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Planning Section Chief Type 1*

PSC1 decorative banner: photos depicting PSC1 position. PSC1 Position Description: The Planning Section Chief (PSC1), a member of the General Staff, is responsible for collecting, evaluating, disseminating, and using information about the development of the incident, status of resources, and demobilization of the incident. Information is needed to understand the current situation, predict probable course of incident events, prepare alternative strategies and control operations for the incident, and provide for an orderly and economical demobilization of the incident.

The Planning Section Chief Type 1 (PSC1) manages all aspects of incident planning, situation and resource status, and demobilization of an incident. The PSC1 supervises members of the Planning Section. The PSC1 is part of the Command and General (C&G) Staff and reports to the Incident Commander (IC) under typical incident organizations. The PSC1 works in the Planning functional area.

The PSC1 performs position duties commensurate with Type 1 incident complexity and characteristics stated in the Interagency Standards for Fire and Fire Aviation Operations (Red Book). (Type 1, 2 and 3 PSC duties are identical but performed at different complexity levels.)

USWDS Paragraphs

Planning Section Chief (PSC3) Resources Unit Leader (RESL) Status/Check-in Recorder (SCKN) Situation Unit Leader (SITL) Field Observer (FOBS) Fire Effects Monitor (FEMO) Infrared Interpreter (IRIN) Display Processor (DPRO) Fire Behavior Analyst (FBAN) Strategic Operational Planner (SOPL) Long Term Fire Analyst (LTAN) Geographic Information System Specialist (GISS) Document Unit Leader (DOCL) Demobilization Leader (DMOB) Interagency Resource Representative (IARR) Human Resource Specialist (HRSP) Incident Training Specialist (TNSP) Planning Section Chief (PSC2) Planning Section Chief (PSC1) Planning Section Chief (PSCC)

 

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: Jan 2025

Removed:

Required Training

  • S-520, Advanced Incident Management OR Complex Incident Management Course (CIMC)

Required Experience

  • Satisfactory performance as a Planning Section Chief Type 2 (PSC2)
  • AND Completion and Certification of NWCG Planning Section Chief Type 1 (PSC1) Position Task Book, PMS 311-23

​OR

  • Satisfactory performance as an Operations Section Chief Type 1 (OSC1)
  • AND Completion and Certification of NWCG Planning Section Chief Type 1 (PSC1) Position Task Book, PMS 311-23*

OR

  • Satisfactory performance as a Logistics Section Chief Type 1 (LSC1)
  • AND Completion and Certification of NWCG Planning Section Chief Type 1 (PSC1) Position Task Book, PMS 311-23*

OR

  • Satisfactory performance as a Safety Officer Type 1 (SOF1)
  • AND Completion and Certification of NWCG Planning Section Chief Type 1 (PSC1) Position Task Book, PMS 311-23*

* Individuals utilizing this pathway must complete the Planning Section Chief Course (S-440) prior to position qualification.

 

Added:

The qualification pathway for this position is discontinued per NWCG direction on January, 2025. Responders with an active PTB will transition to the corresponding complex position PTB.

Date: May 2022

Added: Planning Section Chief Complex (PSCC) to "These Positions Maintain Currency For PSC1" and "PSC1 Maintains Currency For These Positions."

Date: Dec 2020

Added: Incident Position Description (IPD) approved.

Date: Oct 2018

Added: “Individuals utilizing this pathway must complete the Planning Section Chief Course (S-440) prior to position qualification.”

Date: Oct 2015

Updated: Prerequisite Experience modified as follows:

Satisfactory performance as a Planning Section Chief Type 2 (PSC2).
     +
Completion and Certification of Position Task Book (PMS 311-23) as a Planning Section Chief Type 1 (PSC1) on a wildfire incident.
     OR
Satisfactory performance as an Operations Section Chief Type 1 (OSC1).
     +
Completion and Certification of Position Task Book (PMS 311-23) as a Planning Section Chief Type 1 (PSC1) on a wildfire incident.
     OR
Satisfactory performance as a Logistics Section Chief Type 1 (LSC1).
     +
Completion and Certification of Position Task Book (PMS 311-23) as a Planning Section Chief Type 1 (PSC1) on a wildfire incident.
     OR
Satisfactory performance as a Safety Officer Type 1 (SOF1).
     +
Completion and Certification of Position Task Book (PMS 311-23) as a Planning Section Chief Type 1 (PSC1) on a wildfire incident.

Removed: Planning Section Chief Type 3 (PSC3) from These Positions Maintain Currency for PSC1 positions and PSC1 Maintains Currency for These Positions.

Date: Oct 1993

Position created. 

Planning Section Chief (Multi-Branch), Planning Section Chief (Multi-Division) and Planning Section Chief (Multi-Leader) in 1984 PMS 310-1.

USWDS Paragraph Bundles

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


Last Modified / Reviewed:

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Updated NWCG Guide for Wildland Fire Modules, PMS 431

Date: May 14, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Fire Use Subcommittee

The updated NWCG Guide for Wildland Fire Modules, PMS 431 serves as a supplemental resource for wildland fire module operations, providing information frequently used in the field.

PMS 431 defines the organizational structure, staffing, and qualifications for Type 1 and Type 2 Wildland Fire Modules, outlining their roles in wildland fire suppression, prescribed fire, and resource management. The NWCG Guide for Wildland Fire Modules, PMS 431, should be used in conjunction with the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Module Operations, PMS 430.

References:

NWCG Guide for Wildland Fire Modules, PMS 431

NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Module Operations, PMS 430

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Questions?  Please contact:
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NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Resource Typing, PMS 200 establishes minimum typing standards for aircraft, crews, and equipment used in national mobilization to wildland fire incidents. Typing designations are assigned based on measurable capability and performance criteria.

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NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Resource Typing, PMS 200

NEW! S-204, Interpersonal and Critical Thinking Skills for Safety Officers Now Available

Date: May 12, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Risk Management Committee

The S-204, Interpersonal and Critical Thinking Skills for Safety Officers self-directed online course is now available! Developed through the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) effort, this training supports individuals working towards Safety Officer, Field (SOFF) incident qualifications.

S-204, Interpersonal and Critical Thinking Skills for Safety Officers focuses on facilitating hazard mitigation conversations and building trust to influence safety-related decisions. Individuals can self-enroll through the Wildland Fire Learning Portal (WFLP).

Any changes to qualification pathways will take effect with the next update of the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1.

References:

S-204, Interpersonal and Critical Thinking Skills for Safety Officers 

NWCG Safety Officer, Field (SOFF) Position Page

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Date: May 7, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
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Phone: (208) 387-5104
Fax: (208) 387-5573

The Great Basin Cache (GBK) is transitioning to a new inventory system to better serve the wildland fire community. During this upgrade, GBK will be unable to process standard orders from Part 1: Fire Supplies and Equipment and Part 2: Publications between May 8-20, 2025, with exceptions made for emergency fire orders. Orders will be accepted through close of business May 7.

To browse the latest available items, please refer to the National Fire Equipment System (NFES) catalogs. 

References:

NWCG NFES Catalog-Part 1: Fire Supplies and Equipment, PMS 449-1

NWCG NFES Catalog-Part 2: Publications, PMS 449-2