Position Task Book Considerations and Exceptions

Positions Without NWCG Position Task Books

Individuals in the following positions perform tasks that vary depending on the agency, the assignment, or both. Assignment and qualification will be determined by the agency.

• Agency Representative (AREP)
• Interagency Resource Representative (IARR)
• Mixmaster (MXMS)
• Operations Branch Director (OPBD)
• Retardant Crewmember (RTCM)
• Service Branch Director (SVBD)
• Support Branch Director (SUBD)

Positions With the Same Position Task Book for Type 2 and Type 1 Complexity Levels

• Finance/Administration Section Chief Type 2 & Type 1 (FSC2 and FSC1)
• Incident Commander Type 2 & Type 1 (ICT2 and ICT1)
• Logistics Section Chief Type 2 & Type 1 (LSC2 and LSC1)
• Operations Section Chief Type 2 & Type 1 (OSC2 and OSC1)
• Planning Section Chief Type 2 & Type 1 (PSC2 and PSC1)
• Prescribed Fire Burn Boss Type 2 & Type 1 (RXB2 and RXB1)
• Prescribed Fire Manager Type 2 & Type 1 (RXM2 and RXM1)
• Public Information Officer Type 2 & Type 1 (PIO2 and PIO1)
• Safety Officer Type 2 & Type 1 (SOF2 and SOF1)

For positions with the same PTB, Trainees are required to complete an initiated PTB for each complexity level. When the PTB is initiated, the applicable level should be identified by crossing out the nonapplicable position identifiers on the PTB cover.

Example: A Trainee completes a PTB for Incident Commander Type 2 (ICT2) and receives certification from the home unit/agency in that position. When the home unit/agency determines the individual has demonstrated satisfactory position performance as an ICT2, a new Incident Commander Type 2 and Type 1 (ICT2 & 1) PTB may be initiated for ICT1. Crossing out ICT2 on the cover indicates the Trainee is working to complete the ICT1 PTB.

Positions With Combined Position Task Books

Some NWCG PTBs have been combined; however, the positions have not been combined. For additional information, refer to Individual Position Qualification pages in this document or the PTB.

These PTBs have been combined to include common tasks—with additional tasks for specific positions as referenced. The common tasks only need to be completed once. When the PTB is initiated, the applicable position(s) should be identified by crossing out the nonapplicable positions on the cover. For each subsequent position, a new front cover initiation page and a new verification/certification page must be printed and initiated (with the applicable position being identified by crossing out the nonapplicable positions on the cover).

Combined Position Task Books With Common Tasks:

1. Firefighter Type 1 (FFT1) and Incident Commander Type 5 (ICT5). The FFT1 tasks only need to be completed once; the additional tasks specific to ICT5 must be completed to obtain ICT5 qualification. The FFT1 and ICT5 PTBs can be initiated at the same time; the tasks can be completed simultaneously. A verification/certification page is included in the PTB for each position.
2. Basic Faller, Intermediate Faller, and Advanced Faller (FAL3, FAL2, and FAL1). Position specific tasks and position certification for each position must be completed in the order of FAL3, FAL2, and then FAL1. A verification/certification page is included in the PTB for each position.
3. Single Resource Boss (CRWB, HEQB, ENGB, FELB, FIRB, and HMGB)
4. Strike Team Leader (STCR, STEN, STEQ) and Task Force Leader (TFLD). For qualification as a Strike Team Leader, the specific Strike Team Leader PTB must be initiated (with the applicable position being identified by crossing out the nonapplicable positions on the cover). The Strike Team Leader tasks only need to be completed once. Once qualified as a Strike Team Leader, any additional Single Resource Boss qualifications will allow agencies to qualify the individual in the corresponding Strike Team Leader position. An additional PTB for that position does not need to be completed. Certification must be documented on a verification/certification page.

Once qualified as a Strike Team Leader, to become a TFLD, a new front cover page and a new verification/certification page must be printed and initiated (with the applicable position being identified by crossing out the nonapplicable positions on the cover), and the additional tasks in the PTB for TFLD must be completed.

For an individual using the TFLD alternate pathway of two Single Resource Boss + ICT4 versus going through STL, a TFLD PTB must be initiated (with the applicable position being identified by crossing out the nonapplicable positions on the cover) and all tasks in the PTB must be accomplished and evaluated.

Note: If a TFLD meets the prerequisite experience and qualifications of a STL, the appropriate STL qualification may be granted by the certifying official. Certification must be documented on a verification/certification page.

5. Helicopter Coordinator and Air Tactical Group Supervisor (HLCO and ATGS).
6. Fire Behavior Analyst (FBAN) and Long Term Fire Analyst (LTAN). For qualification as a FBAN, the PTB should be initiated (with the FBAN position being identified by crossing out LTAN on the cover). The FBAN tasks only need to be completed once.

Once qualified as FBAN, to become a LTAN, a new front cover page and a new verification/certification page must be printed and initiated (with the LTAN position being identified by crossing out the FBAN positions on the cover), and the additional tasks in the PTB for LTAN must be completed.

For qualification as an LTAN (without prior FBAN qualification), the PTB indicating LTAN will be initiated, and all tasks in the PTB must be accomplished and evaluated.

Note: If an LTAN meets the prerequisite experience and qualifications of an FBAN, the FBAN qualification may be granted by the certifying official. Certification must be documented on a verification/certification page.

7. Fire Effects Monitor (FEMO) and Field Observer (FOBS). The common tasks for both positions are listed first. The tasks specific to FEMO and then FOBS follow the common tasks. The FEMO and FOBS PTBs can be initiated at the same time; the tasks can be completed simultaneously. A Verification/Certification page is included in the PTB for each position. 
8. Resources Unit Leader, Situation Unit Leader, and Demobilization Unit Leader (RESL, SITL, and DMOB). The RESL and DMOB PTBs cannot be initiated at the same time; the required experience for RESL must be completed before the DMOB PTB can be initiated. A new verification/certification page should be used for each position.
9. Facilities Unit Leader, Communications Unit Leader, Food Unit Leader, Ground Support Unit Leader, Medical Unit Leader, and Supply Unit Leader (FACL, COML, FDUL, GSUL, MEDL, and SPUL)
10. Compensation/Claims Unit Leader, Procurement Unit Leader, and Time Unit Leader (COMP, PROC, and TIME)
11. Personnel Time Recorder, Equipment Time Recorder, and Commissary Manager (PTRC, EQTR, and CMSY)

Position Task Book Exceptions

Safety Officer Type 2 (SOF2) and Safety Officer Line (SOFR)

Once qualified as a SOF2, the SOFR qualification may be granted by the certifying official. Certification must be documented on a verification/certification page of the SOFR PTB.

Basic Faller, Intermediate Faller, and Advanced Faller (FAL3, FAL2, and FAL1)

The use of the approved NWCG combined PTB for these positions is highly encouraged. However, in the case of FAL3, FAL2, and FAL1 agency-specific processes that evaluate and document Completion and Certification of PTB can be used if they meet or exceed the standard identified in the associated PTB.