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PMS 200

PMS 200

NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Resource Typing PMS 200

Aircraft

Crews

Equipment

Crews, PMS 200

Body

Hand Crews

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

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NWCG Latest Announcements

Coming Soon! Ransom Road WFSTAR Module

Date: December 9, 2025
Questions about RT-130? 
Please contact: NWCG Audiovisual Specialist

On June 8, 1981, the Ransom Road Fire swept across Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge in Florida, marking a defining moment in wildland fire management. This event led directly to the creation of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's professional fire program.

Later this month, NWCG will release a compelling video that brings the Ransom Road Fire to life through firsthand accounts, official reports, and animated maps. Rob Lee, second on site during the deployment, shares his powerful recollections of that day. 

This video will be going live later this month in NWCG's RT-130, Wildland Fire Safety Training Annual Refresher (WFSTAR) Catalogue.

References:

WFSTAR Catalogue 

Wildland Fire Lessons Learned Center

2025-2026 Wildland Fire Leadership Campaign: "Leadership Levels" Now Available

Date: October 15, 2025
Questions? Please contact:
Leadership Committee

NWCG is excited to announce the release of the Leadership Committee’s 2025–2026 Leadership Campaign, themed “Leadership Levels.” 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.

The campaign is structured into four quarters and may be completed at any time between October 1, 2025 -December 31, 2026. Leadership levels will be released quarterly.

Quarter One materials are now available on the Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program website and focus on Leadership Level 1, Follower (Self-Leadership).

References:

2025/2026 NWCG Leadership Campaign - Leadership Levels

Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program

Leadership Committee

Updated! L-280, Followership to Leadership (Instructor-led) Course

Date: October 3, 2024
Questions? Please contact:
Leadership Committee

NWCG is pleased to announce the updated L-280, Followership to Leadership (Instructor-led) course is now available. L-280 is intended for operational personnel at the Firefighter Type 1 level, and for individuals pursuing Leadership Level 2, New Leader. 

This instructor-led course is a primer on leadership and the second formal course in the Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program. It helps emerging leaders build the confidence, skills, and mindset needed to lead effectively in high-risk environments. 

For more information about leadership development and available courses, visit the Leadership Committee Web Portal.

References:

L-280, Followership to Leadership (Instructor-led)

Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program

Wildland Fire Learning Portal

Equipment Advisory 25-01: Pre-2006 Fire Shelter Degradation and Discontinuation of Use

Date: Sept 26, 2025
Questions? Please contact:
Equipment Technology Committee 

The Equipment Technology Committee (ETC) has released Equipment Advisory 25-01: Pre-2006 Fire Shelter Degradation and Discontinuation of Use. This advisory recommends all pre-2006 fire shelters should be removed from service by January 1, 2026.

This advisory recommends firefighters and fire managers to:

  • Inspect fire shelters immediately
  • Replace and destroy any pre-2006 shelters (identified by white or pink insert label)
  • Order replacements as needed

For further details, please refer to the complete advisory. 

References:

Equipment Advisory 25-01: Pre-2006 Fire Shelter Degradation and Discontinuation of Use

NWCG Fire Inspection Flowchart, PMS 411-1

NWCG Alerts