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Strategic Fire Management Analyst

Position Description

Duties

  • Very high skill level in applying a wide range of concepts, principles, and practices to analyze complex fire situations and develop written explanations for use by agency leadership, partners, media and the public in explaining management of wildfires and their outcomes.
  • Analyzes fire behavior models and explains them to agency leadership, partners, media and the public.
  • Develops a chronology of preparedness and suppression actions, and predicted and actual weather, resource needs, resource availability, and fire activity.
  • Researches fire suppression strategies, tactics, and safety practices during all phases of fire operations.  Considers alternatives and evaluates effectiveness of chosen strategies and tactics.
  • Researches decision documents (WFDSS) for the response to large fires.
  • Interviews Incident Commanders and Line Officers to determine decision making on fires.
  • Briefs Line Officers and Fire Management personnel and provides critical evaluations of decisions requiring line authority.

Position Knowledge and/or Requirements

Expert knowledge of the following is required:

  • Wildfire objectives, values at risk, and effective strategies and tactics which might be used to protect those values.
  • Interagency prioritization processes for assigning and reassigning scarce firefighting resources and their relative effectiveness if assigned to one fire versus another.
  • Local, regional, and national fire dispatch and logistics systems.
  • Wildfire risk management and firefighter and public safety policies, practices and mitigation measures.
  • Skill in acquiring and addressing public and media issues, concerns and criticism (local, regional and national) concerning agency response and management of wildfires.
  • Ability/skill in acquiring, analyzing and synthesizing data and other information associated with initial and extended attack of wildfires.  Skill in explaining the context within the region and nation of local responses and long term management of wildfires.  Fire behavior and decision support technology.
  • Fire management policies, practices, and standards.
  • Tools to aid in Agency Administrator decision making.
  • Fire models and their application.
  • Incident Command System (ICS).

 

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