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S-341, GIS Specialist for Incident Management (Blended)

Course Title
GIS Specialist for Incident Management (Blended)
Training Required For
GISS 310-1 Training Path 01
Version Date

2024

Previous Certification Dates

None

Course Number
S-341
Other Training Which Supports
UASD Unmanned Aircraft System, Data Specialist
Course Description

S-341, GIS Specialist for Incident Management does not teach ArcGIS (ArcGIS Pro) functionality or concepts. As GIS professionals, students must have expertise using ArcGIS technology and should come to the class already proficient at managing/editing geospatial data (geodatabases), spatial analysis, and map production using ArcGIS Pro software.

S-341 training consists of instructional information, demonstration, and graded exercises following the NWCG Standards for Geospatial Operations (GeoOps), PMS 936, and NWCG GISS Workflow, PMS 936-1. The S-341 course goal is to prepare a Geospatial Information System Specialist (GISS) for a training assignment(s), with the expectation of full GISS qualification. S-341 is required for the GISS position.

Course Objective

Edit and manage incident data in NIFS, following the standards in the NWCG GISS Workflow, PMS 936-1.

Lead Instructor Minimum Qualifications
Lead and unit instructors must be on the national cadre list to teach. Lead instructors must be selected and/or approved annually by the GCMU. Lead and unit instructors must be current fully qualified GISS and show currency within IQCS/ICS and/or incident qualifications card (red card). Currency is defined as having had a GISS assignment in the last one to two years.
Format
Blended
Special Delivery Considerations

S-341 is virtual instructor-led training through the WFLP. The course session is two weeks. The first week of the course is self-directed and self-paced learning which must be completed before the second week begins. The second week of the course which involves live instruction, demonstration, and Q&A sessions, as well as independent student activities and graded exercises.

Hardware and Software Requirements
Hardware
Laptop or desktop computer with internet connectivity, camera, speaker, mouse, and external monitor.

Software
Concurrent or Single-use ArcGIS Pro (fire season-approved version) Advanced license installation. License must be Authorized to Work Offline.

System Credentials
NIFC ArcGIS Online Organization. GISS trainees should have the NIFC Training role.
FireNet named user account.

S-341 is managed by the NWCG Geospatial Curriculum Management Unit (GCMU). Course materials are updated annually by cadre and are not available at this location.

Business Steward
GCMU Geospatial Curriculum Management Unit
Prerequisite Training Notes

ICS-100, Introduction to ICS
IS-700,NIMS: An Introduction

Unit Instructor Minimum Qualifications
Lead and unit instructors must be on the national cadre list to teach. Lead instructors must be selected and/or approved annually by the GCMU. Lead and unit instructors must be current fully qualified GISS and show currency within IQCS/ICS and/or incident qualifications card (red card). Currency is defined as having had a GISS assignment in the last one to two years.
Alternate Delivery Mode
Not Applicable
Special Cadre Considerations

The course is managed by a National Steering Committee, the Geospatial Curriculum Management Unit (GCMU). The GCMU maintains a national cadre list for lead and unit instructors.

Instructors must be experienced in managing incident data in NIFS, adhering to NWCG GISS Workflow, PMS 936-1, and GeoOps on incidents. Adjunct instructors with the minimum instructor qualifications may be added to the national cadre list with GCMU approval for teaching and cadre development. Instructors are required to complete any prerequisite training and pre-course work assigned by the GCMU as preparation for teaching the course.

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