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

The following criteria must be met for a position to be considered for inclusion in the PMS 310-1, as determined by IPSC:

NWCG uses a performance-based approach that focuses on verifying the capabilities of personnel to perform as required in the various incident-related positions. This approach incorporates education, training, and experience to build proficiency and establishes performance as the primary qualification criterion.

NWCG accomplishes this based on completion of required training, required experience, required physical fitness level, and certification of the applicable NWCG Position Task Books (PTB) on wildland fires, events, incidents, job activities, and in simulated exercises or classroom activities.

The primary criterion for qualification is a trainee’s performance as observed by an evaluator through the PTB. Certification is the responsibility of the agency’s certifying official. The competencies and behaviors form the basis for position-specific training, PTBs, job aids, and other performance-based documents.

Competencies and Behaviors and Tasks

NWCG utilized a master list of the core competencies and behaviors for each position qualification.

The competencies and behaviors form the basis for position-specific training, PTBs, job aids, and other performance-based documents.

The following definitions have been established:

• Competency – A broad description grouping core behaviors necessary to perform a specific function.
• Behavior – A general description of an observable activity or action demonstrated by an individual in a particular context.
• Task – A specific description of a unit of work activity that is a logical and necessary action in the performance of a behavior; how the behavior is demonstrated or performed in a particular context.

Competencies and behaviors across the Incident Command System (ICS) positions are similar. This similarity may hide critical differences in proficiency level and the environment or type of incident in which the position is expected to perform. These critical differences are typically captured in the task identified for each position.

Approved competencies and behaviors by position can be found under Position Task Books. 

Required Training

Required training provides a direct link between training and position performance to provide for responder health and safe operations on wildland fires. Required training cannot be challenged except under the following conditions:

Structural firefighters may utilize the Skills Crosswalk identified by the National Fire Academy (NFA) to apply their existing fire suppression knowledge and skills towards qualification as three NWCG incident positions: Firefighter Type 1 (FFT1), Engine Boss, Single Resource (ENGB), and Strike Team Leader Engine (STEN). 

Member agencies may establish processes for approving and documenting course equivalencies to required NWCG training by following the NWCG Course Equivalency Guidelines in the NWCG Standards for Course Delivery, PMS 901-1.

For information on interchangeable courses and course equivalency guidelines, see the NWCG Standards for Course Delivery, PMS 901-1.

Required Experience

Required experience consists of satisfactory performance in a prerequisite position and completion/certification of a position task book. Required experience can be challenged only through the recognition of prior learning process.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Use of the RPL process is determined by each NWCG member agency and only applies to positions identified in the PMS 310-1. The NWCG qualification process is performance-based and responders are required to meet training, experience, and physical fitness standards prior to position certification. RPL is not intended to replace this system but to provide a formal competency-based qualification process. RPL allows a certifying authority to recognize and account for competence acquired through evaluation of an individual’s formal and informal learning and experience, to determine the extent to which the individual has achieved the required competencies to perform effectively in a specific NWCG, 310-1 position. Under RPL, required training and fitness for the specific position must be attained; this includes all required prerequisite position Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) identified ICS courses for national mobilization. The RPL process is outlined in the NWCG Standards for Recognition of Prior Learning, PMS 309.

Physical Fitness Level

Personnel must meet established physical fitness levels for wildland fire assignments. Agencies may determine the method of evaluating the physical fitness level of their personnel. The testing method should be a measurable evaluation process. The following levels of physical fitness have been established.

• Arduous – Duties involve fieldwork requiring physical performance calling for above-average endurance and superior conditioning. These duties may include an occasional demand for extraordinarily strenuous activities in emergencies under adverse environmental conditions and over extended periods of time. Requirements include running, walking, climbing, jumping, twisting, bending, and lifting more than 50 pounds; the pace of work typically is set by the emergency situation.
• Moderate – Duties involve fieldwork requiring complete control of all physical faculties and may include considerable walking over irregular ground, standing for long periods of time, lifting 25 to 50 pounds, climbing, bending, stooping, squatting, twisting, and reaching. Occasional demands may be required for moderately strenuous activities in emergencies over long periods. Individuals usually set their own work pace.
• Light –Duties mainly involve office-type work with occasional field activity characterized by light physical exertion requiring basic good health. Activities may include climbing stairs, standing, operating a vehicle, and long hours of work, as well as some bending, stooping, or light lifting. Individuals can usually govern the extent and pace of their physical activity.
• None Required – Positions that do not require a physical fitness level.

Currency Requirements

Currency for a position can be maintained by successful performance within the given timeframes in that position or successful performance as a Trainee or Qualified in identified positions. The maximum time allowed for maintaining currency is three years for air operations, faller, and dispatch positions. All other positions have a five-year currency requirement.

Other Training Which Supports Development

Personnel are not required to complete any training under the ‘Other Training Which Supports Development of Knowledge and Skills’ unless specifically identified by their agency. The identified training provides additional opportunities to support position development.

Certification and Recertification

Agency certification and documentation of completion of the PTB are the responsibility of the employing agency. This certification indicates the individual is qualified to perform in a specific position.

Each member agency is responsible for annually certifying qualifications of its personnel based upon NWCG position qualification standards. This responsibility includes evaluation of personnel for recertification in cases where position qualifications are no longer valid due to a lack of current experience.

Certification and recertification are subjective determinations each individual agency must make based on position task evaluations, position performance evaluations, and judgment of the quality of an individual’s experience.

Agency personnel cannot function in the role of the certifying official for contractors except where formal agreements are in place.

Casual or emergency workers must meet the hiring or certifying agency’s position qualification standards.

Technical Specialists

Technical Specialists are personnel with specialized skills gained through educational degree programs or industry training of established standards. These personnel may perform the same duties during an incident that they perform in their regular job and may have supplemental training in order to use their specialized skills when assigned to wildland fire incidents.

Although position codes have been assigned to Technical Specialist positions that can be used within the ICS, no minimum qualifications have been established by NWCG. Standards for Technical Specialist qualifications are determined by the agency.

Revision of the PMS 310-1

A formal revision of the PMS 310-1 occurs annually; however, changes may be made at any time based on the impacts of the requested change, as determined by IPSC.

Revision Process

Step 1

Proposed changes to existing positions, requests for new positions, and changes to position qualification standards (including PTBs) will be submitted on the IPSC Request for Change (RFC) form.

IPSC will review the RFC and decide whether to:

• Accept the RFC,
• Reject the RFC, or
• Request additional information prior to decision.

Step 2

If RFC is accepted:

• If RFC is from an NWCG Committee, the NWCG Coordinator will engage and assist in gathering required package documents.
• If RFC is from an agency, the IPSC agency representative will engage to gather required package documents.

After an RFC is accepted by IPSC, the following documents need to be submitted by the requestor (with assistance from the assigned NWCG Coordinator or IPSC agency representative).

• Justification of the need for new or revised position utilizing the above Criteria for NWCG Position Qualifications.
• New or revised Incident Position Description.
• New or revised Position Task Book.
• New or revised PMS 310-1 qualification sheet (Word), including summary of changes.
• A transition plan for qualified and trainee responders for new positions and when required training or required experience are added to existing positions.

The following may be requested depending on the nature of the position request:

• National mobilization statistics demonstrating position need and use.
• Explanation of impacts to training development.
• For new positions or changes to existing position titles/codes, an RFC must be submitted to the Position Naming Board (PNB) before the package is submitted to IPSC.

Step 3

The final RFC package will be reviewed by IPSC and vetted through member agencies and other NWCG committees as needed. After the review period, IPSC will vote to approve or deny the request.

The requesting party will be notified through official IPSC correspondence of the outcome of the request and, if accepted, the timeframe for implementation.

Transition Plan Guidance

Transition plans are designed to explain to the field how the approved changes will affect those currently qualified in the position as well as those currently in a trainee status. The information for the transition plan will need to be submitted to the IPSC with the RFC.

Transition plans are necessary for the following position changes:

• Addition of Required Training
• Addition of Required Experience
• Creation of New Position
• New or Revised Position Task Book

Transition plans are not needed for changes to currency or removal of required or recommended training.

Changes to Required Training and Experience

The process of historical recognition is generally utilized for current qualified responders when changes to required training and experience are implemented. This means existing qualified responders will not be required to attend the new required training or attain the position experience prerequisite. Current trainees must complete the new required training or experience component before becoming qualified in the position.

Historical Recognition Example:

AIRCRAFT DISPATCHER (ACDP) Transition Plan

Qualified ACDP:  To minimize the impact to the field, the process of historical recognition for ACDP will be used for all current qualified responders upon release of the MONTH 20XX PMS 310-1 Position Catalog.

ACDP Trainees:  All current ACDP trainees will be required to meet the new qualification requirements as outlined in the PMS 310-1 Position Catalog.

Effective Date:  This change will be enforced in IQCS/IQS when the PMS 310-1 Position Catalog is published in MONTH 20XX.

Non-Historical Recognition Example:

Qualified UASL with Single Resource Boss Qualification:  All current UASL responders with a Single Resource Boss qualification meet the new 20XX PMS 310-1 Position Catalog requirement and will continue as qualified UASL

Qualified UASL without Single Resource Qualification:  All current UASL responders that do not meet the Single Resource Boss qualification requirement will be put into unqualified status upon release of the MONTH 20XX PMS 310-1 Position Catalog, until they become SRB qualified.

UASL Trainee:  All current UASL trainees that do not meet the Single Resource Boss requirement will be put into unqualified status upon release of the MONTH 20XX PMS 310-1 Position Catalog, until they become SRB qualified. UASL trainees with a SRB qualification meet the new 20XX PMS 310-1 requirement and will continue as UASL trainees.

Effective Date: This change will be enforced in IQCS/IQS when the PMS 310-1 is published in MONTH 20XX.

Creation of New Position

When new positions are created in the PMS 310-1, qualified responders will need to be identified for the new position. There need to be qualified responders to serve as trainers. Transition plans should include either:

• A list of individuals who will serve as qualified responders in the new position.
  OR
• Criteria for agencies to utilize so that they can identify individuals to serve as qualified responders in the new position.

New or Revised Position Task Book (PTB)

If a new or revised PTB has been approved, the transition plan will need to address how current trainees in the position will be impacted. Review the position task book information and include the following language in the transition plan:

When a new or revised PTB is published, current trainees with an initiated PTB (including those individuals re-initiating or re-certifying) and at least one documented experience should continue to use their current PTB. Individuals with no tasks completed will use the new or revised PTB. Currently qualified individuals will not be affected by the transition to new or revised PTBs.

Example Language for Position Task Book Change Transition Plan:

Coordination:  The new mnemonic for Helibase Manager will be HEBM. The current HEB1 and HEB2 position task books (PTB) will be merged into one PTB. One additional task will be added to the PTB for HEBM to reflect helibase complexity.

HEB2 Trainees:  Current HEB2 trainees will be required to meet the HEBM position requirements upon release of the MONTH 20XX PMS 310-1. Trainees will transition to the new HEBM PTB; however, documentation of position performance in the HEB2 PTB should still be considered towards certification. Trainees initiating a PTB after MONTH 20XX will use the HEBM PTB.