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Public Information Officer

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This position has been archived.

 

Date: Jan 2023

Position archived.

Date: Mar 2022

Removed: IS-700, NIMS: An Introduction from required training.

Date: Feb 2022

Added: PIO1 position endorsement approved 01/19/2022.

Date: Oct 2021

Remove: ICS-100, Introduction to ICS and ICS-200, ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents from Required Training.

Added:  S-203, Introduction to Incident Information OR E/L952, All Hazards Position Specific Public Information Officer to Required Training.

Added: Satisfactory performance as a Public Information Officer, Technician (PIOT) to Required Experience.

Added: Public Information Officer Type 2 (PIOT) to "PIOF Maintains Currency for These Positions."

Added: to "Other Training Which Supports Development of Knowledge and Skills:"

Removed:  S-110, Basic Wildland Fire Orientation from "Other Training Which Supports Development of Knowledge and Skills:"

Date: Oct 2015

Added: Intermediate ICS for Expanding Incidents (ICS-300) and Advanced ICS (ICS-400) as required training to align position with FEMA Type 3 standards.
Added: Transition Plan

  • All qualified individuals will remain qualified. Individuals will be granted ICS-300 and ICS-400 in responder’s records at the time of implementation.
  • All PIOF trainees will be required to complete ICS-300 and ICS-400 prior to position qualification.
Date: Jun 2011

Added: Introduction to Incident Information (S-203), Introduction to ICS (ICS-100), Wildland Fire Service (L-180), Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior (S-190), Firefighter Training (S-130), Human Factors in the and Annual Fireline Safety Refresher (RT-130) as Required Training.

Date: Apr 2006

Position created.

The title of Information Officer Type 3 (IOF3) has been changed to Public Information Officer (PIOF). This position is entry level, is not a prerequisite for higher qualifications, and is not tied to the complexity of an incident.

USWDS Paragraph Bundles

Primary Committee: Communication Education and Prevention Committee
Steward:
Key Stakeholder(s): Incident Command Subcommittee


Last Modified / Reviewed:

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NEW! M-280, Resource Advisor, Fireline (Instructor-Led) Course Available Now

Date: January 29, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Resource Advisor Subcommittee

NWCG is pleased to announce the new M-280, Resource Advisor, Fireline (Instructor-Led) course is now available. This training supports individuals working towards Resource Advisor, Fireline (REAF) incident qualifications.

M-280, Resource Advisor, Fireline (Instructor-Led) training prepares students to serve as a Resource Advisor, Fireline (REAF) as defined in NWCG Incident Position Standards for Resource Advisor, Fireline, PMS 350-112. This course presents scenarios that reflect the diverse challenges a REAF may encounter during an incident. Through these scenarios, participants gain hands-on experience and an understanding of REAF responsibilities in a controlled learning environment.

References:

Resource Advisor, Fireline Position Page

NWCG Position Standards for Resource Advisor, Fireline, PMS 350-112

M-280, Resource Advisor, Fireline (Instructor-Led)

Wildland Fire Learning Portal

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