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L-380, Fireline Leadership (ILT)

Course Title
Fireline Leadership (ILT)
Version Date

2021

Previous Certification Dates

2005-01
2004-05

Course Number
L-380
Other Training Which Supports
RESL Resource Unit Leader, SOFF Safety Officer Field, STEQ Strike Team Leader Heavy Equipment, UASL Unmanned Aircraft System, Module Leader, HEBM Helibase Manager, FDUL Food Unit Leader, COST Cost Unit Leader, EDSP Expanded Dispatch Supervisory, DMOB Demobilization Unit Leader, SITL Situation Unit Leader, TFLD Task Force Leader, TIME Time Unit Leader, SPUL Supply Unit Leader, COML Communications Unit Leader, MEDL Medical Unit Leader, GSUL Ground Support Unit Leader, STCR Strike Team Leader Crew, FACL Facilities Unit Leader, PROC Procurement Unit Leader, COMP Compensation/Claims Unit Leader, PIO3 Public Information Officer Type 3, STEN Strike Team Leader Engine, RXB2 Prescribed Fire Burn Boss Type 2
Course Description

This is a leadership development training recommendation for unit supervisors. The training should be designed to provide at least 50% of the delivery time as exercises and simulations. Some approved course packages may be arduous in nature. Low student-to-instructor ratios are necessary for successful exercise/simulation-based training delivery. A dedicated cadre of at least three instructors is recommended for a class size of 20-25 students.

L-380 is targeted at leaders whose decisions have immediate consequences in dynamic, high-risk environments. The intent is to provide small unit supervisors with the tools to build and maintain effective and cohesive crews/teams. Beyond a set of tools and techniques, this training experience should be designed to make an emotional and lasting impact. Essential guiding principles for achieving this impact include: enhancing the students’ understanding of the human dimension when leading others in dynamic work environments; utilizing experiential training techniques that will engage students in ways that challenge them to perform under realistic and high-stress situations; and motivating students to examine their role, strengths, and weaknesses as a leader.

Course Objective

The intent of this training recommendation is to provide unit supervisors with the tools to build and maintain effective and cohesive crews/teams.

Prerequisite Qualifications Notes

Incident personnel with supervisory responsibilities.

Lead Instructor Minimum Qualifications
All lead instructors must be certified by the NWCG Leadership Committee. The combined cadre must have career backgrounds and expertise in principle-centered leadership, emergency incident operations, human factors, and decision-making.
Format
Instructor Led
Special Delivery Considerations

THIS IS NOT A COURSE PACKAGE AVAILABLE IN THE NWCG PUBLICATIONS MANAGEMENT SYSTEM.

The NWCG Leadership Committee has oversight and maintenance responsibility for the L-380 criteria and evaluation process. However, the delivery process used to meet this training recommendation will need to be determined by the hosting agency. Specific course information can be found in the Reference Materials for Becoming an NWCG L-Course Provider.

Selected course material should address these topics:

Application of leadership styles
Communicating vision and intent
Team building
Detecting operational error
Managing stress

Business Steward
Leadership Committee LC
Prerequisite Training Notes

Successful completion of L-180, Human Factors in the Wildland Fire Service.

Alternate Delivery Mode
Not Applicable
Class Size Recommendations

Low student-to-instructor ratios are necessary for successful exercise/simulation-based training delivery. A dedicated cadre of at least three instructors is recommended for a class size of 20-25 students.

Class Size Recommendations

Low student-to-instructor ratios are necessary for successful exercise/simulation-based training delivery. A dedicated cadre of at least three instructors is recommended for a class size of 20-25 students.

Special Cadre Considerations

For instructions on how to become a course provider, including course design criteria, minimum instructor qualifications, and certification process, refer to Reference Materials for Becoming an NWCG L-Course Provider.

All instructors must be able to execute field simulations, role-playing, and classroom exercises.

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