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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.

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