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Air Ops Chart

Air Operations Branch Director (AOBD)Qualified As:ASGSRequired Training:ICS-400S-470Fitness: N Air Support Group Supervisor (ASGS)Qualified As:HEBMRequired Training:RT-130Fitness: N Helibase Manager (HEBM) Qualified As:HMGBRequired Training:ICS-300IS-800RT-130S-371Fitness: L Helicopter Manager, Single Resource (HMGB)Qualified As:HECM + FFT1Required Training:A-110ICS-200RT-130RT-372S-230S-290S-372Fitness: M Air Tactical Group Supervisor (ATGS)Qualified As:DIVS or ICT3Required Training:CRMRT-130S-378RT-378Fitness: N Helicopter Coordinator (HLCO)Qualified As:TFLDor any STLRequired Training:RT-130S-378Fitness: N Single Engine Airtanker Manager (SEMG)Qualified As:RAMPRequired Training:A-103A-115A-203ICS-100ICS-200IS-700RT-273S-270S-273Fitness: N Helicopter Crewmember (HECM)Qualified As:FFT2Required Training:A-110RT-130S-271Fitness: A Deck Coordinator (DECK)Qualified As:HECMRequired Training:ICS-200Fitness: L Aircraft Base Radio Operator (ABRO)Qualified As:NoneRequired Training:NoneFitness: N Unmanned Aircraft System, Module Leader (UASL)Qualified As:UASPAny Single Resource BossRequired Training:RT-373Fitness: L Unmanned Aircraft System, Manager (UASM)Qualified As:UASPRequired Training:RT-373Fitness: L Unmanned Aircraft System, Data Specialist (UASD)Qualified As:NoneRequired Training:ICS-100IS-700IS-800Fitness: N Unmanned Aircraft System Pilot (UASP)Qualified As:NoneRequired Training:ICS-100ICS-200IS-700IS-800OAS A-450RT-373S-373Fitness: L Ramp Manager(RAMP)Qualified As:FWPTRequired Training:A-100ICS-100IS-700S-270Fitness: N Fixed Wing Parking Tender (FWPT)Qualified As:NoneRequired Training:A-100A-109A-117A-204ICS-100IS-700FWPT-IATFitness: N Aircraft Timekeeper(ATIM)Qualified As:None orATBMRequired Training:A-109A-115ICS-100IS-700Fitness: N Airtanker Base Manager (ATBM)Qualified As:RAMPRequired Training:A-100A-103A-110A-112A-115A-202A-204ICS-100ICS-200IS-700N-9057S-260Fitness: N Fixed Wing Base Manager (FWBM)Qualified As:RAMPRequired Training:A-100A-103A-110A-112A-115A-200A-202A-203A-204ICS-100ICS-200IS-700S-260Fitness: N Retardant Crewmember(RTCM)Qualified As:NoneRequired Training:A-100A-204ICS-100IS-700Fitness: N Mixmaster(MXMS)Qualified As:RTCMRequired Training:A-100ICS-100IS700S-270Fitness: N

For information on how to interpret this chart, please review Position and Qualifications Chart Guidance.

NWCG Latest Announcements

Incident Position Standards and the Next Generation Position Task Books Now Available for UASD, UASM, UASL and UASP

Date: July 31, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Interagency Fire Unmanned Aircraft Systems Subcommittee
 

NWCG is excited to announce that Incident Position Standards and the Next Generation Position Task Books are now available for all four Unmanned Aircraft Systems positions:

  • Unmanned Aircraft Systems, Data Specialist (UASD)
  • Unmanned Aircraft Systems, Manager (UASM)
  • Unmanned Aircraft Systems, Module Leader (UASL)
  • Unmanned Aircraft Systems Pilot (UASP)

The Performance Support Packages for these positions were developed as part of the Incident Performance and Training Modernization effort. These resources support trainees, qualified personnel, and evaluators in their respective roles.

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 2026.

References:

NWCG Unmanned Aircraft Systems, Data Specialist Position Page

NWCG Unmanned Aircraft Systems, Manager Position Page

NWCG Unmanned Aircraft Systems, Module Leader Position Page

NWCG Unmanned Aircraft Systems Pilot Position Page

Incident Position Standards and the Next Generation Position Task Books Now Available for RADO and INCM

Date: July 30, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Incident Logistics Subcommittee
 

NWCG is excited to announce that Incident Position Standards and the Next Generation Position Task Books are now available for Radio Operator (RADO) and Incident Communications Center Manager (INCM).

The Performance Support Packages for these positions were developed as part of the Incident Performance and Training Modernization effort. These resources support trainees, qualified personnel, and evaluators in their respective roles.

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 2026.

References:

NWCG Radio Operator Position Page

NWCG Incident Communications Center Manager Position Page

ETC Equipment Bulletin: 25-004 NEW Aquatic Invasive Species – Golden Mussels

Date: July 29, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Equipment Technology Committee
 

The Equipment Technology Committee (ETC) issued Equipment Bulletin: 25-004, notifying the wildland fire community about a newly discovered invasive species and actions to take if found. Golden mussels, a highly invasive species recently identified in California, pose a significant risk to native ecosystems, infrastructure, and fire equipment. These mussels rapidly colonize hard and soft surfaces, including aquatic plants and fire equipment, clogging pipes, fouling motors, disrupting water systems, and impacting native species.

To help prevent their spread, fire personnel must follow the decontamination procedures outlined in the NWCG Guide to Preventing Aquatic Invasive Species Transport by Wildland Fire Operations, PMS 444. Additionally, report any sightings immediately to your Lead Resource Advisor and include clear, close-up photos and location details.

Read the complete ETC Equipment Bulletin: 25-004 to learn more. 

References:

NWCG Alerts

ETC Equipment Bulletin: 25-004

NWCG Guide to Preventing Aquatic Invasive Species Transport by Wildland Fire Operations, PMS 444

Incident Position Standards and the Next Generation Position Task Books Now Available for ICT5 and FFT1

Date: July 29, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Incident Command Subcommittee
Incident Operations Subcommittee

NWCG is excited to announce that Incident Position Standards and the Next Generation Position Task Books are now available for Incident Commander Type 5 (ICT5) and Firefighter Type 1 Squad Boss (FFT1).

The Performance Support Packages for these positions were developed as part of the Incident Performance and Training Modernization effort. These resources support trainees, qualified personnel, and evaluators in their respective roles.

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 2026.

References:

NWCG Incident Commander Type 5 Position Page

NWCG Firefighter Type 1 Squad Boss Position Page