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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

2025-2026 Wildland Fire Leadership Campaign: "Leadership Levels" Now Available

Date: October 15, 2025
Questions? Please contact:
Leadership Committee

NWCG is excited to announce the release of the Leadership Committee’s 2025–2026 Leadership Campaign, themed “Leadership Levels.” This annual initiative offers all students of leadership and wildland fire management an opportunity to engage with essential leadership skills and knowledge needed to lead effectively in dynamic environments.

The campaign is structured into four quarters and may be completed at any time between October 1, 2025 -December 31, 2026. Leadership levels will be released quarterly.

Quarter One materials are now available on the Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program website and focus on Leadership Level 1, Follower (Self-Leadership).

References:

2025/2026 NWCG Leadership Campaign - Leadership Levels

Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program

Leadership Committee

Updated! L-280, Followership to Leadership (Instructor-led) Course

Date: October 3, 2024
Questions? Please contact:
Leadership Committee

NWCG is pleased to announce the updated L-280, Followership to Leadership (Instructor-led) course is now available. L-280 is intended for operational personnel at the Firefighter Type 1 level, and for individuals pursuing Leadership Level 2, New Leader. 

This instructor-led course is a primer on leadership and the second formal course in the Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program. It helps emerging leaders build the confidence, skills, and mindset needed to lead effectively in high-risk environments. 

For more information about leadership development and available courses, visit the Leadership Committee Web Portal.

References:

L-280, Followership to Leadership (Instructor-led)

Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program

Wildland Fire Learning Portal

Equipment Advisory 25-01: Pre-2006 Fire Shelter Degradation and Discontinuation of Use

Date: Sept 26, 2025
Questions? Please contact:
Equipment Technology Committee 

The Equipment Technology Committee (ETC) has released Equipment Advisory 25-01: Pre-2006 Fire Shelter Degradation and Discontinuation of Use. This advisory recommends all pre-2006 fire shelters should be removed from service by January 1, 2026.

This advisory recommends firefighters and fire managers to:

  • Inspect fire shelters immediately
  • Replace and destroy any pre-2006 shelters (identified by white or pink insert label)
  • Order replacements as needed

For further details, please refer to the complete advisory. 

References:

Equipment Advisory 25-01: Pre-2006 Fire Shelter Degradation and Discontinuation of Use

NWCG Fire Inspection Flowchart, PMS 411-1

NWCG Alerts

NEW! S-219, Firing Operations (Blended) Now Available

Date: Sept 11, 2025
Questions? Please contact:
Fuels Management Committee 

The S-219, Firing Operations (Blended) course is now available on the Wildland Fire Learning Portal. Developed through the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) effort, this training supports individuals working towards Firing Boss, Single Resource (FIRB) incident qualifications.

This blended course combines online and instructor-led training to provide students with the knowledge and skills required to perform the duties of the FIRB, as described in the NWCG Incident Position Standards for Firing Boss, Single Resource, PMS 350-105.

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:

S-219, Firing Operations (Blended)

NWCG Firing Boss, Single Resource Position Page

Wildland Fire Learning Portal