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S-481, Incident Business Advisor (ILT)

Course Title
Incident Business Advisor (ILT)
Version Date

2014

Previous Certification Dates

2008-06

Course Number
S-481
Other Training Which Supports
INBA Incident Business Advisor
Course Description

This course is designed to prepare students to become an Incident Business Advisor (INBA) resource for all hazard incidents. Topics include preparation for an assignment, interactions/activities, and relationship to cost objectives.

Course Objective

Describe the basic framework of the INBA position.

Lead Instructor Minimum Qualifications
Lead and unit instructors must be qualified as Incident Business Advisor (INBA).
Format
Instructor Led
Special Delivery Considerations

Additional Materials and Equipment Needed
These materials are needed above and beyond the usual items (pens, paper, flip charts, markers, etc.).

Computer with appropriate software, projector, and screen
DVD player and monitor (if unable to use computer DVD drive)
Push pins or tape
Tables, chairs, pencils, and/or pens for students
IBA kit
DVD: “Fish, Catch the Energy, Release the Potential”
Check with local human resource office, geographic area, and local training officer to see if they have a copy to borrow. The Video can be purchased at the following site, check for government discounts: fishphilosophy.com

Course Updates
Both the Fireline Handbook, PMS 410-1, and the Wildland Fire Incident Management Field Guide, PMS 210, are now discontinued. Existing references to these documents will need to be removed from course materials and exams. Any existing paper copies of exams are now outdated. Course Coordinators, Lead Instructors, or Unit Training Officers may request access to the final exam and answer key by emailing blm_fa_nwcg_training@blm.gov. All emailed requests must come from an official NWCG partner email address.

The following update is suggested for the S-481 final exam:

Question #23: List three reference documents utilized during an IBA assignment.(6 pts)
o Answer: In the answer key, the Fireline Handbook and the Wildland Fire Incident Management Field Guide need to be deleted as potential answers.

The NWCG Wildland Fire Risk and Complexity Assessment, PMS 236, replaced the NWCG Complexity Analysis and NWCG Organizational Needs Assessment. The following table illustrates the changes to this course.

Applies to 2008 Version.

Business Steward
Incident Business Committee IBC
Unit Instructor Minimum Qualifications
Lead and unit instructors must be qualified as Incident Business Advisor (INBA).
Alternate Delivery Mode
Not Applicable
Class Size Recommendations

The exercises work best when class size is a minimum of 10 students and does not exceed 20 students. Since many people taking the IBA course have little or no fire experience, it is recommended that changing group members for each exercise will expose attendees to a variety of experience levels, opinions, and backgrounds.

Class Size Recommendations

The exercises work best when class size is a minimum of 10 students and does not exceed 20 students. Since many people taking the IBA course have little or no fire experience, it is recommended that changing group members for each exercise will expose attendees to a variety of experience levels, opinions, and backgrounds.

Special Cadre Considerations

A minimum of three instructors of an interagency mix (including state) is recommended. Instructors must be able to provide an interagency perspective and facilitate student interaction.

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