Skip to main content

Interagency Cooperator Aircraft and Pilot Standards Subcommittee

Banner Image (Legacy Committees before 2026)
ICAPSS header graphic. Decorative.
Mission Statement

Mission Statement

The Interagency Cooperator Aircraft and Pilot Standards Subcommittee (ICAPSS) provides national leadership in all areas of interagency cooperator aircraft and pilot standards. ICAPSS develops standards for firefighting aircraft, pilots, mechanics, aerial firefighting operations and related aviation support equipment across all Federal, State and Local cooperators that operate on federal lands.

The standards include but are not limited to, aircraft airworthiness and maintenance, avionics, performance; pilot and mechanic qualifications and evaluation and aerial firefighting operations. Aircraft include helicopters, airtankers, light fixed-wing and unmanned aircraft systems.

Body

Primary Objectives

  • Serve NIAC as a group of firefighting aircraft pilots, mechanics and operations subject matter experts.
  • Develop standards that facilitate the utilization and mobilization of available federal, state andlocal government firefighting aircraft to maintain an effective national interagency response to wildland fire.
  • Identify cooperator aircraft and pilot standardization issues, develop solutions, and recommend corrective actions to the National Interagency Aviation Committee (NIAC).
  • Develop an NWCG recommended Interagency Cooperator Aircraft and Pilot Standards Guide.
  • Serve as a central source of cooperator standards information, guidance, and support for al lparticipating federal, state and local agencies.

 

Chair: Nester, Jim

NWCG Coordinator:

Parent Committee: National Interagency Aviation Committee

Meeting Schedule:

TBD

Page Last Modified or Reviewed:

NWCG Latest Announcements

WFSTAR 2026 Core Components Module Package and 2025 Fire Year in Review Now Available

Date:  March 23, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Joe Schindel

The 2026 Core Components Module Package for RT-130, Wildland Fire Safety Training Annual Refresher (WFSTAR) and the 2025 Fire Year in Review are now available on the NWCG website. The 2026 Core Components Module Package provides all content needed to deliver RT-130.

References:

2026 Core Components Module Package

2025 Fire Year in Review Module

NEW! S-490, Advanced Fire Behavior Calculations (Blended) Available Now

Date:  March 17, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Fire Behavior Subcommittee

NWCG is pleased to announce that the new S-490, Advanced Fire Behavior Calculations (Blended), 2026 course is now available.

This training includes performance-based activities that allow students to apply the knowledge and concepts required for the Fire Behavior Analyst (FBAN), Long Term Fire Analyst (LTAN), and Prescribed Fire Burn Boss Type 1 (RXB1) positions. It supports individuals working towards these incident qualifications.

This blended course begins with a self-paced online training (OLT) in the Wildland Fire Learning Portal (WFLP), followed by an in-person instructor-led training (ILT).

References:

S-490, Advanced Fire Calculations (Blended)

NWCG Fire Behavior Analyst (FBAN) Position Page

NWCG Long Term Fire Analyst (LTAN) Position Page

NWCG Prescribed Fire Burn Boss Type 1 (RXB1) Position Page

2024 Paul Gleason Award Winners Announced

Date:  March 13, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Leadership Committee

The NWCG Leadership Committee is proud to announce the recipients of the 2024 Paul Gleason "Lead By Example" awards. Award categories include Initiative and Innovation, Mentoring and Teamwork, Motivation and Vision, as well as a Lifetime Achievement Award.

Congratulations to the awardees:

  • Justin Baxter, National Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) Operations Specialist, with the U.S. Forest Service — Initiative and Innovation
  • Kelly Woods, Director of the Wildland Firefighting Lessons Learned Center — Mentoring and Teamwork
  • Doug Booster, Instructor, ProHealth Net, Inc. — Motivation and Vision
  • Pam McDonald, Writer-Editor for the National Interagency Fire Center — Lifetime Achievement Award

References:

Paul Gleason Lead By Example Award

Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program (WFLDP)

Leadership Committee

NEW! S-231, Engine Boss Course Available Now

Date:  March 6, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Incident Operations Subcommittee

NWCG is pleased to announce the new S-231, Engine Boss (Single Resource) course is now available on the Wildland Fire Learning Portal (WFLP). Developed through the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) effort, this training supports individuals working towards Engine Boss, Single Resource (ENGB) incident qualifications. 

This is a performance-based instructor-led training (ILT) that focuses on the application of ENGB responsibilities during wildland fire operations, emphasizing readiness, information gathering, risk management, engine tactics, and Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) operations. Trainees apply these skills through scenario-based group work and an optional field day that reinforces hands-on engine operation tasks. 

References:

S-231, Engine Boss (Single Resource) (Instructor-led)

NWCG Engine Boss, Single Resource (ENGB) Position Page

Wildland Fire Learning Portal