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Incident Commander Type 3*

ICT3 decorative banner: photos depicting ICT3 position. ICT3 Position Description: The Incident Commander (ICT3) is responsible for all incident activities.

The Type 3 Incident Commander (ICT3) manages all aspects of an initial attack or extended attack Type 3 incident. The ICT3 is responsible for developing incident objectives, assigning operational personnel based on complexity and span of control, and maintaining accountability of all assigned personnel. The ICT3 is accountable for the overall Incident Action Plan (IAP), establishing communication with internal and external stakeholders, and coordinating with other agencies participating in the incident. The ICT3 reports to an Agency Administrator (AA), Duty Officer, Fire Management Officer, or other designated manager and works in the Command functional area.

​The ICT3 performs position duties commensurate with Type 3 incident complexity and characteristics stated in the Interagency Standards for Fire and Fire Aviation Operations (Red Book).

The Forest Service and Department of Interior are enabled by Administratively Determined Pay Plans (AD Pay Plans) to hire persons for temporary duration for the following reasons:

  1. To cope with a sudden and unexpected emergency caused by a fire, or extreme fire potential, flood, storm, or any other all-hazard emergency that threatens damage to federally protected property, has the potential to cause loss of life, serious injury, public health risk, or damage to natural or cultural resources unless brought under immediate control.
  2. To provide emergency assistance to States under formalized agreements.
  3. To meet mission assignments issued by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

The National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) Incident Business Committee (IBC) reviews positions annually and establishes pay rate classifications for each position.

For more information on the AD Pay Plans, visit Incident Business Committee.

Date: Jan 2023

Added: 

  • Air Tactical Group Supervisor (ATGS) and Operation Section Chief Complex (OSCC) to "These Positions Maintain Currency For ICT3."
  • Incident Commander Complex (ICCI) and Operation Section Chief Complex (OSCC) to "ICT3 Maintains Currency For These Positions."
Date: Nov 2020

Added: Incident Position Description (IPD) approved.

Date: Oct 2019

Added: to Qualification Requirements:  Note: Once qualified as a ICT3, the OPS3, PSC3, LSC3 and FSC3 qualifications may be granted by the certifying official. Certification must be documented on a “verification/certification” page of the applicable Position Task Book.

Date: Oct 2018

Added: Type 3 All-Hazard Incident Management Team (O-305) to "Other Training Which Supports Development of Knowledge and Skills".

Date: Oct 2016

Removed: Incident Commander Type 1 (ICT1) from "These Positions Maintain Currency for ICT3".

Date: Oct 2015

Added: Advanced ICS (ICS-400) to Required Training to align position with FEMA Type 3 standards.

Transition Plan:

  • All qualified individuals will remain qualified. Individuals will be granted ICS-400 in responder’s records.
  • All ICT3 trainees will be required to complete ICS-400 prior to position qualification.
Date: Oct 1984

Position created. 

Incident Commander (Multi-Branch), Incident Commander (Multi-Division) and Incident Commander (Multi-Leader) in 1984 PMS 310-1.

USWDS Paragraph Bundles

Primary Committee: Incident and Position Standards Committee
Steward: Incident Command Subcommittee


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NWCG Latest Announcements

The Incident Position Standards and Next Generation Position Task Book are now available for Aircraft Base Radio Operator (ABRO)

Date: September 12, 2024
Contact: Interagency Helicopter Operations Subcommittee

NWCG is excited to announce that the NWCG Incident Position Standards for Aircraft Base Radio Operator, PMS 350-87 and NWCG Position Task Book for Aircraft Base Radio Operator (ABRO), PMS 311-87 are now available.

The Performance Support Package, which for ABRO includes the Incident Position Standards and Next Generation Position Task Book were developed through the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) effort. The Performance Support Package will support trainees, those qualified in the position, and evaluators.

References:

NWCG Aircraft Base Radio Operator Position Page

NWCG Incident Position Standards for Aircraft Base Radio Operator, PMS 350-87

NWCG Position Task Book for Aircraft Base Radio Operator, PMS 311-87

NWCG Mental Health Subcommittee Recognizes September as Suicide Prevention Month

Date: September 9, 2024
Contact: Mental Health Subcommittee 

The NWCG Mental Health Subcommittee (MHSC) is dedicated to raising awareness about mental health within our wildland fire community. This year’s Suicide Prevention Month theme, “Stronger Together,” underscores the importance of unity and support in every facet of our lives — at work, with family, and among friends.

As we recognize Suicide Prevention Month, including Suicide Prevention Week (September 8 – September 14, 2024) and World Suicide Prevention Day (September 10, 2024), we encourage you to share resources and engage in meaningful conversations within your teams.

Remember: We are Stronger Together, and help is always available. Let’s continue to support one another and foster an environment where mental health is a priority.

References:

NWCG Mental Health Subcommittee

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

2024/2025 NWCG Leadership Campaign – The Roots of Wildland Fire Leadership

Date: August 28, 2024
Contact: Leadership Committee 

NWCG is excited to announce the 2024/2025 NWCG Leadership Campaign, themed "The Roots of Wildland Fire Leadership." This campaign provides an opportunity for personnel to engage in leadership development activities.

The campaign features four modules that can be completed at any time between May 2024 and May 2025.

The Leadership Committee promotes and enables the development of leaders in the wildland fire service by providing educational and leadership development opportunities.

References:

2024/2025 NWCG Leadership Campaign – The Roots of Wildland Fire Leadership

Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program

NWCG Leadership Committee

The Incident Position Standards and Next Generation Position Task Book are now available for Status/Check-In Recorder (SCKN)

Date: August 27, 2024
Contact: Incident Planning Subcommittee 

NWCG is excited to announce that the NWCG Incident Position Standards for Status/Check-In Recorder, PMS 350-32, NWCG Position Task Book for Status/Check-In Recorder (SCKN), PMS 311-32, and Checking In Resources Customer Service Job Aid, J-111 are now available.

The Performance Support Package, which for SCKN includes the Incident Position Standards, Next Generation Position Task Book, and job aid were developed through the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) effort. The Performance Support Package will support trainees, those qualified in the position, and evaluators.

References:

NWCG Status/Check-In Recorder Position Page

NWCG Incident Position Standards for Status/Check-In Recorder, PMS 350-32

NWCG Position Task Book for Status/Check-In Recorder (SCKN), PMS 311-32

Checking In Resources Customer Service Job Aid, J-111