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Incident Commander Type 3

Position Description

Introduction

The Incident Commander’s responsibility is the overall management of the incident. On most incidents the command activity is carried out by a single Incident Commander. The Incident Commander is selected by qualifications and experience.

Duties

  • Assesses the situation and/or obtains a briefing from the prior Incident Commander.
  • Determines Incident Objectives and strategy.
  • Establishes the immediate priorities.
  • Establishes an Incident Command Post.
  • Establishes an appropriate organization.
  • Ensures planning meetings are scheduled as required.
  • Approves and authorize the implementation of an Incident Action Plan.
  • Ensures that adequate safety measures are in place.
  • Coordinates activity for all Command and General Staff.
  • Coordinates with key people and officials.
  • Approves requests for additions resources or for the release of resources.
  • Keeps agency administrator informed of incident statues.
  • Approves the use of trainees, volunteers, and auxiliary personnel.
  • Authorizes release of information to the news media.
  • Orders the demobilization of the incident when appropriate.

Position Knowledge and/or Requirements

  • Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior Calculations (S-390)
  • Satisfactory performance as an Incident Commander Type 4 and
  • Satisfactory performance as a Task Force Leader and
  • Satisfactory position performance as an Incident Commander Type 3 on a wildland fire incident
    OR
  • Satisfactory performance as a Strike Team Leader and
  • Satisfactory performance in any two single resource boss positions and
  • Satisfactory performance as an Incident Commander Type 4 and
  • Satisfactory performance as an Incident commander Type 3 on a wildland fire incident

NWCG Latest Announcements

NEW! NWCG Standards for Airtanker Operations, PMS 514

Date: March 7, 2025
Contact: National Interagency Aviation Committee

The NWCG Standards for Airtanker Operations, PMS 514 establishes the standards for dispatching, utilizing, and coordinating airtankers on interagency wildland fires. These standards should be used in conjunction with the NWCG Standards for Aerial Supervision (SAS), PMS 505, NWCG Standards for Airtanker Base Operations (SABO), PMS 508, and any applicable agency plans.

References:

NWCG Standards for Airtanker Operations, PMS 514

Incident Position Standards and Next Gen Position Task Books Now Available for Dispatch Incident Positions

Date: March 5, 2025
Contact: National Coordination System Committee

NWCG is excited to announce that Incident Position Standards and Next Generation Position Task Books are now available for all six Dispatch positions:

  • Aircraft Dispatcher
  • Expanded Dispatch Coordinator
  • Expanded Dispatch Recorder
  • Expanded Dispatch Supervisory Dispatcher
  • Expanded Dispatch Support Dispatcher
  • Initial Attack Dispatcher

The Performance Support Packages for these positions, including the Expanded Dispatch Job Aid, J-601 and the Initial Attack and Aircraft Dispatcher Job Aid, J-602, were developed as part of the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) effort. These resources support trainees, qualified personnel, and evaluators in their 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.

References:

NWCG Aircraft Dispatcher Position Page 

NWCG Expanded Dispatch Coordinator Position Page 

NWCG Expanded Dispatch Recorder Position Page 

NWCG Expanded Dispatch Supervisory Dispatcher Position Page 

NWCG Expanded Dispatch Support Dispatcher Position Page 

NWCG Initial Attack Dispatcher Position Page 

NWCG Job Aids 

Incident Position Standards and the Next Generation Position Task Books Now Available for DMOB, DOCL, and RESL

Date: February 28, 2025
Contact: Incident Operations Subcommittee

NWCG is excited to announce that Incident Position Standards and the Next Generation Position Task Books are now available for Demobilization Unit Leader (DMOB), Documentation Unit Leader (DOCL), and Resources Unit Leader (RESL).

The Performance Support Packages for these positions, including a job aid for RESL, 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.

References:

NWCG Demobilization Unit Leader Position Page 

NWCG Documentation Unit Leader Position Page 

NWCG Resources Unit Leader Position Page 

Next Generation Position Task Book and Updated Incident Position Description Now Available for Operations Section Chief Complex

Date: February 27, 2025
Contact: Incident Operations Subcommittee

NWCG is excited to announce that Operations Section Chief Complex (OSCC) has a Next Generation NWCG Position Task Book for Operations Section Chief Complex (OSCC), PMS 311-108 and an updated Incident Position Description.

These resources support trainees, qualified personnel, and evaluators in their respective roles.

References:

NWCG Operations Section Chief Complex Position Page 

NWCG Operations Section Chief Complex Incident Position Description 

NWCG Position Task Book for Operations Section Chief Complex (OSCC), PMS 311-108