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RT-130, Wildland Fire Safety Training Annual Refresher (WFSTAR) (ILT)

Course Title
Wildland Fire Safety Training Annual Refresher (WFSTAR) (ILT)
Training Required For
ICT4 310-1 Training Path 01, PIOT 310-1 Training Path 01, FIRB 301-1 Training Path 01, OPBD 310-1 Training Path 01, LTAN 310-1 Training Path 01, SOF3 310-1 Training Path 01, STCR 310-1 Training Path 01, UASP 310-1 Training Path 01, Complex (ICCI, OSCC, PIOC, SOFC) 310-1 Training Path 03, FOBS 310-1 Training Path 01, UASD 310-1 Training Path 01, FFT1 310-1 Training Path 01, SOPL 310-1 Training Path 01, FFT2 310-1 Training Path 01, FELB 310-1 Training Path 01, SITL 310-1 Training Path 01, ATGS 310-1 Training Path 01, DIVS 310-1 Training Path 01, UASL 310-1 Training Path 01, STEN 310-1 Training Path 01, HMGB 310-1 Training Path 01, PIO3 310-1 Training Path 01, REAF 310-1 Training Path 01, Complex (ICCI, OSCC, PIOC, SOFC) 310-1 Training Path 06, Complex (ICCI, OSCC, PIOC, SOFC) 310-1 Training Path 02, UASM 310-1 Training Path 01, HEQB 310-1 Training Path 01, HECM 310-1 Training Path 01, HLCO 310-1 Training Path 01, FAL3 310-1 Training Path 01, Complex (ICCI, OSCC, PIOC, SOFC) 310-1 Training Path 01, RXB2 310-1 Training Path 01, STPS 310-1 Training Path 01, ENGB 310-1 Training Path 01, COMT 310-1 Training Path 01, CREP 310-1 Training Path 01, STEQ 310-1 Training Path 01, Complex (ICCI, OSCC, PIOC, SOFC) 310-1 Training Path 05, FAL1 310-1 Training Path 01, FEMO 310-1 Training Path 01, FAL2 310-1 Training Path 01, ICT3 310-1 Training Path 01, FBAN 310-1 Training Path 01, CRWB 301-1 Training Path 01, RXB1 310-1 Training Path 01, RXMG 310-1 Training Path 01, ASGS 310-1 Training Path 01, STAM 310-1 Training Path 01, PIO3 310-1 Training Path 02, OPS3 310-1 Training Path 01, ICT5 310-1 Training Path 01, HEBM 310-1 Training Path 01, TFLD 310-1 Training Path 01, RADO 310-1 Training Path 01, SOFF 310-1 Training Path 01, Complex (ICCI, OSCC, PIOC, SOFC) 310-1 Training Path 04, INCM 310-1 Training Path 01
Version Date

2024

Course Number
RT-130
Course Description

The intent of RT-130, Wildland Fire Safety Training Annual Refresher (WFSTAR) is to focus line-going personnel on operations and decision-making issues related to fireline safety in order to recognize and mitigate risk, maintain safe and effective practices, and reduce accidents and near misses.

Course Objective

3. Fire and Aviation Operational Safety: (replacing Entrapment Avoidance) Review and discuss the risk management principles and tools that promote safe and effective incident operations. Utilize the appropriate sections of the IRPG. Topics may include:
Aviation for fireline personnel.
LCES, Standard Firefighting Orders, Watch Out Situations.
Common Denominators of Fire Behavior on Tragedy Fires.
Common Tactical Hazards.
Downhill Checklist.
Equipment.
Safety Zones.
Weather and fire behavior.
Wildland Urban Interface.
Chainsaw Operational Safety.
Driving Safety.
Heavy Equipment.
SAFENET and SAFECOM reports.
All hazard response.
Other hazards and safety issues.

Format
Instructor Led
Special Delivery Considerations

The RT-130 modules provide a range of training options to meet NWCG position training requirements and agency-specific RT-130 course-hours requirements. The intent of the NWCG Executive Board is that, regardless of the agency-specific RT-130 course-hours requirements, all RT-130 training covers the core components identified below.

RT-130 is delivered as an Instructor-Led Training. Instructor-Led Training (ILT) is usually conducted in a classroom, face to face setting.

RT-130 is not available as a Self-Directed (Online) training. To receive credit for course completion, students must complete a session of RT-130 with qualified instructors who monitor the quality of the training.

The hands-on fire shelter proficiency drills must be performed by each participant. An individual qualified as a unit instructor (or higher) must monitor the completion of the proficiency drill.

Business Steward
Incident and Position Standards Committee IPSC
Alternate Delivery Mode
Not Applicable
Class Size Recommendations

Recommended class size is 24 students. Instructors should maintain a 6:1 ratio of students to instructors/coaches to facilitate exercises and discussion and to enable strong mentorship to the students.

Class Size Recommendations

Recommended class size is 24 students. Instructors should maintain a 6:1 ratio of students to instructors/coaches to facilitate exercises and discussion and to enable strong mentorship to the students.

Special Cadre Considerations

Adjunct instructors may be utilized to provide limited instruction in specialized knowledge and skills at the discretion of the lead instructor. They must be experienced, proficient and knowledgeable of current issues in their field of expertise. All instructors will need the knowledge and skills to utilize current educational technology as it relates to Wildland Fire Safety Training Annual Refresher (RT-130) content, such as video streaming, downloading interactive videos, and use of mobile applications and devices. Instructors must be prepared to facilitate a quality refresher that engages all students regardless of ICS qualification or experience level.

NWCG Latest Announcements

Leadership Committee IAP Flyer Now Available

Date:  May 8, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Leadership Committee

The NWCG Leadership Committee promotes and enables leadership development across the wildland fire service. The committee provides education, training opportunities, and support for leadership innovation and best practices throughout the community.

A new IAP flyer is now available on the committee website, offering an overview of the products, curriculum, and learning opportunities the Leadership Committee develops. This resource is ideal for posting in your office, sharing with new employees, or distributing through your incident management teams to engage new voices in the leadership journey and reinforce a culture of self‑reflection, development, and growth.

References:

Leadership Committee 2026 IAP Flyer

Incident Operations Subcommittee Updates the Next Generation Position Task Book for FFT1

Date:  May 7, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Incident Operations Subcommittee

The NWCG Incident Operations Subcommittee (IOSC) has updated the NWCG Position Task Book for Firefighter Type 1 (Squad Boss) (FFT1), PMS 311‑14. The FFT1 Position Task Book transitioned to the Next Generation (Next Gen PTB) format in June 2025 through the Incident Performance and Training Modernization effort. Since then, IOSC has received feedback from the wildland fire community regarding coding for one of the tasks. Task #13 has been updated to include the option of evaluation in a simulation.

See IOSC Memorandum 26‑01: Transition Plan for Implementation of Updates to the NWCG Position Task Book for Firefighter Type 1 (Squad Boss) (FFT1), PMS 311‑14 for more information.

References:

IOSC Memorandum 26-01: Transition Plan for Implementation of Updates to the NWCG Postion Task Book for Firefighter Type 1

NWCG Firefighter Type 1 Squad Boss Position Page 

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