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PMS 910

PMS 910

PMS 910

NWCG Data Standards

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NWCG Data Standards, PMS 910

NWCG data standards provide specifications that enable the common usage of data across wildland fire information systems. The tables below display these standards by type: Data Element Standards and Geospatial Data Layer Standards. The data in these tables is imported from the TopBraid Enterprise Data Governance (EDG) system.

EDG is an agile data governance solution utilized by the Department of the Interior and its cooperators for enterprise-wide data governance, which includes the management of NWCG data standards and assets. More detailed information, such as rules, documentation, and term relationships, is available within EDG (please see How to Access EDG).

NWCG Website and EDG Integration Update (July 30, 2025): The NWCG Webmaster and the FAM-IM Development team are currently integrating additional metadata from EDG onto the NWCG Website. This metadata was previously available in PDF format.

USWDS Paragraphs

Note: If the NWCG Data Standards View is not displaying below please report it to NWCG Webmaster. 

Data Standard Steward Status Description
ABCD Miscellaneous Data Standard DMC Data Management Committee, IBC Incident Business Committee Approved

A FireCode used by the USDA Forest Service to track and compile cost information for emergency initial attack fire suppression expenditures. For A, B, C, & D size class fires on Forest Service lands.
ADS Permission State Data Standard DMC Data Management Committee Grandfathered

Indicates the permission hierarchy that is currently being applied when a system utilizes the Update Incident operation.
Apparatus Number Data Standard NCSC National Coordination System Committee Grandfathered

The external alphanumeric value painted on the side of the equipment.
Capacity Data Standard IPSC Incident and Position Standards Committee Approved

The capacity in which the overhead resource is qualified to perform a position. May also be used to define how the resource performed on a specific incident. In both cases the capacity is defined as “trainee” or “qualified”.
Cost Data Standard IBC Incident Business Committee Grandfathered

A standard for the dollar amount associated with an incident.
Country Code Data Standard DMC Data Management Committee Approved

This standard adopts the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) standard for two-letter country codes.
Country Subdivision Code Data Standard DMC Data Management Committee Approved

This standard adopts the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) standard for country subdivision codes of up to three alpha-numeric characters. This standard replaces the NWCG State Code standard.
County Code Data Standard DMC Data Management Committee Approved

This standard adopts the Federal Information Processing Standards (FIPS) publications 6-4, Counties and Equivalent Entities of the United States, Its Possessions, and Associated Areas. This FIPS standard was approved on August 31, 1990, and is published by the U.S. Department of Commerce, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Computer Systems Laboratory, Gaithersburg, MD 20899.
FIPS PUB 6-4 implements the American National Standard ANSI X3.31-1988, Information Systems - Codes - Structure for the Identification of the Counties and County Equivalents of the United Sates and Its Outlying and Associated Areas for Information Interchange. ANSI X3.31 is published by the American National Standards Institute, 11 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 1003. 
Created By System Data Standard DMC Data Management Committee Approved

Username of system that created the record.
Created On Date-Time Data Standard DMC Data Management Committee Approved

Date/time that the record was created.
Date Data Standard DMC Data Management Committee Approved

This standard adopts Federal Information Processing Standards Publication (FIPS) 4.2, that adopts American National Standard ANSI X3.3 0-1997: Representation of Date for Information Interchange (revision of ANSIX3.30-1985 (RI991)). ANSI X3.30-1997 was approved on February 5, 1998, and is published by the American National Standards Institute, 11 West 42nd Street, NewYork, NY 10036, telephone (212) 642-4900.
Date-Time Data Standard DMC Data Management Committee Approved

The combination of date and time elements.
Detection Method Data Standard FRSC Fire Reporting Subcommittee Grandfathered

The method by which the fire was detected.
Employment Category Data Standard IOSC Incident Operations Subcommittee Approved

The type of employment appointment or agreement under which a person is hired. [validated: 5/6/2004]
Estimated Containment Date-Time Data Standard PSOG National Predictive Services Oversight Group Approved

Create a data standard to describe the data element for estimated date a wildfire will be contained.
Estimated Costs to Date Data Standard IBC Incident Business Committee Approved

Estimated total incident costs to date for the entire incident based on currently available information. Costs include estimates for all costs for the response including management and support activities.
Evaluation Comments Data Standard IOSC Incident Operations Subcommittee Approved

Text description of the evaluator’s comments.
Evaluation Data Standard IOSC Incident Operations Subcommittee Approved

A description of how the resource performed on an incident. The evaluation is focused on the specific capacity the resource was required to perform.
Evaluation Timestamp Data Standard IOSC Incident Operations Subcommittee Approved

The date/time the trainee experience was evaluated.
Event Kind & Category Data Standard NCSC National Coordination System Committee Approved

This data standard specifies general, high-level codes and descriptions to be used in categorizing the types of incidents and planned events to which the interagency wildland fire community responds
Experience From Date Data Standard IOSC Incident Operations Subcommittee Approved

The date and time when the Experience began.
Experience To Date Data Standard IOSC Incident Operations Subcommittee Approved

The date and time when the Experience ended.
Final Fire Acre Quantity Data Standard FRSC Fire Reporting Subcommittee Approved

This data standard provides a standard format and definition for the measure of acres within the final perimeter of a fire. [validated: 7/11/2008]
Fire Containment Date-Time Data Standard FRSC Fire Reporting Subcommittee Approved

This standard provides a standard format and definition for the date and time a wildfire was declared contained.
Fire Control Date-Time Data Standard FRSC Fire Reporting Subcommittee Approved

This standard provides a standard format and definition for the date and time a wildfire was declared under control. [validated: 6/16/2008]
Fire Discovery Date-Time Data Standard FRSC Fire Reporting Subcommittee Approved

This data standard provides a standard format and definition for the date and time a fire was discovered or confirmed to exist. [validated: 4/10/2008]
Fire Initial Action Date-Time Data Standard FRSC Fire Reporting Subcommittee Approved

This data standard provides a standard format and definition for the date and time that initial action was taken by the first resources to arrive at a fire. [validated: 4/10/2008]
Fire Out Date-Time Data Standard FRSC Fire Reporting Subcommittee Approved

This data standard provides a standard format and definition for the date and time when a fire is declared "out". [validated: 6/16/2008]
Fire Report Approver Name Data Standard FRSC Fire Reporting Subcommittee Approved

This data standard provides a standard format and definition for the name of the person that approved the fire report. [validated: 4/10/2008]
Fire Report Provider Name Data Standard FRSC Fire Reporting Subcommittee Approved

This data standard provides a standard format and definition for the name of the person that provided the data for the fire report. [validated: 4/10/2008]
Fire Reporting Agency Unit Identifier Data Standard FRSC Fire Reporting Subcommittee Approved

This data standard adopts the NWCG Unit Identifier data standard to identify the agency preparing a fire report. [validated: 4/10/2008]
Fire Resource Kind, Category & Type Data Standard NIAC National Interagency Aviation Committee, ETC Equipment Technology Committee, NCSC National Coordination System Committee, IPSC Incident and Position Standards Committee Approved

This data standard provides standard formats and definitions for a three-tier classification (kind and type) of operational resources available to respond to a fire. [validated: 8/15/2008]
Fire Resource Status Data Standard NCSC National Coordination System Committee Approved

Indicates if the resource record being submitted or updated is an initial response resource or daily resource record.
Fire Size Class Data Standard FRSC Fire Reporting Subcommittee Approved

This data standard provides a standard code and definition for classifying a fire into one of several ranges of fire size based on the number of acres within the final fire perimeter. [validated: 12/17/2012]
FireCode Data Standard IBC Incident Business Committee Approved

This data standard specifies the standard format and rules for FireCode, a code used within the interagency wildland fire community to track and compile cost information for emergency fire suppression expenditures. [validated: 5/18/2005]
First Name Data Standard DMC Data Management Committee Approved

The first name of the resource as it appears on a government issued ID. Applies only to overhead resources.
Fitness Level Data Standard IPSC Incident and Position Standards Committee Approved

A code that indicates the fitness level of a human resource.
Forest Service Assisted Indicator Data Standard IBC Incident Business Committee Approved

Indicates if the Forest Service provided assistance on an incident outside their jurisdiction.
Forest Service Job Code Data Standard IBC Incident Business Committee Approved

A code used to indicate the Forest Service job accounting code for the incident. This is specific to the Forest Service, and is usually displayed as two-character prefix on the FireCode.
Forest Service Override Code Data Standard IBC Incident Business Committee Approved

A code used to indicate the Forest Service override code for the incident. This is specific to the Forest Service, and is usually displayed as a four-character suffix on FireCode.
Frequency Use Designator Data Standard RSUSC Wildland Fire Radio Standards and Use Committee Approved

This data standard provides a standard list of designators for the kind of communications that will occur on an assigned radio frequency. [validated: 3/8/2004]
Fulfillment Comment Data Standard IOSC Incident Operations Subcommittee Approved

Communication about the request and fulfilling that request.
Fulfillment Status Data Standard IOSC Incident Operations Subcommittee Approved

Indicates the state of the request.
General Status Data Standard IPSC Incident and Position Standards Committee Approved

Indicates whether the resource is available or unavailable to fill a capability request.
Geographic Area (GA) Code & Name Data Standard NCSC National Coordination System Committee Approved

This data standard provides a code and name for each of the wildland fire geographic areas. [validated: 2/16/2006]
Geographic Area Coordination Center (GACC) Code & Name Data Standard NCSC National Coordination System Committee Approved

This data standard provides a code and name for each of the wildland fire geographic area coordination centers. [validated: 5/21/2015]
Geographic Coordinating Area (GCA) Code & Name Data Standard NCSC National Coordination System Committee Approved

This data standard provides a code and name for each of the wildland fire geographic coordinating areas. [validated: 5/21/2015]
GUID Data Standard DMC Data Management Committee Grandfathered

A standard describing a globally unique identifier for unique identification.
Home Dispatch Unit Data Standard IOSC Incident Operations Subcommittee Approved

The NWCG Unit Identifier of the center primarily responsible for dispatching the resource.
Horizontal Datum Code Data Standard GSC Geospatial Subcommittee Approved

This data standard provides a code and name for each of the point coordinate reference systems used within the interagency wildland fire community. [validated: 12/17/2012]
Displaying 1 - 50 of 133

Note: If the NWCG Geospatial Data Layer View is not displaying below please report it to NWCG Webmaster. 

Data Standard Title Steward Status Description
Aviation Activity Point NIAC National Interagency Aviation Committee, GSC Geospatial Subcommittee Approved

This layer captures activities that may present a hazard to pilots during aviation operations.
Aviation Activity Polygon NIAC National Interagency Aviation Committee, GSC Geospatial Subcommittee Approved

This layer captures activities that may present a hazard to pilots during aviation operations.
Aviation Obstruction Line NIAC National Interagency Aviation Committee, GSC Geospatial Subcommittee Approved

This layer captures physical features that may present a hazard to pilots during aviation operations. Generally speaking these are permanent features.
Aviation Obstruction Point NIAC National Interagency Aviation Committee, GSC Geospatial Subcommittee Approved

This layer captures physical features that may present a hazard to pilots during aviation operations. Generally speaking these are permanent features.
Aviation Obstruction Polygon NIAC National Interagency Aviation Committee, GSC Geospatial Subcommittee Approved

This layer captures physical features that may present a hazard to pilots during aviation operations. Generally speaking these are permanent features.
Fire Danger Rating Areas GSC Geospatial Subcommittee, FDSC Fire Danger Subcommittee In Development
Fire Restrictions Polygon CEPC Communication, Education, and Prevention Committee, GSC Geospatial Subcommittee Approved

This geospatial layer depicts areas where measures have been taken by jurisdictional agencies to impose bans and standards of use on certain human activities that could lead to the cause of wildland fire. These rules are called fire restrictions.
Fuels Treatments Polygon CEPC Communication, Education, and Prevention Committee, GSC Geospatial Subcommittee Approved

The Fuels Treatments (polygon) data layer represents the area(s) of unique fuels treatments during a single timeframe. Each treatment may be made up of multiple polgons.
Geographic Area Coordination Center Boundaries Polygon GSC Geospatial Subcommittee, NCSC National Coordination System Committee Approved

Geographic boundary polygons depicting the administrative area of the Geographic Area Coordination Centers
Helispots NIAC National Interagency Aviation Committee, GSC Geospatial Subcommittee Approved

The helispot data standard deals with the spatial location and minimum critical attribute information for planning and operational use. The purpose is to store information about established helispots for land management agencies. The standard is not meant to store temporary helispot locations created during incident response, but the data will be available for reference during incident response. Data will persist in the National Incident Feature Service.
Initial Attack Frequency Zone Polygon GSC Geospatial Subcommittee Approved

Polygons depicting areas in which FAA/DOI/USDA annually assign initial attack frequencies for incident needs.
Jurisdictional Unit Polygon GSC Geospatial Subcommittee, FRSC Fire Reporting Subcommittee Approved

This geospatial layer depicts areas of wildland fire jurisdiction to the National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) Unit level. Jurisdictional Unit is defined by NWCG as "The governmental entity having overall land and resource management responsibility for a specific geographical area as provided by law."
National Dispatch Center Office Point GSC Geospatial Subcommittee

Geographic points depicting the locations of Dispatch Centers within Tier 1, 2, and 3 Dispatch Areas across the nation. Tier 1 refers to the National Interagency Coordination Center (NICC) which administers the entire country. Tier 2 are the Geographic Area Coordination Centers (GACCs). Tier 3 are the Local Dispatch Centers. Depending on availability of addresses, points may represent actual Dispatch Center offices or only the general city in which the center exists. If no address is listed in the DispAddress field, the location is specific to the city only and not to an address.
National Geographic Area Coordination Center Boundary Polygon GSC Geospatial Subcommittee Approved

Geographic boundary polygons depicting administrative areas of Geographic Area Coordination Centers (GACCs). GACCs are the largest subdivision within the National Interagency Coordination Center (NICC) tiered dispatch system. GACCs provide logistical coordination of emergency management resources within their boundaries and with other GACCs. GACC Boundaries are further subdivided into Local Dispatch Areas.
Potential Operational Delineations Line GSC Geospatial Subcommittee, IFPC Interagency Fire Planning Committee Approved

This geospatial layer depicts linear potential control features that may form wildland fire potential operational delineation polygon boundaries.
Potential Operational Delineations Polygon GSC Geospatial Subcommittee, IFPC Interagency Fire Planning Committee Approved

This geospatial layer depicts areas of wildland fire potential operational delineations defined by potential control features.
Pre-Incident Structure Evaluation GSC Geospatial Subcommittee Approved

This layer includes information on the structure access, structure construction and defensible space with related attributes for documenting the property's characteristics.
Predictive Services Area Boundaries Polygon PSOG National Predictive Services Oversight Group, GSC Geospatial Subcommittee, FRSC Fire Reporting Subcommittee Approved

Geographic boundary polygons depicting the extent of the Predictive Services Area Boundary
Resource Base Location GSC Geospatial Subcommittee Approved

Points depicting locations at which a given resource base exists, originates, or is dispatched from (home location) as defined in the specific layer description. Standard may be adapted for use with many types of resource base locations.
Resource Tracking Points NIAC National Interagency Aviation Committee, GSC Geospatial Subcommittee, ETC Equipment Technology Committee, NCSC National Coordination System Committee Approved

This geospatial layer displays the real-time location of wildland fire resources.
Water Source GSC Geospatial Subcommittee Approved

The Engine Water Sources data standard includes definition of a point feature class for storing information in support of fire-related operations. This layer provides information about the locations, capacity, type, etc. of water sources that may be used for firefighting purposes.
Wildland Fire Dispatch Area Boundaries Polygon GSC Geospatial Subcommittee, NCSC National Coordination System Committee Approved

Geographic boundary polygons depicting the administrative area of the Wildland fire Dispatch Areas
Wildland Fire Dispatch Office Location Point GSC Geospatial Subcommittee, NCSC National Coordination System Committee Approved
Wildland Fire Event Line GSC Geospatial Subcommittee Approved

The Wildland Fire Event Line data standard will define the minimum attributes necessary for collection, storage and dissemination of incident based data on wildland fires (wildfires and prescribed fires). The standard is not intended for long term data storage, rather a standard to assist in the creation of incident based data management tools, minimum standards for data exchange, and to assist users in meeting NWCG Standards for Geospatial Operations, PMS 936, guidance on incidents.
Wildland Fire Event Line (Dev) GSC Geospatial Subcommittee In Development

The Wildland Fire Event Line data standard will define the minimum attributes necessary for collection, storage and dissemination of incident based data on wildland fires (wildfires and prescribed fires). The standard is not intended for long term data storage, rather a standard to assist in the creation of incident based data management tools, minimum standards for data exchange, and to assist users in meeting NWCG Standards for Geospatial Operations, PMS 936, guidance on incidents.
Wildland Fire Event Point GSC Geospatial Subcommittee Approved

The Wildland Fire Event Point data standard will define the minimum attributes necessary for collection, storage and dissemination of incident based data on wildland fires (wildfires and prescribed fires). The standard is not intended for long term data storage, rather a standard to assist in the creation of incident based data management tools, minimum standards for data exchange, and to assist users in meeting NWCG Standards for Geospatial Operations, PMS 936, guidance on incidents.
Wildland Fire Event Point (Dev) GSC Geospatial Subcommittee In Development

The Wildland Fire Event Point data standard will define the minimum attributes necessary for collection, storage and dissemination of incident based data on wildland fires (wildfires and prescribed fires). The standard is not intended for long term data storage, rather a standard to assist in the creation of incident based data management tools, minimum standards for data exchange, and to assist users in meeting NWCG Standards for Geospatial Operations, PMS 936, guidance on incidents.
Wildland Fire Event Polygon GSC Geospatial Subcommittee Approved

The Wildland Fire Event Polygon data standard will define the minimum attributes necessary for collection, storage and dissemination of incident based data on wildland fires (wildfires and prescribed fires). The standard is not intended for long term data storage, rather a standard to assist in the creation of incident based data management tools, minimum standards for data exchange, and to assist users in meeting NWCG Standards for Geospatial Operations, PMS 936, guidance on incidents.
Wildland Fire Event Polygon (Dev) GSC Geospatial Subcommittee In Development

The Wildland Fire Event Polygon data standard will define the minimum attributes necessary for collection, storage and dissemination of incident based data on wildland fires (wildfires and prescribed fires). The standard is not intended for long term data storage, rather a standard to assist in the creation of incident based data management tools, minimum standards for data exchange, and to assist users in meeting NWCG Standards for Geospatial Operations, PMS 936, guidance on incidents.
Wildland Fire Locations Point GSC Geospatial Subcommittee Approved

Wildland Fire Location Points represent the final spatial locations of the fire occurrences. Fire occurrences represent the ignition points (preferred), the polygon centroids, or more generalized locations (least desirable) when the ignition points are not known or not available.
Wildland Fire Perimeters Polygon GSC Geospatial Subcommittee Approved

Wildland Fire Perimeter Polygons geospatial data layer standard provides the standard template for exchange/transfer of wildland fire perimeter polygons, representing the daily and final perimeters for wildfires and prescribed fires. Replaces the Fire History (polygons) geospatial data layer standard (archived) and incorporates the Daily Fire Perimeter geospatial data layer standard
Wildland Urban Interface Polygon WUIMC Wildland Urban Interface Mitigation Committee, GSC Geospatial Subcommittee Approved

The wildland urban interface (WUI) geospatial data standard defines minimum attribution for interagency collaboration and data sharing.
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Comment on a proposed data standard

When a new or revised data standard is ready for review and comment, it will have a status of Proposed. Submit your feedback to the Data Standards and Terminology Board.

Request for a new or revised standard

Requests for the development of a new data standard, or for changes to a current standard, may be submitted on a Request form. 

Download the User Guide and other reference materials

The User Guide for Development and Maintenance of NWCG Data Standards, PMS 938, explains the processes for developing and maintaining both NWCG data element and geospatial data layer standards.

Last Modified / Reviewed:

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NWCG Latest Announcements

Incident Position Standards and the Next Generation Position Task Books Now Available for UASD, UASM, UASL and UASP

Date: July 31, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Interagency Fire Unmanned Aircraft Systems Subcommittee
 

NWCG is excited to announce that Incident Position Standards and the Next Generation Position Task Books are now available for all four Unmanned Aircraft Systems positions:

  • Unmanned Aircraft Systems, Data Specialist (UASD)
  • Unmanned Aircraft Systems, Manager (UASM)
  • Unmanned Aircraft Systems, Module Leader (UASL)
  • Unmanned Aircraft Systems Pilot (UASP)

The Performance Support Packages for these positions were developed as part of the Incident Performance and Training Modernization 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, scheduled for January 2026.

References:

NWCG Unmanned Aircraft Systems, Data Specialist Position Page

NWCG Unmanned Aircraft Systems, Manager Position Page

NWCG Unmanned Aircraft Systems, Module Leader Position Page

NWCG Unmanned Aircraft Systems Pilot Position Page

Incident Position Standards and the Next Generation Position Task Books Now Available for RADO and INCM

Date: July 30, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Incident Logistics Subcommittee
 

NWCG is excited to announce that Incident Position Standards and the Next Generation Position Task Books are now available for Radio Operator (RADO) and Incident Communications Center Manager (INCM).

The Performance Support Packages for these positions were developed as part of the Incident Performance and Training Modernization 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, scheduled for January 2026.

References:

NWCG Radio Operator Position Page

NWCG Incident Communications Center Manager Position Page

ETC Equipment Bulletin: 25-004 NEW Aquatic Invasive Species – Golden Mussels

Date: July 29, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Equipment Technology Committee
 

The Equipment Technology Committee (ETC) issued Equipment Bulletin: 25-004, notifying the wildland fire community about a newly discovered invasive species and actions to take if found. Golden mussels, a highly invasive species recently identified in California, pose a significant risk to native ecosystems, infrastructure, and fire equipment. These mussels rapidly colonize hard and soft surfaces, including aquatic plants and fire equipment, clogging pipes, fouling motors, disrupting water systems, and impacting native species.

To help prevent their spread, fire personnel must follow the decontamination procedures outlined in the NWCG Guide to Preventing Aquatic Invasive Species Transport by Wildland Fire Operations, PMS 444. Additionally, report any sightings immediately to your Lead Resource Advisor and include clear, close-up photos and location details.

Read the complete ETC Equipment Bulletin: 25-004 to learn more. 

References:

NWCG Alerts

ETC Equipment Bulletin: 25-004

NWCG Guide to Preventing Aquatic Invasive Species Transport by Wildland Fire Operations, PMS 444

Incident Position Standards and the Next Generation Position Task Books Now Available for ICT5 and FFT1

Date: July 29, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Incident Command Subcommittee
Incident Operations Subcommittee

NWCG is excited to announce that Incident Position Standards and the Next Generation Position Task Books are now available for Incident Commander Type 5 (ICT5) and Firefighter Type 1 Squad Boss (FFT1).

The Performance Support Packages for these positions were developed as part of the Incident Performance and Training Modernization 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, scheduled for January 2026.

References:

NWCG Incident Commander Type 5 Position Page

NWCG Firefighter Type 1 Squad Boss Position Page