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Incident Commander Type 3

Position Description

Introduction

The Incident Commander’s responsibility is the overall management of the incident. On most incidents the command activity is carried out by a single Incident Commander. The Incident Commander is selected by qualifications and experience.

Duties

  • Assesses the situation and/or obtains a briefing from the prior Incident Commander.
  • Determines Incident Objectives and strategy.
  • Establishes the immediate priorities.
  • Establishes an Incident Command Post.
  • Establishes an appropriate organization.
  • Ensures planning meetings are scheduled as required.
  • Approves and authorize the implementation of an Incident Action Plan.
  • Ensures that adequate safety measures are in place.
  • Coordinates activity for all Command and General Staff.
  • Coordinates with key people and officials.
  • Approves requests for additions resources or for the release of resources.
  • Keeps agency administrator informed of incident statues.
  • Approves the use of trainees, volunteers, and auxiliary personnel.
  • Authorizes release of information to the news media.
  • Orders the demobilization of the incident when appropriate.

Position Knowledge and/or Requirements

  • Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior Calculations (S-390)
  • Satisfactory performance as an Incident Commander Type 4 and
  • Satisfactory performance as a Task Force Leader and
  • Satisfactory position performance as an Incident Commander Type 3 on a wildland fire incident
    OR
  • Satisfactory performance as a Strike Team Leader and
  • Satisfactory performance in any two single resource boss positions and
  • Satisfactory performance as an Incident Commander Type 4 and
  • Satisfactory performance as an Incident commander Type 3 on a wildland fire incident
Last Modified/Reviewed:

NWCG Latest Announcements

Updated NWCG Standards for Fire Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operations, PMS 515

Date: May 10, 2024
Contact: IFUASS Qualification and Curriculum Board (IFUASS) 

The 2024 revision of the NWCG Standards for Fire Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operations, PMS 515 is now available. PMS 515 standardizes the processes and procedures for interagency use of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), including pilot inspections and approvals. This publication is now available as a PDF for easy use offline.

References:

NWCG Standards for Fire Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operations, PMS 515

Memorandum 24-003: Removal of Type 1 Command and General Staff (C&G) Incident Position Qualification Pathways

Date: May 10, 2024
Contact: Aitor Bidaburu 

The purpose of this memorandum is to provide NWCG direction for removal of the Type 1 Command and General Staff (C&G) incident position qualification pathways to transition to Complex Incident Management (CIM). Responders may continue to utilize available NWCG pathways to attain Type 1 C&G qualifications until December 31, 2024.

References:

Memorandum 24-003

CIM Story Map

2024 Professional Reading Program

Date: April 26, 2024
Contact: Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program (WFLDP) 

The Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program is announcing the 2024 Professional Reading list! The intent of the Professional Reading Program is to promote the reading and discussion of these books throughout the year. Discussion guides are provided and the corresponding Wildland Fire Leadership Levels have been identified.

The five books chosen for this year are: Young Men and Fire by Norman Maclean, The Wisdom of the Bullfrog by William H. McRaven, The Art of Clear Thinking by Hasard Lee, Emotional Agility by Susan David, and Writing to Persuade by Trish Hall.

References:

Professional Reading Program

Wildland Fire Leadership Levels

NWCG Training Catalog now on Wildland Fire Learning Portal

Date: April 25, 2023
Contact: NWCG Training  

The National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) has migrated the training catalog from the NWCG website to the Wildland Fire Learning Portal (WFLP) as part of our ongoing efforts to streamline processes and improve efficiency. To facilitate this transition, the training catalog remains available on www.nwcg.gov through April 2024.

Starting May 2024, the training catalog will no longer be accessible on www.nwcg.gov. However, you can still access the complete training catalog by logging in as a guest to the WFLP.

References:

Wildland Fire Learning Portal