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S-359, Medical Unit Leader (Blended)

Course Title
Medical Unit Leader (Blended)
Training Required For
MEDL 310-1 Training Path 01
Version Date

2025

Previous Certification Dates

2000-03

Course Number
S-359
Course Description

This course is designed to provide the skills and knowledge needed to perform in the role of Medical Unit Leader (MEDL). Topics include gathering information, organizing the medical unit, supervising the unit, evaluation, documentation, and demobilization.

This course is offered in a Blended Training format. A Blended Training format combines elements of Online Training (OLT) with elements of Instructor-led Training (ILT).

Online Training component: In the OLT, students explore the knowledge and concepts required to meet the responsibilities of the MEDL from mobilization to various incident changes. Students are required to complete the OLT portion of the course and pass the assessment prior to taking the ILT portion. The OLT is estimated to take 3-4 hours to complete.

Instructor-led Training component: The ILT portion of the course provides scenario-based activities that allow participants to apply the knowledge and concepts required to meet the responsibilities of a MEDL identified in the NWCG Incident Position Standards for Medical Unit Leader (MEDL). Activities will be assessed using NWCG Course Skill Assessments completed by the instructors. The ILT will be in-person, for 17 hours (approximately 2.5 days).

Course Objective

Plan, staff, and manage the medical unit.

Lead Instructor Minimum Qualifications
Lead and unit instructors must be qualified as Medical Unit Leader (MEDL).
Format
Blended
Business Steward
IMUS Incident Medical Unit Subcommittee
Unit Instructor Minimum Qualifications
Lead and unit instructors must be qualified as Medical Unit Leader (MEDL).
Alternate Delivery Mode
Not Applicable
Class Size Recommendations

Recommended class size is 24 students. Instructors should maintain a 6:1 ratio of students to instructors to facilitate activities and discussion and to enable positive instructor to student interactions.

Class Size Recommendations

Recommended class size is 24 students. Instructors should maintain a 6:1 ratio of students to instructors to facilitate activities and discussion and to enable positive instructor to student interactions.

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