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S-420, Command & General Staff (ILT)

Course Title
Command & General Staff (ILT)
Training Required For
Complex (FSCC, LSCC, PSCC) 310-1 Training Path 02, Complex (ICCI, OSCC, PIOC, SOFC) 310-1 Training Path 01, Complex (FSCC, LSCC, PSCC) 310-1 Training Path 01
Version Date

2020

Previous Certification Dates

2002-10

Course Number
S-420
Other Training Which Supports
LOFR Liaison Officer, OPBD Operations Branch Director, INBA Incident Business Advisor
Course Description

This course is designed to prepare students to function effectively as members of the Command and General Staff (C&G) on a Type 2 Incident Management Team (IMT). Students will participate in facilitated discussions, classroom exercises, and a simulated incident. Students will be evaluated by assigned coaches using an assessment and feedback rubric.

Course Objective

Given a simulated event, demonstrate the ability to perform as a C&G member on a Type 2 Incident Management Team.

Lead Instructor Minimum Qualifications
Lead and unit instructors must be qualified as Command or General Staff Type 2.
Format
Instructor Led
Special Delivery Considerations

Space and Classroom Requirements
The characteristics of the classroom and supportive facilities have a significant impact on the learning environment. The classroom should be chosen and viewed well in advance of the presentation.

A classroom that can accommodate all 24 students (in three groups), coaches, and cadre is required for the course instruction portions.

The simulation requires space for each team to operate separate from the other teams. Ideally, each team will have a separate breakout room. Two additional breakout rooms are required for the full day simulation.

Initial Cadre Call: Each student is required to submit a biography and complete the initial portion of the Student Self-Assessment and Feedback Rubric as part of the pre-course work. The information from these documents can be used when forming student teams, to ensure that the teams are well rounded and diverse. The coaches assigned to each team should become familiar with the student biographies and self-evaluations prior to the course.

A cadre meeting before each day’s course presentation is recommended because of the interrelationship of the unit material (changing instructional materials in one unit may impact a later unit or the simulation).

Simulation
The course material includes a multi-phase simulation that allows students an opportunity to exercise the materials and concepts taught in the instructional units. The simulation material, including documents, materials checklists, and organization aids, is available for the cadre to download from the Wildland Fire Learning Portal (WFLP).

The Course Coordinator and cadre can elect to create and use an alternate simulation or scenario. This may be done to reflect local fuel types, resources, and conditions where the student will likely fill incident assignments, or delivery constraints of a particular session. If this is done, the cadre should take care to ensure that the simulation objectives and intent remain intact.

These materials are needed above and beyond the usual items (pens, paper, flip charts, markers, etc.).
For Each Small Group:

50 - 4x6 index cards.
For Simulation:

See Simulation Materials Checklist and Simulation Coordinator’s Guide in the WFLP.
Optional:

Delegation of Authority, Incident Briefing (ICS 201), and Incident Action Plan from a real incident

Selection letters should be sent to students to describe the pre-course work and provide class times, dates, and location. Refer to the NWCG Standards for Course Delivery, PMS 901-1, for more information on selection letters.

The Sample Selection Letter may be augmented with the following information:

Business Steward
Incident and Position Standards Committee IPSC
Prerequisite Training Notes

L-480, Organizational Leadership in the Wildland Fire Service.

OR

L-380, Fireline Leadership, OR L-381, Incident Leadership.

OR

L-180, Human Factors in the Wildland Fire Service, plus completion of 40 hours in any supervision or leadership training course(s).

Unit Instructor Minimum Qualifications
Lead and unit instructors must be qualified as Command or General Staff Type 2.
Alternate Delivery Mode
Not Applicable
Class Size Recommendations

This course is designed for a class size of 24 students organized into three teams of eight students.

Class Size Recommendations

This course is designed for a class size of 24 students organized into three teams of eight students.

Special Cadre Considerations

The cadre should consist of individuals that have sufficient experience to represent each Type 2 Command and General Staff (C&G) position to accomplish the course objectives. A minimum of three instructors and three coaches are required. Ideally, cadres would include a qualified and experienced representative from each of the functional areas, a Type 2 Incident Commander, and an experienced Agency Administrator.

Coaches provide students with high-quality performance feedback. Coaches should have Type 2 C&G experience as well as the ability to provide performance feedback and facilitate learning in small groups. Each team requires a minimum of one coach; however, two coaches enable a better learning experience and more specific feedback opportunities. Coaches can also serve as unit instructors.

A large part of the course consists of simulation where students apply what they’ve learned during instructional units. The simulation will require the participation of multiple cadre and role players to deliver. A Simulation Coordinator should be identified early during course preparation. The Simulation Coordinator should plan at least 40 hours for preparation time prior to the course to arrange necessary materials, role players, and logistics.

The course introduction includes a keynote address. If possible, arrange for a keynote speaker who can discuss the significance of Incident Management Teams (IMTs) at the regional and national 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