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National Aerial Firefighting Academy Unit and Steering Committee

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NAFAU decorative banner. Students sitting at table on left, a pilot in cockpit in center, and a single engine airtanker dropping retardant on right.
Mission Statement

Mission Statement

The National Aerial Firefighting Academy consists of three courses: NAFA I, NAFA II, and NAFA III. The courses are conducted by agency and industry professionals directly involved in wildland fire operations for personnel specializing in aerial retardant and water delivery (i.e., Airtanker, Helicopter, Single Engine Airtanker, Scoopers, Lead Plane and Aerial Supervision Operators). The NAFA Steering Committee’s purpose is to promote, organize, and provide content/instruction for the courses.

The intent of the NAFA training courses is to provide participants with information needed to work together in a safe and effective manner in the congested airspace over a wildland fire incident. The primary objective is to provide training in basic wildland firefighting operations and tactical considerations. The courses provide a look into the “other pilot's” job giving an important perspective needed to achieve the same goal, which is to support the firefighters on the ground with aerial resources safely, effectively, and efficiently

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  • Enhance aviation safety of agency and contract personnel by providing training in basic wildland firefighting operations through integration of standardized interagency tactics and operational procedures. Information is presented, and a test of knowledge will be administered prior to granting a certificate of completion.
  • Provide national level intent and emphasis regarding aviation policy and procedures. NAFA itself does not create policy or procedures. Rather, it promotes the standards accepted and approved by agencies (i.e., US Forest Service (USFS) and Bureau of Land Management (BLM)).
  • Provide instruction to meet the following objectives:
    • Understand operations and communications within the Fire Traffic Area to safely support the ground firefighters.
    • Increase aerial firefighting knowledge by integrating tactics, operations, and coordination of various resources to enhance their effectiveness and safety.
    • Have a basic understanding of ground and aerial wildland firefighting to include dispatching, fire terminology, airbase operations, human factors, fire behavior and the Incident Command System.
    • Improve knowledge of fire policies put forth by NWCG, drop patterns, coverage levels, strategies, techniques, and factors influencing aerial application on wildland fire.

Chair: Parker Lucas

NWCG Coordinator: Schultz, Dave

Parent Committee: Interagency Airtanker and Scooper Operations Subcommittee

Meeting Schedule: TBD

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NWCG Latest Announcements

2025/2026 Leadership Campaign Quarter 2 Now Available!

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

NWCG is excited to announce that the Quarter Two materials for the 2025/2026 Wildland Fire Leadership Campaign are now available! This annual initiative invites all leadership and wildland fire management students to engage with essential skills and knowledge needed to lead effectively in dynamic environments.

This quarter focuses on Leadership Level 2: New Leader (Conveying Intent). Conveying intent is a crucial leadership competency in the high-risk, dynamic environment of wildland firefighting. Months 4 - 6 will concentrate on how successfully conveying intent enhances situational awareness, promotes shared understanding, and empowers firefighters to exercise initiative and adapt to changing conditions.

References:

2025/2026 NWCG Leadership Campaign - Leadership Levels

Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program

Leadership Committee

Opportunity to Serve the Wildland Fire Community as an IPTM SME!

Date: February 10, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: NWCG SME Specialist

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. The intent of IPTM is to transition NWCG’s training and qualification system to a performance-based model through updated position descriptions, Incident Position Standards, Next Generation Position Task Books (Next Gen PTBs), and updates to training where needed.

NWCG is currently recruiting SMEs for the following positions:

  • Aircraft Timekeeper (ATIM)
  • Compensation/Claims Unit Leader (COMP)
  • Cost Unit Leader (COST)
  • Crew Representative (CREP)
  • Deck Coordinator (DECK)
  • Fire Effects Monitor (FEMO)
  • Field Observer (FOBS)
  • Geographic Information System Specialist (GISS)
  • Ordering Manager (ORDM)
  • Receiving/Distribution Manager (RCDM)
  • Staging Area Manager (STAM)

Projects begin April/May 2026 and require 15–20 hours per month for 6–8 months, including a five-day workshop in Boise, Idaho this May. Apply by February 27, 2026, at the link below and review the attached document for details.

References:

NWCG SME Interest Sign-up

IPTM Subject Matter Expert Duties and Expectations Document

Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM)

NEW! M-280, Resource Advisor, Fireline (Instructor-Led) Course Available Now

Date: January 29, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Resource Advisor Subcommittee

NWCG is pleased to announce the new M-280, Resource Advisor, Fireline (Instructor-Led) course is now available. This training supports individuals working towards Resource Advisor, Fireline (REAF) incident qualifications.

M-280, Resource Advisor, Fireline (Instructor-Led) training prepares students to serve as a Resource Advisor, Fireline (REAF) as defined in NWCG Incident Position Standards for Resource Advisor, Fireline, PMS 350-112. This course presents scenarios that reflect the diverse challenges a REAF may encounter during an incident. Through these scenarios, participants gain hands-on experience and an understanding of REAF responsibilities in a controlled learning environment.

References:

Resource Advisor, Fireline Position Page

NWCG Position Standards for Resource Advisor, Fireline, PMS 350-112

M-280, Resource Advisor, Fireline (Instructor-Led)

Wildland Fire Learning Portal

2026 Updates to the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1

Date: January 23, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Incident and Position Standards Committee

The Incident and Position Standards Committee has updated the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1.

These updates address changes to incident position names and requirements for qualification, training, and experience. Updates related to the implementation of Complex Incident Management (CIM) and Incident Performance Training Modernization (IPTM) are also included.

The NWCG Wildland Fire Position Qualification Flowchart, PMS 308 has also been updated to reflect the recent changes.

References:

NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1

NWCG Wildland Fire Position Qualification Flowchart, PMS 308

IPSC Memo 26-01: January 2026 Updates to the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Positions Qualifications, PMS 310-1