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	Position Code	Endorsed?	Endorsement Approved	Link to Recommendations
This is an inherently wildland fire position and has no endorsement. All-hazards Incident Communications Technician will need to meet the wildland fire position qualification requirements.	Incident Communications Technician	COMT	No	2022-04-20	COMT Recommendations
LOFR Position Endorsement Requirements, 2022 Required Additional Training None Required Additional Experience Successful performance as a LOFR trainee on a wildland fire incident (no PTB required). Use NWCG Liaison Officer (LOFR) Position Task Book, PMS 311-05, as a guide for the trainee assignment. Document performance on a PTB Evaluation Record. Physical Fitness Level: Arduous	Liaison Officer	LOFR	Yes	2022-07-20	LOFR Recommendations
This is an inherently wildland fire position and has no endorsement. All-hazards Logistics Section Chiefs Type 1 will need to meet the wildland fire position qualification requirements.	Logistics Section Chief Type 1	LSC1	No	2022-04-20	LSC1 Recommendations
LSC2 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.	Logistics Section Chief Type 2	LSC2	Yes	2022-04-20	LSC2 Recommendations
LSC3 Position Endorsement Requirements, 2022 Required Additional Training None Required Required Additional Experience Successful completion and certification of the NWCG Logistics Section Chief, Type 3 (LSC3) Position Task Book, PMS 311-35, on a wildland fire incident. Physical Fitness Level: None Required	Logistics Section Chief Type 3	LSC3	Yes	2022-04-20	LSC3 Recommendations
MEDL Position Endorsement Requirements, 2022 Required Additional Training S-359, Medical Unit Leader Required Additional Experience Successful completion and certification of position-specific tasks (#73 thru #86) in the NWCG Medical Unit Leader (MEDL) Position Task Book, PMS-311-34, on a wildland fire incident. Physical Fitness Level: None Required	Medical Unit Leader	MEDL	Yes	2022-04-20	MEDL Recommendations
This is an inherently wildland fire position. All-hazards Operations Section Chief Type 1 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).	Operations Section Chief Type 1	OSC1	No	2022-05-18	OSC1 Recommendations
This is an inherently wildland fire position. All-hazards Operations Section Chief Type 2 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).	Operations Section Chief Type 2	OSC2	No	2022-05-18	OSC2 Recommendations
This is an inherently wildland fire position. All-hazards Operations Section Chief Type 3 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).	Operations Section Chief Type 3	OPS3	No	2022-05-18	OPS3 Recommendations
This is an inherently wildland fire position and has no endorsement. All-hazards Planning Section Chief Type 1 will need to meet the wildland fire position qualification requirements.	Planning Section Chief Type 1	PSC1	No	2022-04-20	PSC1 Recommendations
PSC2 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.	Planning Section Chief Type 2	PSC2	Yes	2022-04-20	PSC2 Recommendations
This is an inherently wildland fire position and has no endorsement. All-hazards Planning Section Chief Type 3 will need to meet the wildland fire position qualification requirements.	Planning Section Chief Type 3	PSC3	No	2022-04-20	PSC3 Recommendations
All-hazards Procurement Unit Leaders need to meet the wildland fire position qualification requirements. Rationale for not endorsing is based on the complexity of federal procurement regulations.	Procurement Unit Leader	PROC	No	2022-07-20	PROC Recommendations
PIOF Position Endorsement Requirements, 2022 Required Additional Training L-180, Human Factors in the Wildland Fire Service S-130, Firefighter Training S-190, Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior Required Additional Experience No additional experience required Physical Fitness Level: None Required	Public Information Officer	PIOF	Yes	2022-01-19	PIOF Recommendations
PIO1 Position Endorsement Requirements, 2022 Required Additional Training S-520, Advanced Incident Management OR Complex Incident Management Course (CIMC) Required Additional Experience No additional experience required Physical Fitness Level: None Required	Public Information Officer Type 1	PIO1	Yes	2022-01-19	PIO1 Recommendations
PIO2 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.	Public Information Officer Type 2	PIO2	Yes	2022-01-19	PIO2 Recommendations
RESL Position Endorsement Requirements, 2022 Required Additional Training Review NWCG Standards for Electronic File Documentation, PMS 277, prior to assignment [note: publication nearing finalization]. Required Additional Experience Successful completion and certification of position-specific tasks (#35, 37, 38, 41, 42, 43, 45, 47) in the NWCG Resources Unit Leader (RESL) Position Task Book, PMS 311-24, on a wildland fire incident. Physical Fitness Level: None Required	Resources Unit Leader	RESL	Yes	2022-04-20	RESL Recommendations
This is an inherently wildland fire position and has no endorsement. All-hazards Safety Officers need to meet the wildland fire position qualification requirements.	Safety Officer Type 1	SOF1	No	2022-01-19	SOF1 Recommendations
This is an inherently wildland fire position and has no endorsement. All-hazards Safety Officers need to meet the wildland fire position qualification requirements.	Safety Officer Type 2	SOF2	No	2022-01-19	SOF2 Recommendations
This is an inherently wildland fire position and has no endorsement. All-hazards Safety Officers need to meet the wildland fire position qualification requirements.	Safety Officer, Line	SOFR	No	2022-01-19	SOFR 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

NWCG Latest Announcements

ETC Bulletin 24-001: Discontinued Use of Hot/Cold Beverage Kits - 2024 Field Season

Date: June 4, 2024
Contact: NWCG Equipment Technology Committee

The purpose of this bulletin is to provide NWCG direction on the discontinued use of hot/cold beverage kits for the 2024 field season due to spout failures and risk of burn injury. As an alternative, coffee heating kits are available for ordering through the cache system to support spike camps and remote resources.

If personnel see hot/cold beverage kits at an incident, these should not be used. Equipment specialists with the National Technology and Development Program are evaluating available alternative options to replace the faulty spouts and continue to coordinate with industry experts.

References:

Equipment Bulletin 24-001: Discontinued Use of Hot/Cold Beverage Kits – 2024 Field Season

NWCG Alerts

Updated Emergency Equipment Shift Ticket, OF 297

Date: June 4, 2024
Contact: NWCG Incident Business Committee

The 1990 version of the Emergency Equipment Shift Ticket, OF 297, has been replaced by the updated May 2024 version. The new version of the OF 297 has been modified and improved to meet current incident management needs. The form now has areas to document the staffing of equipment and special rates. IBC has created a one-page help document and 3 completed sample OF-297 forms to assist in this transition, available on the IBC webpage.

References:

Incident Business Committee

Emergency Equipment Shift Ticket, OF 297

2023 Wildland Fire EMS Awards

Date: May 24, 2024
Contact: NWCG Emergency Medical Committee

The NWCG Emergency Medical Committee (EMC) announces the recipients of the 2023 Wildland Fire EMS Awards. EMC annually recognizes individuals and groups who have demonstrated outstanding actions or accomplishments that are above and beyond the expectation of one’s normal mission or job duties.

Congratulations to all the awardees and nominees. Through leadership and initiative, they have made significant contributions to the safety of the wildland fire community. These awards are well deserved.

References:

2023 Wildland Fire EMS Awards

NWCG Emergency Medical Committee

Next Generation Position Task Books

Date: May 21, 2024
Contact: NWCG Training

NWCG is excited to announce the release of Next Generation Position Task Books (Next Gen PTBs). The Next Gen PTB is part of the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) effort. Next Gen PTBs are intended to be used in conjunction with Incident Position Standards to support constructive conversations between trainees and evaluators, set baseline standards, and enhance speed to competency.

Next Gen PTBs and Incident Position Standards are now available for Crew Boss, Single Resource (CRWB) and Prescribed Fire Burn Boss Type 2 (RXB2). As positions go through IPTM, Next Gen PTBs will be developed and published.

References:

NWCG Position Task Books

Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM)

National Wildfire Coordinating Group

NWCG Positions

Alternative Pathways NWCG Qualification

Required Additional Training

Required Additional Experience

Physical Fitness Level: Arduous

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

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

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

Required Additional Experience

Physical Fitness Level: Arduous

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

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

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