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NWCG Project Priorities - Option 2

NWCG Project Definition, Prioritization Criteria, Roles & Responsibilities

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 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.

What is a project?

  • 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.

Prioritization Criteria

  • Time Sensitive: H/3 – Immediate need; timing is critical, M/2 – Some urgency, but not critical, L/1 – No urgency
  • Committee priority: H/3 – Steward has established this as a high priority, M/2 – Steward has established this as a medium priority, L/1 – Steward has established this as a low priority
  • Level of effort remaining: H/1 – Considerable level of work involved to finish project, M/2 – Moderate level of work involved to finish project, L/3 – Minimal level of work involved to finish project
  • Size of audience: H/3 – 5001-10000, M/2 – 1001-5000, L/1 – 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 the PMS 310-1
  • 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  • Current material significantly outdated or nonexistent? (Y/N) – essentially providing no or outdated information related to the training or standard.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 Exec Board or multiple agencies

Roles & Responsibilities

  • NWCG Primary Staff (Program Mgr, Coordinators, Training Program Mgr, Publications Mgr, Web Mgr)
    • Convene monthly to update and reassess project priorities (additions, deletions, priority reassessment) (w/ IPSC & Training Delivery Committee assigned reps)
    • Present to Executive Board monthly for concurrence and maintain current priority list on website
  • NWCG Committees
    • Submit new project requests to NWCG (figure out what a project request looks like)
    • Provide input on priorities for the projects under their stewardship
  • Course Delivery Committee
    • Collaborate with NWCG Training Program Manager on course revision priorities
  • IPSC
    • Assist in setting priorities based on agency needs
  • Exec Board
    • Review priorities monthly and provide input/readjustment as necessary

Current Priorities List

[view:nwcg_project_priorities=project_priorities_block]

 

 

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