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Map Elements

Purpose

Maps are the primary tools by which spatial relationships and geographic data are visualized. The use of standard map elements provides critical information to facilitate the fast and consistent interpretation of map products and ensures that the most appropriate and current map is used. In the interest of encouraging safety, consistency, and accuracy, PMS-936 describes the map elements that everyone should use when creating maps.

Specifications

All map products should include:

Map Elements Specifications Screenshot

STANDL (Scale, Title, Author, North arrow, Date and time of preparation, Legend) cartographic elements:

  • Scale (1): A graphical expression of a fixed distance, such as 1,000 feet or 1 mile. A textual description, such as 1:24,000 or 1” = 1 mile is useful if the map is printed at the desired output size; however, because digital maps (such as PDFs) can be printed at various sizes, it is preferable to use a graphical scale bar.
  • Title (2): The basic description of the map, including items such as incident name and map type. The Unit Identifier and the Local Incident Identifier are included (e.g., ID-BOF-0095). For certain maps, the title must also include the operation date and/or period for which the map was produced.
  • Author (3): The person or group that prepared the map.
  • North arrow (4): The graphical display used to orient the map correctly. This element could also include additional direction indicators for magnetic declination or grid angle.
  • Date of preparation (5): Including the date and time the map was produced informs the map user of the currency of the information displayed on the map.
  • Legend (6): The key that describes the meaning of the symbols found on the map.

SGD (Source statement, Graticule/grid, Datum) map elements should be on the Incident Action Plan (IAP) map, and are recommended for use on other maps, as appropriate.

  • Source statement (7): Date and time that key map elements (e.g., fire perimeter) were collected. Other citations for data and/or features on a map may be included, such as source, collection method, accuracy, and coordinate system/projection.
  • Graticule/grid (8): This element is typically a graticule of latitude and longitude marks and numbers that allows referencing of the mapped area to the specific area on the Earth.
  • Datum (9): The datum must be noted on the map when a graticule/grid is used or if coordinates are displayed. The correct datum is critical for GPS use.

References

Responsibilities

The Geospatial Information System Specialist (GISS) creates map products that include legible STANDL-SGD map elements to ensure maps are accurate and readable for the end user. The Situation Unit Leader (SITL) ensures that each individual map product includes the required STANDL-SGD map elements.

 

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Leadership Committee IAP Flyer Now Available

Date:  May 8, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Leadership Committee

The NWCG Leadership Committee promotes and enables leadership development across the wildland fire service. The committee provides education, training opportunities, and support for leadership innovation and best practices throughout the community.

A new IAP flyer is now available on the committee website, offering an overview of the products, curriculum, and learning opportunities the Leadership Committee develops. This resource is ideal for posting in your office, sharing with new employees, or distributing through your incident management teams to engage new voices in the leadership journey and reinforce a culture of self‑reflection, development, and growth.

References:

Leadership Committee 2026 IAP Flyer

Incident Operations Subcommittee Updates the Next Generation Position Task Book for FFT1

Date:  May 7, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Incident Operations Subcommittee

The NWCG Incident Operations Subcommittee (IOSC) has updated the NWCG Position Task Book for Firefighter Type 1 (Squad Boss) (FFT1), PMS 311‑14. The FFT1 Position Task Book transitioned to the Next Generation (Next Gen PTB) format in June 2025 through the Incident Performance and Training Modernization effort. Since then, IOSC has received feedback from the wildland fire community regarding coding for one of the tasks. Task #13 has been updated to include the option of evaluation in a simulation.

See IOSC Memorandum 26‑01: Transition Plan for Implementation of Updates to the NWCG Position Task Book for Firefighter Type 1 (Squad Boss) (FFT1), PMS 311‑14 for more information.

References:

IOSC Memorandum 26-01: Transition Plan for Implementation of Updates to the NWCG Postion Task Book for Firefighter Type 1

NWCG Firefighter Type 1 Squad Boss Position Page 

NEW! S-212, Intermediate Faller (Online) Course Available Now 

Date:  April 23, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Hazard Tree and Tree Felling Subcommittee

NWCG is pleased to announce that the new S‑212, Intermediate Faller (Online), course is now available on the Wildland Fire Learning Portal (WFLP). This second course in the series provides students with the knowledge and skills required to perform the duties of an Intermediate Faller (FAL2), as described in the FAL2 Incident Position Description. This course is intended for individuals seeking to advance from Basic Faller (FAL3) to FAL2.

S‑212, Intermediate Faller is a fully online, self‑paced training program consisting of 13 units. Learners will engage with interactive, scenario‑based content designed to progressively build foundational skills and knowledge essential for the FAL2 role.

Students must be qualified as a Basic Faller (FAL3) prior to enrolling in S‑212, Intermediate Faller course.

Any changes to qualification pathways will take effect with the next update of the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1, scheduled for January 2027.

References:

S-212 Intermediate Faller (Online)

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

Intermediate Faller (FAL2) Position Page

NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Chainsaw Operations, PMS 212

New Aircraft Flight Schedule Form, PMS 249

Date:  April 17, 2026
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Please contact: National Coordination System Committee

A new publication from the National Coordination System Committee (NCSC) is now available. The NWCG Aircraft Flight Schedule Form, PMS 249, will be used for aviation crews and dispatch to share flight information that is needed for resource tracking, and if needed, for emergency procedures.

For further details, please contact your NCSC representative. 

References:

NCSC Memo 26-01: Implementation of NWCG Aircraft Flight Schedule Form, PMS 249

NWCG Aircraft Flight Schedule Form, PMS 249