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RT-130 WFSTAR Course Delivery Information

RT-130 Decorative banner. Group of photos depicting wildland firefighters performing various duties.

RT-130 is delivered as an Instructor-Led Training. Instructor-Led Training (ILT) is usually conducted in a classroom, face to face setting.

There are circumstances where it is beneficial to deliver RT-130 training virtually (VILT). See guidance on the option for virtual delivery. The Wildland Fire Learning Portal (WFLP) is available for RT-130 training.

RT-130 is not available as a Self-Directed (Online) training. To receive credit for course completion, students must complete a session of RT-130 with qualified instructors who monitor the quality of the training.

The hands-on fire shelter proficiency drills must be performed by each participant. An individual qualified as a unit instructor (or higher) must monitor the completion of the proficiency drill.

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.

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Minimum Instructor Qualifications

Minimum Instructor Qualifications Requirements have been established for instructors for RT-130. These requirements will ensure that an appropriate level of expertise and knowledge is available to facilitate refresher training exercises and discussions.

  • Lead instructor must be a qualified single resource boss.
  • Unit instructors must be qualified firefighters type 1 (FFT1).
  • Adjunct instructors may be utilized to provide limited instruction in specialized knowledge and skills at the discretion of the lead instructor. They must be experienced, proficient and knowledgeable of current issues in their field of expertise.
  • All instructors will need the knowledge and skills to utilize current educational technology as it relates to Wildland Fire Safety Training Annual Refresher (RT-130) content, such as video streaming, downloading interactive videos, and use of mobile applications and devices.
  • Instructors must be prepared to facilitate a quality refresher that engages all students regardless of ICS qualification or experience level.

See Instructor Standards Section for more information.

Recommended Class Size

Recommended class size is 24 students.  Instructors should maintain a 6:1 ratio of students to instructors/coaches to facilitate exercises and discussion and to enable strong mentorship to the students. 

Cadre Meetings

Conduct initial, pre-course, 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

This is a list of equipment and materials that you will need to facilitate a RT-130. If there are additional items needed, that will be in the Module Tools section below the videos you choose.

  • Desktop computer, laptop, or tablet with Internet with connection to YouTube, or
    • Ability to download modules from WFSTAR website
    • Ability to play media files
  • Large screen or projection device for classroom visibility
  • Flip chart(s) or dry erase board with markers
  • Facilitator Guide available within Module Resources on the module page
  • Incident Response Pocket Guide (IRPG), PMS 461 for each student
  • Sign-in sheet/training documentation form
  • Optional: New Generation Fire Shelter video, NFES #2711
  • Optional: The New Generation Fire Shelter booklet, NFES #2710
  • Optional: Materials for games which may be utilized to enhance refresher

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.

Your Goal

  1. Lead a quality refresher by engaging all students through meaningful discussion no matter their qualification or firefighting experience.
  2. Meet the objectives of each module being taught.

Classes with a wide array of experiences and qualifications can provide an excellent mentoring opportunity for the less experienced and for the more experienced to rethink old habits. But to facilitate a refresher well, you will need to spend some time to prepare.

Preparation

  • Review the module resources and video (when supplied) prior to delivering a class.
  • Become familiar with the classroom space and practice the technology.
  • Prepare any handouts, flipcharts, or visuals used in the module.
  • Know your audience.
    • What are their incident management roles?
    • What agencies and regions are the audience from?
    • What questions might you anticipate from the audience?

Tips

  • Answers to questions should align with the standards, policies, and guidelines. Good idea to have an Incident Response Pocket Guide (IRPG), PMS 461 and Interagency Standards for Fire and Fire Aviation Operations (Red Book) handy during the refresher.
  • Ask open-ended questions to facilitate a deeper discussion. Questions in a closed-ended manner typically result in either a “Yes” or “No” answer.
    • Example:
      • Closed-ended, “Do you think it will rain?”
      • Open-ended, “What is the likelihood we will see rain today? Why?”
  • Establish some ground rules and also ask the class for ground rules.
    • Example:   “What is said in this room stays in this room.”
  • Participation is key! If you are talking more than 40% of the time, reduce your talk time and make more time for audience participation.
  • After asking a question, wait 10 seconds for responses.
  • Asked to be mentored by a respected, experienced facilitator.

Module Summary

The module summary is a valuable moment to reinforce why the module information should be important and relevant to the students.

Summarize a module by:

  • Reviewing the key points of the refresher.
  • Asking the students to summarize why THEY thought the information was important to them.
  • Asking for questions.
  • Providing ideas for continued self-development on the module topic.

 

NWCG Latest Announcements

NWCG Committees Observe Suicide Prevention Awareness Week: September 7-13, 2025

Date: Sep 5, 2025
Questions? Please contact:
Mental Health Subcommittee

The NWCG Mental Health Subcommittee (MHSC) and Risk Management Committee (RMC) recognize the unique challenges and demands faced by the wildland fire community. The MHSC and RMC know that we are all stronger together and believe in fostering a culture of support, understanding, and resilience.

Suicide Prevention Awareness encourages us to actively connect with and support each other. For more information that could make a difference for yourself or someone else please review the materials and resources provided for the 2025 Suicide Prevention Awareness Week.

References:

2025 Suicide Prevention Awareness Week Materials and Resources

NEW! Incident Performance and Training Modernization Story Map Now Available

Date: Aug 26, 2025
Questions? Please contact:
National Wildfire Coordinating Group

NWCG is excited to announce the launch of the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) Story Map, a new interactive resource that showcases how NWCG is transforming wildland fire training and qualifications through a performance-based system.

Since its launch in 2023, IPTM has made major strides in updating how we manage incident positions:

  • 36 incident positions now have new Incident Position Standards and Next Generation Position Task Books available for field use
  • 6 more incident positions are nearing completion
  • 111 total incident positions are being analyzed through the IPTM initiative

The Story Map guides you through the IPTM process, highlights key accomplishments, and outlines what’s ahead. Whether you are a trainer or a trainee, this tool offers valuable insight into the modernization effort shaping the future of wildland fire training and qualifications.

This effort would not be possible without the contributions of NWCG staff, NWCG committees, and hundreds of subject matter experts across the wildland fire community.

References:

IPTM Story Map

Incident Performance and Training Modernization Webpage

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Date: Aug 15, 2025
Questions? Please contact:
Fire Behavior Subcommittee

NWCG is excited to announce that the S-290, Intermediate Wildland Fire Behavior (Blended) training is now available on the Wildland Fire Learning Portal. S-290 (Blended) training combines online training and instructor-led training components that support individuals working towards any Single Resource Boss or Fire Effects Monitor incident qualifications.

This second course in the series collectively serves to develop fire behavior prediction knowledge and skills, and provides more detailed information on fuels, weather, and topography that affect wildland fire behavior for safety purposes.

Students are required to finish the prerequisite S-190, Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior, before enrolling in S-290, Intermediate Wildland Fire Behavior (Blended).

References:

S-290, Intermediate Wildland Fire Behavior (Blended)

S-190, Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior

Wildland Fire Learning Portal

NEW! S-271, Helicopter Crewmember (Blended) Now Available

Date: Aug 14, 2025
Questions? Please contact:
Interagency Helicopter Operations Subcommittee

The S-271, Helicopter Crewmember (Blended) is now available. Developed through the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) effort, this training supports individuals working towards Helicopter Crewmember (HECM) incident qualifications. 

S-271, Helicopter Crewmember (Blended) training combines online training and instructor-led training components. This course is designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary to perform the duties of the HECM position, as described in the NWCG Incident Position Standards for Helicopter Crewmember, PMS 350-22.

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 2026.

References:

S-271, Helicopter Crewmember (Blended)

NWCG Helicopter Crewmember (HECM) Position Page

Wildland Fire Learning Portal