Alternative Pathways NWCG Qualification

Group of wildland firefighters walking through low hanging smoke. The NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1, establishes minimum NWCG position qualification standards for training, experience, physical fitness, and currency for national mobilization to wildland fire incidents. Position qualification requirements are located on the individual position pages of the NWCG Position Catalog.

Recognition of prior learning (RPL), NWCG position endorsements, and the National Fire Academy (NFA) Structural Fire Skills Crosswalk are methods for attaining NWCG PMS 310-1 positions outside of the qualifications pathway through formal processes and recognized programs. Use of these processes and programs are determined by each agency independently and only apply to positions identified in the NWCG PMS 310-1. The use of these alternate pathways ensures the critical knowledge and skills needed to perform on wildland fire incidents is attained while increasing response capacity through a shortened path to qualification.

The NWCG Standards for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), PMS 309, establishes the use of a formal competency-based qualification process that allows any credentialing authority to recognize and account for competence acquired through life-long learning and experience. RPL is a process that evaluates an individual’s formal and non-formal learning to determine the extent to which that individual has achieved the required competencies to perform effectively in a specific emergency management or responder position. It is widely recognized that a standardized NWCG RPL process will reduce redundant training, support efforts to increase speed and time to competency, and support efforts to boost national resource surge capacity.

The NWCG Executive Board is developing NWCG position endorsements for the 45 common positions shared with National Incident Management System (NIMS) National Qualification System (NQS). A position endorsement is defined as “Documentation validating specific knowledge, skills, and abilities that an [Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ)] establishes beyond the minimum qualifications for a given position.” Endorsements allow utilizing NQS all-hazards qualified resources on wildland fire incidents. This process is not designed to review specific NWCG positions for use in all-hazards incidents.

Position analysis is underway. See analysis process for additional information. As recommendations are approved, they will be posted below. Target completion for analysis of all 45 positions is June 2022.

NWCG Position Catalog

Please Provide Endorsements Feedback

Details	Title Sort descending	Endorsed?	Endorsement Approved	Link to Recommendations
This is an inherently wildland fire position. All-hazards Air Operations Branch Director need to meet the wildland fire position qualification requirements. Rationale for not endorsing is based on prerequisite experience (e.g., strategic operations, complex air space coordination, complex frequency management, planning strategy and tactics for retardant operations, managing risk).	Air Operations Branch Director	No	2022-05-18	AOBD Recommendations
ASGS Position Endorsement Requirements, 2022 Required Additional Training None Required Required Additional Experience Successful completion and certification of the NWCG Air Support Group Supervisor (ASGS) Position Task Book, PMS 311-19, on a wildland fire incident. Physical Fitness Level: None Required	Air Support Group Supervisor	Yes	2022-05-18	ASGS Recommendations
This is an inherently wildland fire position. All-hazards Air Tactical Group Supervisors need to meet the wildland fire position qualification requirements. Rationale for not endorsing is based on prerequisite experience (e.g., complex airspace coordination with incident aircraft, DIVS prerequisite qualification).	Air Tactical Group Supervisor	No	2022-05-18	ATGS Recommendations
This is an inherently wildland fire position and has no endorsement. All-hazards Communication Unit Leaders will need to meet the wildland fire position qualification requirements.	Communications Unit Leader	No	2022-04-20	COML Recommendations
COMP Position Endorsement Requirements, 2022 Required Additional Training None required, but both S-260, Incident Business Management and e-ISuite training are recommended for anyone without wildland fire incident business experience. Required Additional Experience Successful completion and certification of position-specific tasks (#31-40) in the NWCG Compensation Unit Leader Position Task Book, PMS 311-47, on a wildland fire incident. Physical Fitness Level: None Required	Compensation/Claims Unit Leader	Yes	2022-07-20	COMP Recommendations
COST Position Endorsement Requirements, 2022 Required Additional Training None required, but both S-260, Incident Business Management and e-ISuite training are recommended for anyone without wildland fire incident business experience. Required Additional Experience Successful completion and certification of position-specific tasks (#16, 22, 23, 26) in the NWCG Cost Unit Leader Position Task Book, PMS 311-48, on a wildland fire incident. Physical Fitness Level: None Required	Cost Unit Leader	Yes	2022-07-20	COST Recommendations
This is an inherently wildland fire position and has no endorsement. Demobilization Unit Leader will need to meet the wildland fire position qualification requirements.	Demobilization Unit Leader	No	2022-04-20	DMOB Recommendations
This is an inherently wildland fire position. All-hazards Division Group Supervisors need to meet the wildland fire position qualification requirements. Rationale for not endorsing is based on prerequisite experience (e.g., fire behavior, strategic operations, burn planning).	Division/Group Supervisor	No	2022-05-18	DIVS Recommendations
DOCL Position Endorsement Requirements, 2022 Required Additional Training Review NWCG Standards for Electronic File Documentation, PMS 277, prior to assignment. Required Additional Experience Successful performance as a DOCL trainee on a wildland fire incident (no position task book required). Physical Fitness Level: None Required	Documentation Unit Leader	Yes	2022-04-20	DOCL Recommendations
FACL Position Endorsement Requirements, 2022 Required Additional Training None Required Required Additional Experience Successful completion and certification of position-specific tasks (#34, 35, 36, 37, 38) in the NWCG Facilities Unit Leader (FACL) Position Task Book, PMS 311-34, on an incident or in a simulated environment. Physical Fitness Level: None Required	Facilities Unit Leader	Yes	2022-04-20	FACL Recommendations
FSC1 Position Endorsement Requirements, 2022 Required Additional Training S-520, Advanced Incident Management or Complex Incident Management Course (CIMC) Required Additional Experience Successful completion and certification of NWCG Finance Section Chief Type 1 (FSC1) Position Task Book, PMS 311-46, on a wildland fire incident. Physical Fitness Level: None Required	Finance/Administration Section Chief Type 1	Yes	2022-07-20	FSC1 Recommendations
FSC2 Position Endorsement Requirements, 2022 The position for this endorsement is currently being evaluated to the new standards for Complex Incident Management, for current information regarding this change, please contact your NIMSIC representative.	Finance/Administration Section Chief Type 2	Yes	2022-07-20	FSC2 Recommendations
FSC3 Position Endorsement Requirements, 2022 Required Additional Training None Required Required Additional Experience Successful completion and certification of NWCG Time Unit Leader (TIME) Position Task Book, PMS 311-47, or Cost Unit Leader (COST) Position Task Book, PMS 311-48, on a wildland fire incident. Physical Fitness Level: None Required	Finance/Administration Section Chief Type 3	Yes	2022-07-20	FSC3 Recommendations
This is an inherently wildland fire position and has no endorsement. All-hazards Food Unit Leaders will need to meet the wildland fire position qualification requirements.	Food Unit Leader	No	2022-04-20	FDUL Recommendations
This is an inherently wildland fire position. All-hazards Geographic Information System Specialists need to meet the wildland fire position qualification requirements. Rationale for not endorsing is based on the specialized wildland fire workflow requirements.	Geographic Information System Specialist	No	2022-05-18	GISS Recommendations
GSUL Position Endorsement Requirements, 2022 Required Additional Training None required (NQS and NWCG are identical) Required Additional Experience None required (NQS and NWCG are identical) Physical Fitness Level: None Required	Ground Support Unit Leader	Yes	2022-04-20	GSUL Recommendations
ICT1 Position Endorsement Requirements, 2022 Required Additional Training S-520, Advanced Incident Management or Complex Incident Management Course (CIMC) RT-130, Wildland Fire Safety Training Annual Refresher (WFSTAR) Required Additional Experience Successful performance as a ICT1 trainee on a wildland fire incident (no PTB required). Use NWCG Incident Commander Type 1 (ICT1) Position Task Book, PMS 311-01, as a guide for the trainee assignment. Document performance on a PTB Evaluation Record. Physical Fitness Level: None Required	Incident Commander Type 1	Yes	2022-07-20	ICT1 Recommendations
ICT2 Position Endorsement Requirements, 2022 The position for this endorsement is currently being evaluated to the new standards for Complex Incident Management, for current information regarding this change, please contact your NIMSIC representative.	Incident Commander Type 2	Yes	2022-07-20	ICT2 Recommendations
This is an inherently wildland fire position. All-hazards Incident Commander Type 3s will need to meet the wildland fire endorsement for Incident Commander Type 4 before moving up to Incident Commander Type 3. Rationale for not endorsing is based on the complexity of the wildland fire ICT3 position. Wildland fire has Extended Attack incidents as well as Type 3 Incident Management Teams (IMTS); each requires variable skills from the ICT3 in command. With the implementation of Complex Incident Management, the path forward on the wildland fire side is still unclear.	Incident Commander Type 3	No	2022-07-20	ICT3 Recommendations
ICT4 Position Endorsement Requirements, 2022 Required Additional Training S-130, Firefighter Training S-190, Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior S-131, Firefighter Type 1 Training S-290, Intermediate Wildland Fire Behavior S-200, Initial Attack Incident Commander RT-130, Wildland Fire Safety Training Annual Refresher (WFSTAR) Required Additional Experience Successful completion and certification of tasks (#4, 6, 15, 21, 33, 34, 38, 39, 44) in the NWCG Incident Commander Type 4 (ICT4) Position Task Book, PMS 311-03, on a wildland fire incident. Physical Fitness Level: Arduous	Incident Commander Type 4	Yes	2022-07-20	ICT4 Recommendations

Structural firefighters meeting NFPA 1001 or 1021 qualifications may utilize the Skills Crosswalk identified by the NFA to apply their existing fire suppression knowledge and skills towards qualification in three NWCG incident positions: Firefighter Type 1 (FFT1), Engine Boss, Single Resource (ENGB), and Strike Team Leader Engine (STEN).

Refer to NFA for additional information.

The Gap courses have been designed to fill the knowledge gap between structural and wildand fire. The course, along with the associated position task book are required for structural firefighters prior to obtaining qualification in each of the three NWCG positions.

G-131, Wildland Training (FFT1) for Structural Firefighters (designed for those meeting NFPA 1001 for Firefighter 2, or equivalent)
G-231, Wildland Training (ENGB) for Structural Firefighters (designed for those meeting NFPA 1021 for Fire Officer 1, or equivalent)
G-330, Wildland Training (STEN) for Structural Firefighters (designed for those meeting NFPA 1021 for Fire Officer 2, or equivalent)

Positions Highlights

Last Modified / Reviewed: 2024-04-16

NWCG Latest Announcements

The Incident Position Standards and Next Generation Position Task Book are now available for Status/Check-In Recorder (SCKN)

Date: August 27, 2024
Contact: I ncident Planning Subcommittee

NWCG is excited to announce that the NWCG Incident Position Standards for Status/Check-In Recorder, PMS 350-32, NWCG Position Task Book for Status/Check-In Recorder (SCKN), PMS 311-32, and Checking In Resources Customer Service Job Aid, J-111 are now available.

The Performance Support Package, which for SCKN includes the Incident Position Standards, Next Generation Position Task Book, and job aid 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.

References:

NWCG Status/Check-In Recorder Position Page

NWCG Incident Position Standards for Status/Check-In Recorder, PMS 350-32

NWCG Position Task Book for Status/Check-In Recorder (SCKN), PMS 311-32

Checking In Resources Customer Service Job Aid, J-111

The Next Generation Position Task Book and Incident Position Standards are now available for Safety Officer, Field (SOFF)

Date: July 26, 2024
Contact: Risk Management Committee

NWCG is excited to announce that the NWCG Incident Position Standards for Safety Officer, Field, PMS 350-81 and NWCG Position Task Book for Safety Officer, Field (SOFF), PMS 311-81 are now available.

The Safety Officer, Field (SOFF) is responsible for monitoring operations on an incident from a risk management perspective to provide for the welfare of incident resources and the public. The new Incident Position Standards and Next Generation Position Task Book are developed through the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) effort.

References:

NWCG Safety Officer, Field (SOFF) Position

NWCG Incident Position Standards for Safety Officer, Field, PMS 350-81

NWCG Position Task Book for Safety Officer, Field (SOFF), PMS 311-81

Updated NWCG Standards for Electronic Documentation (eDoc), PMS 277

Date: July 25, 2024
Contact: Incident Planning Subcommittee

The Incident Planning Subcommittee has updated the NWCG Standards for Electronic Documentation (eDoc), PMS 277.

The NWCG Standards for Electronic Documentation (eDoc) establishes the standards for collection and retention of records on wildland fires. This July 2024 update will provide incident management teams the most current standards required to maintain incident records and submit them to host units at the close of an incident.

References:

NWCG Standards for Electronic Documentation (eDoc), PMS 277

eDoc Box Directory (zip file)

NWCG Off-Highway Vehicle Typing Standard Request for Comment

Date: July 24, 2024
Contact: Mobile Fire Equipment Subcommittee

The Mobile Fire Equipment Subcommittee has released Equipment Bulletin 24-002 NWCG Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Typing Standard - Request for Comment. This bulletin outlines the proposed NWCG OHV typing standard, as well as the business need for establishing the standard. Comments on the proposed standard will be accepted through August 15th using the comment form linked below.

References:

ETC-EB-2024-02: NWCG Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Typing Standard - Request for Comment

NWCG Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Typing Standard Comment Form

NWCG Positions

Alternative Pathways NWCG Qualification

Recognition of Prior Learning

NWCG Position Endorsements

Required Additional Training

Required Additional Experience

Physical Fitness Level: None Required

Required Additional Training

Required Additional Experience

Physical Fitness Level: None Required

Required Additional Training

Required Additional Experience

Physical Fitness Level: None Required

Required Additional Training

Required Additional Experience

Physical Fitness Level: None Required

Required Additional Training

Required Additional Experience

Physical Fitness Level: None Required

Required Additional Training

Required Additional Experience

Physical Fitness Level: None Required

The position for this endorsement is currently being evaluated to the new standards for Complex Incident Management, for current information regarding this change, please contact your NIMSIC representative.

Required Additional Training

Required Additional Experience

Physical Fitness Level: None Required

Required Additional Training

Required Additional Experience

Physical Fitness Level: None Required

Required Additional Training

Required Additional Experience

Physical Fitness Level: None Required

The position for this endorsement is currently being evaluated to the new standards for Complex Incident Management, for current information regarding this change, please contact your NIMSIC representative.

Required Additional Training

Required Additional Experience

Physical Fitness Level: Arduous

NFA Structural Fire Skills Crosswalk and Gap Courses

NWCG Latest Announcements

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NWCG National Wildfire Coordinating Group

NWCG

National Wildfire Coordinating Group