Skip to main content

S-261, Applied Interagency Incident Business Management (ILT)

Course Title
Applied Interagency Incident Business Management (ILT)
Version Date

2014

Previous Certification Dates

2007-12
1999-03

Course Number
S-261
Other Training Which Supports
PTRC Personnel Time Recorder, ICPI Incident Contract Project Inspector, COMP Compensation/Claims Unit Leader, COST Cost Unit Leader, EQTR Equipment Time Recorder
Course Description

This is an instructor-led course designed for entry-level finance positions. The format is a mix of exercises, facilitated group discussions, and lecture supported by PowerPoint presentations. Students work directly from the NWCG Standards for Interagency Incident Business Management, PMS 902 for most of the exercises.

S-261, Applied Interagency Incident Business Management, is designed to be taken after completion of S-260, Interagency Incident Business Management.

Course Objective

At the successful completion of this course, students will describe roles and responsibilities, and demonstrate proficiency in the skills/knowledge required to perform the tasks of the following positions:

Equipment Time Recorder (EQTR)
Compensation for Injury Specialist (INJR)
Claims Specialist (CLMS)
Personnel Time Recorder (PTRC)

Prerequisite Qualifications Notes

None

Lead Instructor Minimum Qualifications
Lead instructor must be a qualified Finance/Administration Chief Type 2 (FSC2), an administrative officer, or an assistant with incident business management experience.
Format
Instructor Led
Special Delivery Considerations

These materials are needed above and beyond the usual items (pens, paper, flip charts, markers, etc.).
NWCG Standards for Interagency Incident Business Management, PMS 902
Computer with projector and screen to show electronic presentations, and Internet access (for instructors)
Flip chart, paper, and markers (1 per instructor and 1 per small group)

Version 2014
Optional materials have been developed to enhance the students understanding of the Wildland Fire Decision Support System (WFDSS) relative to the Personnel Time Recorder (PTRC) and Equipment Time Recorder (EQTR) positions. Instructors who choose to use the optional materials to enhance the course should be familiar with the lesson and its contents and determine how it will be used in the course. The materials are available here https://wfdss.usgs.gov/wfdss/WFDSS_NWCG_WFDSS.shtml.

Business Steward
Incident Business Committee IBC
Prerequisite Training Notes

None

Alternate Delivery Mode
Not Applicable
Class Size Recommendations

The recommended class size is 25 to 30 students. The recommended student-to-instructor ratio is 5:1. Cadre members should be present for all instructional sessions. A minimum of three instructors should present this course; however, more instructors are required if a field exercise is incorporated. This is to enable strong mentorship by the cadre to the students.

Class Size Recommendations

The recommended class size is 25 to 30 students. The recommended student-to-instructor ratio is 5:1. Cadre members should be present for all instructional sessions. A minimum of three instructors should present this course; however, more instructors are required if a field exercise is incorporated. This is to enable strong mentorship by the cadre to the students.

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