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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

Body
  • 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: Pollock, Trevor

Vice Chair: Daniell, Chris

NWCG Coordinator:

Parent Committee: Interagency Airtanker and Scooper Operations Subcommittee

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NWCG Latest Announcements

NEW! S-212, Intermediate Faller (Online) Course Available Now 

Date:  April 23, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Hazard Tree and Tree Felling Subcommittee

NWCG is pleased to announce that the new S‑212, Intermediate Faller (Online), course is now available on the Wildland Fire Learning Portal (WFLP). This second course in the series provides students with the knowledge and skills required to perform the duties of an Intermediate Faller (FAL2), as described in the FAL2 Incident Position Description. This course is intended for individuals seeking to advance from Basic Faller (FAL3) to FAL2.

S‑212, Intermediate Faller is a fully online, self‑paced training program consisting of 13 units. Learners will engage with interactive, scenario‑based content designed to progressively build foundational skills and knowledge essential for the FAL2 role.

Students must be qualified as a Basic Faller (FAL3) prior to enrolling in S‑212, Intermediate Faller course.

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 January 2027.

References:

S-212 Intermediate Faller (Online)

RMC Memo 26-01: Transition Plan for Implementing Updates to Intermediate Faller (FAL2) Position Qualifications

Intermediate Faller (FAL2) Position Page

NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Chainsaw Operations, PMS 212

New Aircraft Flight Schedule Form, PMS 249

Date:  April 17, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: National Coordination System Committee

A new publication from the National Coordination System Committee (NCSC) is now available. The NWCG Aircraft Flight Schedule Form, PMS 249, will be used for aviation crews and dispatch to share flight information that is needed for resource tracking, and if needed, for emergency procedures.

For further details, please contact your NCSC representative. 

References:

NCSC Memo 26-01: Implementation of NWCG Aircraft Flight Schedule Form, PMS 249

NWCG Aircraft Flight Schedule Form, PMS 249

New Glossary Term for Review

Date:  April 15, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Data Standards and Terminology Board (DSTB)

The Data Standards and Terminology Board is requesting feedback on a new glossary term: Resource Protection Measure (RPM).

The proposed definition is: Practical guidance provided for incident personnel in a manner in which incident objectives can be achieved while reducing impacts to identified resources across the landscape. RPMs are informed by, but not restricted to, Minimum Impact Strategies and Tactics (MIST).

Please review, share with your subgroups, and provide feedback as appropriate through the following form: Request Feedback The comment period will close May 10, 2026.

Thank you for your engagement in the NWCG glossary process – your participation is key to our success.

References:

Glossary Request Feedback

Quarter Three Materials for the 2025-2026 Wildland Fire Leadership Campaign Now Available

Date:  April 1, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Leadership Committee

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

Quarter Three materials focus on Leadership Level 3: Leader of People (Develop Intent). Leadership Level 3 is where your values, your team, and your influence come together. Leaders of People put their teams first, build trust, and lead with authenticity. They mentor future leaders and shape decisions up and down the chain.

References:

2025/2026 NWCG Leadership Campaign - Leadership Levels

Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program

Leadership Committee