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PMS 200

PMS 200

NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Resource Typing PMS 200

Aircraft

Crews

Equipment

Aircraft, PMS 200

Body

Airtankers

Airtanker Typing Standard

TYPE CAPACITY GALLONS EXAMPLES
VLAT >6000 DC-10
1 3,000 – 5,999 BAe-146, RJ85, MD-87, C-130, B-737
2 1,800 – 2,999 Q-400, CV-580, P-3
3 800 to 1,799 S-2T, AT-802F
4 Up to 799 Thrush, M18T

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

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NWCG Latest Announcements

2025 Wildland Fire EMS Awards

Date:  June 12, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Emergency Medical Committee

The NWCG Emergency Medical Committee (EMC) announces the recipients of the 2025 Wildland Fire Emergency Medical Service (EMS) Awards. EMC annually recognizes individuals and groups who have demonstrated outstanding actions or accomplishments that are above and beyond the expectation of one’s normal mission or job duties.

Congratulations to all the awardees and nominees. Through leadership and initiative, they have made significant contributions to the safety of the wildland fire community. These awards are well deserved.

References:

2025 Wildland Fire EMS Awards

Emergency Medical Committee

Incident Position Standards and the Next Generation Position Task Book Now Available for RAMP

Date:  June 12, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Airtanker Base Operations Unit

NWCG is excited to announce that Incident Position Standards and the Next Generation Position Task Book are now available for Ramp Manager (RAMP).

The Performance Support Package for this position was developed as part of the Incident Performance and Training Modernization effort. These resources support trainees, qualified personnel, and evaluators in their respective roles.

Any changes to qualification pathways will take effect with the next update of the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1, scheduled for release in January 2027.

References:

NWCG Ramp Manager Position Page

National Interagency Aviation Committee

Make an Impact: Serve the Wildland Fire Community as an IPTM SME!

Date:  June 11, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: NWCG SME Specialist

Note: Positions with an * will last approximately 6 months.
Positions with ** will last 12 - 18 months.

NWCG is seeking experienced wildland firefighters and support personnel to serve as Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) for the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) initiative. IPTM aims to transition NWCG’s training and qualification system to a performance-based model by updating position descriptions, Incident Position Standards, Next Generation Position Task Books (Next Gen PTBs), and training where needed.

NWCG is currently recruiting SMEs for the Fall 2026 positions listed below:

  • Equipment Manager (EQPM)*
  • Fixed Wing Parking Tender (FWPT)**
  • Mixmaster (MXMS)*
  • Public Information Officer Complex (PIOC)*
  • Retardant Crewmember (RTCM)*
  • Strike Team Leader Crew (STCR)*
  • Strike Team Leader Engine (STEN)*
  • Strike Team Leader Heavy Equipment (STEQ)*
  • Task Force Leader (TFLD)**
  • Wildland Fire Investigator (INVF)** 

Projects begin October 2026. Sign up by July 10, 2026, at the link below and review the attached document for additional details. 

References:

NWCG SME Interest Sign-up

IPTM Subject Matter Expert Duties and Expectations Document

Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM)

RMC Safety Bulletin 26-001: Rhabdomyolysis in Wildland Firefighters

Date:  May 28, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Risk Management Committee

The Risk Management Committee (RMC) has issued Safety Bulletin 26-001: Rhabdomyolysis in Wildland Firefighters. Research from 2016 to 2025 shows that 88 cases of rhabdomyolysis (rhabdo) were reported. Analysis of reports from eSafety, the Safety Management Information System (SMIS), and the Wildland Fire Lessons Learned Center (LLC) indicates that rhabdo is common during this time of year due to Work Capacity Tests and contributing factors such as weather, hydration, nutrition, and medication or supplement use.

RMC issued this safety bulletin to raise awareness in the Wildland Fire Community, and to provide research findings and educational resources that support reducing future cases of rhabdo.

References:

NWCG Alerts

RMC Safety Bulletin 26-001: Rhabdomyolysis in Wildland Firefighters