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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
Ed ChristopherChairBranch Chief - Fire ManagementFWSedwin_christopher@fws.gov
Aaron BaldwinMemberDivision Chief of Wildland Fire ManagementBIAaaron.balwin@bia.gov
Joe MajewskiMemberDeputy DirectorOWFjoseph_majewski@ios.doi.gov
Jason FallonMemberWildland Fire Branch ChiefNPSJason_Fallon@nps.gov
Meagan ConryMemberDeputy Assistant DirectorBLMmconry@blm.gov
Aitor BidaburuMemberWildfire Technical AdvisorUSFAjose.bidaburu@fema.dhs.gov
Brad KoeckeritzMemberNational Unmanned Aircraft SpecialistOASbradley_koeckeritz@ios.doi.gov
Alex RobertsonMemberDeputy DirectorUSFSAlex.Robertson@usda.gov
 Adam MendoncaMemberDeputy DirectorUSFSadam.mendonca@usda.gov

NWCG Latest Announcements

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

NWCG Committees Observe Suicide Prevention Awareness Week: September 7-13, 2025

Date: Sep 5, 2025
Questions? Please contact:
Mental Health Subcommittee

The NWCG Mental Health Subcommittee (MHSC) and Risk Management Committee (RMC) recognize the unique challenges and demands faced by the wildland fire community. The MHSC and RMC know that we are all stronger together and believe in fostering a culture of support, understanding, and resilience.

Suicide Prevention Awareness encourages us to actively connect with and support each other. For more information that could make a difference for yourself or someone else please review the materials and resources provided for the 2025 Suicide Prevention Awareness Week.

References:

2025 Suicide Prevention Awareness Week Materials and Resources