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RT-373, Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Incident Operations Refresher (ILT)

Course Title
Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Incident Operations Refresher (ILT)
Training Required For
UASP 310-1 Training Path 01, UASL 310-1 Training Path 01, UASM 310-1 Training Path 01
Course Number
RT-373
Course Description

The UAS Refresher is available as instructor training. Course content is updated frequently and is available at: https://sites.google.com/firenet.gov/s373/courses. The course shall focus on lessons learned from previous incident responses, including review of SAFECOMs, trends in incident UAS employment, and updated policy. Additional topics such as emerging technology, data processing, and remote pilot competency shall be addressed as required.

RT-373 is designed to provide the participants with updated information for how qualified personnel will:
Safely plan and implement UAS missions.
Collect data required to derive requested incident products.
Deliver requested data products within required timeframes.
Manage vendor-provided UAS services.

Due to the complexity of this training and its instructors, this course is maintained by the National Interagency Unmanned Aircraft systems (UAS) Training program. You can navigate their page on the Wildland Fire Learning Portal @ https://wildlandfirelearningportal.net/course/view.php?id=542, for course schedule and nominations.

Course Objective

Manage vendor-provided UAS services.

Prerequisite Qualifications Notes

Agency remote pilot certification for Unmanned Aircraft System Pilot (UASP), Unmanned Aircraft System, Manager (UASM), and Unmanned Aircraft System, Module Leader (UASL). GIS expertise and experience for Unmanned Aircraft System, Data Specialist (UASD).

Format
Instructor Led
Special Delivery Considerations

RT-373 is available as virtual training. A hybrid approach including online delivery of curriculum accompanied with in-person discussion and review of localized application and procedures is encouraged.

Business Steward
IFUASS Interagency Fire Unmanned Aircraft Systems Subcommittee
Alternate Delivery Mode
Not Applicable
Special Cadre Considerations

Participation in NWCG course S-373, Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Incident Operations as a lead, unit, or flight instructor may be applied as equivalency of RT-373 to meet the triennial requirement.

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