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NWCG Positions

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Position Catalog

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

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Alternative Pathways to NWCG Qualification

Air Operations

NWCG positions enable consistent and uniform performance by personnel mobilized by position under NIMS-ICS principles. The position catalog provides comprehensive information about each NWCG position, those for which NWCG establishes qualifications standards. Agency-specific positions such as those located in the Federal Wildland Fire Qualifications Supplement are not included in this catalog.

Positions denoted with an asterisk (*) use the established FEMA National Qualifications System all-hazard position as the baseline for the NWCG wildland fire position.

Note: Filter all IPDs using the IPD Status column to quickly see which ones are under review.

Position Title Position Code Functional Area Steward Key Stakeholders IPD Status ID IDQR
Air Operations Branch Director* AOBD Air Operations NIAC Approved 29539 33032
Air Support Group Supervisor* ASGS Air Operations NIAC Approved 29540 33014
Air Tactical Group Supervisor* ATGS Air Operations IASS Approved 29524 33011
Aircraft Base Radio Operator ABRO Air Operations IHOPS Approved 29526 33039
Aircraft Timekeeper ATIM Air Operations ABOU Approved 33173 33052
Airtanker Base Manager ATBM Air Operations ABOU Approved 33179 33063
Area Command Aviation Coordinator ACAC Air Operations NIAC Approved 29538 33036
Deck Coordinator DECK Air Operations IHOPS Approved 29529 33007
Fixed Wing Base Manager FWBM Air Operations ABOU Approved 33175 33057
Fixed Wing Parking Tender FWPT Air Operations ABOU Approved 33178 33054
Helibase Manager HEBM Air Operations IHOPS Approved 33172 33042
Helicopter Coordinator HLCO Air Operations IASS Approved 29545 33001
Helicopter Crewmember HECM Air Operations IHOPS Approved 29625 33004
Helicopter Manager, Single Resource HMGB Air Operations IHOPS Approved 29485 32998
Mixmaster MXMS Air Operations ABOU Approved 33176 33045
Ramp Manager RAMP Air Operations ABOU Approved 33174 33061
Retardant Crewmember RTCM Air Operations ABOU Approved 33177 33048
Single Engine Airtanker Manager SEMG Air Operations ABOU Approved 29546 32994
Unmanned Aircraft System Pilot UASP Air Operations IFUASS Approved 33182 33168
Unmanned Aircraft System, Data Specialist UASD Air Operations IFUASS Approved 33183 33165
Unmanned Aircraft System, Manager UASM Air Operations IFUASS Approved 33180 33158
Unmanned Aircraft System, Module Leader UASL Air Operations IFUASS --- 33181 33162
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NWCG Latest Announcements

NWCG Equipment Technology Committee Releases Safety Warning: 25-001 Non-specification fire shelters

Date: January 15, 2025
Contact: Equipment Technology Committee

The Equipment Technology Committee (ETC) has released Safety Warning: 25-001 Non-specification fire shelters. Non-specification fire shelters claiming to meet Forest Service (FS) fire shelter specification 5100-606 were first found in February of 2023. As of September 2024, non-specification shelters are again being advertised and sold on the open market.

This Safety Warning outlines details and recommended procedures to purchase FS specification shelters made with materials and components that meet performance criteria and toxicity testing requirements outlined in FS Specification 5100-606. 

For additional information on identifying non-specification shelters, please view ETC Safety Warning 23-01.

References:

ETC Safety Warning 25-001: Non-specification fire shelters

NWCG Equipment Technology Committee

ETC Safety Warning 23-01

Paul Gleason Lead by Example Awards

Date: January 14, 2025
Contact: Leadership Committee

The NWCG Leadership Committee has awarded the 2023 Paul Gleason “Lead By Example” awards to individuals in the categories of Initiative and Innovation, Mentoring and Teamwork, and Motivation and Vision, as well as a Lifetime Achievement Award.

Congratulations to the awardees:

  • Sam Bowen, Superintendent of the Mark Twain Veteran Crew with the U.S. Forest Service.
  • Greg Titus, Zone Fire Management Officer for the St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
  • Renae Crippen, Manager of the Blue Mountain Interagency Dispatch Center with the U.S. Forest Service.
  • Eric Carlson, Instructor with OMNA International.

References:

Paul Gleason Lead by Example Award

Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program

Interview with Paul Gleason

Updated NWCG Standards for Water Scooping Operations, PMS 518

Date: December 19, 2024
Contact: Water Scooper Operations Unit

The NWCG Standards for Water Scooping Operations, PMS 518 establishes the standards for dispatching, utilizing, and coordinating water scooping aircraft on interagency wildland fires. These standards should be used in conjunction with the NWCG Standards for Aerial Supervision (SAS), PMS 505, and any local, state, or geographic/regional water scooping plans.

References:

NWCG Standards for Water Scooping Operations, PMS 518

Updated NWCG Standards for Aerial Supervision, PMS 505

Date: December 19, 2024
Contact: Interagency Aerial Supervision Subcommittee

The Interagency Aerial Supervision Subcommittee has updated the NWCG Standards for Aerial Supervision, PMS 505. PMS 505 establishes standards for aerial supervision operations for national interagency wildland fire operations. 

References:

NWCG Standards for Aerial Supervision, PMS 505