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October 21

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Item Topic Presenter Action Taken 1 Welcome and Agenda Review Paul Schlobohm N/A 2 Request: Approval of draft Shared Funding MOU Sean Cross Board members were briefed on the purpose of the proposed MOU which includes both the PMU and the NWCG Training staff. MOU proposes one split for ALL NWCG staff based on the amounts each agency is currently paying. The funding split for projects will not change and remain separate since project funding fluctuates annually. Approved. Sean will work with FS to finalize the MOU. Once approved it will be effective immediately. 3 Status Report: Executive Board Off-Site Meetings Paul Schlobohm Since meetings are now agenda driven, it is proposed that meeting locations be decided on a case-by-case basis. If there is a need/desire to travel for a specific purpose, it will be proposed and discussed amongst the board. Attention will need to be paid to timing if there is intent to travel, additional time will be needed to arrange logistics and prepare an agenda. Approved. All NWCG Committees should be following this protocol; website guidance will be adjusted accordingly. 4 Status Report: IMT Succession Next Steps Dan Smith The IMT Succession Planning Oversight Group released actions for the National Multi-Agency Coordination Group (NMAC), National Wildfire Coordination Group (NWCG) and the Fire Management Board (FMB) on 9 October 2015. Board reviewed continuing progress on the next steps for NWCG. OTC is continually engaged and the Training Assessment is underway. NMAC/CGAC is working on refining their tasking items to assign leads and deadlines. NWCG will do the same. Agenda Item for November meeting. 5 Status Report: S-520 Survey Request from FS All Tom Harbour has requested a review of S-520; NWCG needs to engage and be in the loop since OTC has stewardship of this course. OTC is working on documenting the process and expectations of maintaining courses under OTC stewardship which should help clear up NWCG’s role. Set up a conference call to further discuss NWCGs level of engagement with the S-520 review. (Sean Cross – lead, Dan Smith, Frank Guzman, OTC rep, Deb Fleming, Curtis Heaton, Mike Ellsworth) 6 Status Report: Lightning Round Branch Coordinators New Chair Recommendations: Fuels Management Committee – Kim VanHemelryck (NPS) Wildland Urban Interface Committee – Jon Skinner (BLM) Incident Business Committee – Jamie Parker (FS) Approved. 7 Request: Position Management Sean Cross The NWCG plans to consolidate the writer editor/editorial assistant positions currently located in the Program Management Unit (PMU) and the Training Development Program (TDP). The NWCG manager requested that the vacant TDP FS GS-7 editorial assistant position be converted to and filled by the encumbered BLM GS-9 writer editor position that was recently filled in the PMU. This would enable the program to permanently fill the vacant publications manager, which has been filled by a contractor for the past year.

Date
Participants

<p>
NWCG Participants Executive Board: Aitor Bidaburu (USFA), Bob Roberts (BIA), Dan Smith, Chair (NASF), Jeff Arnberger for John Glenn (BLM), Kevin Conn for Chris Wilcox (FWS), Kim Christensen &amp; Curtis Heaton for Frank Guzman (USFS), Mark Koontz (NPS), Will May called in (IAFC), Tim Sexton (RD&amp;A) Not present: Jim Erickson (ITC), Rod Bloms (DOI OWF Liaison) NWCG Staff: Deb Fleming (Training Development Program Manager), Elaine Waterbury (Planning Branch Coordinator), Sean Cross (NWCG Program Manager) Tim Blake (Operations Branch Coordinator), Paul Schlobohm (NWCG FMB Liaison) Not present: Krysta Shultz (Executive Secretary)</p>

Other Participants

<p>
Other Participants Grant Beebe and Lori Streeter (representing BAU)</p>

Attachment
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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