March 7, 2019

INITIAL ATTACK DISPATCH CENTER - COMPLEXITIES

A dispatch center’s complexity is determined by the program complexity of the units supported 

by that dispatch center. A unit’s program complexity is computed following the Interagency Fire 

Program Management Qualifications Standards and Guide, Instructions and Guiding Principles 

for Complexity Descriptors. Basically, if the unit complexity is high, the dispatch center’s 

complexity is high.

Only the Initial Attack Lead Dispatcher and the Center Manager positions are affected by the 

dispatch centers and unit’s program complexity. Initial Attack Dispatchers are represented in all 

dispatch centers at each complexity level with the same knowledge, skill, and ability 

requirements. Minimum Qualifications Standards for Initial Attack Lead Dispatcher and Center 

Manager are not affected by program complexity.

HIGH COMPLEXITY

A high complexity dispatch center is an interagency dispatch center that supports more than 

one unit. At least one of the units has a high program complexity. These centers have a 

Center Manager. Normally there are at lest two Initial Attack Lead Dispatchers or Assistant 

Center Managers representing the major agencies supported by the dispatch center.

MODERATE COMPLEXITY

A moderate complexity dispatch center is either:

1. An interagency dispatch center that supports more than one unit and at least one unit 

has a moderate program complexity, or

2. A single agency dispatch center and that unit has a high program complexity.

These centers have a Center Manager and an Initial Attack Lead Dispatcher or Assistant 

Center Manager. A single agency dispatch center may or may not have a Center Manager 

with the Initial Attack Lead Dispatcher supervising the center. 

LOW COMPLEXITY

A low complexity dispatch center is either:

1. A single agency dispatch center supporting a single unit with low or moderate 

program complexity, or

2. A single agency dispatch office supporting a single unit with moderate or high 

program complexity, but the dispatch center orders through an interagency dispatch 

center to the geographic area coordination center.

These centers would not have a center manager. The Initial Attack Lead Dispatcher would 

supervise the center.
March 7, 2019

MINIMUM QUALIFICATION STANDARDS

INITIAL ATTACK LEAD DISPATCHER/ASSISTANT CENTER MANAGER

1. Basic OPM Requirements for this position

 Refer to the OPM Group Coverage Qualification Standard for Technical and Medical 

Support positions, OR

 The appropriate OPM Group Coverage Qualification Standard for this position and series

2. NWCG Incident Management Qualifications - Currency Required *

Primary Core Requirement Secondary Core Requirement

EDSD 90 days of wildland firefighting 

experience

3. Additional required training as presented in the following courses, or agency 

equivalent:

 None

Common grade level: GS-9 (Note: Actual grade level will depend on the duties and 

responsibilities of the position.)

Selective Factor Justifications

 The EDSD qualification provides the incumbent with a higher knowledge of standard fire 

dispatch procedures, predefined initial attack response zones, and operating guides used 

in ordering of overhead, crews, aircraft, equipment, and supplies for wildfire, prescribed 

fire, and other non-fire emergencies.

 The 90 days of previous wildland firefighting experience provides the incumbent with the 

knowledge of fire suppression and prescribed fire strategies, tactics, methods, and 

procedures.

 The combination of EDSD and previous experience provide the incumbent with the 

ability to effectively oversee the dispatch center and make sound operational and cost 

effective decisions during critical situations and changing priorities.

 This higher level of qualifications allows the incumbent to supervise Initial Attack 

Dispatchers (IADP) during initial attack incidents.

Employee Development Training - Employee should receive the following developmental 

training, (or agency equivalent) to fully achieve competencies:

 D-110 “Dispatch Recorder”

 D-310 “Support Dispatcher”

 ICS-300 “Intermediate Incident Command System”
March 7, 2019

 S-110 “Basic Fire Suppression Orientation”

 S-201 “Supervisory Concepts & Techniques”

 S-205 “Fire Operations in Urban Interface”

 S-260 “Fire Business Management Principles”

 S-270 “Basic Air Operations”

 S-290 “Intermediate Fire Behavior”

 S-491 “National Fire Danger Rating System”

 S-580 “Advanced Fire Use Applications”/“National Parks and Wilderness Management”

 40-HR Supervisory Training

 Aviation acquisition/procurement-I

 Aircraft capabilities & limitations

 Aviation mishap reporting

 Aviation radio use

 Aviation dispatching

 Aviation management & coordination

 Aviation policy and regulations

 Aviation transport of HAZMAT

 Crew resource management

 Flight payment document

 “Hazardous Material Awareness Program for Firefighters”

 Human factors in aviation

 Interagency aviation organizations

 Mission planning & flight request process

 Multi-media First Aid

 Risk management (aviation)

 Training to provide intermediate computer skills and working knowledge of various fire 

management computer programs

 “Weather Information Management System”

*Currency

The Interagency Fire Program Management (IFPM) Standard identifies currency as a

requirement for certain IFPM positions. The original intent of the Task Group that developed the 

IFPM Standard was to document that currency was defined as “current and qualified” (i.e. “red 

card” qualified). However, it has since been clarified per Office of Personnel Management

(OPM) standards, that currency cannot be used as a selective factor because it does not meet the 

OPM’s definition of a selective factor

(http://www.opm.gov/qualifications/policy/ApplicationOfStds-06.asp).

The following points are intended to provide clarification for Human Resources (HR) and Fire 

Management regarding the term “currency”:

1. “Currency” will now be defined pursuant to the Wildland Fire Qualification System

Guide (PMS 310-1).
March 7, 2019

2. Federal bureaus cannot use “currency” to screen out applicants. As long as applicants can 

produce documentation that they have obtained the IFPM competencies at some point (as 

validated by the Incident Qualifications and Currency System (IQCS) Master Record or 

equivalent documentation), they will meet the IFPM Selective Factors.

3. The hiring official can use “currency” as justification for selection. However, for

Delegated Examining advertisements, currency cannot be a reason to pass over a person who is a 

qualifying veteran.

4. As indicated in the IFPM Standard, certain positions still require the employee to remain 

current and qualified (i.e. “red card” qualified). If an applicant is selected less “currency”, or an 

incumbent loses “currency”, the employee and management must develop a plan for regaining 

currency.