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PMS 205

NWCG Glossary of Wildland Fire

Understanding the Glossary Process

Request a New or Revised Glossary Term or Definition

Provide Feedback Glossary Terms

NWCG User Guide for Glossary of Wildland Fire

EDG Explorer

NWCG User Guide for Glossary of Wildland Fire

EDG Glossary Database Capabilities

  1. One entry per definition, not per term. Instead of having one term with multiple definitions, there is now a single definition per term and a term is used multiple times with a clarifying word in parentheses. For example:
    Screenshot showing one entry per definition
  2. Synonym has been replaced with alternative label in order to remove duplicate entries where two synonyms had the same definition. There will be one entry with a label and alternative label or labels.
    Screenshot showing an example of one entry with a label and alternative labels.
  3. It is now possible to see terms associated with a specific publication. This is in its infancy stages and will continue to grow with steward engagement.
    Screenshot of terms associated with a specific publication
  4. Terms have more ways to describe a relationship between other terms. Broader term, narrower term, related term, exact match, close match, and others can now be used to describe the relationships between terms; previously limited to See Also.
    Screenshot showing the relationship between terms
  5. More metadata about terms can be collected, including business rules, permissible values, status, key stakeholders and stewards, and more.
  6. All terms are lowercase unless they are a proper noun or have an acronym.

How to Comment

When viewing any term, click on the Explore button and submit a comment using the Send Feedback option.
Screenshot of the comment box

A steward will then have the ability to mark the comment as Resolved or Declined.

What This Means for Stewards

Additional instructions will be available as the workflow template in EDG is customized. A few features:

  1. Terms and definitions can be edited directly in EDG in a working copy of the glossary.
  2. Automatic notifications will be enabled, so EDG will automatically notify the identified stewards when a comment is received.
  3. Users will be able to easily see where a term is in the process.

 

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NWCG Latest Announcements

2025/2026 Leadership Campaign Quarter 2 Now Available!

Date: February 13, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Leadership Committee

NWCG is excited to announce that the Quarter Two materials for the 2025/2026 Wildland Fire Leadership Campaign are now available! This annual initiative invites all leadership and wildland fire management students to engage with essential skills and knowledge needed to lead effectively in dynamic environments.

This quarter focuses on Leadership Level 2: New Leader (Conveying Intent). Conveying intent is a crucial leadership competency in the high-risk, dynamic environment of wildland firefighting. Months 4 - 6 will concentrate on how successfully conveying intent enhances situational awareness, promotes shared understanding, and empowers firefighters to exercise initiative and adapt to changing conditions.

References:

2025/2026 NWCG Leadership Campaign - Leadership Levels

Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program

Leadership Committee

Opportunity to Serve the Wildland Fire Community as an IPTM SME!

Date: February 10, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: NWCG SME Specialist

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. The intent of IPTM is to transition NWCG’s training and qualification system to a performance-based model through updated position descriptions, Incident Position Standards, Next Generation Position Task Books (Next Gen PTBs), and updates to training where needed.

NWCG is currently recruiting SMEs for the following positions:

  • Aircraft Timekeeper (ATIM)
  • Compensation/Claims Unit Leader (COMP)
  • Cost Unit Leader (COST)
  • Crew Representative (CREP)
  • Deck Coordinator (DECK)
  • Fire Effects Monitor (FEMO)
  • Field Observer (FOBS)
  • Geographic Information System Specialist (GISS)
  • Ordering Manager (ORDM)
  • Receiving/Distribution Manager (RCDM)
  • Staging Area Manager (STAM)

Projects begin April/May 2026 and require 15–20 hours per month for 6–8 months, including a five-day workshop in Boise, Idaho this May. Apply by February 27, 2026, at the link below and review the attached document for details.

References:

NWCG SME Interest Sign-up

IPTM Subject Matter Expert Duties and Expectations Document

Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM)

NEW! M-280, Resource Advisor, Fireline (Instructor-Led) Course Available Now

Date: January 29, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Resource Advisor Subcommittee

NWCG is pleased to announce the new M-280, Resource Advisor, Fireline (Instructor-Led) course is now available. This training supports individuals working towards Resource Advisor, Fireline (REAF) incident qualifications.

M-280, Resource Advisor, Fireline (Instructor-Led) training prepares students to serve as a Resource Advisor, Fireline (REAF) as defined in NWCG Incident Position Standards for Resource Advisor, Fireline, PMS 350-112. This course presents scenarios that reflect the diverse challenges a REAF may encounter during an incident. Through these scenarios, participants gain hands-on experience and an understanding of REAF responsibilities in a controlled learning environment.

References:

Resource Advisor, Fireline Position Page

NWCG Position Standards for Resource Advisor, Fireline, PMS 350-112

M-280, Resource Advisor, Fireline (Instructor-Led)

Wildland Fire Learning Portal

2026 Updates to the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1

Date: January 23, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Incident and Position Standards Committee

The Incident and Position Standards Committee has updated the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1.

These updates address changes to incident position names and requirements for qualification, training, and experience. Updates related to the implementation of Complex Incident Management (CIM) and Incident Performance Training Modernization (IPTM) are also included.

The NWCG Wildland Fire Position Qualification Flowchart, PMS 308 has also been updated to reflect the recent changes.

References:

NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1

NWCG Wildland Fire Position Qualification Flowchart, PMS 308

IPSC Memo 26-01: January 2026 Updates to the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Positions Qualifications, PMS 310-1