NWCG Data Standards, PMS 910

NWCG data standards (data element and geospatial data layer) provide specifications that enable the common usage of data across wildland fire information systems. For more information login to EDG Explorer.

NWCG Data Standards

EDG Explorer is a database platform used for managing NWCG Data Standards. The following Data Standards and Geospatial Data Layer tables offer a quick view of the standards.

More detailed information such as rules, documentation, and term relationships may be viewed in EDG Explorer. Expand Data Standards or Geospatial Data Layer Standards below to see data standards term descriptions and status.

Note: If the NWCG Data Standards View is not displaying below please report it to NWCG Webmaster.

Title	Steward	Status	Description
Point of Origin Latitude Data Standard	FRSC Fire Reporting Subcommittee	Approved	This data standard adopts the NWCG Latitude data standard for identifying the latitude location of the point of origin of a fire. [validated: 7/21/2008]
Point of Origin Longitude Data Standard	FRSC Fire Reporting Subcommittee	Approved	This data standard adopts the NWCG Longitude data standard for identifying the longitude location of the point of origin of a fire. [validated: 7/21/2008]
Point of Origin Responsible Agency Unit Identifier Data Standard	FRSC Fire Reporting Subcommittee	Approved	This data standard adopts the NWCG Unit Identifier data standard to identify the agency with primary fire protection responsibility at the point of origin of a fire. [validated: 6/16/2008]
Point of Origin Slope Data Standard	GSC Geospatial Subcommittee	Approved	This data standard provides a standard format and definition for reporting the typical slope in the immediate vicinity of the point of origin of a fire. [validated: 12/17/2012]
Point of Origin State Code Data Standard	FRSC Fire Reporting Subcommittee	Approved	This data standard adopts the NWCG State Code data standard to identify the state or equivalent entity at the point of origin of a fire. [validated: 6/16/2008]
Point of Origin State Data Standard	FRSC Fire Reporting Subcommittee	Approved	The State alpha code identifying the state or equivalent entity at point of origin.
Position Code & Position Title Data Standard	IOSC Incident Operations Subcommittee	Approved	This data standard provides a code (mnemonic) and title for each position used in incident management response. [validated: 2/15/2005; updated: 12/17/2018]
Prescribed Fire Escape Indicator Data Standard	FRSC Fire Reporting Subcommittee	Approved	This data standard provides a standard format and definition for indicating whether a wildfire resulted from an escaped prescribed fire. [validated: 4/10/2008]
Primary Email Data Standard	DMC Data Management Committee	Approved	Individual’s primary email.
Primary Phone Data Standard	DMC Data Management Committee	Approved	Individual’s primary phone.
Primary Weather Station Identifier Data Standard	FWS Fire Weather Subcommittee	Approved	This data standard adopts the NWCG NFDRS Weather Station Standards six-digit identifiers for identifying the NFDRS weather station best representing weather and climate conditions for an incident site at the time of initial response. [validated: 4/10/2008]
Projected Incident Activity Data Standard	FENC Fire Environment Committee	Approved	Create a data standard that describes an estimate of the direction in which the incident is expected to spread, migrate or expand in the next 12, 49, and 72 hour time frames.
Radio Frequency	RSUSC Wildland Fire Radio Standards and Use Committee		A standard describing radio frequencies used in wildland fire.
Residences Destroyed Quantity Data Standard	PSOG Predictive Services Oversight Group	Approved	This data standard provides a standard format and definition for reporting the total number of residences destroyed, or damaged to an extent requiring rebuilding, as a result of a fire. [validated: 6/16/2008]
Residences Threatened Quantity Data Standard	PSOG Predictive Services Oversight Group	Approved	This data standard provides a standard format and definition for reporting the total number of residences threatened by the fire. [validated: 7/21/2008]
Resource Quantity Current as of Date Time Data Standard	NCSC National Coordination System Committee	Approved	The date and time that reflects the period for which the resource counts are current.
Resource System of Record Data Standard	NCSC National Coordination System Committee	Approved	The IRWIN username of the system that currently is the System of Record for the resource and the capabilities for that resource.
Secondary Phone Data Standard	DMC Data Management Committee	Approved	Individual’s secondary phone.
Selection Area Data Standard	NCSC National Coordination System Committee	Approved	Indicates the dispatch center inside/outside the current dispatch center for which resources are being requested.
Serial Number Data Standard	NCSC National Coordination System Committee	Approved	A set of numbers that is put on equipment by the manufacturer so that each has a different number and can be recognized.
Significant Events Data Standard	PSOG Predictive Services Oversight Group	Approved	Create a data standard that describes the observed fire behavior or significant incident events for the current reporting period. (ICS Block 28)
Special Land Designator Data Standard	FRSC Fire Reporting Subcommittee	Approved	This data standard provides a standard format and definitions for identifying officially designated special land types within a fire perimeter. [validated: 6/16/2008]
State and Landowner Final Fire Acre Quantity Data Standard	FRSC Fire Reporting Subcommittee	Approved	This data standard provides a standard format and definition for the measure of acres of land belonging to a specified owner within a fire perimeter within a state. [validated: 6/16/2008]
State Code Data Standard	DMC Data Management Committee	Superceded	This data standard has been superseded by the Country Subdivision Code standard.
Tail Number Data Standard	NCSC National Coordination System Committee	Approved	The numerical identification of an aircraft, also known as the registration number for an aircraft, as displayed on the aircraft's tail section.
Time Point Data Standard	DMC Data Management Committee	Approved	This data standard adopts the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) standard for representing time of day. [validated: 4/15/2008]
Unique Fire Identifier Data Standard	FRSC Fire Reporting Subcommittee	Approved	This data standard provides a standard format and rules for a unique identifier assigned to each wildland fire. [validated: 6/16/2008]
Unique Fire Report Identifier Data Standard	FRSC Fire Reporting Subcommittee	Approved	This data standard provides a standard format and rules for a code that uniquely identifies a particular fire report. [validated: 6/16/2008; next validation: 12/31/2013]
Unit Identifier Data Standard	NCSC National Coordination System Committee	Approved	This data standard specifies the standard format and rules for Unit Identifier, a code used within the wildland fire community to uniquely identify a particular government organizational unit. [validated: 12/18/2012]
VIN Data Standard	NCSC National Coordination System Committee	Approved	The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) assigned to a piece of equipment.
Weather Concerns Data Standard	FENC Fire Environment Committee	Approved	A field collected in the ICS 209 containing a brief summary of how the current weather is affecting the incident and how the anticipated weather will affect the incident.
Wildfire Cause Data Standard	CEPC Communication, Education, and Prevention Committee	Approved	The data standard for identifying something that started a wildfire.
Wildland Urban Interface Indicator Data Standard	FRSC Fire Reporting Subcommittee, WUIMC Wildland Urban Interface Mitigation Committee	Approved	This data standard provides a standard format and definition for indicating if the presence of Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) influenced the cost, strategy, or management of a wildfire. [validated: 12/1/2009]

Note: If the NWCG Geospatial Data Layer View is not displaying below please report it to NWCG Webmaster.

Comment on a proposed data standard

When a new or revised data standard is ready for review and comment, it will have a status of Proposed. Submit your feedback to the Data Standards and Terminology Board.

Request for a new or revised standard

Requests for the development of a new data standard, or for changes to a current standard, may be submitted on a Request form.

Download the User Guide and other reference materials

The User Guide for Development and Maintenance of NWCG Data Standards, PMS 938, explains the processes for developing and maintaining both NWCG data element and geospatial data layer standards.

Modified / Reviewed: May 15, 2024

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NWCG Latest Announcements

Updated NWCG Single Resource Casual Hire Information, PMS 934

Date: September 19, 2024
Contact: Incident Business Committee

The Incident Business Committee has updated the NWCG Single Resource Casual Hire Information, PMS 934. This update expands the provisions for hiring emergency personnel.

References:

NWCG Single Resource Casual Hire Information, PMS 934

IBC Memorandum 24-03

NWCG 2024 Spring/Summer Highlights

Date: September 13, 2024

Welcome to our latest highlights from the National Wildfire Coordinating Group, where we explore the latest updates, insights, and efforts that develop interoperable wildland fire operations among federal, state, local, Tribal, and territorial partners.

The Performance Support Package, which for ABRO includes the Incident Position Standards and Next Generation Position Task Book were developed through the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) effort. The Performance Support Package will support trainees, those qualified in the position, and evaluators.

NASA JOINS NWCG!

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is officially an associate member of NWCG. As such, NASA is beginning to collaborate with wildland fire management agencies with the goal of increasing collaboration across agencies and leveraging NASA data, technology, and innovation for nation-wide efforts in wildland fire management. NASA has a rich history of research, development, and technology transfer in the areas of Earth science, space technologies, and aeronautics that support the NWCG mission.

WWW.NWCG.GOV HAS A NEW LOOK AND DESIGN

The NWCG web team dedicated the past two years to making a significant upgrade to the www.nwcg.gov site. This upgrade involved a comprehensive redesign of over 7,700 web pages.

The modernization of NWCG’s website involved migrating to Drupal 10, a cutting—edge content management system, and leveraging Amazon Web Service GovCloud for secure and efficient hosting. These upgrades help ensure that the NWCG website remains current in content management practices, offering enhanced customization, improved performance, and an overall superior user experience.

NWCG Leadership Committee

The Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program announced the Professional Reading Program’s 2024 list!

The years books include:

Young Men and Fire by Norman Maclean
The Wisdom of the Bullfrog by William H. McRaven
The Art of Clear Thinking by Hasard Lee
Emotional Agility by Susan David
Writing to Persuade by Trish Hall

Learn more at the NWCG Leadership Committee

INCIDENT PERFORMANCE AND TRAINING MODERNIZATION

In 2023, NWCG kicked off the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) effort. A training system overhaul focused on developing a performance-based training system designed to shift training to on-the-job when appropriate.

Over the next five years, NWCG intends to analyze all positions within the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1. To date we are currently working on 30 incident positions, and planning for 20+ in calendar year 2025.

Subject Matter Experts from a variety of geographical areas and agencies recently completed the position analysis for 16 positions. From this analysis, Incident Positions Standards and a Next Generation Position Task Book will be developed for each position.

Incident Performance and Training Modernization

NEXT GENERATION POSITION TASK BOOK

In April 2024, NWCG launched the new Next Generation Position Task Book (Next Gen PTB) which is a key component of the IPTM effort. This revised evaluation tool is designed to work in conjunction with the newly developed Incident Position Standards.

Major Next Gen PTB changes:

Structured to improve constructive conversations between evaluators and trainees.
Reference new Incident Position Standards.
Include only tasks required to be evaluated for successful performance.
Trainees will be rated on their performance vs. initialing whether a task was completed.
Must include written feedback when trainee does not meet the standard.
Will be position specific (no combined PTBs).

Screen shot of the Next Gen Position Task Book

Banner image of the Wildland Fire Learning Portal website

NWCG’s training course catalog is now available on the Wildland Fire Learning Portal (WFLP).

To access the training course catalog, visit WFLP and either set up an account or login as a guest.

The Incident Position Standards and Next Generation Position Task Book are now available for Aircraft Base Radio Operator (ABRO)

Date: September 12, 2024
Contact: Interagency Helicopter Operations Subcommittee

NWCG is excited to announce that the NWCG Incident Position Standards for Aircraft Base Radio Operator, PMS 350-87 and NWCG Position Task Book for Aircraft Base Radio Operator (ABRO), PMS 311-87 are now available.

References:

NWCG Aircraft Base Radio Operator Position Page

NWCG Incident Position Standards for Aircraft Base Radio Operator, PMS 350-87

NWCG Position Task Book for Aircraft Base Radio Operator, PMS 311-87

NWCG Mental Health Subcommittee Recognizes September as Suicide Prevention Month

Date: September 9, 2024
Contact: Mental Health Subcommittee

The NWCG Mental Health Subcommittee (MHSC) is dedicated to raising awareness about mental health within our wildland fire community. This year’s Suicide Prevention Month theme, “Stronger Together,” underscores the importance of unity and support in every facet of our lives — at work, with family, and among friends.

As we recognize Suicide Prevention Month, including Suicide Prevention Week (September 8 – September 14, 2024) and World Suicide Prevention Day (September 10, 2024), we encourage you to share resources and engage in meaningful conversations within your teams.

Remember: We are Stronger Together, and help is always available. Let’s continue to support one another and foster an environment where mental health is a priority.

References:

NWCG Mental Health Subcommittee

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

PMS 910

PMS 910

NWCG Data Standards, PMS 910