All NWCG Announcements
Next Generation Position Task Book and Updated Incident Position Description Now Available for Operations Section Chief Complex
Date: February 27, 2025
Contact: Incident Operations Subcommittee
NWCG is excited to announce that Operations Section Chief Complex (OSCC) has a Next Generation NWCG Position Task Book for Operations Section Chief Complex (OSCC), PMS 311-108 and an updated Incident Position Description.
These resources support trainees, qualified personnel, and evaluators in their respective roles.
References:
NWCG Operations Section Chief Complex Position Page
NWCG Operations Section Chief Complex Incident Position Description
NWCG Position Task Book for Operations Section Chief Complex (OSCC), PMS 311-108
2025 NWCG Incident Response Pocket Guide (IRPG), PMS 461, Now Available
Date: February 27, 2025
Contact: Incident Operations Subcommittee
NWCG is excited to announce that the 2025 NWCG Incident Response Pocket Guide (IRPG), PMS 461, is now available. Visit NWCG's website to learn about the major updates and changes in the 2025 version of the IRPG. The NWCG Guia de Respuesta de Incidente de Bolsillo (GRI), PMS 461-ES is available electronically and will be available from Great Basin Cache by early summer 2025.
All hard copy materials, including the IRPG, are ordered through the Great Basin Cache (GBK). Information on the ordering process can be found in the National Fire Equipment System (NFES) Catalog.
References:
NWCG Incident Response Pocket Guide (IRPG), PMS 461
NWCG Guia de Respuesta de Incidente de Bolsillo (GRI), PMS 461-ES
2025 Professional Reading Program
Date: February 18, 2025
Contact: Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program (WFLDP)
The Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program is announcing the 2025 Professional Reading list! The goal of the annual reading list is to promote the reading and discussion of the books throughout the year.
The five books chosen for this year are: Surf When You Can by Brett Crozier, Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl, Elephant Company by Vicki Constantine Croke, Simply Managing by Henry Mintzberg, and Chop Wood Carry Water by Joshua Metcalf.
References:
Task Group Volunteers Needed to Update the Property Loss or Damage Report, OF 289
Date: February 5, 2025
Contact: Julie Bennett, Incident Business Committee Chair
The Incident Business Committee (IBC) is requesting volunteers for a new task group to revise the 1981 version of the Property Loss or Damage Report, OF 289 and create an incident replacement job aid. The volunteers may be recruited from within or outside the Geographic Area Incident Business Committees.
References:
2025 Updates to the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1
Date: February 4, 2025
Contact: Incident and Position Standards Committee
The NWCG Incident and Position Standards Committee has updated the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1.
These updates address changes to incident position names and requirements for qualification, training, and experience. Updates related to the implementation of Complex Incident Management (CIM) are also included.
The NWCG Wildland Fire Position Qualification Flowchart, PMS 308 has also been updated to reflect the recent changes.
References:
NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1
NWCG Wildland Fire Position Qualification Flowchart, PMS 308
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
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
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:
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:
New Job Aids Available: Packing Lists for Wildland Fire Fireline Personnel and Support Staff, J-101 and J-102
Date: December 3, 2024
Contact: NWCG TRAINING
Two new job aids are now available: Packing List for Wildland Fire Fireline Personnel, J-101 and Packing List for Wildland Fire Support Personnel, J-102, should serve as a baseline for items needed on a wildland fire assignment. These lists will help personnel prepare for a 14 to 21-day assignment on the fireline or in a support role.
References:
NWCG Packing List for Wildland Fire Fireline Personnel, J-101