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S-420, Command & General Staff (ILT)

Course Title
Command & General Staff (ILT)
Training Required For
Complex (FSCC, LSCC, PSCC) 310-1 Training Path 02, Complex (ICCI, OSCC, PIOC, SOFC) 310-1 Training Path 01, Complex (FSCC, LSCC, PSCC) 310-1 Training Path 01
Version Date

2020

Previous Certification Dates

2002-10

Course Number
S-420
Other Training Which Supports
LOFR Liaison Officer, OPBD Operations Branch Director, INBA Incident Business Advisor
Course 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.

Course Objective

Given a simulated event, demonstrate the ability to perform as a C&G member on a Type 2 Incident Management Team.

Lead Instructor Minimum Qualifications
Lead and unit instructors must be qualified as Command or General Staff Type 2.
Format
Instructor Led
Special Delivery Considerations

Space and Classroom Requirements
The characteristics of the classroom and supportive facilities have a significant impact on the learning environment. The classroom should be chosen and viewed well in advance of the presentation.

A classroom that can accommodate all 24 students (in three groups), coaches, and cadre is required for the course instruction portions.

The simulation requires space for each team to operate separate from the other teams. Ideally, each team will have a separate breakout room. Two additional breakout rooms are required for the full day simulation.

Initial Cadre Call: Each student is required to submit a biography and complete the initial portion of the Student Self-Assessment and Feedback Rubric as part of the pre-course work. The information from these documents can be used when forming student teams, to ensure that the teams are well rounded and diverse. The coaches assigned to each team should become familiar with the student biographies and self-evaluations prior to the course.

A cadre meeting before each day’s course presentation is recommended because of the interrelationship of the unit material (changing instructional materials in one unit may impact a later unit or the simulation).

Simulation
The course material includes a multi-phase simulation that allows students an opportunity to exercise the materials and concepts taught in the instructional units. The simulation material, including documents, materials checklists, and organization aids, is available for the cadre to download from the Wildland Fire Learning Portal (WFLP).

The Course Coordinator and cadre can elect to create and use an alternate simulation or scenario. This may be done to reflect local fuel types, resources, and conditions where the student will likely fill incident assignments, or delivery constraints of a particular session. If this is done, the cadre should take care to ensure that the simulation objectives and intent remain intact.

These materials are needed above and beyond the usual items (pens, paper, flip charts, markers, etc.).
For Each Small Group:

50 - 4x6 index cards.
For Simulation:

See Simulation Materials Checklist and Simulation Coordinator’s Guide in the WFLP.
Optional:

Delegation of Authority, Incident Briefing (ICS 201), and Incident Action Plan from a real incident

Selection letters should be sent to students to describe the pre-course work and provide class times, dates, and location. Refer to the NWCG Standards for Course Delivery, PMS 901-1, for more information on selection letters.

The Sample Selection Letter may be augmented with the following information:

Business Steward
QMC Qualifications Management Committee
Unit Instructor Minimum Qualifications
Lead and unit instructors must be qualified as Command or General Staff Type 2.
Alternate Delivery Mode
Not Applicable
Class Size Recommendations

This course is designed for a class size of 24 students organized into three teams of eight students.

Class Size Recommendations

This course is designed for a class size of 24 students organized into three teams of eight students.

Special Cadre Considerations

The cadre should consist of individuals that have sufficient experience to represent each Type 2 Command and General Staff (C&G) position to accomplish the course objectives. A minimum of three instructors and three coaches are required. Ideally, cadres would include a qualified and experienced representative from each of the functional areas, a Type 2 Incident Commander, and an experienced Agency Administrator.

Coaches provide students with high-quality performance feedback. Coaches should have Type 2 C&G experience as well as the ability to provide performance feedback and facilitate learning in small groups. Each team requires a minimum of one coach; however, two coaches enable a better learning experience and more specific feedback opportunities. Coaches can also serve as unit instructors.

A large part of the course consists of simulation where students apply what they’ve learned during instructional units. The simulation will require the participation of multiple cadre and role players to deliver. A Simulation Coordinator should be identified early during course preparation. The Simulation Coordinator should plan at least 40 hours for preparation time prior to the course to arrange necessary materials, role players, and logistics.

The course introduction includes a keynote address. If possible, arrange for a keynote speaker who can discuss the significance of Incident Management Teams (IMTs) at the regional and national level.

NWCG Latest Announcements

2026 Week of Remembrance

Date:  June 30, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: 6 Minutes for Safety Subcommittee

As we approach the 2026 Week of Remembrance (WOR), June 30–July 6, we dedicate this time to reflect on past incidents from 2016 and honor the fallen through learning. Since its inception in 2014, WOR has honored wildland firefighters who made the ultimate sacrifice while encouraging critical discussions that reinforce lessons learned.

Throughout the week, we encourage thoughtful and generative conversations that promote a culture of continuous learning and safety.

References:

2026 Week of Remembrance: Letter to Leadership

Wildland Fire Lessons Learned Center

RMC Memorandum 26-02: SAFENET Modernization and SafeNetX Launch

Date:  June 25, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Risk Management Committee

The Risk Management Committee (RMC) is pleased to announce the launch of SafeNetX, the modernized safety reporting system now available to the wildland fire community. Effective June 15, 2026, SafeNetX enables reporting of unsafe, unhealthy, near-miss, and high-risk operations across wildland fire, all-hazard incidents, training, and related work environments.

SafeNetX is the result of a multi-agency modernization effort led by RMC, which began evaluating improvements to the legacy SAFENET system in 2021. To learn more, read the full RMC memorandum in the links provided.

References:

SafeNetX

RMC Safety Memorandum 26-02: SAFENET Modernization and SafeNet X Launch

2025 Wildland Fire EMS Awards

Date:  June 12, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Emergency Medical Committee

The NWCG Emergency Medical Committee (EMC) announces the recipients of the 2025 Wildland Fire Emergency Medical Service (EMS) Awards. EMC annually recognizes individuals and groups who have demonstrated outstanding actions or accomplishments that are above and beyond the expectation of one’s normal mission or job duties.

Congratulations to all the awardees and nominees. Through leadership and initiative, they have made significant contributions to the safety of the wildland fire community. These awards are well deserved.

References:

2025 Wildland Fire EMS Awards

Emergency Medical Committee

Incident Position Standards and the Next Generation Position Task Book Now Available for RAMP

Date:  June 12, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Airtanker Base Operations Unit

NWCG is excited to announce that Incident Position Standards and the Next Generation Position Task Book are now available for Ramp Manager (RAMP).

The Performance Support Package for this position was developed as part of the Incident Performance and Training Modernization effort. These resources support trainees, qualified personnel, and evaluators in their respective roles.

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 release in January 2027.

References:

NWCG Ramp Manager Position Page

National Interagency Aviation Committee