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Incident Commander Type 5

ICT5 decorative banner: photos depicting ICT5 position. ICT5 Position Description: The Incident Commander (ICT5) is responsible for all incident activities.

The Incident Commander Type 5 (ICT5) develops strategies and oversees the implementation of tactics, while providing for the safety of the public and all personnel assigned to the incident. The ICT5 reports to an Agency Administrator (AA), Duty Officer, Fire Management Officer, or other designated supervisor and works in the Command functional area.

The ICT5 performs position duties commensurate with Type 5 incident complexity and characteristics stated in the Interagency Standards for Fire and Fire Aviation Operations (Red Book).

USWDS Paragraphs

Incident Commander (ICT5)Safety Officer (SOFC)Safety Officer (SOF3)Liaison Officer (LOFR)Incident Commander (ICT4)Incident Commander (ICT3)Incident Commander (ICT2)Incident Commander (ICT1)Safety Officer (SOF2)Public Information Officer (PIO1)Public Information Officer (PIO2)Public Information Officer (PIO3)Agency Representative (AREP)Public Information Officer, Technician (PIOT)Incident Commander (ICCI)Safety Officer (SOF1)Public Information Officer (PIOC)Safety Officer (SOFF)

 

 

 

The Forest Service and Department of Interior are enabled by Administratively Determined Pay Plans (AD Pay Plans) to hire persons for temporary duration for the following reasons:

  1. To cope with a sudden and unexpected emergency caused by a fire, or extreme fire potential, flood, storm, or any other all-hazard emergency that threatens damage to federally protected property, has the potential to cause loss of life, serious injury, public health risk, or damage to natural or cultural resources unless brought under immediate control.
  2. To provide emergency assistance to States under formalized agreements.
  3. To meet mission assignments issued by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

The National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) Incident Business Committee (IBC) reviews positions annually and establishes pay rate classifications for each position.

For more information on the AD Pay Plans, visit Incident Business Committee.

Date: Jun 2025

Added:

  • NWCG Position Task Book for Incident Commander Type 5 (ICT5), PMS 311-116
    • Replaces NWCG Incident Commander Type 5 Position Task Book, PMS 311-14
  • NWCG Incident Position Standards for Incident Commander Type 5, PMS 350-116
Date: Jan 2022

Added: Engine Boss (ENGB) to "These Positions Maintain Currency for ICT5".

Date: Nov 2020

Added: Incident Position Description (IPD) approved.

Date: Oct 2019

Added: Crew Boss, Single Resource (CRWB) to "These Positions Maintain Currency for ICT5".

Date: Oct 2016

Removed: Look Up, Look Down, Look Around (S-133), based on acceptance of NWCG Curriculum Management Issue Paper #123. The S-133 curriculum has been incorporated into the new development of Firefighter Type 1 (S-131).

Date: Apr 2006

Updated: The Firefighter Type 1 (FFT1) and Incident Commander Type 5 (ICT5) Position Task Books have been combined. However, the positions have not been combined. The FFT1 tasks are completed only once; additional tasks must be completed to meet the ICT5 level. The FFT1 and ICT5 tasks can be completed simultaneously. The Required Experience is satisfactory performance as a Firefighter Type 2 (FFT2).

Date: Oct 1999

Added: PMS 427 (4 hrs.)

Date: Mar 1999

Position created.

USWDS Paragraph Bundles

Primary Committee: Incident and Position Standards Committee
Steward: Incident Command Subcommittee


Last Modified / Reviewed:

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Questions? Please contact:
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Do you know someone working in wildland fire who strives to make positive change and is undeterred by obstacles or setbacks? Now is your chance to give that person the acknowledgment they deserve by nominating them for a Paul Gleason Lead by Example Award.

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Nominations can be submitted via email with an attached Lead by Example Form to BLM_FA_Leadership_Feedback@blm.gov or through the online form. 

Tips for successful nominations and more information can be found on the Lead by Example webpage. All nominations must be submitted by December 31, 2025.

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