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NWCG FireNet Utilization Standard Operating Procedure

Firenet SOP header graphic. Decorative.

Since 2018, FireNet has been recognized by NMAC as the official electronic messaging and file collaboration system in support of the interagency wildland fire mission and to comply with legal and policy mandates regarding security and privacy. NWCG's mission is to establish standards for interoperable wildland fire operations, and its committee structure represents all IMT functional areas.

The establishment of standard business practices in the use and management of FireNet across functional areas, IMTs, and Geographic Areas will strengthen the operating system, limit repetition and variations by IMTs, and create consistency for all users. Additionally, it will enable the inclusion of these standard practices, which includes forms, workflows, and user groups, in the FireNet incident environment. For example, the Planning Subcommittee’s electronic records management structure is automated into each FireNet incident, allowing IMTs to immediately begin use of this standard, regardless of their geographic location and team. Finally, it will allow the FireNet team to establish a standard environment for IMTs to run scenarios and prepare for fire season.

In a digital environment, standardization is necessary to minimize resource, license, and helpdesk support and to provide a consistent, repeatable process which will allow automation and streamline processes for firefighting resources and non-IMT members. Once these standard business practices are established and deployed in FireNet, the FireNet team can more easily support those IMT activities outside of direct incident support.

NWCG Committees recognize the following positions as requiring named accounts in FireNet in order to fully complete the position duties. A named account generates a FireNet email address (first_last@firenet.gov), which is required to send and receive emails in shared inboxes. Those without named accounts can still interact in FireNet as Guests.

  • Dispatch Centers (including GACC/NICC) [National Coordination System Committee]
  • Air Bases:  Airtanker Bases / SEAT Bases / Helibases/ Smokejumpers [National Interagency Aviation Committee]
  • PIO [Public Information Officer Subcommittee]
  • PSC [Incident Planning Subcommittee]
  • ITSS [Incident Planning Subcommittee]
  • DMOB [Incident Planning Subcommittee]
  • RESL [Incident Planning Subcommittee]
  • SITL [Incident Planning Subcommittee]
  • GISS [Incident Planning Subcommittee]
  • SCKN [Incident Planning Subcommittee]
  • DOCL [Incident Planning Subcommittee]
  • LSC [Incident Logistics Subcommittee]
  • ORDM [Incident Logistics Subcommittee]
  • FSC [Incident Business Committee]
  • COST [Incident Business Committee]
  • TIME [Incident Business Committee]
  • PTRC [Incident Business Committee]
  • EQTR [Incident Business Committee]
  • COMP [Incident Business Committee]
  • PROC [Incident Business Committee]
  • ICPI [Incident Business Committee]
  • INBA [Incident Business Committee]
  • IC [Incident Command Subcommittee]
  • LOFR [Incident Command Subcommittee] 
  • PETM [Communication, Education, and Prevention Committee]
  • PETL [Communication, Education, and Prevention Committee]

NWCG Committees recognize the need for the following shared inboxes on all interagency incidents. Only named accounts can access the shared inboxes to send and receive emails on behalf of the incident.

  • Dispatch Centers (including GACC/NICC) [National Coordination System Committee]
  • Air Bases:  Airtanker Bases / SEAT Bases / Helibases/ Smokejumpers [National Interagency Aviation Committee]
  • Main (PIO) [Public Information Officer Subcommittee]
  • Planning [Incident Planning Subcommittee]
  • Demobilization [Incident Planning Subcommittee]
  • Resources [Incident Planning Subcommittee]
  • Situation [Incident Planning Subcommittee]
  • Documentation [Incident Planning Subcommittee]
  • Status Check-in [Incident Planning Subcommittee]
  • Finance [Incident Business Committee]
  • Logistics [Incident Logistics Subcommittee]
  • Ordering [Incident Logistics Subcommittee]
  • Air Operations [National Interagency Aviation Committee]
  • Liaison [Incident Command Subcommittee] 
  • Fire Prevention Education Teams [Communication, Education, and Prevention Committee]
  • Buying Team [Incident Business Committee]

NWCG Committees have designated default folder structures within each functional area channel in incident Teams.

  • General (default)
    • eDoc Box [Incident Planning Subcommittee]
    • Welcome Email (document)
    • FireNet Incident Tracker (document)
  • Planning Channel [Incident Planning Subcommittee]
  • Resources Channel [Incident Planning Subcommittee]
  • Demobilization Channel [Incident Planning Subcommittee]
  • Situation Channel [Incident Planning Subcommittee]
  • Finance Channel [Incident Business Committee]
  • Information Channel [Public Information Officer Subcommittee]
  • Liaison Channel [Incident Command Subcommittee]
  • Logistics Channel [Incident Logistics Subcommittee]
    • Communications Unit
    • Facilities Unit
    • Food Unit
    • Ground Support Unit
    • Supply Unit
    • Ordering
    • Security
    • Medical Unit
  • Safety Channel [Risk Management Committee]
    • ICS 206 WF
    • ICS 215A
    • Safety Messages
  • Operations Channel [Incident Operations Subcommittee]
  • Air Operations Channel [National Interagency Aviation Committee]
    • ​Mirror eDoc box files for Aviation Section

 

 

NWCG Latest Announcements

Updated, NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Module Operations, PMS 430

Date: March 11, 2025
Contact: Fire Use Subcommittee
Wildland Fire Module Unit

The NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Module Operations, PMS 430 standardizes procedures and expectations for Wildland Fire Modules (WFMs). These standards are to be used by staff, supervisors, specialists, and technicians for planning, administering, and conducting WFM operations. These standards will also be used as a measure of WFM qualifications, capabilities, and expected performance, for both Type 1 and Type 2 WFMs.

References:

NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Module Operations, PMS 430

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