Skip to main content

NWCG Project Priorities

The project list provides a transparent snapshot of the NWCG program of work, past, current, and future. The project list is not intended to be all-encompassing for daily staff work assignments, and it should be not assumed that projects will not move up or down in priority. The NWCG staff spreads daily work assignments across multiple priorities as the entire program of work moves forward.

  • Has multiple steps (tasks) and/or people involved.
  • Not day-to-day job-related work or ongoing maintenance, occurs outside daily work.
  • Has an end date, or requires significant work on a cyclical basis.
  • Requires more than a couple of days to complete.
  • Considered a significant revision or is a new publication or training course.
  • May include agency-specific request that comes to NWCG due to staff skillset.
  • Some NWCG projects have annual or biannual components and will be listed that way in the NWCG priorities list.  For example, WFSTAR modules are broken into two categories: Spring (Jan-June) and Fall (July-Dec). All modules being developed during the year will be included in one of these two categories.

  • Time Sensitive:
    • High - Immediate need; timing is critical.
    • Moderate – Some urgency, but not critical.
    • Low – No urgency.
  • Committee priority:
    • High – Steward has established this as a high priority.
    • Moderate – Steward has established this as a moderate priority.
    • Low – Steward has established this as a low priority.
  • Level of effort remaining:
    • High – Considerable level of work involved to finish project.
    • Moderate – Moderate level of work involved to finish project.
    • Low – Low level of work involved to finish project.
  • Size of audience:
    • High – 5001-10000.
    • Medium – 1001-5000.
    • Low – 1-1000.
  • Standards tied to a position? Y/N – Is this project tied to existing standards and/or is an existing standard.
  • Required training? Y/N – only applies to training courses; required in the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1.
  • Systems Improvement Effort? Y/N – Is this project tied to the development of a position performance package related to the Systems Improvement Effort?
  • Existing projects that need to be finished? Y/N – May not be the highest priority based on new criteria, but needs to get finished.
  • Current material significantly outdated or nonexistent? Y/N – essentially providing no or outdated information related to the training or standard.
  • Political sensitivity? Y/N – Deemed politically sensitive by NWCG Executive Board or multiple agencies.

  • NWCG Primary Staff (Program Manager, Coordinators, Training Program Manager, Publications Manager, Web Manager).
    • Convene monthly to update and reassess project priorities (additions, deletions, priority reassessment) (with Incident and Position Standards Committee (IPSC) and Training Delivery Committee (TDC) assigned representatives).
    • Present to Executive Board monthly for concurrence and maintain current priority list on website.
  • NWCG Committees
    • Submit new project requests to NWCG.
    • Provide input on priorities for the projects under their stewardship.
  • TDC
    • Collaborate with NWCG Training Program Manager on course revision priorities.
  • IPSC
    • Assist in setting priorities based on agency needs.
  • Executive Board
    • Review priorities monthly and provide input/readjustment as necessary.

Current Priorities List

[view:nwcg_project_priorities=project_priorities_block]

 

Completed Priorities List

[view:nwcg_project_priorities=block_completed]

 

 

NWCG Latest Announcements

2025 Week of Remembrance

Date: June 27, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
6 Minutes for Safety Subcommittee

As we approach the 2025 Week of Remembrance (WOR), June 30–July 6, we dedicate this time to reflect on the past incidents from 2015 and honor the fallen through learning. Since its inception in 2014, WOR has honored wildland firefighters who made the ultimate sacrifice while encouraging critical discussions that reinforce lessons learned.

Throughout the week, we encourage thoughtful and generative conversations—whether in briefing rooms or at tailgates—that promote a culture of continuous learning and safety.

References:

2025 Week of Remembrance: Letter to Leadership

Wildland Fire Lessons Learned Center

ETC Equipment Bulletin: 25-003 Flame-Resistant Shirt Survey

Date: June 12, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Equipment Technology Committee

The U.S. Forest Service National Technology and Development Program (NTDP) is seeking input on the Forest Service-designed flame-resistant (FR) shirt, currently available through the National Interagency Support Cache system and FedMall.

NTDP is conducting a product review to improve future FR shirt designs. As part of this effort, a short survey is now open for federal employees who have worn any of three recent FR shirt models. Feedback will guide design improvements to better meet the needs of wildland firefighters.

To comply with the Paperwork Reduction Act, responses are limited to federal employees. The survey is open through September 12, 2025. 

References:

NWCG Alerts

ETC Equipment Bulletin: 25-003

NEW! S-130, Firefighter Training (Blended) Now Available

Date: June 10, 2025
If you have questions, please visit our FAQ page. 
If your question is not answered there, you can 
submit your question using our Contact Us form. 
 

The S-130, Firefighter Training (Blended), equips new wildland firefighters with essential skills through a mix of online learning and hands-on training. The course features a required online component and an instructor-led exercise, reinforcing online concepts with practical performance-based training.

The course builds competencies in wildland fire operations, safety, and equipment use, applicable across various operational environments. Both the online component and instructor-led field exercise must be completed to receive a certificate of completion. Students are required to finish the prerequisite S-190, Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior, before enrolling in S-130, Firefighter Training (Blended).

References:

S-130, Firefighter Training (Blended)

S-190, Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior

Wildland Fire Learning Portal

EMC Memo 25-001: Interim Rapid Extraction Module (REMS) Training and Qualification Requirements

Date: June 3, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Emergency Medical Committee

The Emergency Medical Committee has issued interim guidance for Rapid Extraction Module Support (REMS) teams. Until further notice, Type I and II REMS teams must designate a team leader qualified at Firefighter Type 1 Squad Boss (FFT1) or higher. This temporary change replaces the Single Resource Boss (SRB) requirement, which is currently not feasible due to administrative barriers.

This memorandum does not include any other changes to the NWCG Standards for Rapid Extraction Module Support, PMS 552. This interim change takes effect immediately and will remain in place until further notice.

References:

EMC Memo 25-001: Interim Rapid Extraction Module (REMS) Training and Qualification Requirements

NWCG Standards for Rapid Extraction Module Support, PMS 552