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Fire Management Board

FMB header graphic. Decorative.

The FMB provides a mechanism for coordinated and integrated federal wildland fire program management and implementation. The Board, taking strategic policy and program direction from the Fire Executive Council, directs, coordinates and oversees the development and implementation of federal wild land fire policy and programs to provide consistent and cost-effective program management. The Board is accountable for and has the authority to coordinate federal program management and oversight.

Functions

The Board is responsible for and has the authority to:

  • Provide common, integrated implementation strategies, approaches, programs, and oversight for implementing federal wildland fire policies
  • Provide federal wildland fire program strategy, policy, budget and program recommendations to the Fire Executive Council
  • Provide recommendations on information and technology requirements, priorities, and investments to the Wildland Fire Information and Technology Executive Board
  • Provide recommendations on science and research requirements and priorities necessary to support wildland fire program management activities
  • Identify requirements and recommend priorities for standards necessary to ensure interoperability of intergovernmental wildland fire activities and operations
  • Consult with our non-federal partners
  • Develop recommendations for interagency wildland fire administrative/business support needs

Key Documents

USWDS Paragraphs

MemberRoleTitleOrganizationEmail
Chris WilcoxChairChief, Fire ManagementFWSchris_wilcox@fws.gov
Julian AffusoMemberAssistant Director, Doctrine, Learning and Risk ManagementFSjulian.affuso@usda.gov
Aaron BaldwinMemberBranch Chief Wildland Fire ManagementBIAaaron.balwin@bia.gov
Aitor BidaburuMemberFire Program Specialist, U.S. Fire AdministrationUSFAaitor.bidaburu@usda.gov
Meagan ConryMemberDeputy Assistant DirectorDOImconry@blm.gov
Sarah FisherVice-ChairDeputy Director Aviation and OperationsUSFSsarah.fisher@usda.gov
Erin HorsburghMemberDeputy Director, Management & Programs, Office of Wildland FireDOIerin_horsburgh@ios.doi.gov
Brad KoeckeritzMemberDivision Chief, Office of Aircraft ServicesDOIbradley_koeckeritz@ios.doi.gov
Charles RussellMemberActing Chief Branch of Wildland FireNPSCharles_russell@nps.gov

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