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NWCG Leadership Curriculum Providers and Lead Instructors

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L-380 Fireline Leadership

Adaptive Training Options (Approved 2013)

  • Frank Norbury (2013)
  • Kevin Harvell (2023)

Mission-Centered Solutions (Approved 2000)

  • Dayton Baraw (2001)
  • Mike Carroll (2001)
  • Tony DeMasters (2023)
  • Eric Hill (2009)
  • Mike Kancir (2017)
  • John Lee (2000)
  • Gary Luck (2022)
  • Lark McDonald (2000)
  • Jon Ridolfo (2011)
  • Steve Rosta (2011)
  • Andrew Sidwell (2017)
  • Mark T. Smith (2000)
  • Paul Smith (2019)

National Outdoor Leadership School (Approved 2005)

  • Lisa Bauer (2012)
  • Allison Bergh (2010)
  • Chris Bruno (2012)
  • Jesse Burns (2010)
  • Scott Christy (2005)
  • Jim Culver (2006)
  • Andy Dennis (2013)
  • Darcy Deutscher (2008)
  • Jake Freed (2010)
  • Ryland Gardner (2011)
  • Tim Hendricks (2010)
  • Kate Koons (2010)
  • Marcio Paes-Barretto (2010)
  • Kathleen Pelto (2012)
  • Dave Piggott (2010)
  • Jesse Quillian (2014)
  • Rick Rochelle (2010)
  • Shannon Rochelle (2008)
  • Ann Schorling (2013)
  • Jaret Slipp (2013)
  • Linnea (PeeBee) van den Toorn (2014)
  • Darren Wells (2005)
  • Ashley Wise (2013)

Pacific Northwest Training Center (Approved 2004)

  • Maria Agnew (2012)
  • Jay Bertek (2012)
  • LJ Brown (2011)
  • Bill Miller (2005)
  • Rowdy Muir (2005)
  • Frank Norbury (2004)
  • Brian Sebastian (2022)

Government Agency (Approved 2015)

  • Jake Akerberg (2017)
  • LJ Brown (2015)
  • Danny Bryant (2015)
  • Paul Hohn (2018)
  • Josh Mathisen (2015)
  • Rowdy Muir (2015)
  • Jim Tomaselli (2015)

L-381 Incident Leadership

Adaptive Training Options (Approved 2014)

  • Frank Norbury (2014)

Mission-Centered Solutions (Approved 2003)

  • Dayton Baraw (2003)
  • Eric Hill (2010)
  • Mike Kancir (2022)
  • Gary Luck (2009)
  • Mark T. Smith (2003)

Pacific Northwest Training Center (Approved 2011)

  • Jake Akerberg (2019)
  • Frank Norbury (2013)

L-480 Organizational Leadership

Benchmark Research; Safety, Inc. (Approved 2009)

  • Curt Braun, Ph.D. (2009)

Guidance Group (Approved 2013)

  • Mike DeGrosky (Approved 2013)

The Institute for Advanced Development (2005)

  • Larry Iverson, Ph.D. (2005)

ProHealthNet Incorporated(Approved 2009)

  • Doug Booster (2009)

L-481 Advanced Leadership for Command; General Staff

Mission-Centered Solutions (Approved 2015)

  • Dayton Baraw (2023)
  • John Lee (2016)
  • Lark McDonald (2015)
  • Mark T. Smith (2015)

Contact Information

Website HyperlinkPhone Number
Adaptive Training Options208-484-5482
The Institute for Advanced Development206-772-8989
Mission Centered Solutions303-646-3700 or 866-527-5627
National Outdoor Leadership School307-332-5300 or 800-710-6657
ProHealthNet Incorporated541-389-9197

 

 

 

NWCG Latest Announcements

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

Equipment Advisory 26-001: Potential Front Driveline Joint Failure on 2018 and Earlier Ram Pickups

Date:  July 10, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Equipment and Technology Subcommittee

The Logistics/Equipment Management Committee (LMC) has released Equipment Advisory 26-001: Potential Front Driveline Joint Failure on 2018 and Earlier Ram Pickups. This advisory highlights multiple U.S. Forest Service regions reporting front driveline joint failure incidents.

This advisory recommends firefighters and fire managers to: 

  • Follow all Ram-issued inspection, maintenance, and service guidance for front driveline joints. 
  • Consider installing a driveline loop. 
  • Coordinate with fleet managers and service providers to determine the most appropriate driveline loop kit for each pickup.

For further details, please refer to the complete advisory.

References:

Equipment Advisory 26-001: Potential Front Driveline Joint Failure on 2018 and Earlier Ram Pickups

Technical Service Bulletin: 03-002-21

NEW! NWCG Standard Operating Procedures, PMS 900

Date:  July 9, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: NWCG Staff

NWCG is excited to announce the publication of the NWCG Standard Operating Procedures, PMS 900.

The new publication establishes general, consistent, and uniform standards for conducting business with the National Wildfire Coordinating Group.

References:

NWCG Standard Operating Procedures, PMS 900