannot be converted to a purely virtual format (as described in Fidelity to Course Design and Materials above). In these cases, a course configuration called Satellite Delivery can be used. This is a hybrid of virtual and ILT. It can be a useful way to ensure that the students receive the hands-on and interpersonal interactions necessary.

Consider Time Frames for Distance Learning Delivery

  • Participating in a training course for an eight-hour workday is a different experience virtually than in an in-person classroom. Coordinators and instructors should consider breaking courses up into smaller components and delivering them over a longer time period, while maintaining fidelity to base course elements.

Train-the-Trainer Process

A Train-the-Trainer course includes an explanation of the instructional design and describes supplemental content material required for presenting the course. The intent of Train-the-Trainer is to guide attendees step-by-step through the course content and instructional design and to give them the necessary information to successfully coordinate and/or instruct the course.

The Train-the-Trainer Process is as follows:

Determining the Need for a Formal Train-the-Trainer Course

  1. It is up to the local or geographic area to identify whether a course is complex enough in detail or technical content to require a formal handoff.
  2. The criteria used may include any of the following:
    1. More than 50% of the course content is conceptually complex (theoretical rather than practical).
    2. The instructional design is complex due to variations in selected presentation methods (e.g., exercises and simulations).
    3. Complex emerging technology needs to be transferred to the field.
    4. More than 50% of the course content will need to be adapted by the geographic areas.

Objectives

At the completion of the course, attendees will:

  1. Have acquired knowledge of all content areas and idiosyncrasies of the course through presentations and discussions.
  2. Be able to describe the process used to customize lessons for course presentation.
  3. Be able to explain the process used to evaluate (measure) student performance.

Training Announcement for Train-the-Trainer

The desired target audience for a Train-the-Trainer course is potential lead instructors and course coordinators. The course will be announced, and nominations solicited for attendance, in coordination with the Geographic Area Training Representatives and/or Delivery Group.

Training announcements should contain the same information as standard courses with special emphasis within the Description and the Target Group directed towards the specific intent of training instructors and coordinators.

Identify Necessary Organizational Structure

After identifying the course, decide what positions are necessary to provide support for the course (logistics coordinator, fiscal coordinator, lead/unit/adjunct instructors, etc.). Several factors, including course complexity, influence the number and kind of positions needed to coordinate, instruct, and support successful course delivery. Similar to the Incident Command System (ICS), this structure is intended to expand or collapse to meet the course needs. Some courses may not require support positions in addition to lead/unit instructors; in these circumstances, the Course Coordinator is responsible for filling the other support functions.

Dividing the work up among several people makes it easier for everyone involved and helps accomplish all activities on time. The groups and positions in the organizational structure may include:

Steering Committee – See NWCG Organizational Types for more information on the roles and authorities of course steering committees.

Instructors – Identify a Lead Instructor and work together to identify additional instructors, guest speakers, or personnel necessary to meet the needs of the course. Reference specific course content to determine the cadre’s needs. Determine if contracts, funding, travel authority, or other approvals need to be completed.

Reference Instructor Qualification Standards for NWCG instructor criteria.

Logistics Coordinators and Fiscal Coordinators – Logistics Coordinators and Fiscal Coordinators should be skilled in managing courses and conferences. Logistics Coordinators can help with transportation, lodging, meals, printing, computers, audio/visual equipment, etc. Fiscal Coordinators can help with funding, contracts, travel, payments, purchasing, etc.

Miscellaneous Support Staff – Higher complexity courses may require more support staff. Consider the need for on-site information technology (IT) support, clerical support, coaches, role players, and drivers. Have a medical plan in place and be familiar with facility emergency response plans. Particularly for field-based activities, ensure adequate medical supplies and availability of personnel to respond to emergencies.

Nomination Process and Course Announcement

Identify and follow the nomination workflow for the hosting unit. Course announcements should contain information, such as:

  • Purpose of the course
  • Objectives
  • Target audience and student prerequisites
  • Nomination process and deadlines
  • Course Coordinator phone number and email address
  • Course dates
  • Tuition cost and payment process
  • Delivery Method 
  • Location

Courses should be listed on the Wildland Fire Learning Portal (WFLP) and can be searched for by geographic area or under the National Training Centers. Contact information is listed on each geographic area and zone page.

Review Course Package

The Course Coordinator and Lead Instructor need to be familiar with existing materials well in advance of the course presentation. A rough agenda should be developed based on timeframes suggested in the course package.

Select Date for Initial Cadre Call

Cadre calls or meetings are essential for successful training sessions and may include several meetings (before, during, and at the end of the course). All instructors, coordinators, and support personnel should be invited to the initial meeting. See the Cadre Meetings Checklist (docx or pdf) for sample topics.

Obtain Course Materials

NWCG course materials may include electronic presentations, videos, posters, instructor guides, student workbooks, handouts, forms, and publications. Find the required and suggested materials for each course in the Wildland Fire Learning Portal (WFLP). Many course materials are available to download from the Catalog. Materials available through the Great Basin Cache can be ordered through the NWCG NFES Catalog – Part 2:  Publications, PMS 449-2. Any additional materials must be developed by the cadre.

The Course Coordinator or Lead Instructor must procure general supplies, such as flipcharts, markers, or notebooks, as necessary. Special items are occasionally needed, particularly for simulations, or exercises. Provide ample time for ordering, printing, or creating materials for a course.

Receive Nominations and Select Students

The process for selecting students to attend courses can vary considerably. For some courses, students will be selected by the local agency. For other courses, the geographic area training committee, Course Coordinator, cadre, or steering committee may determine the selections. Expect some nominees to drop out before the course or not complete required pre-course or online components. Be prepared to backfill with students on the waitlist, if possible. A minimum number of students should be established to ensure the cost-effectiveness of the course. Once the students have been identified, notify selected nominees.

After nominations are received:

  • Verify prioritization – Ensure sending units prioritize nominees; not every nominee may be selected.
  • Create and distribute pre-selection letter – A pre-selection letter to nominees may be necessary if the course requires students to complete a pre-selection assessment and pass with a score of at least 70 percent before being considered for selection into the course. Mail or email the pre-selection letter, which should include:
    • Pre-selection assessment and instructions for completion and submission. Some assessments will require the submission of a proctoring statement.
    • Assessment completion deadline.

Notify Students of Selection

Once students have been selected, the Course Coordinator will notify students and provide the necessary course information. A Sample Selection Letter is available for modification. Information to include in all selection notifications:

  • Course dates and times.
  • Location of the training facility.
  • Special instructions, especially for alternative delivery options.
  • Student roster.
  • Directions to confirm attendance/registration as necessary.
  • Course tuition and payment process, if applicable.
  • Cancellation instructions and deadline.
  • List of any materials students must bring with them.
  • Appropriate attire and personal protective equipment (PPE) if field trips or exercises are scheduled.
  • Student profiles, if applicable.
  • Lodging options, if applicable.
  • Facility logistics (e.g., parking, security).
  • Course Coordinator contact information.
  • Inform students that if they have special needs that require an accommodation to contact the Course Coordinator (e.g., proximity to the front of the room, requests for oral delivery of exam, etc.).
  • Provide instructions and deadlines for completing and/or submitting assigned material.
  • Additional information to include in the selection notification if pre-course work is required:
    • Provide instructions to students on how to obtain materials:
      • Mailing or emailing,
      • Uploading and providing the link, 
      • Other external means.

Additional information to include in the selection notification if the course is a Blended Course that has a required online component:

  • Link for students to access online component, and
  • Deadline and instructions for completing the online component.

Attendance in the instructor-led component is contingent upon completion of the online component. Allow adequate time for student completion.

Conduct Initial Cadre Meeting

The initial cadre call provides an opportunity for instructors to meet, review material, discuss concerns, and strategize with the Course Coordinator and/or Lead Instructor. This can be held via conference call, virtual meeting, or in person (see the Cadre Meetings Checklist docx or pdf).

Objectives of the initial cadre call include:

  • Coordinate course materials and presentations – Each instructor is assigned a unit or units to instruct. Any special items must be identified and obtained or developed by the instructor or coordinator. The use of adjunct instructors may be appropriate for part of a unit; this should be discussed and agreed upon by the Lead Instructor and cadre. General ground rules should be addressed, including instructor participation, duty hours, attire, and other relevant information. Timeframes and responsibilities need to be established for lesson material production such as handouts, visuals, and reference materials.
  • Finalize logistical support requirements – The cadre should be given a tour or explanation of the facilities and a demonstration of the equipment so they can best prepare for presentations. This can be done at the initial cadre meeting if it is in person or at some other time before the start of the course.
  • Finalize time schedules and course agenda – Things to consider:
    • Course length – Times are listed in the Wildland Fire Learning Portal.
    • Breaks – Allow approximately 10 minutes each hour, if possible.
    • Special events or social activities – Field trips, tours, and social activities need to be planned and coordinated, as appropriate.
  • Review student profiles – If student profiles were collected, the Course Coordinator should summarize them and share them with the cadre.
  • Obtain instructor biographies and contact information – A brief biography of each instructor may be needed for distribution to students during the course presentation (see Sample Instructor Biography).
  • Review experiential learning sessions – Review any sessions that need extra time and effort to coordinate or additional materials or people to conduct. This may include a dry run through a sand table exercise, preparing for a staff ride, gathering, or preparing simulation materials, identifying role players, scheduling the site for field training, and/or obtaining radio frequencies.

Assess Pre-Course Work or Grade Exam

If the course contains pre-course work or an exam that is required to be returned before the course begins, the instructors or Course Coordinator will need to assess the pre-course work or grade the exam before the course start date.

Verify Completion of Online Component of Course  (Blended Courses Only)

If the course is a Blended Course, the instructors or Course Coordinator will need to verify that the students have completed the online component of the course before the start date of the Instructor-Led component.

Prepare Course Materials

The Course Coordinator and Lead Instructor are responsible for reviewing all subject content and adhering to standards. All visual aids, student materials, name tags, notebooks, and other documents need to be assembled and reviewed for accuracy and professional quality. Provide enough for all students and instructors; make extras available if possible.

Student Materials – Determine what handouts, workbooks, and other materials need to be downloaded, ordered, assembled, or printed for students. In many instances course coordinators and instructors can upload course materials directly into a learning management system, such as the WFLP. In many instances course materials can be uploaded and shared with instructors and students through "virtual" means by utilizing a learning Management System, such as the WFLP. Additionally, several courses have Student Workbooks or NWCG publications that should be ordered or downloaded ahead of time (see Obtain Course Materials).

Agenda – Prepare the final agenda. Adjust times as needed and add instructor names. A Sample Agenda is available as a template.

Technology – 

Virtual meeting Platforms:

  • Virtual meeting platforms work well if the cadre has a basic understanding of the capabilities and functionality. Features such as raising hands, polling, chat boxes, and breakout rooms are useful.
  • Ensure familiarity with microphone, speaker, and video settings prior to starting the course.
  • Develop an understanding of the platform’s capabilities, technical requirements, and use prior to, not during, course delivery, and be prepared to assist participants with basic troubleshooting.
  • Prior to the session, test out the platform and process with instructor cadre.  All instructors should test run their assigned course sections.

Roster – Student rosters may include name, agency, email address, physical address, and/or phone number. Rosters are used for statistical records, student status (i.e., enrolled, substituted, or cancelled), sign-in sheets, preparing name tags, certificates of completion, financial obligations, and post-course mailing.

Course completion certificates – For entities providing course completion certificates, Lead Instructors must sign the certificates by hand OR in digital format, to indicate an original document.

Set Up the Classroom

It is the responsibility of the Course Coordinator to ensure the classroom meets the needs of the course. The room arrangement has a direct bearing on the classroom atmosphere and thus the potential for learning. Keep in mind that there is more than one way to arrange the room.

See the Course Timeline Checklist (docx or pdf) for a list of considerations when setting up the classroom.

Conduct Pre-Course Cadre Meeting and Rehearsal

The pre-course cadre meeting and rehearsal should occur the day before or the morning of the start of the course. This meeting provides an opportunity for instructors to determine the course presentation tempo; test drive the electronic presentations, videos, and links; and discuss concerns (see Cadre Meetings Checklist docx or pdf).

The Course Coordinator is responsible for all activities during the course; however, authority for managing the course can be delegated to the Lead Instructor.

Start Course

The course should start on time. Start by covering introductions, logistics, ground rules (e.g., cell phone policy, restrooms, emergency exits, food and drink policy), and any details unique to the facility. Course Coordinators should provide an after-hours phone number in case of emergency. Consider conducting an icebreaker.

Utilize the NWCG Welcome/Administration Presentation or modify it to include local information.

Conduct Course

The Course Coordinator’s duties during the course presentation in support of the Lead Instructor, instructors, and students include:

Maintain availability – Situations may occur that will halt instruction (e.g., the computer hibernates unexpectedly, or internet connectivity is lost). Monitor the course to reduce these situations and facilitate course continuity.

Instructor and Coordinator Responsibilities During Distance Learning Delivery

  • Identify expectations of students in a virtual course setting.
  • Manage the virtual delivery platform (for example, watch the chat discussion for questions and notify the instructor).
  • Ensure that participants are engaged and have a chance to contribute.
  • Call for breaks at appropriate intervals.
  • Collect feedback from audience on what worked and didn’t, both for the content and the delivery.

Ensure the Platform is Working

  • If using virtual meeting platforms, ensure all participants can hear and see others.
  • If using voice-only communication with individuals independently accessing web-based materials, ensure all participants can hear the instructor and view the materials.

Share Ground Rules with Participants

  • Minimize distractions and bandwidth by closing unneeded programs.
  • Minimize body movements (movement can affect bandwidth use).
  • Anticipate a slower pace because of possible communication delays.
  • Bring attention to self by signaling with hand, then pause before continuing.
  • Mute audio connection when not speaking

Evaluate – Continuous evaluation is critical to the success of the course. Items to consider include:

  • Responding to any needs or changes as soon as possible and tell students how you plan to resolve them.
  • Conducting daily cadre meetings to identify any issues related to course material or delivery and to develop solutions. These meetings can be conducted as informal sessions. Selected students may be asked to attend the daily cadre meetings. They can provide a summary of the unit or daily evaluations or their personalized feedback to assist the cadre in making adjustments for the next day.
  • Addressing any issues as soon as they arise, rather than waiting until the end of the day.
  • Assessing student comprehension and monitoring student progress throughout the course. If a student is falling behind, the cadre should explore avenues or policies for tutoring and counseling as soon as possible. A daily review of student activities at the cadre meeting and/or test results will provide a chance to give assistance or remedial training as needed. Students must be informed that they are not passing the course. A plan to assist the student in meeting course objectives must be made that is agreeable to both the student and instructor. Do not allow a problem to go uncommunicated and then after the course, inform the student they have failed.
  • Following evaluation criteria for each course. Some courses may use various course components such as pre-course tests, unit quizzes, class participation or exercises, and final exams to calculate the final score. The score will be based on the final exam unless otherwise stated. Ensure the standard of obtaining a passing score of at least 70% for NWCG courses is followed.
    • For entities providing course completion certificates, students should be notified before leaving class if they will not receive a completion certificate.
  • Ensuring all students complete course evaluations, including daily, unit, and/or final evaluations. This may be done using the NWCG Course Evaluation Feedback Form, the WFLP, locally developed forms, or other means. Course Coordinators should consolidate feedback after the conclusion of the course and submit to NWCG (see Post-Course Activities). Locally developed versions should request an evaluation of the following:
    • Unit and course objectives and materials,
    • Time allotted,
    • Level of instruction,
    • Instructor presentations,
    • Facilities,
    • Correspondence, guidance, and communications, and
    • Recommendations for improvement.

End Course

At the end of the course, answer any questions the students have. Return final exams to students for review and collect the exams before students leave the course. If applicable, distribute course completion certificates and payment receipts. If the certificates will be electronically or physically mailed, or attainable through a Learning Management System, let the students know when to anticipate receiving them and/or how they can be accessed.

Conduct course closeout cadre meeting to review final evaluations and document recommendations for future course modifications (see Cadre Meetings Checklist docx or pdf). Instructor materials to be retained for future courses should be gathered, organized, returned, and stored.

These tasks should be completed within two weeks of the course conclusion.

Prepare Record of Course Completion and Non-Completion

For State, local and MOU supported cooperator students, the NWCG Training Course Completion Certificate, PMS 921-1, should be issued (see Issuing the NWCG Training Course Completion Certificate). 

For federal students, the Course Coordinator should use the current qualification system to create the course session, award student completions, as well as award instructor competency. 

Non-federal course coordinators should coordinate with federal partners to accomplish this when feasible. Master Records issued by NWCG entities should be recognized as official verification of successful course completion.

Relevant evidence may consist of training certificates, copies of course completion rosters and/or completed Request for Training (SF-182) forms, or other third-party validation that the training has been successfully completed. Documents from the course lead instructor or course coordinator, certifying that the employee successfully completed the training, are acceptable. Course completion letters (electronic or paper) issued by a course coordinator or lead instructor from an NWCG member entity may also be recognized in lieu of a certificate to validate the responder’s successful completion of the training.

Notification of Non-Completion

Formal notifications of non-completion should be sent through proper organizational channels, which vary by agency and geographic area. Reasons for non-completion of a course include not participating, not completing assignments, failing quizzes, not attending the entire session, or failure to meet the minimum passing score required for the course.

Prepare and Send Thank You Letters

Send thank you letters through appropriate organizational channels to all the individuals (and/or their supervisors) who participated in presenting the course.

Complete and Submit Course Evaluations

Lead Instructors should review the following items after course completion:  course content, pre-course work, visual aids, delivery methods, course prerequisites, testing procedures, and student feedback (see Evaluate). The Lead Instructor and/or Course Coordinator should document problems or recommendations regarding the content of the NWCG course on the NWCG Course Evaluation Feedback Form.

Complete and File Course Package

The Course Coordinator should complete and file a course package containing the instructor list, student completion roster, and course agenda. These items will be necessary documents if legal proceedings arise. Additional information may be included, such as testing results, record of non-completion, summarized student evaluations, sign-in sheet if utilized, Course Coordinator notes and recommendations for the next session, and instructor biographies. This package can assist with planning future courses.

 
The National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) provides national leadership to enable interoperable wildland fire operations among federal, state, tribal, territorial, and local partners. NWCG operations standards are interagency by design; they are developed with the intent of universal adoption by the member agencies. However, the decision to adopt and utilize them is made independently by the individual member agencies and communicated through their respective directives systems.

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National Wildland Firefighter Day

Date: July 2, 2024
Contact: National Interagency Fire Center 

The National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) would like to recognize July 2, 2024, as National Wildland Firefighter Day (NWFFD). Established in 2022, NWFFD honors the dedication of wildland firefighters and support personnel. This day falls within the 2024 Week of Remembrance (June 30 - July 6), providing an opportunity to renew our commitment to wildland firefighter safety while remembering those who have fallen in the line of duty.

NWCG continues to provide leadership to enable interoperable wildland fire operations among federal, state, local, Tribal, and territorial partners. NWCG standards and training establish common practices to contribute to safe, effective, and coordinated national interagency wildland fire operations.

References:

NWCG.gov

Week of Remembrance

National Wildland Firefighter Day

2024 Week of Remembrance

Date: June 27, 2024
Contact: 6 Minutes for Safety Subcommittee 

As we approach the 2024 Week of Remembrance (WOR), June 30 to July 6, we dedicate this time to thoughtfully reviewing and recognizing the events of the 2018 Mendocino Complex. As such, this year’s theme of “Learning From the Mendocino Complex” embodies a longstanding hallmark of WOR, honoring through learning.

Throughout the week, our energy will be directed toward fostering generative conversations in briefing rooms and at tailgates.

References:

6 Minutes for Safety - 2024 Week of Remembrance

Wildland Fire Lessons Learned Center

Updated NWCG Wildland Fire Risk and Complexity Assessment, PMS 236

Date: June 24, 2024
Contact: Incident and Position Standards Committee 

The June 2024 update of the NWCG Wildland Fire Risk and Complexity Assessment, PMS 236, is now available to meet the current needs for incident management typing.

The NWCG Wildland Fire Risk and Complexity Assessment should be used to evaluate firefighter safety issues, assess risk, and identify the appropriate incident management organization based on incident complexity. Assessing risk, determining incident complexity, and identifying an appropriate incident management organization is a subjective process based on examining a combination of indicators or factors, which can change over time.

References:

NWCG Wildland Fire Risk and Complexity Assessment, PMS 236

Operations Branch Director (OPBD) Next Gen PTB Available

Date: June 10, 2024
Contact: NWCG Feedback 

The NWCG Position Task Book for Operations Branch Director (OPBD), PMS 311-109 is now available for use within the OPBD position qualification pathway. As part of the transition to Complex Incident Management (CIM), the OPBD Next Gen PTB was developed and the position qualification pathway updated.

More information about the Next Gen PTB format can be found on the NWCG Position Task Book webpage.

References:

Operations Branch Director Position Page

Operations Branch Director Next Gen PTB

NWCG Position Task Books