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Cost Unit Leader

NWCG Wildland Fire Position Qualification Flowchart, PMS 308

COST Qualification Requirements

Required Training

Required Experience

  • Completion and Certification of NWCG a Cost Unit Leader (COST) Position Task Book, PMS 311-48 (See note)

Physical Fitness Level: None Required

Position does not require a physical fitness level.

These Positions Maintain Currency For COST

  • Finance/Administration Section Chief Complex (FSCC)
  • Finance/Administration Section Chief Type 1 (FSC1)
  • Finance/Administration Section Chief Type 2 (FSC2)
  • Finance/Administration Section Chief Type 3 (FSC3)

COST Maintains Currency For These Positions

  • Finance/Administration Section Chief Complex (FSCC)
  • Finance/Administration Section Chief Type 2 (FSC2)
  • Finance/Administration Section Chief Type 3 (FSC3)

Other Training Which Supports Development Of Knowledge And Skills

Note

 Once qualified as a COST, the FSC3 qualification may be granted by the certifying official. Certification must be documented on a “verification/certification” page of the FSC3 PTB.   

 
USWDS Paragraphs

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 Position Task Book, PMS 311-48, on a wildland fire incident.

Physical Fitness Level: None Required

Alternative Pathways to NWCG Qualification

USWDS Paragraph Bundles

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NWCG Latest Announcements

Great Basin Cache Upgrading to New Inventory System

Date: May 7, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Great Basin Cache
Phone: (208) 387-5104
Fax: (208) 387-5573

The Great Basin Cache (GBK) is transitioning to a new inventory system to better serve the wildland fire community. During this upgrade, GBK will be unable to process standard orders from Part 1: Fire Supplies and Equipment and Part 2: Publications between May 8-20, 2025, with exceptions made for emergency fire orders. Orders will be accepted through close of business May 7.

To browse the latest available items, please refer to the National Fire Equipment System (NFES) catalogs. 

References:

NWCG NFES Catalog-Part 1: Fire Supplies and Equipment, PMS 449-1

NWCG NFES Catalog-Part 2: Publications, PMS 449-2

NEW! Air Operations Summary (ICS 220 WF) Now Available

Date: May 2, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
National Interagency Aviation Committee

The Air Operations Summary (ICS 220 WF) provides the Air Operations Branch with the number, type, location, and specific assignments of helicopters and air resources. The new ICS 220 WF also includes medical extraction capabilities and air resources tracking.

Understanding the capabilities of aviation assets is critical for effective medical and extraction responses. Coordination with the Medical Unit Leader is essential to ensure alignment and consistency between the ICS 220 WF and the Medical Plan (ICS 206 WF). 

References:

Air Operations Summary (ICS 220 WF)

National Interagency Aviation Committee

Incident Command System (ICS) Forms

Incident Position Standards and Next Generation Position Task Book Available for Firing Boss, Single Resource

Date: April 30, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Fuels Management Committee

NWCG is excited to announce that the NWCG Incident Position Standards for Firing Boss, Single Resource, PMS 350-105, and the NWCG Position Task Book for Firing Boss, Single Resource (FIRB), PMS 311-105, are now available. 

These resources, part of the Performance Support Package developed through the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) effort, support trainees, qualified personnel, and evaluators. 

Any changes to qualification pathways will take effect with the next update of the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1.

 

References:

NWCG Firing Boss, Single Resource Position Page

NWCG Incident Position Standards for Firing Boss, Single Resource, PMS 350-105

NWCG Position Task Book for Firing Boss, Single Resource (FIRB), PMS 311-105

Incident Position Standards and Next Generation Position Task Book Available for Helicopter Crewmember

Date: April 28, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Interagency Helicopter Operations Subcommittee

NWCG is excited to announce that the NWCG Incident Position Standards for Helicopter Crewmember, PMS 350-22, and the NWCG Position Task Book for Helicopter Crewmember (HECM), PMS 311-22, are now available.

These resources, part of the Performance Support Package developed through the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) effort, support trainees, qualified personnel, and evaluators.

Any changes to qualification pathways will take effect with the next update of the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1.

References:

NWCG Incident Position Standards for Helicopter Crewmember, PMS 350-22

NWCG Incident Position Standards for Helicopter Crewmember, PMS 350-22

NWCG Position Task Book for Helicopter Crewmember (HECM), PMS 311-22