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S-357, Food Unit Leader (ILT)

Course Description

This course is designed to meet the training needs of a Food Unit Leader (FDUL). Topics include information about the assignment, coordination, general information, safe food handling, national contract administration, alternate feeding methods, and demobilization. A significant portion of this course is devoted to examining the administration of the National Mobile Food Services Contract as it applies to the FDUL.

Course Objectives

Utilize the National Mobile Food Services Contract to ensure appetizing, well-balanced meals are provided to the government.

Alternate Delivery Mode

Alternate Delivery Mode
Not Applicable
Training Required For
FDUL 310-1 Training Path 01
Lead Instructor Minimum Qualifications
Lead instructor and unit instructors must be qualified as Food Unit Leader (FDUL).
Unit Instructor Minimum Qualifications
Lead instructor and unit instructors must be qualified as Food Unit Leader (FDUL).
Business Steward
ILSC Incident Logistics Subcommittee
Course Level
Area, State, Regional
Format
Instructor Led
Course Number
S-357
Course Title
Food Unit Leader (ILT)

Special Delivery Considerations

Optional Materials:
Container, combination hot-food/drink (1), NFES 0073
Lid Remover, pail (1), NFES 0673
General Message Form (ICS 213) - 1 per student
Activity Log (ICS 214) - 1 package per 20 students

These materials are needed above and beyond the usual items (pens, paper, flip charts, markers, etc.).
Example of FDUL kit.
Food Unit Leader Position Task Book, PMS 311-34 (extra copies for students and instructors).
National Mobile Food Services Contract.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Food Code (optional, 1 copy per instructor).

Course Updates
2008 Version
The Mobile Food Services Contract required to complete the pre-course work is not available for download.
The course coordinator/lead instructor should obtain the current contract by following the directions on the USFS Contracting website.
Send a copy of the contract to students with their acceptance letter.
Due to changes to the National Mobile Facilities contract the following updates need to be made to Pre-Course Test, Unit 5 (Instructor Guide, Student Workbook and PowerPoint) and the Final Exam.

Instructor Guide
pg. 5A.17, Twins Exercise − 2nd solution is C2.4.1, not C2.1.3.2 − 3rd solution is C.2.9, not C2.5.1.
pg. 5A.18, Twins Exercise − 1st solution is C.1.4.11, not C1.4.12 − 2nd solution is C2.3.3, not C.2.2.2.
pg. 5A.22, Lesson 5A Quiz, question 10 – the solution is B and should read 200, 1000, not 200,500.
pg. 5B.7, D. Menu Variety – should read “Contractor bi-weekly menus shall be approved.”
pg. 5B.9, Twins Exercise − 1st solution is C3.1.1.1-d, not C3.1.1.1-c − 2nd solution is C1.5.13, not C3.1.1.1-i − 3rd solution is C3.1.1.6(e), not C3.1.1.5-6 − 4th solution is C3.1.1.6(c), not C3.1.1.5-3.
pg. 5B.10, Twin Exercise − 1st solution is C3.1.1.10 and not C3.1.1.9 − 3rd solution is C1.1.2 and not C4.1.1 − 4th solution is C4.1.1 and not C4.1.2 − 5th solution, is bi-weekly menus and C4.1.2, not weekly and C4.1.3.
pg. 5B.11, Twin Exercise − 3rd solution should be C4.2.5.1(b &c), not C4.2.5.2 − 4th solution should be C4.7.3 and not C4.2.5.6 − 5th solution should be C4.2.6.2 and not C4.2.6.1.
pg. 5B.18, Lesson 5B Quiz, question 14 − should be B. False.
pg. 5B.19, Lesson 5B Quiz, question 16 − should be A. Yes − question 18 should be B. False.
pg. 5B.20, Lesson 5B Quiz, question 20 − should be C. FDUL.
pg. 5C.9, Twins Fire Exercise − 1st solution, 2nd bullet is C4.2.5, not D.2.2; dash under that is D2.1, not D.1.4.
pg. 5D.6, D. Designations – 1, 2, and 3 are no longer in the contract.
pg. 5D.6, E. − should be Contractor Bi-weekly Menus.
pg. 5D.6, I. − Fresh Food Boxes should be deleted (no longer have Alaska food boxes).
pg. 5D.19, Lesson 5D Quiz, question 15 − should be A. Usage/Cu/FT and not square feet.
pg. 5D.20 Lesson 5D Quiz, question 19 − A should read: “At a minimum or when required by the local jurisdiction or State Law, one microbiological test for total coliform shall be performed within 2 established business days of the time of arrival at the incident at a certified laboratory.”
Student Workbook
Students Workbook will have the same corrections as the Instructors Guide
Appendix C – Final Examination
pg. C-33, question:
A. Maintain a temperature of 72 degrees or less.
B. Provide insect control.
C. Provide dust control.
D. All of Above.

31 pertains to the old contract; insert new question:
31. Sandwich Preparation Area shall:
pg. C-25, question 36, solution B needs to be changed to B. 200, 1000 and NOT 200, 500.

Development History

Replaced I-357 in 10/00.

Version Date

2008

Previous Certification Dates

2000-10

NWCG Latest Announcements

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
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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

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