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Planning Chart

Planning Section Chief Complex (PSCC)Qualified as: PSC2 or SITL or RESLor PSC3* or OSCC*or LSCC* or SOFC*Required Training: ICS-400RT-130S-420 or L-481 or 0-305S-520 or CIMC or CIM Field Evaluation*Planning Section Chief Course (S-440) prior to position qualificationFitness: N Incident Training Specialist (TNSP)Qualified As:NoneRequired Training:ICS-100IS-700Fitness: N Geographic Information System Specialist (GISS)Qualified As:NoneRequired Training:ICS-100IS-700RT-341S-341Fitness: N InfraredInterpreter(IRIN)Qualified As:NoneRequired Training:I-100IS-700Fitness: N Human Resource Specialist (HRSP)Qualified As:NoneRequired Training:ICS-100IS-700RT-340S-340Fitness: N Interagency Resource Representative (IARR)Qualified As:Agency EstablishedRequired Training:ICS-100IS-700Fitness: N Fire Effects Monitor (FEMO)Qualified As:FFT2Required Training:RT-130S-290Fitness: M Display Processor (DPRO)Qualified As:NoneRequired Training:ICS-100IS-700Fitness: N Field Observer (FOBS)Qualified As:Any SRBRequired Training:RT-130Fitness: M Status/Check-In Recorder (SCKN)Qualified As:NoneRequired Training:ICS-100IS-700Fitness: N Long Term Fire Analyst (LTAN)Qualified As:FBANorFEMO + FIRBRequired Training:ICS-300IS-800RT-130S-390S-490S-491S-495S-590Fitness: M Demobilization Unit Leader (DMOB)Qualified As:RESLRequired Training:NoneFitness: N Situation Unit Leader (SITL)Qualified As:NoneRequired Training:ICS-100ICS-200ICS-300IS-700IS-800RT-130Fitness: L Documentation Unit Leader (DOCL)Qualified As:NoneRequired Training:ICS-100ICS-200ICS-300IS-700IS-800Fitness: N Resources Unit Leader (RESL)Qualified As:SCKNRequired Training:ICS-200ICS-300IS-800Fitness: N Fire Behavior Analyst (FBAN)Qualified As:DIVSRequired Training:RT-130S-490S-590Fitness: M Strategic Operational Planner (SOPL)Qualified As:RXB2 +DIVSRequired Training:RT-130S-482Fitness: M Planning Section Chief Type 3 (PSC3)Qualified As:None orSITL orRESL orICT3Required Training:ICS-100ICS-400IS-700Fitness: N Planning Section Chief Type 2 (PSC2) This position qualification standard is discontinued with transition to Complex Incident Management (CIM) Command and General Staff (C&G). Planning Section Chief Type 1 (PSC1)Qualified As:PSC2 or *OSC1 or*LSC1 or *SOF1Required Training:S-520 or CIMC*Individuals utilizing this pathway must complete the Planning Section Chief Course (S-440) prior to position qualification.Fitness: N

For information on how to interpret this chart, please review Position and Qualifications Chart Guidance.

NWCG Latest Announcements

Quarter Three Materials for the 2025-2026 Wildland Fire Leadership Campaign Now Available

Date:  April 1, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Leadership Committee

NWCG is excited to announce that Quarter Three materials for the 2025/2026 Wildland Fire Leadership Campaign are now available. 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.

Quarter Three materials focus on Leadership Level 3: Leader of People (Develop Intent). Leadership Level 3 is where your values, your team, and your influence come together. Leaders of People put their teams first, build trust, and lead with authenticity. They mentor future leaders and shape decisions up and down the chain.

References:

2025/2026 NWCG Leadership Campaign - Leadership Levels

Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program

Leadership Committee

WFSTAR 2026 Core Components Module Package and 2025 Fire Year in Review Now Available

Date:  March 23, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Joe Schindel

The 2026 Core Components Module Package for RT-130, Wildland Fire Safety Training Annual Refresher (WFSTAR) and the 2025 Fire Year in Review are now available on the NWCG website. The 2026 Core Components Module Package provides all content needed to deliver RT-130.

References:

2026 Core Components Module Package

2025 Fire Year in Review Module

NEW! S-490, Advanced Fire Behavior Calculations (Blended) Available Now

Date:  March 17, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Fire Behavior Subcommittee

NWCG is pleased to announce that the new S-490, Advanced Fire Behavior Calculations (Blended), 2026 course is now available.

This training includes performance-based activities that allow students to apply the knowledge and concepts required for the Fire Behavior Analyst (FBAN), Long Term Fire Analyst (LTAN), and Prescribed Fire Burn Boss Type 1 (RXB1) positions. It supports individuals working towards these incident qualifications.

This blended course begins with a self-paced online training (OLT) in the Wildland Fire Learning Portal (WFLP), followed by an in-person instructor-led training (ILT).

References:

S-490, Advanced Fire Calculations (Blended)

NWCG Fire Behavior Analyst (FBAN) Position Page

NWCG Long Term Fire Analyst (LTAN) Position Page

NWCG Prescribed Fire Burn Boss Type 1 (RXB1) Position Page

2024 Paul Gleason Award Winners Announced

Date:  March 13, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Leadership Committee

The NWCG Leadership Committee is proud to announce the recipients of the 2024 Paul Gleason "Lead By Example" awards. Award categories include Initiative and Innovation, Mentoring and Teamwork, Motivation and Vision, as well as a Lifetime Achievement Award.

Congratulations to the awardees:

  • Justin Baxter, National Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) Operations Specialist, with the U.S. Forest Service — Initiative and Innovation
  • Kelly Woods, Director of the Wildland Firefighting Lessons Learned Center — Mentoring and Teamwork
  • Doug Booster, Instructor, ProHealth Net, Inc. — Motivation and Vision
  • Pam McDonald, Writer-Editor for the National Interagency Fire Center — Lifetime Achievement Award

References:

Paul Gleason Lead By Example Award

Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program (WFLDP)

Leadership Committee