Alternative Pathways NWCG Qualification

This is an inherently wildland fire position. All-hazards Air Operations Branch Director need to meet the wildland fire position qualification requirements. Rationale for not endorsing is based on prerequisite experience (e.g., strategic operations, complex air space coordination, complex frequency management, planning strategy and tactics for retardant operations, managing risk).

ASGS Position Endorsement Requirements, 2022

Required Additional Training

• None Required

Required Additional Experience

• Successful completion and certification of the NWCG Air Support Group Supervisor (ASGS) Position Task Book, PMS 311-19, on a wildland fire incident.

Physical Fitness Level: None Required

This is an inherently wildland fire position. All-hazards Air Tactical Group Supervisors need to meet the wildland fire position qualification requirements. Rationale for not endorsing is based on prerequisite experience (e.g., complex airspace coordination with incident aircraft, DIVS prerequisite qualification).

This is an inherently wildland fire position and has no endorsement. All-hazards Communication Unit Leaders will need to meet the wildland fire position qualification requirements.

COMP Position Endorsement Requirements, 2022

Required Additional Training

• None required, but both S-260, Incident Business Management and e-ISuite training are recommended for anyone without wildland fire incident business experience.

Required Additional Experience

• Successful completion and certification of position-specific tasks (#31-40) in the NWCG Compensation Unit Leader (COMP) Position Task Book, PMS 311-47, on a wildland fire incident.

Physical Fitness Level: None Required

COST Position Endorsement Requirements, 2022

Required Additional Training

• None required, but both S-260, Incident Business Management and e-ISuite training are recommended for anyone without wildland fire incident business experience.

Required Additional Experience

• Successful completion and certification of position-specific tasks (#16, 22, 23, 26) in the NWCG Cost Unit Leader (COST) Position Task Book, PMS 311-48, on a wildland fire incident.

Physical Fitness Level: None Required

This is an inherently wildland fire position and has no endorsement. Demobilization Unit Leader will need to meet the wildland fire position qualification requirements.

This is an inherently wildland fire position. All-hazards Division Group Supervisors need to meet the wildland fire position qualification requirements. Rationale for not endorsing is based on prerequisite experience (e.g., fire behavior, strategic operations, burn planning).

DOCL Position Endorsement Requirements, 2022

Required Additional Training

• Review NWCG Standards for Electronic File Documentation, PMS 277, prior to assignment.

Required Additional Experience

• Successful performance as a DOCL trainee on a wildland fire incident (no position task book required).

Physical Fitness Level: None Required

FACL Position Endorsement Requirements, 2022

Required Additional Training

• None Required

Required Additional Experience

• Successful completion and certification of position-specific tasks (#34, 35, 36, 37, 38) in the NWCG Facilities Unit Leader (FACL) Position Task Book, PMS 311-34, on an incident or in a simulated environment.

Physical Fitness Level: None Required

FSC3 Position Endorsement Requirements, 2022

Required Additional Training

• None Required

Required Additional Experience

• Successful completion and certification of NWCG Position Task Book for Time Unit Leader (TIME), PMS 311-126, or Cost Unit Leader (COST) Position Task Book, PMS 311-48, on a wildland fire incident.

Physical Fitness Level: None Required

This is an inherently wildland fire position and has no endorsement. All-hazards Food Unit Leaders will need to meet the wildland fire position qualification requirements.

This is an inherently wildland fire position. All-hazards Geographic Information System Specialists need to meet the wildland fire position qualification requirements. Rationale for not endorsing is based on the specialized wildland fire workflow requirements.

GSUL Position Endorsement Requirements, 2022

Required Additional Training

• None required (NQS and NWCG are identical)

Required Additional Experience

• None required (NQS and NWCG are identical)

Physical Fitness Level: None Required

This is an inherently wildland fire position. All-hazards Incident Commander Type 3s will need to meet the wildland fire endorsement for Incident Commander Type 4 before moving up to Incident Commander Type 3. Rationale for not endorsing is based on the complexity of the wildland fire ICT3 position. Wildland fire has Extended Attack incidents as well as Type 3 Incident Management Teams (IMTS); each requires variable skills from the ICT3 in command. With the implementation of Complex Incident Management, the path forward on the wildland fire side is still unclear.

ICT4 Position Endorsement Requirements, 2022

Required Additional Training

• S-130, Firefighter Training
• S-190, Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior
• S-131, Firefighter Type 1 Training
• S-290, Intermediate Wildland Fire Behavior
• S-200, Initial Attack Incident Commander
• RT-130, Wildland Fire Safety Training Annual Refresher (WFSTAR)

Required Additional Experience

• Successful completion and certification of tasks (#4, 6, 15, 21, 33, 34, 38, 39, 44) in the NWCG Incident Commander Type 4 (ICT4) Position Task Book, PMS 311-03, on a wildland fire incident.

Physical Fitness Level: Arduous

This is an inherently wildland fire position and has no endorsement. All-hazards Incident Communications Technician will need to meet the wildland fire position qualification requirements.

LOFR Position Endorsement Requirements, 2022

Required Additional Training

• None

Required Additional Experience

• Successful performance as a LOFR trainee on a wildland fire incident (no PTB required). Use NWCG Liaison Officer (LOFR) Position Task Book, PMS 311-05, as a guide for the trainee assignment. Document performance on a PTB Evaluation Record.

Physical Fitness Level: None Required

LSC3 Position Endorsement Requirements, 2022

Required Additional Training

• None Required

Required Additional Experience

• Successful completion and certification of the NWCG Logistics Section Chief, Type 3 (LSC3) Position Task Book, PMS 311-35, on a wildland fire incident.

Physical Fitness Level: None Required

MEDL Position Endorsement Requirements, 2022

Required Additional Training

• S-359, Medical Unit Leader

Required Additional Experience

• Successful completion and certification of position-specific tasks (#73 thru #86) in the NWCG Position Task Book for Medical Unit Leader (MEDL), PMS-311-39, on a wildland fire incident.

Physical Fitness Level: None Required