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National Aerial Firefighting Academy Unit and Steering Committee

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NAFAU decorative banner. Students sitting at table on left, a pilot in cockpit in center, and a single engine airtanker dropping retardant on right.
Mission Statement

Mission Statement

The National Aerial Firefighting Academy consists of three courses: NAFA I, NAFA II, and NAFA III. The courses are conducted by agency and industry professionals directly involved in wildland fire operations for personnel specializing in aerial retardant and water delivery (i.e., Airtanker, Helicopter, Single Engine Airtanker, Scoopers, Lead Plane and Aerial Supervision Operators). The NAFA Steering Committee’s purpose is to promote, organize, and provide content/instruction for the courses.

The intent of the NAFA training courses is to provide participants with information needed to work together in a safe and effective manner in the congested airspace over a wildland fire incident. The primary objective is to provide training in basic wildland firefighting operations and tactical considerations. The courses provide a look into the “other pilot's” job giving an important perspective needed to achieve the same goal, which is to support the firefighters on the ground with aerial resources safely, effectively, and efficiently

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  • Enhance aviation safety of agency and contract personnel by providing training in basic wildland firefighting operations through integration of standardized interagency tactics and operational procedures. Information is presented, and a test of knowledge will be administered prior to granting a certificate of completion.
  • Provide national level intent and emphasis regarding aviation policy and procedures. NAFA itself does not create policy or procedures. Rather, it promotes the standards accepted and approved by agencies (i.e., US Forest Service (USFS) and Bureau of Land Management (BLM)).
  • Provide instruction to meet the following objectives:
    • Understand operations and communications within the Fire Traffic Area to safely support the ground firefighters.
    • Increase aerial firefighting knowledge by integrating tactics, operations, and coordination of various resources to enhance their effectiveness and safety.
    • Have a basic understanding of ground and aerial wildland firefighting to include dispatching, fire terminology, airbase operations, human factors, fire behavior and the Incident Command System.
    • Improve knowledge of fire policies put forth by NWCG, drop patterns, coverage levels, strategies, techniques, and factors influencing aerial application on wildland fire.

Chair: Parker Lucas

NWCG Coordinator: Schultz, Dave

Parent Committee: Interagency Airtanker and Scooper Operations Subcommittee

Meeting Schedule: TBD

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NWCG Latest Announcements

NEW! M-280, Resource Advisor, Fireline (Instructor-Led) Course Available Now

Date: January 29, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Resource Advisor Subcommittee

NWCG is pleased to announce the new M-280, Resource Advisor, Fireline (Instructor-Led) course is now available. This training supports individuals working towards Resource Advisor, Fireline (REAF) incident qualifications.

M-280, Resource Advisor, Fireline (Instructor-Led) training prepares students to serve as a Resource Advisor, Fireline (REAF) as defined in NWCG Incident Position Standards for Resource Advisor, Fireline, PMS 350-112. This course presents scenarios that reflect the diverse challenges a REAF may encounter during an incident. Through these scenarios, participants gain hands-on experience and an understanding of REAF responsibilities in a controlled learning environment.

References:

Resource Advisor, Fireline Position Page

NWCG Position Standards for Resource Advisor, Fireline, PMS 350-112

M-280, Resource Advisor, Fireline (Instructor-Led)

Wildland Fire Learning Portal

2026 Updates to the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1

Date: January 23, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Incident and Position Standards Committee

The Incident and Position Standards Committee has updated the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1.

These updates address changes to incident position names and requirements for qualification, training, and experience. Updates related to the implementation of Complex Incident Management (CIM) and Incident Performance Training Modernization (IPTM) are also included.

The NWCG Wildland Fire Position Qualification Flowchart, PMS 308 has also been updated to reflect the recent changes.

References:

NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1

NWCG Wildland Fire Position Qualification Flowchart, PMS 308

IPSC Memo 26-01: January 2026 Updates to the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Positions Qualifications, PMS 310-1

Incident Business Committee Memo 26-01: Updated Emergency Equipment Shift Ticket, OF 297

Date: January 22, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Incident Business Committee

The Incident Business Committee (IBC) has released Memorandum 26-01: OF 297 and 2026 Fire Use. This memo informs the wildland fire community that the updated Emergency Equipment Shift Ticket, OF 297 is available for download and can be ordered through the Great Basin Cache.

Beginning January 15, 2026 the previous version of the OF 297 form has been discontinued.

For further details, please contact your IBC representative.

References:

Incident Business Committee Memorandum 26-01

Great Basin Cache

NEW! S-390, Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior Calculations (Blended) Available Now

Date: December 22, 2025
Questions about RT-130? 
Please contact: Fire Behavior Subcommittee

NWCG is excited to announce that the new S-390, Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior Calculations (Blended) training is now available on the Wildland Fire Learning Portal.

This third course in the series combines online and instructor-led training components aimed at individuals who are involved in planning, managing, and executing wildland fire and prescribed burn operations; who require a thorough understanding of fire behavior calculations to enhance effectiveness and safety. This includes students who require the knowledge and skill necessary to perform the duties of a Type 3 Incident Commander (ICT3), Division/Group Supervisor (DIVS), or Prescribed Fire Burn Boss Type 2 (RXB2).

Students are required to be qualified as any Single Resource Boss position and complete the prerequisite S-290, Intermediate Wildland Fire behavior (Blended) course, before enrolling in S-390.

References:

S-390, Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior Calculations (Blended)

Wildland Fire Learning Portal