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Area Command Chart

Finance/Administration Section Chief Type 1 (FSC1)Qualified As:FSC2Required Training:S-520 or CIMCFitness: N Logistics Section Chief Type 1 (LSC1)Qualified As:LSC2 or *OSC1 or *PSC1 or *SOF1Required Training:S-520 or CIMC*Individuals utilizing this pathway must complete the Logistics Section Chief Course (E/L967) prior to position qualification.Fitness: N Operations Section Chief Type 1 (OSC1)Qualified As:OSC2Required Training:RT-130S-520 or CIMCFitness: M Finance/Administration Section Chief Complex (FSCC)Qualified as: FSC2 or TIME or COSTor PROC or FSC3Required Training: ICS-400S-420 or L-481 or 0-305S-520 or CIMC or CIM Field EvaluationFitness: N Operations Section Chief Complex (OSCC)Qualified as: OSC2 or DIVSRequired Training: ICS-400RT-130S-420 or L-481 or 0-305S-520 or CIMC or CIM Field EvaluationFitness: M Planning Section Chief Complex (PSCC)Qualified as: PSC2 or SITLor RESL or PSC3*or OSCC* or LSCC*or SOFC*Required Training: ICS-400S-420 or L-481 or 0-305S-520 or CIMC or CIM Field Evaluation* Individuals utilizing this pathway must complete the Planning Section Chief Course (S-440) prior to position qualification.Fitness: N Assistant Area Commander, Logistics (ACLC)Qualified As:ICT1orType 1 General StaffRequired Training:S-620Fitness: N Area Commander (ACDR)Qualified As:ACPC or ACLC or ICT1Required Training:S-620Fitness: N Incident Commander Type 1 (ICT1)Qualified As:ICT2Required Training:RT-130S-520 or CIMCFitness: N Assistant Area Commander, Planning (ACPC)Qualified As:ICT1ORType 1 General StaffRequired Training:S-620Fitness: N Area Command Aviation Coordinator (ACAC)Qualified As:AOBDRequired Training:S-620Fitness: N Planning Section Chief Type 1 (PSC1)Qualified As:PSC2 or *OSC1 or*LSC1 or *SOF1Required Training:S-520 or CIMC*Individuals utilizing this pathway must complete the Planning Section Chief Course (S-440) prior to position qualification.Fitness: N Logistics Section Chief Complex (LSCC)Qualified As:LSC2 or FACL or GSULor SPUL or LSC3or *OSCC or *PSCCor *SOFCRequired Training:ICS-400S-420 or L-481 or 0-305S-520 or CIMC or CIM FieldEvaluation*Individuals utilizing this pathway must complete the Logistics Section Chief Course (E/L967) prior to position qualification.Fitness: N Incident Commander Complex (ICCI)Qualified As:ICT2or ICT3 and OSCCor ICT3 and PSCCor ICT3 and LSCCor ICT3 and SOFCor ICT3 and FSCCRequired Training:ICS-400RT-130S-420 or L-481 or 0-305S-520 or CIMC or CIM Field EvaluationFitness: 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