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S-231, Engine Boss (Single Resource) (Blended)

Course Title
Engine Boss (Single Resource) (Blended)
Version Date

2012

Course Number
S-231
Course Description

This course was developed using a blended approach to learning. Students are required to complete the online training portion of the course and pass an online assessment prior to taking the ILT. The focus of this online training is to teach knowledge and concepts. The ILT will reinforce the content learned online and provide opportunities to apply this knowledge to real-world scenarios and practical exercises. Upon completion of the ILT, students must then take and pass a final assessment in order to receive credit for the course. The final assessment covers content from both the online and ILT portions of the course.

Course Objective

Perform the tasks of an Engine Boss in making the tactical decisions required to safely manage an engine on an incident.

Prerequisite Qualifications Notes

FFT1 Firefighter Type 1

Lead Instructor Minimum Qualifications
Lead instructor must be a qualified Strike Team Leader Engine (STEN) or Task Force Leader (TFLD).
Format
Blended
Special Delivery Considerations

Student Information (Blended-Course Work, 2012 Version)
This is an NWCG-certified course. View the NWCG certification statement for this course.

This is a blended course (estimate 12-16 hours). Additional information about the course can be found on the Overview section.

Online Component
This course is available in the NWCG Wildland Fire Learning Portal (WFLP). Log on as a guest to search for this course or go directly to https://www.wildlandfirelearningportal.net/course/view.php?id=3529

2004 Version
The Wildland Fire Suppression Tactics Reference Guide, NFES 1256, referenced in the Instructor Guide in the Course Instructions as pre-course work is no longer available through the Publications Management System. If using the Sample Selection Letter in the Course Instructions section, please delete pre-­course work requirements for this course.

Optional materials have been developed to enhance the students understanding of the Wildland Fire Decision Support System (WFDSS) relative to the single resource boss position courses. Instructors who choose to use the optional materials to enhance the course should be familiar with the lesson and its contents and determine how it will be used in the course. The materials are available here: https://wfdss.usgs.gov/wfdss/WFDSS_NWCG_WFDSS.shtml.

Business Steward
IOSC Incident Operations Subcommittee
Prerequisite Training Notes

S-230, Crew Boss (Single Resource) (Blended)

Unit Instructor Minimum Qualifications
Unit instructors must be qualified as Engine Boss, Single Resource (ENGB).
Alternate Delivery Mode
Instructor Led
Class Size Recommendations

Recommended class size is 30 students. Instructors should maintain a 10:1 ratio of students to instructors/coaches to facilitate exercises and discussion and to enable strong mentorship to the students.

Class Size Recommendations

Recommended class size is 30 students. Instructors should maintain a 10:1 ratio of students to instructors/coaches to facilitate exercises and discussion and to enable strong mentorship to the students.

Wildland Fire Learning Portal (WFLP)

NWCG Latest Announcements

NWCG Committees Observe Suicide Prevention Awareness Week: September 7-13, 2026

Date:  September 8, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Health and Wellness Subcommittee

The NWCG Health and Wellness Subcommittee (HWSC) and Safety/Risk Management Committee (SRC) recognize the unique challenges and demands faced by the wildland fire community. The HWSC and SRC 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 2026 Suicide Prevention Awareness Week.

References:

2026 Letter from Leadership

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

Health and Wellness Subcommittee

Safety and Risk Management Committee

2025 Paul Gleason Award Winners Announced

Date:  August 13, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Leadership Development Subcommittee

The NWCG Qualifications Management Committee (QMC) and Leadership Development Subcommittee (LDSC) are proud to announce the recipients of the 2025 Paul Gleason "Lead By Example" awards. Award categories include Initiative and Innovation, Mentoring and Teamwork, and Motivation and Vision.

Congratulations to the awardees:

  • Hunter Bell, U.S. Forest Service — Initiative and Innovation
  • Shannon Deane, U.S. Wildland Fire Service— Initiative and Innovation
  • Chris Delaney, U.S. Wildland Fire Service — Motivation and Vision
  • Sean Peterson, U.S. Forest Service — Mentoring and Teamwork

References:

Paul Gleason Lead By Example Award

Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program (WFLDP)

Leadership Development Subcommittee

LMC Equipment Bulletin 26-001: Aquatic Invasive Species – Seasonal Reminder for Mussels

Date:  July 30, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Equipment and Technology Subcommittee

The Logistics and Equipment Management Committee (LMC) issued Equipment Bulletin 26-001: Aquatic Invasive Species - Seasonal Reminder for Mussels, reminding the wildland fire community that aquatic mussels continue to be a problem. Mussels rapidly colonize hard and soft surfaces, including aquatic plants and fire equipment, clogging pipes, fouling motors, disrupting water systems, and impacting native species.

To help prevent their spread, fire personnel must follow the decontamination procedures outlined in the NWCG Guide to Preventing Aquatic Invasive Species Transport by Wildland Fire Operations, PMS 444. Additionally, report any sightings immediately to your Lead Resource Advisor and include clear, close-up photos (with a pen or your hand for size reference) and location details.”

Read the complete LMC Equipment Bulletin 26-001, to learn more. 

References:

NWCG Alerts

LMC Equipment Bulletin 26-001: Aquatic Invasive Species - Seasonal Reminder for Mussels

NWCG Guide to Preventing Aquatic Invasive Species Transport by Wildland Fire Operations, PMS 444

Intermediate Faller (FAL2) Position Task Book Update

Date:  July 24, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Tree Felling Subcommittee

NWCG Operations Management Committee (OMC) has issued an update to the NWCG Position Task Book for Intermediate Faller (FAL2), PMS 311-91. To ensure clarity for both trainees and evaluators, the updated FAL2 Position Task Book (PTB) explicitly states who is authorized to sign off on your tasks:

“Evaluators must be qualified as a FAL2, or an Advanced Faller (FAL1).”

If you are currently working out of a previously published version of the FAL2 PTB, you do not need to restart. However, OMC highly encourages you to take the following step to prevent any confusion in the field:

  • Print and replace the updated evaluator information page (page 2) in your current physical PTB.

References:

Intermediate Faller (FAL2) Position Page

RMC Memo 26-01: Transition Plan for Implementing Updates to Intermediate Faller (FAL2) Position Qualifications

NWCG Position Task Book for Intermediate Faller (FAL2), PMS 311-91