NOTE: Be sure to check agency-specific guidelines; some agencies may have different requirements.
S-420, Command and General Staff, 2020
Description
This course is designed to prepare students to function effectively as members of the Command and General Staff (C&G) on a Type 2 Incident Management Team (IMT). Students will participate in facilitated discussions, classroom exercises, and a simulated incident. Students will be evaluated by assigned coaches using an assessment and feedback rubric.
Objectives
At the successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
- Demonstrate an understanding of the responsibilities and duties of each C&G position.
- Demonstrate skills to establish and maintain a positive team climate.
- Utilize various communication strategies to develop a common operating picture.
- Demonstrate critical thinking, decision making, and risk management skills.
- Demonstrate a practical understanding of the Incident Management Operational and Strategic Planning Processes.
- Given a simulated event, demonstrate the ability to perform as a C&G member on a Type 2 Incident Management Team.
Target Group
Personnel desiring to be qualified in a Command or General Staff position on a Type 2 Incident Management Team.
Prerequisite Qualifications and Training
- L-480, Organizational Leadership in the Wildland Fire Service.
OR
OR
- L-180, Human Factors in the Wildland Fire Service, plus completion of 40 hours in any supervision or leadership training course(s).
AND
- Completion of pre-course work assignment.
Session Offerings
Nationally advertised course sessions can now be found on the NWCG Wildland Fire Learning Portal (WFLP), https://wildlandfirelearningportal.net/. 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 item at the top of the page, then select "Upcoming Courses.” To view Geographic Area training schedules, select the specific "Geographic Area" information using the drop-down menu at the top of the page. Contact your local training officer for more information about local course sessions.
Delivery
S-420 is available as instructor-led (classroom) training.
Course Components and Hours to Complete
Component | Hours: Instructor-Led |
---|---|
Pre-course work | 4-6 |
Pre-selection assessment | N/A |
Online Training | N/A |
Instructor-led training | 38 |
Total Hours | 42-44 |
Minimum Instructor Qualifications
- Lead and unit instructors must be qualified as Command or General Staff Type 2.
See NWCG Standards for Course Delivery, PMS 901-1, Instructor Standards for more information.