Alternative Pathways NWCG Qualification

Group of wildland firefighters walking through low hanging smoke. The NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1, establishes minimum NWCG position qualification standards for training, experience, physical fitness, and currency for national mobilization to wildland fire incidents. Position qualification requirements are located on the individual position pages of the NWCG Position Catalog.

Recognition of prior learning (RPL), NWCG position endorsements, and the National Fire Academy (NFA) Structural Fire Skills Crosswalk are methods for attaining NWCG PMS 310-1 positions outside of the qualifications pathway through formal processes and recognized programs. Use of these processes and programs are determined by each agency independently and only apply to positions identified in the NWCG PMS 310-1. The use of these alternate pathways ensures the critical knowledge and skills needed to perform on wildland fire incidents is attained while increasing response capacity through a shortened path to qualification.

The NWCG Standards for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), PMS 309, establishes the use of a formal competency-based qualification process that allows any credentialing authority to recognize and account for competence acquired through life-long learning and experience. RPL is a process that evaluates an individual’s formal and non-formal learning to determine the extent to which that individual has achieved the required competencies to perform effectively in a specific emergency management or responder position. It is widely recognized that a standardized NWCG RPL process will reduce redundant training, support efforts to increase speed and time to competency, and support efforts to boost national resource surge capacity.

The NWCG Executive Board is developing NWCG position endorsements for the 45 common positions shared with National Incident Management System (NIMS) National Qualification System (NQS). A position endorsement is defined as “Documentation validating specific knowledge, skills, and abilities that an [Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ)] establishes beyond the minimum qualifications for a given position.” Endorsements allow utilizing NQS all-hazards qualified resources on wildland fire incidents. This process is not designed to review specific NWCG positions for use in all-hazards incidents.

Position analysis is underway. See analysis process for additional information. As recommendations are approved, they will be posted below. Target completion for analysis of all 45 positions is June 2022.

NWCG Position Catalog

Please Provide Endorsements Feedback

Details	Title Sort ascending	Position Code	Endorsed?	Endorsement Approved	Link to Recommendations
TIME 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 (#50-55) in the NWCG Time Unit Leader Position Task Book, PMS 311-47, on a wildland fire incident. Physical Fitness Level: None Required	Time Unit Leader	TIME	Yes	2022-07-20	TIME Recommendations
SUBD Position Endorsement Requirements, 2022 Required Additional Training S-420, Command and General Staff OR L-481, Advanced Leadership for Command and General Staff Required Additional Experience Successful completion and certification of the NWCG Logistics Section Chief, Type 2 (LSC2) Position Task Book, PMS 311-33, on a wildland fire incident. Physical Fitness Level: None Required	Support Branch Director	SUBD	Yes	2022-04-20	SUBD Recommendations
SPUL Position Endorsement Requirements, 2022 Required Additional Training None Required Required Additional Experience Successful completion and certification of position-specific tasks (#11, 12, 13, 16, 17, 18) in the NWCG Ordering Manager (ORDM) Position Task Book, PMS 311-43, on an incident or in a simulated environment. Physical Fitness Level: None Required	Supply Unit Leader	SPUL	Yes	2022-04-20	SPUL Recommendations
This is an inherently wildland fire position and has no endorsement. All-hazards Situation Unit Leader will need to meet the wildland fire position qualification requirements.	Situation Unit Leader	SITL	No	2022-04-20	SITL Recommendations
SVBD Position Endorsement Requirements, 2022 Required Additional Training S-420, Command and General Staff OR L-481, Advanced Leadership for Command and General Staff Required Additional Experience Successful completion and certification of the NWCG Logistics Section Chief, Type 2 (LSC2) Position Task Book, PMS 311-33, on a wildland fire incident. Physical Fitness Level: None Required	Service Branch Director	SVBD	Yes	2022-04-20	SVBD Recommendations
This is an inherently wildland fire position and has no endorsement. All-hazards Safety Officers need to meet the wildland fire position qualification requirements.	Safety Officer, Line	SOFR	No	2022-01-19	SOFR Recommendations
This is an inherently wildland fire position and has no endorsement. All-hazards Safety Officers need to meet the wildland fire position qualification requirements.	Safety Officer Type 2	SOF2	No	2022-01-19	SOF2 Recommendations
This is an inherently wildland fire position and has no endorsement. All-hazards Safety Officers need to meet the wildland fire position qualification requirements.	Safety Officer Type 1	SOF1	No	2022-01-19	SOF1 Recommendations
RESL Position Endorsement Requirements, 2022 Required Additional Training Review NWCG Standards for Electronic File Documentation, PMS 277, prior to assignment [note: publication nearing finalization]. Required Additional Experience Successful completion and certification of position-specific tasks (#35, 37, 38, 41, 42, 43, 45, 47) in the NWCG Resources Unit Leader (RESL) Position Task Book, PMS 311-24, on a wildland fire incident. Physical Fitness Level: None Required	Resources Unit Leader	RESL	Yes	2022-04-20	RESL Recommendations
PIO2 Position Endorsement Requirements, 2022 The position for this endorsement is currently being evaluated to the new standards for Complex Incident Management, for current information regarding this change, please contact your NIMSIC representative.	Public Information Officer Type 2	PIO2	Yes	2022-01-19	PIO2 Recommendations
PIO1 Position Endorsement Requirements, 2022 Required Additional Training S-520, Advanced Incident Management OR Complex Incident Management Course (CIMC) Required Additional Experience No additional experience required Physical Fitness Level: None Required	Public Information Officer Type 1	PIO1	Yes	2022-01-19	PIO1 Recommendations
PIOF Position Endorsement Requirements, 2022 Required Additional Training L-180, Human Factors in the Wildland Fire Service S-130, Firefighter Training S-190, Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior Required Additional Experience No additional experience required Physical Fitness Level: None Required	Public Information Officer	PIOF	Yes	2022-01-19	PIOF Recommendations
All-hazards Procurement Unit Leaders need to meet the wildland fire position qualification requirements. Rationale for not endorsing is based on the complexity of federal procurement regulations.	Procurement Unit Leader	PROC	No	2022-07-20	PROC Recommendations
This is an inherently wildland fire position and has no endorsement. All-hazards Planning Section Chief Type 3 will need to meet the wildland fire position qualification requirements.	Planning Section Chief Type 3	PSC3	No	2022-04-20	PSC3 Recommendations
PSC2 Position Endorsement Requirements, 2022 The position for this endorsement is currently being evaluated to the new standards for Complex Incident Management, for current information regarding this change, please contact your NIMSIC representative.	Planning Section Chief Type 2	PSC2	Yes	2022-04-20	PSC2 Recommendations
This is an inherently wildland fire position and has no endorsement. All-hazards Planning Section Chief Type 1 will need to meet the wildland fire position qualification requirements.	Planning Section Chief Type 1	PSC1	No	2022-04-20	PSC1 Recommendations
This is an inherently wildland fire position. All-hazards Operations Section Chief Type 3 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).	Operations Section Chief Type 3	OPS3	No	2022-05-18	OPS3 Recommendations
This is an inherently wildland fire position. All-hazards Operations Section Chief Type 2 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).	Operations Section Chief Type 2	OSC2	No	2022-05-18	OSC2 Recommendations
This is an inherently wildland fire position. All-hazards Operations Section Chief Type 1 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).	Operations Section Chief Type 1	OSC1	No	2022-05-18	OSC1 Recommendations
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 Medical Unit Leader (MEDL) Position Task Book, PMS-311-34, on a wildland fire incident. Physical Fitness Level: None Required	Medical Unit Leader	MEDL	Yes	2022-04-20	MEDL Recommendations

Structural firefighters meeting NFPA 1001 or 1021 qualifications may utilize the Skills Crosswalk identified by the NFA to apply their existing fire suppression knowledge and skills towards qualification in three NWCG incident positions: Firefighter Type 1 (FFT1), Engine Boss, Single Resource (ENGB), and Strike Team Leader Engine (STEN).

Refer to NFA for additional information.

The Gap courses have been designed to fill the knowledge gap between structural and wildand fire. The course, along with the associated position task book are required for structural firefighters prior to obtaining qualification in each of the three NWCG positions.

G-131, Wildland Training (FFT1) for Structural Firefighters (designed for those meeting NFPA 1001 for Firefighter 2, or equivalent)
G-231, Wildland Training (ENGB) for Structural Firefighters (designed for those meeting NFPA 1021 for Fire Officer 1, or equivalent)
G-330, Wildland Training (STEN) for Structural Firefighters (designed for those meeting NFPA 1021 for Fire Officer 2, or equivalent)

Positions Highlights

National Wildfire Coordinating Group

Alternative Pathways NWCG Qualification

Required Additional Training

Required Additional Experience

Physical Fitness Level: None Required

Required Additional Training

Required Additional Experience

Physical Fitness Level: None Required

Required Additional Training

Required Additional Experience

Physical Fitness Level: None Required

Required Additional Training

Required Additional Experience

Physical Fitness Level: None Required

Required Additional Training

Required Additional Experience

Physical Fitness Level: None Required

The position for this endorsement is currently being evaluated to the new standards for Complex Incident Management, for current information regarding this change, please contact your NIMSIC representative.

Required Additional Training

Required Additional Experience

Physical Fitness Level: None Required

Required Additional Training

Required Additional Experience

Physical Fitness Level: None Required

The position for this endorsement is currently being evaluated to the new standards for Complex Incident Management, for current information regarding this change, please contact your NIMSIC representative.

Required Additional Training

Required Additional Experience

Physical Fitness Level: None Required

NWCG Latest Announcements

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References:

NWCG

National Wildfire Coordinating Group

Alternative Pathways NWCG Qualification

Recognition of Prior Learning

NWCG Position Endorsements

Required Additional Training

Required Additional Experience

Physical Fitness Level: None Required

Required Additional Training

Required Additional Experience

Physical Fitness Level: None Required

Required Additional Training

Required Additional Experience

Physical Fitness Level: None Required

Required Additional Training

Required Additional Experience

Physical Fitness Level: None Required

Required Additional Training

Required Additional Experience

Physical Fitness Level: None Required

The position for this endorsement is currently being evaluated to the new standards for Complex Incident Management, for current information regarding this change, please contact your NIMSIC representative.

Required Additional Training

Required Additional Experience

Physical Fitness Level: None Required

Required Additional Training

Required Additional Experience

Physical Fitness Level: None Required

The position for this endorsement is currently being evaluated to the new standards for Complex Incident Management, for current information regarding this change, please contact your NIMSIC representative.

Required Additional Training

Required Additional Experience

Physical Fitness Level: None Required

NFA Structural Fire Skills Crosswalk and Gap Courses

NWCG Latest Announcements

References:

References:

References:

References:

NWCG National Wildfire Coordinating Group

NWCG

National Wildfire Coordinating Group