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Incident and Position Standards Committee

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Mission Statement

Mission Statement

The Incident and Position Standards Committee (IPSC) provides national leadership in the development of wildland fire incident management standards and incident position standards that all NWCG agencies utilize for national mobilization while maintaining a long term strategic perspective.

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Primary Objectives

picture of 2 firefighters climbing a hill with gear

  • Provide oversight and direction to ensure the consistent development, implementation and maintenance of incident management standards. These standards may include guidelines, procedures, processes, best practices, specifications, techniques, and methods.
  • Provide oversight and direction to ensure the consistent development, implementation and maintenance of incident position standards. These standards include incident position descriptions (duties and responsibilities) and position qualification requirements for training, experience, physical fitness, and position currency.
  • Coordinate with NIMSIC on wildland fire endorsements to NIMS NQS positions.
  • Establish, implement, maintain and communicate business processes and criteria to assist NWCG committees and subgroups in performing this work.
  • Collaborate with the NWCG committees, NWCG staff and other stakeholders to prioritize development and maintenance of incident management standards, incident position standards, publications, training materials, and other position performance support content.
  • Ensure position standards and requirements are consistent with the National Incident Management System (NIMS).
  • Coordinate implementation of incident position standards with the Incident Qualifications and Certification System (IQCS) and Incident Qualifications System (IQS) system managers.
  • Identify and address strategic opportunities for incident management and incident positions standards improvement, sustainability and efficiency.
  • Contribute to the standardization of information technology systems (such as FireNet, IROC, etc.) to collect and distribute data, processes, forms, and other operational elements.

A Request for Change (RFC) provides an avenue for NWCG committees or subgroups and the field to submit recommended changes to incident position qualification standards, including the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1, Position Task Books, and Training Catalog updates. The Incident and Position Standards Committee (IPSC) will review, discuss, vet amongst agencies, and make a support/no support decision on the RFC. This is a transparent process intended to engage all related NWCG members in reaching a consensus decision.

An RFC is not the mechanism for providing feedback on other publications, including the NWCG Incident Response Pocket Guide (IRPG), PMS 461. Instead, utilize the Publication Review Form.

Submitting a Request for Change

  • A request can be submitted from the field or an NWCG committee. Requests from NWCG subgroups must be submitted through their parent committee.
  • All requests will be issued an IPSC RFC tracking number.
  • The requestor will receive an email identifying receipt of the RFC, and an IPSC representative will contact them within 30 days.
  • An IPSC representative will be assigned to each RFC.
    • If the request is from the field, it will be assigned to the corresponding agency representative on IPSC to ensure the agency supports the request before proceeding. If not supported, the RFC will not move forward, and the requestor will be notified by the agency representative.
    • The role of the IPSC representative is to work with the requestor to produce all of the required elements for an RFC package.

RFC Package Requirements

  • An RFC Package will contain the following elements:
    • Description of the issue, proposal, proposed solution, and rationale.
    • Description of the interagency nature of the request.
    • If the RFC is intended for the PMS 310-1, ensure the RFC package contains all the required documents listed in the PMS 310-1 Review and Change Process For Position Standards.

The Review Process

  • The RFC package will be presented to IPSC to evaluate for a formal acceptance of the RFC. This is not a decision to accept/approve the RFC but an agreement to review, evaluate, and make a final decision on the request.
  • If accepted, IPSC will coordinate with relevant NWCG committees, subgroups, NWCG Training Program, and/or others to review the request. If not accepted, the requestor will be notified.
  • The assigned IPSC representative will facilitate any communication during the review process.

Final Decision

  • The IPSC representative is responsible for consolidating recommendations and/or alternatives into a final decision document for IPSC members to use in discussions with their agencies.
  • After IPSC representatives gather agency support/not support, a final decision will be made by IPSC.
  • The IPSC chair will send a decision memo to the requestor and copy all IPSC members.

IPSC Request for Change (RFC) Form

Training and Qualifications

Incident Qualifications and Certification System (IQCS)

Incident Qualification System (IQS)

FEMA Emergency Management Institute (EMI)

National Wildland Fire Training

NWCG Position Task Books (PTBs)

Agency Specific Position Task Books (PTBs)

Type 1 & Type 2 Position Archiving FAQ

FEMA National Preparedness Information

Changes to Safety Zone Calculation

Chair: Froelich, Michael

NWCG Coordinator: Lamb, Erica

Parent Committee:

Meeting Schedule:

Monthly on the second Wednesday

Page Last Modified or Reviewed:

NWCG Latest Announcements

NEW! Incident Performance and Training Modernization Story Map Now Available

Date: Aug 26, 2025
Questions? Please contact:
National Wildfire Coordinating Group

NWCG is excited to announce the launch of the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) Story Map, a new interactive resource that showcases how NWCG is transforming wildland fire training and qualifications through a performance-based system.

Since its launch in 2023, IPTM has made major strides in updating how we manage incident positions:

  • 36 incident positions now have new Incident Position Standards and Next Generation Position Task Books available for field use
  • 6 more incident positions are nearing completion
  • 111 total incident positions are being analyzed through the IPTM initiative

The Story Map guides you through the IPTM process, highlights key accomplishments, and outlines what’s ahead. Whether you are a trainer or a trainee, this tool offers valuable insight into the modernization effort shaping the future of wildland fire training and qualifications.

This effort would not be possible without the contributions of NWCG staff, NWCG committees, and hundreds of subject matter experts across the wildland fire community.

References:

IPTM Story Map

Incident Performance and Training Modernization Webpage

NEW! S-290, Intermediate Wildland Fire Behavior (Blended) Available Now

Date: Aug 15, 2025
Questions? Please contact:
Fire Behavior Subcommittee

NWCG is excited to announce that the S-290, Intermediate Wildland Fire Behavior (Blended) training is now available on the Wildland Fire Learning Portal. S-290 (Blended) training combines online training and instructor-led training components that support individuals working towards any Single Resource Boss or Fire Effects Monitor incident qualifications.

This second course in the series collectively serves to develop fire behavior prediction knowledge and skills, and provides more detailed information on fuels, weather, and topography that affect wildland fire behavior for safety purposes.

Students are required to finish the prerequisite S-190, Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior, before enrolling in S-290, Intermediate Wildland Fire Behavior (Blended).

References:

S-290, Intermediate Wildland Fire Behavior (Blended)

S-190, Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior

Wildland Fire Learning Portal

NEW! S-271, Helicopter Crewmember (Blended) Now Available

Date: Aug 14, 2025
Questions? Please contact:
Interagency Helicopter Operations Subcommittee

The S-271, Helicopter Crewmember (Blended) is now available. Developed through the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) effort, this training supports individuals working towards Helicopter Crewmember (HECM) incident qualifications. 

S-271, Helicopter Crewmember (Blended) training combines online training and instructor-led training components. This course is designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary to perform the duties of the HECM position, as described in the NWCG Incident Position Standards for Helicopter Crewmember, PMS 350-22.

Any changes to qualification pathways will take effect with the next update of the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1, scheduled for January 2026.

References:

S-271, Helicopter Crewmember (Blended)

NWCG Helicopter Crewmember (HECM) Position Page

Wildland Fire Learning Portal

Incident Position Standards and Next Generation Position Task Books Now Available for FBAN and LTAN

Date: Aug 13, 2025
Questions? Please contact:
Fire Behavior Subcommittee

NWCG is excited to announce that Incident Position Standards and Next Generation Position Task Books are now available for Fire Behavior Analyst (FBAN) and Long Term Fire Analyst (LTAN).

The Performance Support Packages for these positions were developed as part of the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) effort. These resources support trainees, qualified personnel, and evaluators in their respective roles.

Any changes to qualification pathways will take effect with the next update of the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1, scheduled for January 2026.

References:

NWCG Fire Behavior Analyst Position Page

NWCG Long Term Fire Analyst Page