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Crews Typing Standard

Steward: Operations and Training Committee

Intro paragraph

Minimum Crew Standards for National Mobilization

Minimum Standards Type 1* Type 2 with Initial Attack Capability Type 2
Fireline Capability Initial Attack – Can be broken up into squads, fireline construction, complex firing operations (backfire). Initial Attack – Can be broken up into squads, fireline construction, firing to include burnout. Initial Attack – Fireline construction, firing as directed
Crew Size 18 - 20
Leadership Qualifications Permanent supervision: Supt.: TFLD, ICT4, FIRB Asst. Supt.: STCR, ICT4 3 Squad Bosses: ICT5 2 Senior Firefighters: FFT1 Crew Boss: CRWB 3 Squad Bosses: ICT5 Crew Boss: CRWB 3 Squad Bosses: FFT1
Language Requirement All senior leadership, including Squad Bosses and higher, must be able to read and interpret the language of the crew as well as English.
Experience 80% 1 season 60% 1 season 20% 1 season
Full-Time Organized Crew Yes (work and train as a unit 40 hours per week. No No
Communications 5 programmable radios 4 programmable radios
Sawyers 3 agency-qualified 3 agency-qualified None
Training As required by the Interagency Hotshot Crew Guide or agency policy before assignment Basic firefighter training and/or Annual Fireline Safety Refresher Training before assignment Basic firefighter training and/or Annual Fireline Safety Refresher Training before assignment
Logistics Crew level agency purchasing authority No purchasing authority No purchasing authority
Maximum Weight 5,300 lb
Dispatch Availability Available nationally Available nationally Variable
Production Factor 1.0 .8 .8
Transportation Own transportation Transporation needed Transportatio
Tools & Equipment Fully equipped Not equipped Not equipped
Personal Gear Arrives with: Crew first aid kit, personal first aid kit, headlamp, 1-qt canteen, web gear, sleeping bag
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) All standard designated fireline PPE
Certification Must be annually certified by the local host Unit Agency Administrator or designee before being made available for assignment. N/A N/A

*An Interagency Hotshot Crew (IHC) is a Type I crew that exceeds the Type I standards as required by the Interagency Hotshot Crew Operations Guide (2011) in the following categories:

  • Permanent supervision with 7 career appointments (Superintendent, Assistant Superintendent, 3 Squad Bosses).
  • IHCs work and train as a unit 40 hours per week.
  • IHCs are a national resource.

N/A = Not applicable

Sustained Line Production Rates of 20-Person Crews in Feet per Hour*

Fire Behavior Fuel Model Type 1 Direct Type 1 Indirect Type 2 and 2 IA Direct Type 2 and 2 IA Indirect
1. Short Grass
2. Open Timber Grass		 1,122
(792 - 1,386)**		 627
(508–746)		 627
(174–660)		 285
(174–380)
4. Chaparral 436
(330–528)		 330
(178–482)		 449
(80–640)		 272
(178–376)
5. Brush 1,089
(924–1,254)		 323
(244–403)		 471
(304–682)		 277
(178–376)
6. Dormant Brush/Hardwood Slash 1,089
(924–1,254)		 323
(244–403)		 471
(304–682)		 277
(178–376)
8. Closed Timber Litter
9. Hardwood Litter
10. Timber (Litter & Understory)		 693
(594–792)		 455
(396–515)		 447
(370–448)		 378
(255–452)

*Based on San Dimas Technology & Development Center, Tech Tip – 1151-1805P, Fireline Production Rates, 2011. No data was collected in fuel models 3, 7, and 11 – 13.

**Numbers in parentheses are expected ranges of line production.

IA = Initial Attack

Sustained Line Production Rates of 20-Person Crews in Feet per Hour*

Fire Behavior Fuel Model Crew Type 1 Crew Type 2
7. Southern Rough 264 132
11. Logging Slash, Light 990 594
12. Logging Slash, Medium 462 264
13. Logging Slash, Heavy 330 198

**Based on various sources from pre-1980.

 

and so on...

 

NWCG Latest Announcements

Opportunity to Serve the Wildland Fire Community as an IPTM SME!

Date: February 10, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: NWCG SME Specialist

NWCG is seeking experienced wildland firefighters and support personnel to serve as Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) for the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) initiative. The intent of IPTM is to transition NWCG’s training and qualification system to a performance-based model through updated position descriptions, Incident Position Standards, Next Generation Position Task Books (Next Gen PTBs), and updates to training where needed.

NWCG is currently recruiting SMEs for the following positions:

  • Aircraft Timekeeper (ATIM)
  • Compensation/Claims Unit Leader (COMP)
  • Cost Unit Leader (COST)
  • Crew Representative (CREP)
  • Deck Coordinator (DECK)
  • Fire Effects Monitor (FEMO)
  • Field Observer (FOBS)
  • Geographic Information System Specialist (GISS)
  • Ordering Manager (ORDM)
  • Receiving/Distribution Manager (RCDM)
  • Staging Area Manager (STAM)

Projects begin April/May 2026 and require 15–20 hours per month for 6–8 months, including a five-day workshop in Boise, Idaho this May. Apply by February 27, 2026, at the link below and review the attached document for details.

References:

NWCG SME Interest Sign-up

IPTM Subject Matter Expert Duties and Expectations Document

Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM)

NEW! M-280, Resource Advisor, Fireline (Instructor-Led) Course Available Now

Date: January 29, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Resource Advisor Subcommittee

NWCG is pleased to announce the new M-280, Resource Advisor, Fireline (Instructor-Led) course is now available. This training supports individuals working towards Resource Advisor, Fireline (REAF) incident qualifications.

M-280, Resource Advisor, Fireline (Instructor-Led) training prepares students to serve as a Resource Advisor, Fireline (REAF) as defined in NWCG Incident Position Standards for Resource Advisor, Fireline, PMS 350-112. This course presents scenarios that reflect the diverse challenges a REAF may encounter during an incident. Through these scenarios, participants gain hands-on experience and an understanding of REAF responsibilities in a controlled learning environment.

References:

Resource Advisor, Fireline Position Page

NWCG Position Standards for Resource Advisor, Fireline, PMS 350-112

M-280, Resource Advisor, Fireline (Instructor-Led)

Wildland Fire Learning Portal

2026 Updates to the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1

Date: January 23, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Incident and Position Standards Committee

The Incident and Position Standards Committee has updated the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1.

These updates address changes to incident position names and requirements for qualification, training, and experience. Updates related to the implementation of Complex Incident Management (CIM) and Incident Performance Training Modernization (IPTM) are also included.

The NWCG Wildland Fire Position Qualification Flowchart, PMS 308 has also been updated to reflect the recent changes.

References:

NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1

NWCG Wildland Fire Position Qualification Flowchart, PMS 308

IPSC Memo 26-01: January 2026 Updates to the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Positions Qualifications, PMS 310-1

Incident Business Committee Memo 26-01: Updated Emergency Equipment Shift Ticket, OF 297

Date: January 22, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Incident Business Committee

The Incident Business Committee (IBC) has released Memorandum 26-01: OF 297 and 2026 Fire Use. This memo informs the wildland fire community that the updated Emergency Equipment Shift Ticket, OF 297 is available for download and can be ordered through the Great Basin Cache.

Beginning January 15, 2026 the previous version of the OF 297 form has been discontinued.

For further details, please contact your IBC representative.

References:

Incident Business Committee Memorandum 26-01

Great Basin Cache