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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

NWCG Committees Observe Suicide Prevention Awareness Week: September 7-13, 2026

Date:  September 8, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Health and Wellness Subcommittee

The NWCG Health and Wellness Subcommittee (HWSC) and Safety/Risk Management Committee (SRC) recognize the unique challenges and demands faced by the wildland fire community. The HWSC and SRC know that we are all stronger together and believe in fostering a culture of support, understanding, and resilience.

Suicide Prevention Awareness encourages us to actively connect with and support each other. For more information that could make a difference for yourself or someone else please review the materials and resources provided for the 2026 Suicide Prevention Awareness Week.

References:

2026 Letter from Leadership

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

Health and Wellness Subcommittee

Safety and Risk Management Committee

2025 Paul Gleason Award Winners Announced

Date:  August 13, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Leadership Development Subcommittee

The NWCG Qualifications Management Committee (QMC) and Leadership Development Subcommittee (LDSC) are proud to announce the recipients of the 2025 Paul Gleason "Lead By Example" awards. Award categories include Initiative and Innovation, Mentoring and Teamwork, and Motivation and Vision.

Congratulations to the awardees:

  • Hunter Bell, U.S. Forest Service — Initiative and Innovation
  • Shannon Deane, U.S. Wildland Fire Service— Initiative and Innovation
  • Chris Delaney, U.S. Wildland Fire Service — Motivation and Vision
  • Sean Peterson, U.S. Forest Service — Mentoring and Teamwork

References:

Paul Gleason Lead By Example Award

Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program (WFLDP)

Leadership Development Subcommittee

LMC Equipment Bulletin 26-001: Aquatic Invasive Species – Seasonal Reminder for Mussels

Date:  July 30, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Equipment and Technology Subcommittee

The Logistics and Equipment Management Committee (LMC) issued Equipment Bulletin 26-001: Aquatic Invasive Species - Seasonal Reminder for Mussels, reminding the wildland fire community that aquatic mussels continue to be a problem. Mussels rapidly colonize hard and soft surfaces, including aquatic plants and fire equipment, clogging pipes, fouling motors, disrupting water systems, and impacting native species.

To help prevent their spread, fire personnel must follow the decontamination procedures outlined in the NWCG Guide to Preventing Aquatic Invasive Species Transport by Wildland Fire Operations, PMS 444. Additionally, report any sightings immediately to your Lead Resource Advisor and include clear, close-up photos (with a pen or your hand for size reference) and location details.”

Read the complete LMC Equipment Bulletin 26-001, to learn more. 

References:

NWCG Alerts

LMC Equipment Bulletin 26-001: Aquatic Invasive Species - Seasonal Reminder for Mussels

NWCG Guide to Preventing Aquatic Invasive Species Transport by Wildland Fire Operations, PMS 444

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