NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Resource Typing, PMS 200
The NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Resource Typing establishes minimum typing standards for aircraft, crews, and equipment for national mobilization to wildland fire incidents. These standards assign typing designations based on measurable capability and performance criteria. NWCG typing standards enable accurate ordering and acquisition of needed resources in support of nationally interoperable wildland fire operations.
The NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Resource Typing is jointly developed and maintained by the following National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) committees and their subgroups:
- NIMS Integration Committee (NIMSIC).
- Equipment Technology Committee (ETC).
- National Interagency Aviation Committee (NIAC).
- Incident and Position Standards Committee (IPSC).
While they may contain current or useful information, previous versions are obsolete. The user of this information is responsible for confirming they have the most up-to-date version. NWCG is the sole source for the publication.
Comments, questions, and recommendations shall be submitted to the appropriate agency representative assigned to the steward for each resource.
References
- NWCG Glossary of Wildland Fire, PMS 205
- NWCG Data Standard: Fire Resource Kind, Category, and Type
- FEMA Resource Typing Library Tool
Aircraft
Steward: National Interagency Aviation Committee; Roster
Airtankers
Airtanker Typing Standard
Components | VLAT | Type 1 | Type 2 | Type 3 | Type 4 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Minimum capacity (gal) | >8,000 | 3,000-5,000 | 1,800 - 2,999 | 800 - 1,799 | Up to 799 |
Examples | DC-10, B-747 |
BAe-146, RJ85, MD-87, C-130, B-737 |
Q-400, CV-580, P-3 | S-2T, AT-802F | Thrush |
Note: Tanker capacity standards may vary by agency. |
Airtanker Resources
Helicopters
Helicopter Typing Standard
Components | Type 1 | Type 2 | Type 3 |
---|---|---|---|
Allowable payload at 59° F at sea level | 5,000 | 2,500 | 1,200 |
Passenger seats | 15 or more | 9 - 14 | 4 - 8 |
Retardant or water-carrying capability (gal) | 700 | 300 | 100 |
Maximum gross takeoff and landing weight (lb) | 12,501+ | 6,000 - 12,500 | Up to 6,000 |
Examples | CH-54 / CH-47 | Bell 204, 205 A1++, 212 HP | Bell 407, A-Star B3 |
Helitanker |
|
Helicopter Resources
Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS)
UAS Typing Standard
Type | Configuration | Endurance | Data Collection Altitude (agl) | Max Range (miles) | Typical Sensors* |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 |
Fixed-Wing Rotocraft |
6-14 hrs. N/A |
3,500-8,000 N/A |
50 N/A |
EO/Mid Wave IR High Quality IR |
2 |
Fixed-Wing Rotocraft |
1-6 hrs. N/A |
3,500-6,000 N/A |
25 N/A |
EO/Long Wave IR Moderate Quality IR |
3 |
Fixed-Wing Rotocraft |
20-60 min. 20-60 min. |
2,500 and Below 2,00 and Below |
5 5 |
EO/IR Video and Stills Moderate Quality IR |
4 |
Fixed-Wing Rotocraft |
Up to 30 min. Up to 20 min. |
1,200 and Below 1,200 and Below |
<2 <2 |
EO/IR Video and Stills Moderate Quality IR |
*Sensor payloads are variable but typically include daylight (electro-optical), infrared (IR), thermal, or mapping cameras. Type 1 and 2 UAS carry multiple camera types in a gimbaled configuration. Note: Certain aircraft are specialized and will not fit this classification. Additional current information can be accessed on the Interagency Fire UAS Operations website. |
UAS Resources
Crews
Hand Crews
Steward: Incident and Position Standards Committee; Roster
Minimum Crew Standards for National Mobilization
Minimum Standards | Type 1 IHC (Interagency Hotshot Crew) | Type 2 with IA (Initial Attack) Capability | Type 2 |
---|---|---|---|
Fireline Capability | Initial attack/can be broken up into squads, fireline construction, complex firing operations (backfire). | Initial attack/can be broken up into squads, fireline construction, firing to include burnout. | Initial attack, fireline construction, firing as directed. |
Crew Size | 18 - 22 | 18 - 20 | |
Leadership Qualifications |
Permanent supervision: Supt.: TFLD, ICT4, FIRB Asst. Supt.: STCR or TFLD and CRWB and ICT4 3 Squad Leaders: CRWB and ICT5 2 Senior Firefighters: FFT1 |
Crew Boss: CRWB 3 Squad Bosses: ICT5 |
Crew Boss: CRWB 3 Squad Bosses: FFT1 |
Language Requirement | All senior leadership, including Squad Leaders and higher must be able to read and interpret the language of the crew as well as English. | ||
Experience | 80% 1 season | 60% 1 season | 20% 1 season |
Full-Time Organized Crew | Yes (work and train as a unit 40 hours per week. | No | No |
Communications | 8 programmable radios | 4 programmable radios | |
Sawyers | 4 certified as FAL2 and 50% of crew certified as FAL3 or better. | 3 agency-qualified | None |
Training | As required by the Standards for Interagency Hotshot Crew Operations or agency policy prior to assignment | Basic firefighter training and/or annual fireline safety refresher prior to assignment | Basic firefighter training and/or annual fireline safety refresher prior to assignment |
Logistics | Crew level agency purchasing authority | No purchasing authority | No purchasing authority |
Maximum Weight | 5,300 lb | ||
Dispatch Availability | Available nationally | Available nationally | Variable |
Production Factor | 1.0 | .8 | .8 |
Transportation | Own transportation | Transportation needed | Transportation needed |
Tools & Equipment | Fully equipped | Not equipped | Not equipped |
Personal Gear | Arrives with: Crew first aid kit, personal first aid kit, headlamp, 1-qt canteen, web gear, sleeping bag | ||
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) | All standard designated fireline PPE | ||
Certification | Must be annually certified by the local host unit agency administrator or designee prior to being made available for assignment. | N/A | N/A |
N/A = Not applicable |
Crew Resources
Equipment
Steward: Equipment Technology Committee; Roster
Dozers
Dozer Typing Standard
Requirements | Type 1 | Type 2 | Type 3 | Type 4 |
---|---|---|---|---|
Net HP Range* | 240 and up | 150 - 250 | 99 - 165 | 50 - 110 |
Minimum Base Weight** | 60,000 lbs. | 35,000 lbs. | 20,000 lbs. | 10,000 lbs. |
*Manufacturer’s published rated net horsepower (HP). Horsepower rating taken at the flywheel with all the engine accessories installed not counting transmission losses or anything after the flywheel. **Manufacturer’s published base weight for dozer including equipped track width and blade configuration, equipment fluids, etc. If a published base weight is unavailable, a certified in-service weight shall be used. Base operational weight is only used for typing. Final in-service dozer weight will be higher and include additional accessories such as winch, grapple, forestry package, etc. Final in-service dozer weight must be used when calculating hauler capacity, bridge weight limits, etc. |
Engines
The NWCG categorizes information on fire apparatus into logical groups and provides common options often requested by fire managers. The Incident Command System (ICS) uses this system based on the equipment capability. The table below shows NWCG minimum performance requirements for structure and, wildland engine resource types. Additional information for required crew training and equipment recommendations can be found at the position catalog.
Engine Typing Standard
Types 1 and 2 are structure; Types 3-7 are wildland
Requirements | Type 1 | Type 2 | Type 3 | Type 4 | Type 5 | Type 6 | Type 7 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Tank minimum capacity (gal) | 300 | 300 | 500 | 750 | 400 | 150 | 50 |
Pump minimum flow (gal/min) | 1,000 | 500 | 150 | 50 | 50 | 50 | 10 |
At rated pressure (psi) | 150 | 150 | 250 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 |
Hose: 2½-inch | 1,200 | 1,000 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Hose: 1½-inch | 500 | 500 | 1,000 | 300 | 300 | 300 | N/A |
Hose: 1-inch | N/A | N/A | 500 | 300 | 300 | 300 | 200 |
Ladders per NFPA 1901 | Yes | Yes | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Master stream 500 gal/min. | Yes | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Pump and roll | N/A | N/A | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Maximum GVWR (lb) | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | 26,000 | 19,500 | 14,000 |
Personnel (minimum) | 4 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
N/A = Not applicable Notes:
|
Engine Resources
Tractor Plows / Dozer Plows
Tractor Plow / Dozer Plow Standard
Requirements | Type 1 | Type 2 | Type 3 | Type 4 |
---|---|---|---|---|
Net HP Range* | 240 and up | 150 - 250 | 99 - 165 | 50 - 110 |
Minimum Base Weight** | 60,000 lbs. | 35,000 lbs. | 20,000 lbs. | 10,000 lbs. |
*Manufacturer’s published rated net horsepower (HP). Horsepower rating taken at the flywheel with all the engine accessories installed not counting transmission losses or anything after the flywheel. **Manufacturer’s published base weight for dozer including equipped track width and blade configuration, equipment fluids, etc. Includes published blade weight whether or not the tractor plow / dozer plow is equipped with a front blade. Does not include weight of plow. If a published base weight is unavailable, a certified in-service weight shall be used. Base operational weight is only used for typing. Final in-service weight will be higher and include additional accessories such as plow, winch, grapple, forestry package, etc. Final in-service weight must be used when calculating hauler capacity, bridge weight limits, etc. |
Water Tenders
The NWCG categorizes information on fire apparatus into logical groups and provides common options often requested by fire managers. The Incident Command System (ICS) uses this system based on the equipment capability. The table below shows NWCG minimum performance requirements for water tenders. Additional information for required crew training and equipment recommendations can be found at the position catalog.
Water Tender Typing Standard
Requirements | Support Type 1 | Support Type 2 | Support Type 3 | Tactical Type 1 | Tactical Type 2 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Tank capacity (gal) | 4,000 | 2,500 | 1,000 | 2,000 | 1,000 |
Pump minimum flow (gal/min) | 300 | 200 | 200 | 250 | 250 |
At rated pressure (psi) | 50 | 50 | 50 | 150 | 150 |
Maximum refill time (minutes) | 30 | 20 | 15 | N/A | N/A |
Pump and roll | N/A | N/A | N/A | Yes | Yes |
Personnel (minimum) | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 |
N/A = Not applicable |
Water Tender Resources