INCIDENT ADMINISTRATION CHAPTER 70

2024 NATIONAL INTERAGENCY STANDARDS FOR RESOURCE MOBILIZATION 85

CHAPTER 70

INCIDENT ADMINISTRATION

INCIDENT OVERVIEW

Local dispatch centers receive initial smoke reports from various entities and are responsible for 

coordinating an initial response to suspected wildland fires, and other emergency incidents under 

appropriate authorities. The standard business practice is one ignition, one record, one authoritative 

data source and one centralized ordering point per incident.

INCIDENT CREATION

Incidents will be created by the dispatch center with delegated authority for the benefiting 

agency(s) and associated Protecting Unit based on the incident’s point of origin (POO). Unique 

Incident Identifiers are derived from the Protecting Unit Identifier and the Local Incident 

Identifier. Examples:

• MT-FNF-000567

• AZ-CRA-000231

The Unique Incident Identifier includes the calendar year but is only visible in some dispatch 

applications. Incident data and all ordering for the incident is tracked under the Unique Incident 

Identifier for the life of the incident.

Incident Record Creation and Data Integration

The Integrated Reporting of Wildland-Fire Information (IRWIN) service is designed to provide 

“end-to-end” fire reporting capability. IRWIN provides data exchange capabilities between 

integrated fire applications used to manage data related to wildland fire incidents. IRWIN focuses 

on the goals of reducing redundant data entry, identifying authoritative data sources, and 

improving the consistency, accuracy, and availability of operational data.

IRWIN can be thought of as a central hub that orchestrates data between integrated fire 

applications. Examples of integrated applications are various Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) 

programs, the Interagency Resource Ordering Capability (IROC) program, the FireCode system, 

the SIT/209 application, the Wildland Fire Decision Support System (WFDSS), and the 

Interagency Fire Occurrence Reporting Modules (InFORM). Data is synchronized between 

participating applications to ensure the most current data is available in near-real-time. IRWIN 

supports conflict detection and resolution on all new wildfire incidents to support a unique record 

for each incident.

Local Dispatch Centers have the primary responsibility for creating incidents within an integrated 

fire application or program. For incident information to flow properly through IRWIN, incidents 

shall be created in one of the following ways:

• If there is a CAD present - Create the record in the CAD.

• If a CAD is not present - Create the record in InFORM.

• If neither option is available, coordinate with the local dispatch center to create the incident 

utilizing standard operating procedures.

• Creating an incident within FireCode should be rare.
INCIDENT ADMINISTRATION CHAPTER 70

2024 NATIONAL INTERAGENCY STANDARDS FOR RESOURCE MOBILIZATION 86

NWCG Event Kind and Event Categories (Incident Type)

NWCG Event Kind and Event Category data standard specifies general, high-level codes and 

descriptions to use when categorizing incident types and planned events. Standard data values 

ensure consistency and accuracy within a given application and across multiple applications.

Although an event can trigger multiple types of conditions requiring response, the primary focus 

should be identified when specifying the Event Kind and/or Event Type. For example, a hurricane 

may cause flooding, search and rescue operations, and hazardous waste spills; but the Event Kind 

and Event Category should be “Severe Weather and Natural Disaster” and “Hurricane/Typhoon” 

since the hurricane was the triggering event.

NWCG Event Kind and Event Category Standards and associated business rules are located at:

https://www.nwcg.gov/data-standards/approved/event-kind-category

Multiple Events

Multiple event/records will not be created when an incident burns onto or crosses jurisdictional 

boundaries. When duplicate records are inadvertently created, every effort will be made to rectify 

by aligning incident and resource data associated with multiple records to the correct record.

Unprotected Lands

Areas for which no fire organization has responsibility for management of a wildfire authorized 

by law, contract, or personal interest of the fire organization (e.g., a timber or rangeland 

association) are defined as unprotected. In the event a Protecting Unit can not been determined for 

the POO, there are two acceptable rationales for incident creation.

• The responding organization determines it a threat to protected lands.

• The responding organization determines the incident has already burned onto protected 

lands.

The responding agency fire management or duty officer will determine if either criterion is met, 

resulting in the creation of an incident and associated response. The responding organization 

assumes responsibility for the incident and their respective Unit ID will be used for the Protecting 

Unit.

Incident Naming Protocols

When naming a wildland fire, thought should be given to ensure it is relevant and appropriate. 

Most land management agencies recommend that fires are named after geographic locations or 

landmarks. Sensitivity should be used in selecting an incident name that will not reflect negatively 

on the unit, fire organization or agency. What may seem to be a purely innocent name to the local 

unit may in fact have negative repercussions far beyond the fire itself.

Be mindful of naming a fire something that may be construed as offensive, derogatory, or 

inappropriate to any ethnic, religious, or political group. Avoid using names that are considered 

slang or may be construed as unprofessional.

The following should be avoided when naming a wildland fire:

• Including “Fire” in the incident name.

• Naming a wildland fire after a person.
INCIDENT ADMINISTRATION CHAPTER 70

2024 NATIONAL INTERAGENCY STANDARDS FOR RESOURCE MOBILIZATION 87

• Naming a wildland fire after private property or company.

• Naming a wildland fire that includes the phrase "Dead Man" or "Deadman."

• Naming a wildland fire after another catastrophic fire (one that experienced fatalities, high 

property losses, etc.).

• Naming a wildland fire after a well-publicized event that could cause confusion.

Fire applications and programs that send and receive information through IRWIN have incident 

naming standards. Validation rules have been put in place that only allow certain naming 

conventions to flow properly through IRWIN. The following validation rules apply to incident 

naming conventions and their associated NWCG Event Code or Event Category:

• An Incident Complex (CX) record will have the word Complex in the naming convention.

• A Prescribe Fire record (RX) will have RX in the naming convention.

• An Emergency Stabilization/BAER (BR) record will have BAER in the naming 

convention.

• Fire Rehabilitation (FR) record will have FR in the naming convention.

• The Incident Name must be two or more alpha-numeric characters in length, limited to 55 

characters.

• The Incident Name may be comprised of any combination of letters, numerals, and limited 

special characters.

More information regarding incident name validation and exchange rules can be found at:

https://www.nwcg.gov/sites/default/files/publications/910-incident-name.pdf

Unit Identifiers

NWCG Standards for Unit Identifiers, PMS 931 outlines business rules and practices for 

developing and utilizing NWCG Unit Identifiers. Additional information and instruction regarding 

appropriate creation, maintenance and application of wildland fire Unit Identifiers for incident 

management as it relates to land-based and non-land-based record creation, cooperator resource 

providers and incident support functions (i.e., dispatch, equipment/ radio cache and training 

centers) can be found within the standards.

Each Geographic Area Coordination Center Manager shall designate a Unit Identifier Data 

Custodian (GACC Data Custodian) and an alternate. GACC Data Custodians are responsible for 

ensuring each agency’s internal process has been completed and have the authority to ensure 

appropriate NWCG Organizational Unit Codes are created.

Upon receipt of written requests, GACC Data Custodians are responsible for entering modified or 

newly created Unit Identifiers, and associated information, into the System of Record (SOR). The

NWCG Unit Identifier Board Chair/Co-Chair is responsible for monthly publication of changes to 

NWCG Unit Identifiers after approval by the NWCG Unit Identifier Board.

NWCG Standards for Unit Identifiers, PMS 931 is found at:

https://www.nwcg.gov/publications/931
INCIDENT ADMINISTRATION CHAPTER 70

2024 NATIONAL INTERAGENCY STANDARDS FOR RESOURCE MOBILIZATION 88

Incident Reporting

The NICC has defined reporting requirements for wildfires meeting specific criteria, refer to 

Chapter 60 for more information.

COST CODING

Interagency Fire and Severity Activities

The five Federal Land Management Agencies with Wildland Fire Management appropriations

(BLM, BIA, NPS, FWS, and USFS) have an Interagency Agreement for Wildfire Management 

which provides a basis for cooperation on all aspects of wildfire activities. This agreement includes 

the direction to NOT cross-bill for services rendered for emergency fire suppression, including 

severity activities.

Regardless of the benefiting jurisdiction, Geographic Areas can preposition resources utilizing 

their assigned support FireCode in advance of predicted significant wildland fire potential, to meet 

ongoing fire activity needs when the resource assignment is not yet known, or for resources 

supporting multiple incidents.

For Severity, the BLM, FWS, NPS and BIA will use a four-digit interagency FireCode to track 

and compile costs for all severity activities; the ordering office must include the word “severity” 

within the resource order incident name. These DOI agencies will use FireCode D0YY when 

supporting FS severity activities.

Information on the interagency FireCode system can be found at:

https://www.firecode.gov/help/User_Guide.pdf

FS severity support to DOI will use the following codes by DOI Bureau:

• S70001 1522 – FS resource used on BIA severity orders.

• S70002 1522 – FS resource used on BLM severity orders.

• S70003 1522 – FS resource used on FWS severity orders.

• S70004 1522 – FS resource used on NPS severity orders.

All wildfire suppression orders are to have a four-character (alpha-numeric) interagency FireCode 

assigned by the ordering office. Interagency dispatch procedures have been established to 

incorporate assigning one FireCode per incident for use by all Federal Wildland Fire Agencies.

Orders processed through NICC must have at least one FireCode or agency financial code assigned 

by the ordering office. Financial codes should be consistent with the Incident Type.

Bureau of Land Management (BLM)

The BLM wildland fire management cost coding is divided into thirteen (13) activities:

• Wildland Fire Preparedness LF1000000

• Suppression Operations LF2000000 (subject to change)

• Severity LF2100000

• Emergency Stabilization LF2200000

• Fuels Management LF3100000
INCIDENT ADMINISTRATION CHAPTER 70

2024 NATIONAL INTERAGENCY STANDARDS FOR RESOURCE MOBILIZATION 89

• Burned Area Rehab LF3200000

• Fire Facilities LF3300000

• Joint Fire Science Program LF3400000

• State Assist Suppression LF5610000

• State Assist Preparedness LF5710000

• Fire Reimbursable LF6900000

• All-Hazard Reimbursable LF6910000

• Fire Trespass L53250000

Except for Wildland Fire Preparedness and State Assist Preparedness, a project number is required 

regardless of the activity code being used. The standard fund coding guidelines used for 

suppression, rehabilitation, and fuels activities apply. The standard severity coding procedure of 

converting from the severity number to a fire number applies when dispatched to a specific fire. 

All fire severity numbers have been assigned under program LF2100000.HT0000.

Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA)

The BIA wildland fire management funding is divided into six (6) activities and various subactivities:

Wildland Fire Preparedness FBMS Functional Area

• Preparedness AF1002020.999900

• Interagency Fair Share AF1003030.999900

• National Programs AF1004040.999900

• FireBert AF1005050.999900

• Self-Governance AF1002900.999900

• Aviation AF1002A00.999900

• Wildland Fire Prevention AF1002T00.999900

• Interagency Hotshot Crews AF1002U00.999900

• Fire Ready Reserve AF1002V00.999900

Emergency Suppression

• Suppression AF2001010.999900

• Severity AF2105050.999900

• Emergency Stabilization AF2202020.999900

Construction & Deferred Maintenance

• Construction & Deferred Maintenance AF3304000.999900

• Self-Governance AF3302G00.999900

Burned Area Rehabilitation

• Burned Area Rehabilitation AF3202B00.999900
INCIDENT ADMINISTRATION CHAPTER 70

2024 NATIONAL INTERAGENCY STANDARDS FOR RESOURCE MOBILIZATION 90

Fuels Management

• Fuels Management AF3102H00.999900

• Reserved Treaty Rights AF3103131.999900

• Resilient Landscapes AF3103636.999900

Reimbursable-Wildland Fire Management

• Preparedness AF6901000.999900

• Emergency Operation AF6902000.999900

• Burned Area Emergency Rehabilitation AF6903000.999900

• Fuels Management AF6904000.999900

• All Risk Assistance AF6910000.999900

Proceeds of Sale of Surplus

• Property/Equipment AF6906000.999900

Proceeds of Sales of Surplus

• Property/Vehicles AF6907000.999900

• Collections – Preparedness AF6908000.999900

• Collections – Suppression AF6909000.999900

The Wildland Fire Management branch employs the Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) and Fire 

Codes (Prescribed by the Department and Congressional mandate) to facilitate funding programs. 

This will be accomplished through the use of FBMS accounting codes, including the following 

elements: Fund Code, Cost Center, Functional Area, Budget Object Class- Commitment Item and 

WBS.

A BIA example of a suppression, fire code, should look like: 18XA1125TR AAK4004401 

AF2001010.999900 261A00 WBS AF. SPFAX60000.00000.

The WBS code will be on all obligation and expenditure documents. WBS codes must be 

established by the BIA-NIFC Budget Office or the Central Office. This will ensure all costs are 

tracked by the projects or missions.

Four-digit FireCode numbers are generated by the FireCode system, used by USDA and DOI. 

These FireCodes are entered into the FBMS system and used as appropriate. Severity FireCodes 

must be approved by the BIA Fire Operations Director. Preparedness, Burned Area Rehabilitation, 

Fuels Management and Construction and Reimbursable cost codes require funding transactions 

documents (FBMS Entry Document) to be approved.

National Park Service (NPS)

The NPS wildland fire management cost coding is as follows:

Wildland Fire Preparedness

• PF100PP85.WX0000 Base-8 for All-Hazard support

• PF100PP85.Y00000 Program Management
INCIDENT ADMINISTRATION CHAPTER 70

2024 NATIONAL INTERAGENCY STANDARDS FOR RESOURCE MOBILIZATION 91

• PF100PP85.WR0000 Readiness

• PF100PP85.MF0000 Preparedness Fleet Maintenance

• PF100PP85.EF0000 Research

• PF100PP85.YP0000 Plan/Compliance

• PF100PP85.S00000 Provide Community Assistance

• PF100PP85.WW0000 Respond to Wildfires

• PF100PP85.P00000 Preventative Maintenance

• PF100PP85.M00000 Corrective Maintenance

Fire Facilities Construction & Maintenance

• PF330FF85.M00000 Fire Facility Corrective Maintenance

• PF330FF85.CN0000 Fire Facility Construction

Suppression Operations

• PF200SP85.WW0000 Respond to Wildfires

• PF210SV85.WV0000 Severity

• PF210SV85.WU0000 Step-Up

• PF220ES85.RM0000 Wildfire Burned Area Response

Burned Area Rehabilitation

• PF320BR85.RM0000 Wildfire Burned Area Response

• PF320BR85.Y00000 Program Management

• PF320BR85.AM0000 Monitor Treatment

Hazardous Fuels Reduction – Non-WUI

• PF310HF85.Y00000 Program Management

• PF310HF85.WP0000 Implement Prescribed Fire

• PF310HF85.YP0000 Plan/Compliance

• PF310HF85.AM0000 Monitor Treatment

• PF310HF85.WM0000 Implement Mechanical Treatments

• PF310HF85.WC0000 Implement Other Treatments

• PF310HF85.MF0000 Non-WUI Fleet Maintenance

• PF310HF85.EF0000 Research

Hazardous Fuels Reduction – WUI

• PF310WF85.Y00000 Program Management

• PF310WF85.WP0000 Implement Prescribed Fire

• PF310WF85.YP0000 Plan/Compliance

• PF310WF85.AM0000 Monitor Treatment

• PF310WF85.WM0000 Implement Mechanical Treatments
INCIDENT ADMINISTRATION CHAPTER 70

2024 NATIONAL INTERAGENCY STANDARDS FOR RESOURCE MOBILIZATION 92

• PF310WF85.WC0000 Implement Other Treatments

• PF310WF85.EF0000 Research

State Assistance

• PF46060C8.W00000 State Assistance Collect Operations

• PF47070C8.W00000 State Assistance Collect Preparedness

• PF56161C8.W00000 State Assistance Expenditures Operations

• PF57171C8.W00000 State Assistance Expenditures Preparedness

The interagency FireCode will be used by the National Park Service for tracking and compiling 

costs for wildland fire suppression, severity (including step-up), emergency stabilization and 

burned area rehabilitation activities.

Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS)

The FWS wildland fire management cost coding is provided below:

• Wildland fire Preparedness FF.F10000##ZZZZ0

• Suppression Operations FF.F20000##ZZZZ0

• Severity FF.F21000##ZZZZ0

• Emergency Stabilization FF.F22000##ZZZZ0

• Burned Area Rehabilitation FF.F32000##ZZZZ0

• Hazardous Fuels Reduction (Non-WUI) FF.F31000##NZZZZ

• Hazardous Fuels Reduction (WUI) FF.F31000##WZZZZ

## = FWS Region number (01-09) ZZZZ = project assigned code/FireCode

All cost codes require a ten-digit cost center, then a fifteen-digit Work Breakdown Structure 

(WBS), which includes the interagency FireCode or project number. The interagency FireCode 

will be used with the appropriate account as stated in the FWS Fire Business Guide. All fire 

operations activities require a project number.

The interagency FireCode will be used by the Fish and Wildlife Service for tracking and compiling 

costs for wildland fire suppression, severity, and subsequent rehabilitation activities.

Forest Service (FS)

The interagency FireCode Program will be used to generate a four (4) character code that will be 

used to track and compile costs.

“P” codes represent wildland fire suppression incidents.

“S” codes represent severity requests. Each Region/Forest will have one S-code for Regional 

Office approved severity. Regional severity codes will be established in the format: S#1111. 

Region/Unit overrides will be used.

“F” codes indicate FEMA supported incidents. An “F” code will be assigned by the Forest Service 

Regional Office that is within the affected FEMA Region. Individual resources ordered to a FEMA 

incident will charge to the appropriate “F” code. Units providing support to a FEMA incident will 

charge to the “F” code in accordance with the FS annual incident job code guidance. Under the 
INCIDENT ADMINISTRATION CHAPTER 70

2024 NATIONAL INTERAGENCY STANDARDS FOR RESOURCE MOBILIZATION 93

NRF, overtime, travel, and per diem are reimbursable. Base salary of all employees on assignment 

to a FEMA incident will be charged to the appropriate “F” code and paid from the Emergency 

Operations (WFSU) account.