NWCG training materials are being updated to reduce redundancy and conflict among overlapping documents. Course-specific student workbooks will be replaced by standards-bearing NWCG publications - the documents that actually guide operations. Instructor guidance will be integrated into PowerPoint presentations rather than located in separate documents. Instructors may use the instructor guide file (exported from the PowerPoint presenter notes), view the notes in presentation mode, or export the notes into the desired format.
S-404, Safety Officer, 2013
Course Delivery Information
S-404 is available as instructor-led (classroom) training.
Expectations of Instructors
- Prepare thoroughly. Study the course content you are going to teach.
- Establish a collaborative and constructive classroom environment.
- Communicate expectations.
- Encourage student engagement.
- Respect student diversity in backgrounds, talent, experience, and learning style.
- Professionally represent your instructor cadre, your home unit, and your agency.
Course Guidance
Course coordinators and instructors should be thoroughly familiar with the NWCG Standards for Course Delivery, PMS 901-1. The NWCG Standards for Course Delivery establishes standards for all aspects of NWCG training course management and delivery. These standards should be used in conjunction with the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1, and the course-specific guidance stated in the NWCG Training Catalog.
See S-404 minimum instructor qualifications.
Recommended Class Size
The recommended class size is 25-30 students. The recommended student-to-instructor ratio is 5:1. Cadre members should be present for all instructional sessions. A minimum of three instructors should present this course; however, more are required if a field exercise is incorporated. This is to enable strong mentorship by the cadre to the students.
Cadre Meetings
Conduct initial, pre-course, daily, and close-out instructor cadre meetings. These provide opportunities to plan, organize, preview materials, review training and exercises, and identify and address concerns and issues. Consider using an informal After Action Review process. Instructor cadre meetings are critical for instructors who do not have previous experience with the course. Additional information is located in the NWCG Standards for Course Delivery, PMS 901-1.
Course Materials
Each student must be provided the following:
- Student Workbook
- Handouts
- NWCG Incident Response Pocket Guide (IRPG), PMS 461
- NWCG Standards for Helicopter Operations, PMS 525-1
- Interagency Serious Accident Investigation Guide
-
NFES 1374 Operational Planning Worksheet Wall Poster (This needs to be ordered from the Cache by the instructor well ahead of time), NWCG NFES Catalog - Part 2: Publications, PMS 449-2
Technical Considerations
All presentations should be downloaded and tested before the start of class to ensure compatibility with software.
PowerPoint presentations are built in Microsoft Office 2016. Saving them in an earlier version of PowerPoint may prevent some features from working correctly. Instructor notes are built in to the presentation slides under Presenter Notes.
For help, visit the Microsoft Office website, https://support.office.com/en-us/powerpoint, or contact your local IT support personnel.
Course Evaluations
Use the NWCG Course Evaluation Feedback form to collect information critical to future training improvements.
Students and cadre members are asked to contribute course evaluations. Input is welcome on all aspects of the training course, including course content, pre-course work, reference materials, quality of instruction, delivery methods, and testing procedures.
Version 2013
The Safety Officer Toolkit referenced in the Note to the Instructor in Unit 0, page 0.7, is no longer available for downloading. Instructors are encouraged to provide personal examples of their toolkits.
Page Last Modified / Reviewed:
2022-12-21