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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

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