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Supply Unit Leader*

SPUL decorative banner: photos depicting SPUL position. SPUL Position Description: The Supply Unit Leader (SPUL) is responsible for ordering personnel, equipment, and supplies; receiving and storing all supplies for the incident; maintaining an inventory of supplies; and servicing nonexpendable supplies and equipment.

The Supply Unit Leader (SPUL) is primarily responsible for ordering personnel, equipment, and supplies for wildland fire incidents. The SPUL is responsible for overseeing and supervising the ordering and receiving process and determining the right size inventory for the incident. The SPUL may supervise a Receiving and Distribution Manager (RCDM), an Ordering Manager (ORDM), or Camp Crews assisting in the Supply Area. The SPUL reports to the Logistics Section Chief (LSC) or the Support Branch Director (SUBD) and works in the Logistics functional area.

USWDS Paragraphs

Logistics Section Chief (LSC3) Communications Unit Leader (COML) Incident Communications Technician (COMT) Incident Communications Center Manager (INCM) Medical Unit Leader (MEDL) Food Unit Leader (FDUL) Supply Unit Leader (SPUL) Ordering Manager (ORDM) Receiving/Distribution Manager (RCDM) Facilities Unit Leader (FACL) Base Camp Manager (BCMG) Ground Support Unit Leader (GSUL) Equipment Manager (EQPM) Security Manager (SECM) Radio Operator (RADO) Logistics Section Chief (LSCC)

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 2026

Added:

Other Training Which Supports Development of Knowledge and Skills

  • S-320, Introduction to Incident Management Teams

Removed:

  • Logistics Section Chief Type 1 (LSC1) and Logistics Section Chief Type 2 (LSC2) removed from “These Positions Maintain Currency for SPUL”
  • Logistics Section Chief Type 1 (LSC1) and Logistics Section Chief Type 2 (LSC2) removed from “SPUL Maintains Currency for These Positions”
Date: Jan 2024

Updated Positions Qualification Requirements as follows:

Deleted from "These Positions Maintain Currency For SPUL":

  • Service Branch Director (SVBD)
  • Support Branch Director (SUBD)

Deleted from "SPUL Maintains Currency For These Positions":

  • Support Branch Director (SUBD)
Date: Jan 2023

Added:

  • Logistics Section Chief Complex (LSCC) to "These Positions Maintain Currency For SPUL."
  • Logistics Section Chief Complex (LSCC) to "SPUL Maintains Currency For These Positions."
Date: Apr 2021

Added: Incident Position Description (IPD) approved.

Date: Oct 2019

Added: to Qualification Requirements:  Note: Once qualified as a SPUL, the LSC3 qualification may be granted by the certifying official. Certification must be documented on a “verification/certification” page of the LSC3 Position Task Book (311-35).

Date: Oct 1984

Position created.

USWDS Paragraph Bundles

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


Last Modified / Reviewed:

NWCG Latest Announcements

2025 Wildland Fire EMS Awards

Date:  June 12, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Emergency Medical Committee

The NWCG Emergency Medical Committee (EMC) announces the recipients of the 2025 Wildland Fire Emergency Medical Service (EMS) Awards. EMC annually recognizes individuals and groups who have demonstrated outstanding actions or accomplishments that are above and beyond the expectation of one’s normal mission or job duties.

Congratulations to all the awardees and nominees. Through leadership and initiative, they have made significant contributions to the safety of the wildland fire community. These awards are well deserved.

References:

2025 Wildland Fire EMS Awards

Emergency Medical Committee

Incident Position Standards and the Next Generation Position Task Book Now Available for RAMP

Date:  June 12, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Airtanker Base Operations Unit

NWCG is excited to announce that Incident Position Standards and the Next Generation Position Task Book are now available for Ramp Manager (RAMP).

The Performance Support Package for this position was developed as part of the Incident Performance and Training Modernization effort. These resources support trainees, qualified personnel, and evaluators in their respective roles.

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 release in January 2027.

References:

NWCG Ramp Manager Position Page

National Interagency Aviation Committee

Make an Impact: Serve the Wildland Fire Community as an IPTM SME!

Date:  June 11, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: NWCG SME Specialist

Note: Positions with an * will last approximately 6 months.
Positions with ** will last 12 - 18 months.

NWCG is seeking experienced wildland firefighters and support personnel to serve as Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) for the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) initiative. IPTM aims to transition NWCG’s training and qualification system to a performance-based model by updating position descriptions, Incident Position Standards, Next Generation Position Task Books (Next Gen PTBs), and training where needed.

NWCG is currently recruiting SMEs for the Fall 2026 positions listed below:

  • Equipment Manager (EQPM)*
  • Fixed Wing Parking Tender (FWPT)**
  • Mixmaster (MXMS)*
  • Public Information Officer Complex (PIOC)*
  • Retardant Crewmember (RTCM)*
  • Strike Team Leader Crew (STCR)*
  • Strike Team Leader Engine (STEN)*
  • Strike Team Leader Heavy Equipment (STEQ)*
  • Task Force Leader (TFLD)**
  • Wildland Fire Investigator (INVF)** 

Projects begin October 2026. Sign up by July 10, 2026, at the link below and review the attached document for additional details. 

References:

NWCG SME Interest Sign-up

IPTM Subject Matter Expert Duties and Expectations Document

Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM)

RMC Safety Bulletin 26-001: Rhabdomyolysis in Wildland Firefighters

Date:  May 28, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Risk Management Committee

The Risk Management Committee (RMC) has issued Safety Bulletin 26-001: Rhabdomyolysis in Wildland Firefighters. Research from 2016 to 2025 shows that 88 cases of rhabdomyolysis (rhabdo) were reported. Analysis of reports from eSafety, the Safety Management Information System (SMIS), and the Wildland Fire Lessons Learned Center (LLC) indicates that rhabdo is common during this time of year due to Work Capacity Tests and contributing factors such as weather, hydration, nutrition, and medication or supplement use.

RMC issued this safety bulletin to raise awareness in the Wildland Fire Community, and to provide research findings and educational resources that support reducing future cases of rhabdo.

References:

NWCG Alerts

RMC Safety Bulletin 26-001: Rhabdomyolysis in Wildland Firefighters