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Compensation/Claims Unit Leader*

COMP decorative banner: photos depicting COMP position.

The Compensation/Claims Unit Leader (COMP) is responsible for the overall management and direction of all administrative matters pertaining to compensation-for-injury and claims-related activities related to an incident. The COMP is responsible for supervising other areas within the unit when activated and reports to the Finance Section Chief (FSC). The COMP works in the Finance/Administration functional area.

USWDS Paragraphs

Finance/Administration Section Chief (FSC3) Personnel Time Recorder (PTRC) Time Unit Leader (TIME) Cost Unit Leader (COST) Compensation/Claims Unit Leader (COMP) Incident Contract Project Inspector (ICPI) Equipment Time Recorder (EQTR) Procurement Unit Leader (PROC) Finance/Administration Section Chief (FSC2) Incident Business Advisor (INBA) Finance/Administration Section Chief (FSC1) Finance/Administration Section Chief (FSCC)

 

The Forest Service and Department of Interior are enabled by Administratively Determined Pay Plans (AD Pay Plans) to hire persons for temporary duration for the following reasons:

  1. To cope with a sudden and unexpected emergency caused by a fire, or extreme fire potential, flood, storm, or any other all-hazard emergency that threatens damage to federally protected property, has the potential to cause loss of life, serious injury, public health risk, or damage to natural or cultural resources unless brought under immediate control.
  2. To provide emergency assistance to States under formalized agreements.
  3. To meet mission assignments issued by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

The National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) Incident Business Committee (IBC) reviews positions annually and establishes pay rate classifications for each position.

For more information on the AD Pay Plans, visit Incident Business Committee.

Date: Oct 2025

Updated:

  • NWCG Compensation/Claims Unit Leader Position Task Book, PMS 311-47. Procurement Unit Leader (PROC) and Time Unit Leader (TIME) have been removed.
Date: Jan 2023

Added: 

  • Finance/Administration Section Chief Complex (FSCC) to "These Positions Maintain Currency for COMP."
  • Finance/Administration Section Chief Complex (FSCC) to "COMP Maintains Currency for These Positions."

Removed:

  • Claims Specialist (CLMS) and Compensation-for-Injury Specialist (INJR) from "These Positions Maintain Currency for COMP."
  • Claims Specialist (CLMS) and Compensation-for-Injury Specialist (INJR) from "COMP Maintains Currency for These Positions."
Date: Jan 2020

Added: Incident Position Description (IPD) approved.

Date: Oct 2019

Added: To Required Experience: Note: Once qualified as a COMP, the CLMS and INJR qualifications may be granted by the certifying official. Certification must be documented. 

Date: Nov 2016

Added: Introduction to ICS (ICS-100) and NIMS — An Introduction (IS-700) to Required Training.

Removed:
Satisfactory performance as a Compensation-for Injury Specialist (INJR) from Required Experience.
Satisfactory performance as a Claims Specialist (CLMS) from Required Experience.

Added: Completion and Certification of Position Task Book (311-47) as a Compensation/Claims Unit Leader (COMP)* to Required Experience.

Added: The following language: *Certification as COMP will allow certification as CLMS and INJR.

Date: Oct 1984

Position created.

USWDS Paragraph Bundles

Primary Committee: Incident Business Committee
Steward: Incident Business Committee


Last Modified / Reviewed:

NWCG Latest Announcements

2025-2026 Wildland Fire Leadership Campaign: "Leadership Levels" Now Available

Date: October 15, 2025
Questions? Please contact:
Leadership Committee

NWCG is excited to announce the release of the Leadership Committee’s 2025–2026 Leadership Campaign, themed “Leadership Levels.” This annual initiative offers all students of leadership and wildland fire management an opportunity to engage with essential leadership skills and knowledge needed to lead effectively in dynamic environments.

The campaign is structured into four quarters and may be completed at any time between October 1, 2025 -December 31, 2026. Leadership levels will be released quarterly.

Quarter One materials are now available on the Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program website and focus on Leadership Level 1, Follower (Self-Leadership).

References:

2025/2026 NWCG Leadership Campaign - Leadership Levels

Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program

Leadership Committee

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