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PMS 200

PMS 200

NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Resource Typing PMS 200

Aircraft

Crews

Equipment

Crews, PMS 200

NWCG Committee Realignment Website Updates: Content will continue to be updated over the coming days as we work through final reviews and adjustments, and all publications and products are currently under revision.

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Hand Crews

Minimum Crew Standards for National Mobilization

Minimum StandardsType 1 IHC (Interagency Hotshot Crew)Type 2 with Initial Attack (IA) CapabilityType 2
Fireline CapabilityInitial 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 Size18 - 2518 - 2518 - 20
Leadership QualificationsPermanent supervision:
Superintendent: TFLD, ICT4, FIRB 
Assistant superintendent:  STCR or TFLD and CRWB and ICT4
3 squad leaders: CRWB and ICT5 
2 senior firefighters: FFT1		Crew Boss: CRWB 
3 squad bosses: FFT1 and ICT5		Crew Boss: CRWB 
3 squad bosses: FFT1
Language RequirementAll senior leadership, including squad leaders and higher, must be able to read and interpret the language of the crew as well as English.Same as Type 1Same as Type 1
Experience80% 1 season60% 1 season20% 1 season
Full-Time Organized CrewYes (work and train as a unit 40 hours per week)SituationalNo
Communications8 programmable radios4 programmable radios4 programmable radios
Sawyers4 agency-qualified as Intermediate Faller (FAL2) and 50 % of crew qualified as Basic Faller (FAL3) or better3 agency-qualifiedNone
TrainingAs required by the Standards for Interagency Hotshot Crew Operations or agency policy prior to assignmentBasic firefighter training and/or annual fireline safety refresher prior to assignmentBasic firefighter training and/or annual fireline safety refresher prior to assignment
LogisticsCrew level agency purchasing authoritySelf-sufficient for 48 hours; crew or agency level micro-purchasing authority recommendedNo purchasing authority
Maximum Weight5,300 lbs. (6,625 lbs. maximum for 25-person crew)*5,300 lbs. (6,625 lbs. maximum for 25-person crew)*5,300 lbs.
Dispatch AvailabilityAvailable nationallyAvailable nationallyVariable
Production Factor1.0.8.8
TransportationOwn transportationSituationalSituational
Tools & EquipmentFully equippedSituationalSituational
Personal GearArrives with crew first aid kit, personal first aid kit, headlamp, 1 qt. canteen, web gear, sleeping bagSame as Type 1Same as Type 1
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)All standard designated fireline PPEAll standard designated fireline PPEAll standard designated fireline PPE
CertificationMust be annually certified by the local host unit agency administrator or designee prior to being made available for assignment.N/AN/A
N/A = Not applicable

*When an assignment requires fixed-wing transport on contract large transport aircraft, crew bosses will notify their respective GACC of crew size, who will then notify the Large Transport Coordinator via the NICC. The total weight of a crew shall not exceed5,300 lbs. for a 20-person crew when transporting via Contract Large Transport Aircraft.

An additional 265 lbs. is allowable for each crew member over 20, up to 6,625 lbs. for a 25-person crew. Example: a Type 1 crew with 24 crew members is allowed 6,300 lbs. (5,300 lbs. base weight + [4 people * 265 lbs.= 1,060 lbs.] = 6,360 lbs.). 

Crew Resources

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NWCG Latest Announcements

Intermediate Faller (FAL2) Position Task Book Update

Date:  July 24, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Tree Felling Subcommittee

NWCG Operations Management Committee (OMC) has issued an update to the NWCG Position Task Book for Intermediate Faller (FAL2), PMS 311-91. To ensure clarity for both trainees and evaluators, the updated FAL2 Position Task Book (PTB) explicitly states who is authorized to sign off on your tasks:

“Evaluators must be qualified as a FAL2, or an Advanced Faller (FAL1).”

If you are currently working out of a previously published version of the FAL2 PTB, you do not need to restart. However, OMC highly encourages you to take the following step to prevent any confusion in the field:

  • Print and replace the updated evaluator information page (page 2) in your current physical PTB.

References:

Intermediate Faller (FAL2) Position Page

RMC Memo 26-01: Transition Plan for Implementing Updates to Intermediate Faller (FAL2) Position Qualifications

NWCG Position Task Book for Intermediate Faller (FAL2), PMS 311-91

Equipment Advisory 26-001: Potential Front Driveline Joint Failure on 2018 and Earlier Ram Pickups

Date:  July 10, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Equipment and Technology Subcommittee

The Logistics/Equipment Management Committee (LMC) has released Equipment Advisory 26-001: Potential Front Driveline Joint Failure on 2018 and Earlier Ram Pickups. This advisory highlights multiple U.S. Forest Service regions reporting front driveline joint failure incidents.

This advisory recommends firefighters and fire managers to: 

  • Follow all Ram-issued inspection, maintenance, and service guidance for front driveline joints. 
  • Consider installing a driveline loop. 
  • Coordinate with fleet managers and service providers to determine the most appropriate driveline loop kit for each pickup.

For further details, please refer to the complete advisory.

References:

Equipment Advisory 26-001: Potential Front Driveline Joint Failure on 2018 and Earlier Ram Pickups

Technical Service Bulletin: 03-002-21

NEW! NWCG Standard Operating Procedures, PMS 900

Date:  July 9, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: NWCG Staff

NWCG is excited to announce the publication of the NWCG Standard Operating Procedures, PMS 900.

The new publication establishes general, consistent, and uniform standards for conducting business with the National Wildfire Coordinating Group.

References:

NWCG Standard Operating Procedures, PMS 900

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

Date:  July 8, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Leadership Development Subcommittee

NWCG is excited to announce that Fourth Quarter 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 Four materials focus on Leadership Level 4: Leader of Leaders (Provide Direction). Leadership Level 4 is where you are setting the conditions for others to do things well, even when you are not present. This quarter focuses on equipping experienced leaders with skills to provide direction, build trust across teams, and foster strong decision making. 

References:

2025/2026 NWCG Leadership Campaign - Leadership Levels

Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program

Leadership Development Subcommittee