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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

FAQ Now Available for Archiving Type 1 and Type 2 Incident Positions

Date: Aug 6, 2025
Questions? Please contact:
Incident and Position Standards Committee

To support the transition to Complex Incident Management (CIM), NWCG will archive all Type 1 and Type 2 Command and General Staff (C&G) position qualifications in January 2026, as outlined in NWCG Executive Board Memo 25-002. To assist with this transition, a new Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document is now available.

This resource answers common questions about the status of Type 1 and Type 2 qualifications, impacts to incident qualification management, training requirements, and resource ordering considerations. Review the full FAQ to learn more.

For additional information on CIM and the transition of C&G positions, see NWCG Executive Board Memos 23-005, 24-005, and 25-002, as well as the Incident Workforce and Development Group webpage.

References:

NWCG Type 1 & Type 2 Position Archiving FAQ

NWCG Executive Board Correspondence

Incident Workforce Development Group

Incident and Position Standards Committee

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