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Emergency Medical Technician Basic (not fireline qualified)

Position Description

Introduction

The Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) provides emergency medical services (EMS) and assists at the medical unit and/or other incident locations as approved by the Incident Commander or representative.

Duties

  • Performs non-invasive lifesaving procedures focused on the initial management of injured and sick persons. 
  • EMTs are not independent practitioners and therefore must be supervised by a physician medical director.  Although many of the procedures that an EMT is allowed to perform do not require real-time oversight by the supervising medical director, the EMT makes destination decisions in collaboration with medical oversight.
  • While all EMTs receive essentially the same training, the specific procedures that each individual EMT is authorized to perform vary depending on the EMT’s scope of practice.  An EMT’s scope of practice contains only those procedures for which he or she is educated, certified (by passing an exam), credentialed (medical director grants “permission” to practice), and licensed by a state to perform.  Therefore, the scope of practice of an EMT will vary by individual.

Position Knowledge and/or Requirements

The following is a list of the typical skills that an EMT can perform:

  • Airway and Breathing:
    • Insertion of airway adjuncts intended to go into the oropharynx or nasopharynx.
    • Use of positive pressure ventilation devices such as manually triggered ventilators and automatic transport ventilators.
  • Pharmacological Interventions:
    • Assists patients in taking their own prescribed medications.
    • Administration of the following over-the-counter medications with appropriate medical. oversight:
      • Oral glucose for suspected hypoglycemia
      • Aspirin for chest pain of suspected ischemic origin
  • Use of an automated external defibrillator.
  • Trauma Care:
    • Stabilizing suspected spinal injuries and extremity fractures.
    • Controlling bleeding.
    • Evacuation of a sick or injured patient using purpose made and improvised litters.
    • Appropriate triage of sick or injured patients in order to assist with the formulation of an evacuation plan.
    • Application and inflation of the pneumatic anti-shock garment (PASG) for fracture stabilization.

Position Requirements

  • Current EMT license (must be issued by the EMTs home-state EMS licensing authority)
  • Introduction to ICS (I-100)
  • NIMS:  An Introduction (IS-700)
  • No physical fitness required for this position

Other Training Supporting Development of Knowledge and Skills

  • Firefighter Training (S-130)
  • Annual Fireline Safety Refresher (RT-130)
  • Introduction to Wildland Fire (S-190)
  • Human Factors in the Wildland Fire Service (L-180)
  • Intermediate Wildland Fire Behavior (S-290)
  • Basic Air Operations (S-270)
  • Helicopter Crewmember (S-271)
  • Intermediate Wildland Fire Behavior (S-290)
  • Wilderness Emergency Medical Technician

NWCG Latest Announcements

NEW! S-212, Intermediate Faller (Online) Course Available Now 

Date:  April 23, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Hazard Tree and Tree Felling Subcommittee

NWCG is pleased to announce that the new S‑212, Intermediate Faller (Online), course is now available on the Wildland Fire Learning Portal (WFLP). This second course in the series provides students with the knowledge and skills required to perform the duties of an Intermediate Faller (FAL2), as described in the FAL2 Incident Position Description. This course is intended for individuals seeking to advance from Basic Faller (FAL3) to FAL2.

S‑212, Intermediate Faller is a fully online, self‑paced training program consisting of 13 units. Learners will engage with interactive, scenario‑based content designed to progressively build foundational skills and knowledge essential for the FAL2 role.

Students must be qualified as a Basic Faller (FAL3) prior to enrolling in S‑212, Intermediate Faller course.

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 2027.

References:

S-212 Intermediate Faller (Online)

RMC Memo 26-01: Transition Plan for Implementing Updates to Intermediate Faller (FAL2) Position Qualifications

Intermediate Faller (FAL2) Position Page

NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Chainsaw Operations, PMS 212

New Aircraft Flight Schedule Form, PMS 249

Date:  April 17, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: National Coordination System Committee

A new publication from the National Coordination System Committee (NCSC) is now available. The NWCG Aircraft Flight Schedule Form, PMS 249, will be used for aviation crews and dispatch to share flight information that is needed for resource tracking, and if needed, for emergency procedures.

For further details, please contact your NCSC representative. 

References:

NCSC Memo 26-01: Implementation of NWCG Aircraft Flight Schedule Form, PMS 249

NWCG Aircraft Flight Schedule Form, PMS 249

New Glossary Term for Review

Date:  April 15, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Data Standards and Terminology Board (DSTB)

The Data Standards and Terminology Board is requesting feedback on a new glossary term: Resource Protection Measure (RPM).

The proposed definition is: Practical guidance provided for incident personnel in a manner in which incident objectives can be achieved while reducing impacts to identified resources across the landscape. RPMs are informed by, but not restricted to, Minimum Impact Strategies and Tactics (MIST).

Please review, share with your subgroups, and provide feedback as appropriate through the following form: Request Feedback The comment period will close May 10, 2026.

Thank you for your engagement in the NWCG glossary process – your participation is key to our success.

References:

Glossary Request Feedback

Quarter Three Materials for the 2025-2026 Wildland Fire Leadership Campaign Now Available

Date:  April 1, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Leadership Committee

NWCG is excited to announce that Quarter Three materials for the 2025/2026 Wildland Fire Leadership Campaign are now available. This annual initiative offers all students of leadership and wildland fire management an opportunity to engage with essential leadership skills and knowledge needed to lead effectively in dynamic environments.

Quarter Three materials focus on Leadership Level 3: Leader of People (Develop Intent). Leadership Level 3 is where your values, your team, and your influence come together. Leaders of People put their teams first, build trust, and lead with authenticity. They mentor future leaders and shape decisions up and down the chain.

References:

2025/2026 NWCG Leadership Campaign - Leadership Levels

Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program

Leadership Committee