NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Resource Typing, PMS 200

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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

 

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
  • Fixed tank
  • 1,100 minimum gallon capacity

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
NFPA = National Fire Protection Association
GVWR = Gross Vehicle Weight Rating

Notes:

  1. All types shall meet federal, state and agency requirements for motor vehicle safety standards, including all gross vehicle weight ratings when fully loaded.
  2. Type 3 engines and tactical water tenders shall be equipped with a foam proportioner system.
  3. All water tenders and engine types 3 through 6 shall be able to prime and pump water from a 10 foot lift.
  4. Personnel shall meet the qualification requirements of NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1.

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

 

The National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) provides national leadership to enable interoperable wildland fire operations among federal, state, tribal, territorial, and local partners. NWCG operations standards are interagency by design; they are developed with the intent of universal adoption by the member agencies. However, the decision to adopt and utilize them is made independently by the individual member agencies and communicated through their respective directives systems.

 

 

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Page Last Modified / Reviewed: 
2022-09-22