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
SVBD Position Endorsement Requirements, 2022 Required Additional Training S-420, Command and General Staff OR L-481, Advanced Leadership for Command and General Staff Required Additional Experience Successful completion and certification of the NWCG Logistics Section Chief, Type 2 (LSC2) Position Task Book, PMS 311-33, on a wildland fire incident. Physical Fitness Level: None Required	Service Branch Director	Yes	2022-04-20	SVBD Recommendations
This is an inherently wildland fire position and has no endorsement. All-hazards Situation Unit Leader will need to meet the wildland fire position qualification requirements.	Situation Unit Leader	No	2022-04-20	SITL Recommendations
SPUL Position Endorsement Requirements, 2022 Required Additional Training None Required Required Additional Experience Successful completion and certification of position-specific tasks (#11, 12, 13, 16, 17, 18) in the NWCG Ordering Manager (ORDM) Position Task Book, PMS 311-43, on an incident or in a simulated environment. Physical Fitness Level: None Required	Supply Unit Leader	Yes	2022-04-20	SPUL Recommendations
SUBD Position Endorsement Requirements, 2022 Required Additional Training S-420, Command and General Staff OR L-481, Advanced Leadership for Command and General Staff Required Additional Experience Successful completion and certification of the NWCG Logistics Section Chief, Type 2 (LSC2) Position Task Book, PMS 311-33, on a wildland fire incident. Physical Fitness Level: None Required	Support Branch Director	Yes	2022-04-20	SUBD Recommendations
TIME 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 (#50-55) in the NWCG Time Unit Leader Position Task Book, PMS 311-47, on a wildland fire incident. Physical Fitness Level: None Required	Time Unit Leader	Yes	2022-07-20	TIME 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

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

National Wildfire Coordinating Group

NWCG Positions

Alternative Pathways NWCG Qualification

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NWCG Latest Announcements

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NWCG

National Wildfire Coordinating Group

NWCG Positions

Alternative Pathways NWCG Qualification

Recognition of Prior Learning

NWCG Position Endorsements

Required Additional Training

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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