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Initial Attack Dispatcher

IADP decorative banner: photos depicting IADP position.

The Initial Attack Dispatcher (IAPD) is responsible for mobilizing preplanned response resources to wildfires and other incidents. The IADP reports to the Dispatch Center Manager and works in the Dispatch functional area.

USWDS Paragraphs

Expanded Dispatch Coordinator (CORD) Aircraft Dispatcher (ACDP) Expanded Dispatch Supervisory Dispatcher (EDSP) Expanded Dispatch Support Dispatcher (EDSD) Expanded Dispatch Recorder (EDRC) Initial Attack Dispatcher (IADP)

 

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: Jan 2026

Added:

Required Training

  • D-311, Initial Attack Dispatcher

Other Training Which Supports Development of Knowledge and Skills

  • D-110, Expanded Dispatch Recorder
  • D-310, Expanded Dispatch Support Dispatcher
  • N9032, Intelligence Support Specialist (INTS)
  • S-260, Interagency Incident Business Management

Removed:

Other Training Which Supports Development of Knowledge and Skills

  • D-311, Initial Attack Dispatcher
Date: Jan 2025

Added: NWCG Incident Position Standards for Initial Attack Dispatcher, PMS 350-60

Date: Jan 2022

Remove A-107, Aviation Policy and Regulations I Interagency Aviation Training as Required Training.

Date: Oct 2021

Required Training

Add:

Remove: ICS-100, Introduction to ICS

These Positions Maintain Currency for IADP:  Add - Aircraft Dispatcher (ACDP)

Date: Apr 2021

Incident Position Description (IPD) approved.

Date: Jan 2006

Position created.

  • Current IADP trainees must meet the qualification requirements outlined in the PMS 310-1.
  • Read the complete 2021 IADP Transition Plan.
USWDS Paragraph Bundles

Primary Committee: National Coordination System Committee
Steward: National Coordination System Committee
Key Stakeholder(s): National Interagency Aviation Committee


Last Modified / Reviewed:

NWCG Latest Announcements

2026 Updates to the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1

Date: January 23, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Incident and Position Standards Committee

The Incident and Position Standards Committee has updated the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1.

These updates address changes to incident position names and requirements for qualification, training, and experience. Updates related to the implementation of Complex Incident Management (CIM) and Incident Performance Training Modernization (IPTM) are also included.

The NWCG Wildland Fire Position Qualification Flowchart, PMS 308 has also been updated to reflect the recent changes.

References:

NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1

NWCG Wildland Fire Position Qualification Flowchart, PMS 308

IPSC Memo 26-01: January 2026 Updates to the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Positions Qualifications, PMS 310-1

Incident Business Committee Memo 26-01: Updated Emergency Equipment Shift Ticket, OF 297

Date: January 22, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Incident Business Committee

The Incident Business Committee (IBC) has released Memorandum 26-01: OF 297 and 2026 Fire Use. This memo informs the wildland fire community that the updated Emergency Equipment Shift Ticket, OF 297 is available for download and can be ordered through the Great Basin Cache.

Beginning January 15, 2026 the previous version of the OF 297 form has been discontinued.

For further details, please contact your IBC representative.

References:

Incident Business Committee Memorandum 26-01

Great Basin Cache

NEW! S-390, Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior Calculations (Blended) Available Now

Date: December 22, 2025
Questions about RT-130? 
Please contact: Fire Behavior Subcommittee

NWCG is excited to announce that the new S-390, Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior Calculations (Blended) training is now available on the Wildland Fire Learning Portal.

This third course in the series combines online and instructor-led training components aimed at individuals who are involved in planning, managing, and executing wildland fire and prescribed burn operations; who require a thorough understanding of fire behavior calculations to enhance effectiveness and safety. This includes students who require the knowledge and skill necessary to perform the duties of a Type 3 Incident Commander (ICT3), Division/Group Supervisor (DIVS), or Prescribed Fire Burn Boss Type 2 (RXB2).

Students are required to be qualified as any Single Resource Boss position and complete the prerequisite S-290, Intermediate Wildland Fire behavior (Blended) course, before enrolling in S-390.

References:

S-390, Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior Calculations (Blended)

Wildland Fire Learning Portal

NEW! S-320, Introduction to Incident Management Teams (Blended) Available Now

Date: December 18, 2025
Questions about RT-130? 
Please contact: Incident and Position Standards Committee

NWCG is excited to announce that S-320, Introduction to Incident Management Teams (Blended) is now available on the Wildland Fire Learning Portal!

This blended course combines online learning with instructor-led training, designed for individuals seeking to build leadership skills and gain experience in incident management.

Students are required to complete the prerequisite trainings ICS-100, Introduction to Incident Command System (ICS), ICS-200, Basic ICS for Initial Response, and ICS-700, An Introduction to the National Incident Management System (NIMS) prior to attending S-320.

References:

S-320, Introduction to Incident Management Teams (Blended)

Wildland Fire Learning Portal