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NWCG Systems Improvement

Improvement of NWCG systems components is an ongoing effort intended to support the core mission – enabling interoperable wildland fire operations among federal, state, local, Tribal, and territorial partners. Systems improvement efforts include:

photo of 2 firefighters climbing a hillWebsite

  • Increase visibility of and access to NWCG materials.
  • Convert publications to web portals as appropriate.
  • Consolidate information and reduce redundancy and discrepancy across website.

Publications

  • Establish a comprehensive catalog of publications and portals.
  • Improve capability to identify and simultaneously revise interrelated materials.
  • Ensure that primary documents focus on NWCG standards and best practices.

Firefighters walking up a hill with tools.  Decorative.Position Management

Wildland fire personnel throughout the nation mobilize by NWCG position under NIMS-ICS principles. This enables consistent and uniform position performance in support of nationally interoperable wildland fire operations. Improved position management will strengthen that connection and improve our ability to successfully teach, train, and operate to accurate position-related standards. Improvement efforts include development of Incident Position Descriptions (IPDs), implementation of a systematic process to identify training and performance support needs for each position, and development of position-specific standards. The Incident Position Performance Cycle demonstrates the interconnectedness of these elements.

Position pages provide the single authoritative source for:

  • IPDs
  • Standards and References

Position Qualification Requirements (established through the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1)

Training Materials

  • Make all materials fully accessible according to Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act.
  • Make training and performance support content freely available so it is fully interconnected, easily accessible, and can readily serve as reference material. This includes:
  • Post training and performance support material in the training catalog using the NWCG course page template to ensure consistency, branding, and ease of use.
    • For PowerPoint materials, use the NWCG standard template to eliminate duplication and conflict between slide content and instructor notes and to ensure training content is available for current and future reference. This will also serve as the instructor guide for the course, containing both presentation material and instructor notes.
    • Other NWCG templates are available for instructor guides.
  • Use NWCG standards publications as student workbooks to eliminate redundancy and conflict and to train to established standards.

Training Templates

Training templates are designed to help create and deliver NWCG Training. They ensure that all training products are consistent, on-brand, and accessible for everyone.

Position Task Books (PTBs)

  • Improve connectivity between established position-specific standards, position qualification requirements, and the PTB.
  • Ensure that PTBs are effective training and evaluation tools.
  • Eliminate unnecessary roadblocks to qualification.
  • Work within a system that allows/supports responsive changes in position duties.
  • Remove unnecessary redundancy.

NWCG Wildland Fire Learning Portal (WFLP)

The NWCG Wildland Fire Learning Portal (WFLP) is a learning management system intended to enable training providers and users to manage and track training information, including:

  • Training schedules
  • Student nominations and registration
  • Self-directed (online) training courses
  • Pre-course work for instructor-led (classroom) training courses
  • Simulations, exams, and other instructor-specific materials
  • Local enhancements, per NWCG Standards for Course Delivery, PMS 901-1
  • Student assessment and performance tracking

Non-NWCG Positions

  • Non-NWCG positions, including those found in the Federal Wildland Fire Qualifications Supplement, will not being evaluated by NWCG due to constraints of oversight to positions.
  • The Federal Wildland Fire Qualifications Supplement would add 117 positions to the process. NWCG does not establish or facilitate the development of the standards, training, publications, and support materials associated with these positions.

NWCG Latest Announcements

Updated! L-280, Followership to Leadership (Instructor-led) Course

Date: October 3, 2024
Questions? Please contact:
Leadership Committee

NWCG is pleased to announce the updated L-280, Followership to Leadership (Instructor-led) course is now available. L-280 is intended for operational personnel at the Firefighter Type 1 level, and for individuals pursuing Leadership Level 2, New Leader. 

This instructor-led course is a primer on leadership and the second formal course in the Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program. It helps emerging leaders build the confidence, skills, and mindset needed to lead effectively in high-risk environments. 

For more information about leadership development and available courses, visit the Leadership Committee Web Portal.

References:

L-280, Followership to Leadership (Instructor-led)

Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program

Wildland Fire Learning Portal

Equipment Advisory 25-01: Pre-2006 Fire Shelter Degradation and Discontinuation of Use

Date: Sept 26, 2025
Questions? Please contact:
Equipment Technology Committee 

The Equipment Technology Committee (ETC) has released Equipment Advisory 25-01: Pre-2006 Fire Shelter Degradation and Discontinuation of Use. This advisory recommends all pre-2006 fire shelters should be removed from service by January 1, 2026.

This advisory recommends firefighters and fire managers to:

  • Inspect fire shelters immediately
  • Replace and destroy any pre-2006 shelters (identified by white or pink insert label)
  • Order replacements as needed

For further details, please refer to the complete advisory. 

References:

Equipment Advisory 25-01: Pre-2006 Fire Shelter Degradation and Discontinuation of Use

NWCG Fire Inspection Flowchart, PMS 411-1

NWCG Alerts

NEW! S-219, Firing Operations (Blended) Now Available

Date: Sept 11, 2025
Questions? Please contact:
Fuels Management Committee 

The S-219, Firing Operations (Blended) course is now available on the Wildland Fire Learning Portal. Developed through the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) effort, this training supports individuals working towards Firing Boss, Single Resource (FIRB) incident qualifications.

This blended course combines online and instructor-led training to provide students with the knowledge and skills required to perform the duties of the FIRB, as described in the NWCG Incident Position Standards for Firing Boss, Single Resource, PMS 350-105.

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-219, Firing Operations (Blended)

NWCG Firing Boss, Single Resource Position Page

Wildland Fire Learning Portal

NWCG Committees Observe Suicide Prevention Awareness Week: September 7-13, 2025

Date: Sep 5, 2025
Questions? Please contact:
Mental Health Subcommittee

The NWCG Mental Health Subcommittee (MHSC) and Risk Management Committee (RMC) recognize the unique challenges and demands faced by the wildland fire community. The MHSC and RMC know that we are all stronger together and believe in fostering a culture of support, understanding, and resilience.

Suicide Prevention Awareness encourages us to actively connect with and support each other. For more information that could make a difference for yourself or someone else please review the materials and resources provided for the 2025 Suicide Prevention Awareness Week.

References:

2025 Suicide Prevention Awareness Week Materials and Resources