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S-341, GIS Specialist for Incident Management
Description
S-341, GIS Specialist for Incident Management does not teach ArcGIS (ArcGIS Pro) functionality or concepts. As GIS professionals, students must have expertise using ArcGIS technology and should come to the class already proficient at managing/editing geospatial data (geodatabases), spatial analysis, and map production using ArcGIS Pro software.
S-341 training consists of instructional information, demonstration, and graded exercises following the NWCG Standards for Geospatial Operations (GeoOps), PMS 936, and NWCG GISS Workflow, PMS 936-1. The S-341 course goal is to prepare a Geospatial Information System Specialist (GISS) for a training assignment(s), with the expectation of full GISS qualification. S-341 is required for the GISS position.
Objectives
Upon completing the course, students will have the knowledge and skills to respond to wildland fire and all-hazard incidents and perform the duties of a GISS. This includes:
- Understand the GISS ICS position roles and responsibilities on the Incident Management Team.
- Understand and reference the GISS standards, including NWCG Standards for Geospatial Operations (GeoOps), PMS 936, and NWCG GISS Workflow, PMS 936-1.
- Prepare and mobilize to an incident.
- Prepare incident data using the NWCG Standards for Geospatial Operations (GeoOps), PMS 936, directory and file naming standards.
- Prepare an ArcGIS Pro Edit Project with an offline copy of the National Incident Feature Service (NIFS) and configure features for the incident.
- Edit and manage incident data in NIFS, following the standards in the NWCG GISS Workflow, PMS 936-1.
- Update the Master Incident Geodatabase, following the NWCG GISS Workflow, PMS 936-1.
- Create incident maps and digital products following current NWCG Standards for Geospatial Operations (GeoOps), PMS 936, within established timeframes.
- Save, back up, and share incident data and products.
- Demonstrate skills that establish and maintain a positive team climate.
- Demonstrate critical thinking and decision-making skills by contributing to instructional sessions and forum discussions.
Target Group
- GIS specialists, GIS technicians, cartographers, and other GIS users with advanced GIS skills (spatial data construction, editing, analysis, and map production) working in a land or resource management environment who are interested in utilizing skills for wildland fire or all-hazard incident management.
- Advanced knowledge of and proficiency using ArcGIS Pro.
- Available for GISS assignment within the following year. Availability includes supervisory approval and a personal commitment to support at least one incident.
Prerequisite Qualifications and Training
- ICS-100, Introduction to ICS
- IS-700, NIMS: An Introduction
- NIFC AGOL Acceptable Use Policy course in the NWCG Wildland Fire Learning Portal (WFLP)
Session Offerings
Annual course sessions can be found on the NWCG Wildland Fire Learning Portal (WFLP). Log on as a guest to search for session offerings of this course and to view other public content. To search for a specific course, use the FIND LEARNING menu at the top of the page, then select UPCOMING COURSES.
Delivery
S-341 is virtual instructor-led training through the WFLP. The course session is two weeks. The first week of the course is self-directed and self-paced learning which must be completed before the second week begins. The second week of the course which involves live instruction, demonstration, and Q&A sessions, as well as independent student activities and graded exercises.
Course Components and Hours to Complete
| Course Component | Course Time | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-selection Assessment | 1-4 | Timed ArcGIS Pro skills assessment. |
| Pre-course Work | 4 | Must be completed before online self-paced training begins. |
| Online Self-Paced Units | 15-20 | Must be completed before virtual instructor-led training begins. |
| Virtual Instructor-led Units | 32 | Live instruction and demonstration. Independent activities and exercises. |
| Total Hours | 52-60 | Note that hours are approximate for self-paced work and vary based on the individual. |
Hardware and Software Requirements
Hardware
Laptop or desktop computer with internet connectivity, camera, speaker, mouse, and external monitor (recommended).
Software
Concurrent or Single-use ArcGIS Pro (fire season-approved version) Advanced license installation. License must be Authorized to Work Offline.
System Credentials
- NIFC ArcGIS Online Organization. GISS trainees should have the NIFC Training role.
- FireNet named user account.
Minimum Instructor Qualifications
The course is managed by a National Steering Committee, the Geospatial Curriculum Management Unit (GCMU). The GCMU maintains a national cadre list for lead and unit instructors. Lead and unit instructors must be on the national cadre list to teach. Lead instructors must be selected and/or approved annually by the GCMU. Lead and unit instructors must be current fully qualified GISS and show currency within IQCS/ICS and/or incident qualifications card (red card). Currency is defined as having had a GISS assignment in the last one to two years. Instructors must be experienced in managing incident data in NIFS, adhering to NWCG GISS Workflow, PMS 936-1, and GeoOps on incidents. Adjunct instructors with the minimum instructor qualifications may be added to the national cadre list with GCMU approval for teaching and cadre development. Instructors are required to complete any prerequisite training and pre-course work assigned by the GCMU as preparation for teaching the course.
See NWCG Standards for Course Delivery, PMS 901-1, Instructor Standards for more information.
Functional Area:
Planning
Primary Committee:
Page Last Modified / Reviewed:
2023-03-01