OBJECTIVES, POLICY AND SCOPE OF OPERATION CHAPTER 10 

2024 NATIONAL INTERAGENCY STANDARDS FOR RESOURCE MOBILIZATION 1

CHAPTER 10

OBJECTIVES, POLICYAND SCOPE OF OPERATION

MISSION STATEMENT – NATIONAL INTERAGENCY COORDINATION CENTER

The principal mission of the National Interagency Coordination Center (NICC) at the National 

Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) is the cost-effective and timely coordination of land management 

agency emergency response for wildland fire. As a partner in the National Response Framework 

(NRF) and as interagency cooperators, we will also meet the requirements of all-hazard incidents 

as directed by the NRF or Presidential and Secretarial direction. This is accomplished through 

planning, situation monitoring, and expediting resource orders between the Bureau of Indian 

Affairs (BIA) Areas, Bureau of Land Management (BLM) States, National Association of State 

Foresters (NASF), Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) Regions, Forest Service (FS) Regions, 

National Park Service (NPS) Regions, National Weather Service (NWS) Regions, Federal 

Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Regions through the United States Fire Administration 

(USFA) and other cooperating agencies. 

PURPOSE

The National Interagency Standards for Resource Mobilization identifies standard procedures that 

guide the operations of multi-agency operational and logistical support activity throughout the 

national coordination system. These standards are intended to facilitate interagency dispatch 

coordination, ensuring timely and cost-effective incident support services are provided. It is 

designed to accommodate amendments as needed and will be retained as current material until 

amended. Local and Geographic Mobilization Guides should be used to supplement the National 

Interagency Standards for Resource Mobilization.

TOTAL MOBILITY CONCEPT

The national coordination system uses the total mobility concept to position and utilize resources 

to meet existing and anticipated incident, preparedness, severity, wildland and prescribed fire 

needs regardless of geographic location or agency affiliation. 

To accomplish total mobility, all resources will be statused and assigned in the resource ordering 

system regardless of incident type or location. 

PRIORITIES

When competition for wildland fire resources occurs among Geographic Areas, the National 

Multi-Agency Coordination Group (NMAC) at NIFC will establish national priorities.

The delegation of authority for NMAC states: 

“NMAC is the national level authority for directing and controlling firefighting resource 

allocations between Geographic Areas to ensure priority objectives are met, with full authority to 

take appropriate actions to implement their decisions.” 

When requested, Geographic Areas will establish priorities for their incidents and wildland fires 

and report them to NICC.
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The single overriding suppression priority is the protection of human life – both that of our 

firefighters and of the public. 

In setting national priorities and drawdown levels, the following criteria will be considered: 

• Protecting communities and community infrastructure, other property and improvements, 

and natural and cultural resources. 

• Maintaining initial attack capability.

• Limiting costs without compromising safety.

• Meeting agency suppression objectives. 

• Support to National Response Framework (NRF) taskings. 

Resource allocation decisions are based on the following considerations: 

• Wildfire suppression. 

• Emergency Support Function (ESF) / National Response Framework. 

• Agency Prescribed Fire operations.

• International cooperation. 

NATIONAL RESOURCES

National Resources are those which have national utilization, high demand, limited availability, 

and unique status reporting requirements identified by NICC. They are: 

• Complex Incident Management Teams (CIMT).

• National Incident Management Organization Teams (NIMO).

• Area Command Teams. 

• National Buying Teams. 

• Type 1 Interagency Hotshot Crews. 

• Large and Very Large Airtankers. 

• Modular Airborne Firefighting System. 

• Type 3 Multi-Engine Water Scoopers. 

• National Aerial Supervision Modules and Lead Planes. 

• Exclusive-Use Air Tactical Aircraft and personnel. 

• Smokejumpers and Smokejumper Aircraft. 

• National Contract Type 1 and Type 2 Helicopters, helitack (including rappel) and 

associated contract personnel.

• National Contract and agency owned Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) and modules. 

• National Infrared Aircraft (Agency and Contract).

• Large Transport Aircraft. 

• National Contract Mobile Food Services Units. 

• National Contract Mobile Shower Facilities. 

• Incident Remote Automatic Weather Station.

• National Interagency Support Cache (NISC) System. 
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2024 NATIONAL INTERAGENCY STANDARDS FOR RESOURCE MOBILIZATION 3

• National Fire Equipment System (NFES) Managed Items.

When requested by NMAC, GACCs will notify NICC of the commitment of National Resources 

within their Geographic Area. 

LOCAL AND GEOGRAPHIC AREA DRAWDOWN LEVELS

Drawdown is the predetermined number and type of fire suppression resources that are required 

to maintain viable initial attack (IA) capability at either the local or Geographic Area.

Drawdown resources are considered unavailable outside the local or Geographic Area for which 

they have been identified, National Resources may be reallocated by NMAC in coordination with 

the NICC and Geographic Areas to meet higher priority obligations. 

Drawdown is intended to ensure adequate fire suppression capability for local and/or geographic 

area managers and enable sound planning and preparedness at all management levels. 

Local drawdown is established by the local unit and/or the local MAC Group and implemented by 

the local dispatch office. The local dispatch office will notify the Geographic Area Coordination 

Center (GACC) of local drawdown decisions and actions. 

Geographic Area drawdown is established by the Geographic Area Multi-Agency Coordination 

Group (GMAC) and implemented by the GACC. The GACC will notify local dispatch offices and 

NICC of Geographic Area drawdown decisions and actions.

NATIONAL SURGE PACKAGES

National Surge Package (NSP) resources are intended to assist GMACs with a means to 

accomplish critical tactical missions. Prioritization and use of NSP resources should be based on 

probability of success, values at risk, and a strategy that will likely result in completing key 

incident objectives that may maintain or reduce incident complexity and/or resource needs. 

NMAC may assemble a variety of resources into NSPs. GACCs will be notified by NICC of the 

availability of NSP resource packages. Interested GMACs will provide a written request for

available NSP resource packages to NMAC through their NMAC liaison within 24 hours of 

notification.

Requests for NSP resource packages must include information about the strategy for use of the 

NSP package. This strategy should be specific and outline how the resources will be utilized to 

prevent specific incidents from increasing in complexity and/or to accomplish key incident 

objectives that decrease long-term resource needs on the incident(s).

The intent of NSP resource allocation is to assign the group of resources to a series of specific 

incidents to accomplish critical tactical and/or key incident objectives over the course of a threeto-seven-day span, then move the resources to the next priority incident. NSP resources should not 

be spread to multiple incidents where key incident objectives cannot be attained with a single NSP 

resource.

NSP resources may also be composed of support function personnel intended to assist GMACs 

with a means to reinforce key support functions during high tempo periods. Requests for support 

NSP resources should be based on current support function gaps and long-term outlook of support 

resource needs.
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It is the responsibility of the GMACs to ensure NSP resources/packages are utilized in alignment 

with the original request and report back to their NMAC liaison on accomplishments/utilization of 

surge resources/packages. 

NATIONAL READY RESERVE

National Ready Reserve (NRR) is a means by which NMAC identifies and readies specific 

categories, types, and quantities of fire suppression resources in order to maintain overall national 

readiness during periods of actual or predicted national suppression resource scarcity.

National Ready Reserve implementation responsibilities are as follows:

• NMAC establishes National Ready Reserve requirements by resource category, type, and 

quantity. 

• NICC implements NMAC intent by directing individual GACCs to place specific 

categories, types, and quantities of resources on National Ready Reserve. 

• GACCs direct local dispatch centers and/or assigned IMTs to specifically identify 

resources to be placed on National Ready Reserve. 

• NICC mobilizes National Ready Reserve resources through established ordering channels,

as necessary.

National Ready Reserve resources must meet the following requirements: 

• May be currently assigned to ongoing incidents. 

• Must be able to demobilize and be enroute to the new assignment in less than 2 hours. 

• Resources must have a minimum of 7 days left in a 14-day rotation (extensions will not be 

factored in this calculation).

• May be assigned to incidents after being designated ready reserve, in coordination with 

NICC; and

• Designated ready reserve resources may be adjusted on a daily basis. 

NMAC will adjust ready reserve requirements as needed. Furthermore, in order to maintain 

national surge capability, NMAC may retain available resources within a Geographic Area, over 

and above the established Geographic Area drawdown level. 

SCOPE OF OPERATION

National Response Framework (NRF) 

The NRF provides a comprehensive, national, all-hazards approach to domestic incident 

management across a spectrum of activities including prevention, protection, mitigation, and 

recovery. The NRF identifies the Forest Service as the Primary and Coordinating agency for 

implementing the Emergency Support Function (ESF) #4, Firefighting with the scope of 

coordinating firefighting activities and providing personnel, equipment, and supplies in support of 

state, tribal and local agencies involved in wildland, rural and urban firefighting operations. The 

NRF also identifies the Department of Interior (DOI) as a Primary Agency, along with the United 

States Department of Agriculture (USDA), for implementing ESF #11, Agriculture and Natural 

Resources. The Forest Service and DOI also have Support Agency responsibilities under all 15 

Emergency Support Functions. 
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Activities will be accomplished utilizing established dispatch coordination concepts. The affected 

GACC will coordinate ordering points with Regional Response Coordination Centers (RRCC) and 

Joint Field Offices (JFO). As necessary, it will pass on to NICC at Boise, ID for national response 

and logistical support when Geographic Area resources are fully committed. In the event of 

national level shortages or unavailability, the National Response Coordination Centers (NRCC) 

through the ESF #4 Desk in Washington, DC will pursue resolution of such shortages. Requests 

that originate from the NRCC will be processed through the Virginia Interagency Coordination 

Center (VICC) in Roanoke, VA. Situation and damage assessment information will be transmitted 

through established fire management intelligence channels.

In most cases, federal agencies, when requested to support the NRF, will provide base eight salaries 

for permanent employees. FEMA will reimburse overtime, travel, and per diem costs for all 

employees. Base eight salaries may be reimbursed for temporary, Administratively Determined

(AD) and state employees mobilized to assist.

U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance 

USAID Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance Requests for support from foreign countries other 

than those countries with which the Departments of Agriculture and Interior have agreements 

(Canada and Mexico) and arrangements (Australia and New Zealand) will come to NIFC from the 

Forest Service International Programs’ Disaster Assistance Support Program (DASP) through the 

USAIDs Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (USAID/BHA). BHA is the U.S. Government’s lead 

coordinator for international humanitarian assistance. Refer to the International Emergency 

Assistance Response Process, Operating Plan for USDA Forest Service.

More information about the mission of BHA and how it organizes and responds can be found at 

following web site: 

https://www.usaid.gov/who-we-are/organization/bureaus/bureau-humanitarian-assistance

More information about DASP can be found at the following website: 

https://www.fs.usda.gov/about-agency/international-programs/program-topics

MOBILIZATION/DEMOBILIZATION

The NICC will coordinate the movement of all resources across Geographic Area dispatch 

boundaries not covered by local operating plans, agreements or other direction found in this guide. 

When it is reasonable to expect containment prior to the next operational period, dispatch centers 

at the local level should coordinate directly if resources are used for initial attack on adjacent 

jurisdictions. If it becomes evident the incident will not be contained during the first operational 

period, resources mobilized will be ordered through established ordering channels. 

Resource mobilization and reassignments between Northern California Operations and Southern 

California Operations do not require resource orders placed through NICC. The NICC must be 

notified on movement of National Resources.

Units responding to non-compact requests are responsible for ensuring the resources dispatched 

meet the criteria specified in this Guide and/or the National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) 

Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1 found at the following link: 

https://www.nwcg.gov/publications/310-1
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Resources assigned to emergency incidents will follow sending agency dispatch procedures for 

travel to the incident. Incident agency dispatch procedures will be followed for return travel from 

the incident with the hosting dispatch office making travel arrangements and providing airline 

tickets or travel information to individuals and resources as needed. Travel arrangements made 

outside of incident agency dispatch procedures may not be reimbursed without proper approvals 

and authorization. Commercial and/or contract transportation methods may be used. 

During demobilization of resources, emphasis will be placed on having personnel home no later 

than 2200 hours local time. Occasionally, the availability of large transport aircraft will dictate 

demobilization timeframes. 

WORK/REST

This section states work/rest policy for the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Bureau 

of Land Management, National Park Service, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Other agencies, 

state and local governments, and cooperators should reference policy specific to their organization.

To mitigate fatigue, agency administrators, fire managers, supervisors, incident commanders (IC), 

and individual firefighters should plan for and ensure that all personnel are provided a minimum 

2:1 work/rest ratio (for every 2 hours of work or travel, provide 1 hour of sleep and/or rest). Work 

shifts that exceed 16 hours and/or consecutive days that do not meet the 2:1 work/rest ratio should 

be the exception. When this occurs, the following actions are required: 

• Personnel will resume 2:1 work/rest ratio as quickly as possible. 

• The IC or agency administrator will justify work shifts that exceed 16 hours and/or 

consecutive days that do not meet 2:1 work to rest ratio. Justification will be documented 

in the daily incident records, made available to the employee by the finance section/local 

unit, and must include mitigation measures used to reduce fatigue. 

• The time officer’s/unit leader’s approval of the Emergency Firefighter Time Report (OF288), or other agency pay document, certifies that the required documentation is on file 

and no further documentation is required for pay purposes. 

The work/rest guidelines do not apply to aircraft pilots assigned to an incident. Pilots must abide 

by applicable Federal Aviation Administration (FAA, https://www.faa.gov/pilots) guidelines, or 

agency policy if more restrictive.

LENGTH OF ASSIGNMENT

This section states length of assignment policy for the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Indian 

Affairs, Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 

Other agencies, state and local governments, and cooperators should reference policy specific to 

their organization. 

Assignment Definition

An assignment is defined as the time period (days) between the first full operational period 

excluding travel, and the last operational period. The last operational period is the last full day 

worked which excludes all travel. Assignments include prescribed fire and fuels treatments.
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Length of Assignment

Standard assignment length is 14 days, exclusive of travel from and to the home unit, with possible 

extensions identified below. Time spent in staging and preposition status counts toward the 

14-day limit, regardless of pay status, for all personnel, including incident management 

teams (IMT). Contracted aircraft are not restricted by length of assignment. In order to limit 

disruption to operations, reduce strain on the ordering system and reduce unnecessary mobilization 

and demobilization of these high-cost resources, exclusive-use aviation personnel are encouraged 

to utilize a personnel rotation schedule that meets staffing criteria required of the resource. When 

numerous internal rotations of staffing Exclusive-Use aircraft occur, consideration for aircraft 

exchange shall be given by aviation managers and coordinators. Requests for such an exchange 

shall be coordinated with all parties involved to include the aircraft manager, IMT or hosting unit, 

GACC, NICC and applicable National Aircraft Coordinator. The ability to grant such requests 

during high fire activity or planning levels may be limited due to extenuating circumstances. 

14-day Scenario

Days Off 

To assist in mitigating fatigue, days off are allowed during and after assignments. Agency 

administrators (incident host or home unit) may authorize time off supplementary to mandatory 

days off requirements. 

The authority to grant a day off with pay lies within 5 U.S.C. 6104, 5 CFR 610.301-306, AND 56

COMP. GEN. DECISION 393 (1977). 

After completion of a 14-day assignment and return to the home unit, three mandatory days off 

will be provided (also referred to as “3 after 14”). Days off must occur on the calendar days 

immediately following the return travel in order to be charged to the incident (SEE SECTION 12.1-

2.) (5 U.S.C. 6104, 5 CFR 610.301-306, AND 56 COMP. GEN. DECISION 393 (1977). For offsite/remote assignments, days off must occur on the calendar days immediately following last 

operational shift worked. If the next day(s) upon return from an incident is/are a regular 

workday(s), a paid day(s) off will be authorized. Regulations may preclude authorizing this for 

non-National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) and State/local employees. 

Pay entitlement, including administrative leave for a paid day(s) off, cannot be authorized on the 

individual’s regular day(s) off at their home unit. Agencies will apply holiday pay regulations, as 

appropriate. A paid day off is recorded on home unit time records according to agency 

requirements. Administratively Determined (AD) personnel are not entitled to paid day(s) off upon 

release from the incident or at their point of hire. 

Contract resources are not entitled to paid day(s) off upon release from the incident or at their point 

of hire.

Travel Day 1-14 

(work) Travel
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• DOI – After completion of a 14-day assignment and return travel, the mandatory days off will be 

charged to administrative leave (code 061, Weather and Safety) if they fall on a regularly scheduled 

workday.

Home unit agency administrators may authorize additional day(s) off with compensation to further 

mitigate fatigue. If authorized, home unit program funds will be used. 

Assignment Extension

Extensions beyond 14-day assignments should be made sparingly. Consider the health, readiness, 

and capability of incident personnel prior to authorizing back-to-back assignments. The health and 

safety of incident personnel and resources will not be compromised under any circumstance. 

Assignments may be extended when: 

• Life and property are imminently threatened. 

• Suppression objectives are close to being met. 

• A military battalion is assigned.

• Replacement resources are unavailable or have not yet arrived.

• The assignment is a planned event (e.g., fuels treatment, prescribed fire implementation) 

with fatigue mitigations (e.g., shorter workdays, adequate rest in hotels, etc.). 

Upon completion of the standard 14-day assignment, an extension of up to an additional 14 days 

may be allowed (for a total of up to 30 days, inclusive of mandatory days off, and exclusive of 

travel).

21-day Scenario

A 21-day assignment is exclusive of travel from and to home unit. Time spent in staging and 

preposition status counts toward the 21-day assignment, regardless of pay status, for all personnel, 

including IMTs. 

30-day Scenario

An assignment longer than 22 days is exclusive of travel from and to home unit. Time spent in 

staging and preposition status counts toward the assignment, regardless of pay status, for all 

personnel, including IMTs. For an assignment exceeding 21 days, two mandatory days off will be 

provided prior to the 22nd day of the assignment. 

For an assignment exceeding 21 days, two mandatory days off will be provided prior to the 22nd 

day of the assignment. Upon completion of the assignment and return to the home unit, three 

mandatory days off will be provided. 

Travel Day 1-14 

(work)

Day 15-21 

(work) Travel

Travel Day 1-14 

(work)

Day 15-21 

(work & 2 

mandatory days 

off)

Day 22-30 

(work) Travel
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Contracts, incident blanket purchase agreements (I-BPA), and emergency equipment rental 

agreements (EERA) should be reviewed for appropriate pay requirements and length of 

assignment. If the contract, I-BPA, or EERA do not address this, the incident 

Finance/Administration Section chief or the procurement official should be consulted as to 

whether compensation for a day off is appropriate.

Single Resource/Kind Extensions

The section chief or IC will identify the need for assignment extension and will obtain the affected 

resource’s concurrence. The section chief and affected resource will acquire and document the 

home unit supervisor’s approval.

The IC approves the extension. If a convened Geographic Multi-Agency Coordinating Group 

(GMAC) or the National Multi-Agency Coordinating Group (NMAC) directs, the IC approves 

only after GMAC/NMAC concurrence.

If the potential exists for reassignment to another incident during the extension, the home unit 

supervisor and the affected resource will be advised and must concur prior to reassignment.

CIMT Length of Assignment and Mandatory Unavailability

The assignment length and unavailability period for CIMTs is determined based on the Incident 

Commander’s (IC) travel and follows the process outlined below:

• Day 1 will be the first full day following IC travel to the reporting location on the original 

resource order, whether it is staging/preposition, to shadow, or the first day in command of 

the incident.

• For a 14-day assignment, transfer of command may happen on day 14 or the morning of 

day 15, provided travel back to the home unit begins on day 15. Closeouts, evaluations, 

and other final processes should be conducted prior to day 15.

• Should an extension be approved, the transfer of command will occur no later than the final 

extension date.

• Requests to NMAC for a CIMT to be available again prior to the 7-day unavailability 

period should occur prior to the start of the 7 days. Only in exceptional circumstances will 

a CIMT be asked by NMAC within the 7-day period to roster prior to the end of the 7 days.

• The day following return travel by the IC will be day 1 of the CIMT unavailability period. 

The CIMT will be available to roster after a full 7 days have passed. Agency approved days 

off are included in the 7-day unavailability period.

• Tracking of these days will be accomplished by the Geographic Areas and shared with the 

NICC CIMT Coordinator for planning purposes.

Incident Management Team Extensions

Incident management team extensions are to be negotiated between the incident agency 

administrator, the IC, and the GMAC/NMAC, if directed.

Maximum Consecutive Days Worked – Home Unit

During extended periods of activity at the home unit, personnel will have a minimum of 2 days off 

in any 21-day period. Home unit is defined as the duty station.
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• FS – During extended periods of activity in support of local fire management, personnel will have 

a minimum of 2 days off in any 14-day period. 

INCIDENT OPERATIONS DRIVING

These standards address driving by personnel actively engaged in wildland fire or all-hazard 

response activities, including driving while assigned to a specific incident or during initial attack 

fire response (includes time required to control the fire and travel to a rest location). In the absence 

of more restrictive agency policy, these guidelines will be followed during mobilization and 

demobilization as well. Individual agency driving policies shall be consulted for all other nonincident driving. 

Agency resources assigned to an incident or engaged in initial attack fire response will adhere to 

the current agency work/rest policy for determining length of duty day. 

• No driver will drive more than 10 hours (behind the wheel) within any duty day. 

• Multiple drivers in a single vehicle may drive up to the duty day limitation provided no 

driver exceeds the individual driving (behind the wheel) time limitation of 10 hours. 

• A driver shall drive only if they have had at least 8 consecutive hours off-duty before 

beginning a shift. Exception to the minimum off-duty hour requirement is allowed when 

essential to:

o Accomplish immediate and critical suppression objectives, or

o Address immediate and critical firefighter or public safety issues.

• As stated in the current agency work/rest policy, documentation of mitigation measures 

used to reduce fatigue is required for drivers who exceed 16-hour work shifts. This is 

required regardless of whether the driver was still compliant with the 10-hour individual 

(behind the wheel) driving time limitations.

INITIAL ATTACK DEFINITION

Initial Attack (IA) is a preplanned response to a wildfire, given the wildfire’s potential. Initial 

attack may include size up, patrolling, monitoring, holding action, or suppression. Initial Attack 

will take priority over extended attack incidents. 

Dispatch centers are to inform all resources of the name of the assigned Incident Commander and 

all other pertinent information. All changes in Incident Command leadership will be announced to 

assigned and incoming resources during initial and extended attack incidents. This information 

should also be relayed to Fire Management staff. 

Initial attack involving the commitment of resources across recognized dispatch boundaries must 

comply with the following guidelines: 

• Resources dispatched are identified in formalized Agreements, Operating Plans, or 

Memoranda of Understanding and are located on/or adjacent to mutual jurisdictional 

wildland fire management boundaries. 

• At the time it becomes evident the incident will not be contained during the first operational 

period, at the request of the sending unit, resources assigned will be formally ordered 

through established ordering channels. 
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RESOURCE MOBILIZATION

To ensure safe and efficient mobilization of resources to incidents, resources are requested and 

mobilized using the Interagency Resource Ordering Capability (IROC). Standard interagency 

mobilization processes are identified within the Interagency Standards for Resource Ordering 

Guide (ISROG) located at the following link: 

https://www.nifc.gov/sites/default/files/NICC/3-Logistics/Reference%20Documents/ISROG.pdf

Except for compact orders, NICC will not process requests for resources “after the fact,” for 

resources that self-mobilized i.e., requests for resources that have mobilized to an incident prior to 

receiving a resource order.

NICC will process requests for Task Forces if the requested configuration is clearly identified in 

the “Special Needs” block on the resource order. If “Special Needs” does not identify the specific 

configuration, the request will not be processed. 

The Mobile Food & Shower Service Request Form, the Aircraft Flight Request/Schedule Form, 

and the Preparedness/Detail Request Form are the approved forms (Chapter 80) that, when 

associated with an IROC request, satisfy documentation required for the resource to be mobilized. 

Responsible agency management fiscal codes must be included on each approved form. 

The NICC will process resource orders for planned events. The NICC will not process overhead 

resource orders for training unless it is required for an AD hire, or for a unique situation (agency 

approval required). 

Prior to incident mobilization, all resources will be requested, by a standard resource categorization 

(A = Aircraft; O = Overhead; C = Crews; E = Equipment; S = Supplies) and identified with a 

unique request number through established dispatch channels. 

A two (2) letter (alpha) identifier for the State in which the responsible agency is located, followed 

by a three (3) or four (4) character (alpha and/or numeric) identifier for the responsible agency, 

and a unique order or incident number containing a maximum of six (6) characters (alpha and/or 

numeric) will make up the incident/project order number.

Resources assigned to incidents will be identified by a two (2) letter (alpha) identifier for the State 

in which the resource is based, followed by a three (3) or four (4) character (alpha and/or numeric)

identifier for the sending agency. 

For a complete listing of Unit Identifiers go to: https://unitid.nifc.gov/

Compacts 

The Weeks Act of 1911 authorized states to enter into compacts for the protection of forests and 

watersheds. Today there are eight Forest Fire Compacts in the United States and Canada 

representing almost all U.S. states and Canadian provinces/territories. 

Recognition of the need for consistency and continuity has led to the development of the Alliance 

of Forest Fire Compacts. The Alliance includes all eight forest fire compacts in the U.S. and 

Canada. More information is located at: http://affcompacts.org. 

The purpose of forest fire compacts is to facilitate the sharing and coordination of resources, 

information, prevention efforts, training, fire management knowledge, and lessons learned. 
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Compacts allow for the exchange or resources between states, provinces and territories by using 

established procedures incorporating agency specific standards and terms.

State and federal agencies use the national interagency mobilization system as authorized in master 

cooperative wildland fire agreements. Forest fire compact orders are often processed in the 

national interagency mobilization system under the authorities of the forest fire compacts. 

Resources shared under compact authorities remain under compact control for the duration of their 

assignment and are separate from national interagency mobilizations. The two systems sometimes 

overlap, and understanding compact mobilizations is an important part of dispatching. 

WILDLAND FIRE ENTRAPMENT/FATALITY

Entrapment: A situation where personnel are unexpectedly caught in a fire behavior-related, life – 

threatening position, where planned escape routes or safety zones are absent, inadequate, or have 

been compromised. An entrapment may or may not include deployment of a fire shelter for its 

intended purpose. This situation may or may not result in injury. They include “near misses.” 

In the event that a wildland fire entrapment or fatality occurs, it should be reported immediately to

the NICC. A Wildland Fire Fatality and Entrapment Initial Report should be completed within 

twenty-four (24) hours and emailed to the NICC Coordinator on Duty (COD). Submit this report 

even if some data is missing. 

NICC COD: nicc.cod@firenet.gov

The form is located at the following web site: 

https://www.nifc.gov/nicc/logistics/reference-documents 

Subsequent to the Initial Report, the investigation and review shall be conducted following agency 

specific policies and NWCG Guidelines.

UNABLE TO FILL (UTF) PROCEDURE

A 48 hour “Unable to Fill” (UTF) policy exists nationally. NICC will return requests to the 

ordering GACC with a “UTF” no more than 48 hours after receipt, unless notified the order can 

be filled. NICC will not accept or process any request previously UTF’d unless a new request 

number is assigned. 

STANDARD CUBES, WEIGHT, AND GEAR POLICY FOR ALL PERSONNEL

All personnel, (excluding Smokejumpers, Rappellers, and Helicopter Managers), dispatched off 

their unit must conform to the following limitations:

• One frameless, soft pack, not to exceed 45 pounds. 

• Web gear or briefcase (not both), not to exceed 20 pounds. 

• Maximum allowable crew weight, including equipment, is 5,300 pounds (6,625 pounds for 

25 person crews). 

• All personnel baggage weights must be displayed separately from individual weights on 

flight manifests.

• Pre-identified Complex Incident Management Team members are authorized additional 

weight, not to exceed 300 pounds, for equipment per team. The Incident Commander must 
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2024 NATIONAL INTERAGENCY STANDARDS FOR RESOURCE MOBILIZATION 13

designate, in advance, which team members are authorized additional weight and make this 

a matter of record.

NATIONAL FIRE PREPAREDNESS PLAN

National Preparedness Levels are established by NMAC at NIFC throughout the calendar year. 

Preparedness Levels are dictated by burning conditions, fire and non-fire activity, and resource 

availability. Resource availability is the area of most concern. Situations and activities described 

within the Preparedness Levels consider wildland fires, prescribed fires, all-hazard response and 

international assistance. At Preparedness Levels 4 or 5, prescribed fire application can be 

continued or be initiated if the proposed action is approved by an agency at the Regional or State 

Office level. This approval must be based on an assessment of risk, impacts of the proposed actions 

on Area resources and activities. At any Preparedness Level, NMAC may request that proposed 

new prescribed fire (Rx) applications be curtailed to meet national resource needs for emergency 

operations. Reference specific agency guidance for further information. 

WHY PREPAREDNESS LEVELS ARE ESTABLISHED

Preparedness Levels are established to: 

• Identify the level of wildland fire and non-fire activity, severity, and resource commitment 

nationally. 

• Identify actions to be taken at NIFC and Geographic Areas to ensure an appropriate level 

of preparedness/readiness for the existing and potential situation. 

• Guide and direct Geographic Area Fire Management activities when essential to ensure 

national preparedness or in response to the national situation. 

The NICC will monitor the national wildland fire activity and Geographic Area Preparedness 

Levels and will recommend to NMAC a National Preparedness Level. Response and support to 

non-fire incidents requiring a significant commitment of resources may also affect National 

Preparedness Levels. National Preparedness Levels will be responsive to the Homeland Security 

Advisory System. 

National Preparedness Levels are determined from the ground up and may influence resource 

allocations within Geographic Areas not experiencing significant activity to ensure sufficient 

resources are available for the national situation.

GEOGRAPHIC AREA PREPAREDNESS LEVELS

Geographic Area Preparedness Plans should be prepared in accordance with Agency Directives. 

Copies of Geographic Area Plans should be forwarded to NICC. 

PREPAREDNESS LEVEL DESCRIPTIONS

Preparedness Level 1

Geographic Areas accomplish incident management objectives utilizing local resources with little 

or no national support. There is little risk of drawing down capability in any geographic area to 

support incident operations. 
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• Conditions are not favorable to support significant wildland fire activity in most 

Geographic Areas.

• Resource capability is adequate with little or no mobilization of resources occurring 

through NICC.

• Potential for emerging significant wildland fires is expected to remain minimal.

Preparedness Level 2

Active Geographic Areas may require national support to accomplish incident management 

objectives. Resource capability remains stable enough nationally to sustain incident operations and 

meet objectives in active Geographic Areas. There is a low to moderate probability that drawing 

down resources from non-active Geographic Areas may pose a risk should existing conditions 

change.

• Significant wildland fire or non-fire activity is increasing in a few Geographic Areas.

• Resources within most Geographic Areas are adequate to manage the current situation, 

with light to moderate mobilization of resources occurring through NICC.

• Potential for emerging significant wildland fires is normal to below normal for the time of 

year.

Preparedness Level 3

Mobilization of resources nationally is required to sustain incident management operations in 

active Geographic Areas. National priorities are established to address the demand for shared 

resources among active Geographic Areas. There is a moderate to high probability that drawing 

down resources from non-active Geographic Areas may pose a risk should existing conditions 

change.

• Significant wildland fire or non-fire activity is occurring in multiple Geographic Areas with 

Incident Management Teams (IMTs) actively engaged.

• Mobilization of resources through NICC is moderate to heavy.

• Potential for emerging significant wildland fires is normal for the time of year.

Preparedness Level 4

National Resources are heavily committed. National mobilization trends affect all Geographic 

Areas and regularly occur over larger distances. National priorities govern resources of all types. 

Heavy demand on inactive/low activity Geographic Areas for available resources.

• Significant wildland fire or non-fire activity is occurring in multiple Geographic Areas with 

a substantial commitment of IMTs.

• NICC increasingly engages GACCs to coordinate and fill orders for available resources.

• Potential for significant incidents emerging in multiple Geographic Areas indicates that 

resource demands will continue or increase.

Preparedness Level 5

National Resources are heavily committed, and additional measures are taken to support 

Geographic Areas. Active Geographic Areas must take emergency measures to sustain incident 

operations. Inactive/low activity Geographic Areas are reaching drawdown levels.
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• Full commitment of National Resources is ongoing. 

• NICC coordinates resource requests with GACCs as resources become available.

• Potential for emerging significant wildland fires is high and expected to remain high in 

multiple Geographic Areas. 

PREPAREDNESS LEVEL ACTIONS TAKEN BY NICC/NMAC

The following specific actions will be taken by the NICC and/or NMAC for the corresponding 

Preparedness Levels regardless of activity or the time of year. At any PL level, NMAC may assume 

the responsibilities of the NICC based on resource allocation and activity.

Preparedness Level 1

• NICC produces the Incident Management Situation Report (IMSR) weekly on Fridays or 

as needed based on significant activity. 

• NMAC meets as needed to accomplish administrative and procedural business.

• NICC manages national resource allocations as coordinated with NMAC based on preestablished prioritization criteria and resource mobilization guidelines.

• NICC CIMT Coordinator will monitor and coordinate CIMTs. 

Preparedness Level 2

• NICC produces the IMSR daily Monday through Friday. 

• NMAC meets on a regular basis to ensure situational awareness nationally as well as 

assessing resource commitment and availability.

• NICC manages national resource allocations as coordinated with NMAC based on preestablished prioritization criteria and resource mobilization guidelines.

• NICC will actively engage with the Geographic Areas for the assessment and coordination 

of Incident Management Teams.

Preparedness Level 3

• NICC produces the IMSR daily. 

• NMAC will assume management of Type 1 and Type 2IA Crew assignments. 

• NMAC will monitor CIMT assignments and may engage with GAs as necessary to achieve 

team experience objectives, ensure proficiency, manage fatigue, or for other reasons.

• NMAC activates the following support functions: 

o Crew Coordinator 

o CIMT Coordinator 

o SMKJ Coordinator 

• NMAC implements a formal meeting schedule to align with the national situation.

Preparedness Level 4

• NMAC will manage all crew assignments.

• NMAC will manage all CIMT assignments. CIMT rationale forms may be required for all 

requests.

• NMAC will evaluate the need for activations of military and/or international assistance.
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• NMAC meets daily Monday through Friday and on weekends as needed. 

Preparedness Level 5

• NMAC may activate additional support functions as needed: 

• NMAC receives requests for and assembles/allocates surge packages.

• NMAC may activate military and/or international assistance.

• NMAC has the delegated authority and may actively manage all suppression resources as 

needed. 

MULTI-AGENCY COORDINATING GROUPS (MAC) ORGANIZATION

Multi-Agency Coordinating Groups (MAC) at the National and Geographic Area level should be 

activated in accordance with needs found in the National or Geographic Area Mobilization Guides.

As the number and complexity of wildland fires increase, involvement and/or impact on agencies 

increase, and competition for resources increase, it becomes necessary to expand the normal 

coordination system to ensure efficient use of critical and National Resources.

There may be a need for Geographic Areas to activate their MAC Groups when the National 

Preparedness Level is at 5, enabling geographic area response to requests and direction from 

NMAC.

National Multi-Agency Coordinating Group (NMAC) Organization 

During National Preparedness Levels 4 and 5, NMAC is activated for daily briefings and meetings. 

Through intergovernmental coordination, NMAC provides national wildland fire operations 

direction, prioritization, allocation, and oversight. 

For information regarding NMAC go to: 

https://www.nifc.gov/nicc/nmac 

NIFC Directors’ Delegations

The FS, BLM, BIA, NPS, FWS, NASF, and FEMA Directors at NIFC have written, delegated 

authority, from their respective agency heads to represent their agency on all matters related to 

wildland fire operations. This includes membership on NMAC, determining national priorities, 

and allocating/reallocating incident resources. 

NMAC Roles/Responsibilities:

• Establish national priorities among the Geographic Areas. 
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• Direct, allocate or reallocate resources among or between Geographic Areas to meet 

national priorities.

• Anticipate and identify future national fire management resource requirements 

(prepositioning).

• Provide oversight of general business practices between NMAC and GMAC groups.

• Distribute and archive decisions, direction, and best management practices.

• Provide an NMAC member as the media spokesperson assisting NIFC External Affairs for 

issues of national importance (as requested).

• NMAC members serves as liaisons to specific Geographic Areas.

• NMAC members are responsible for dissemination of written correspondence to their 

respective agencies.

• Determine National Preparedness Levels (PLs).

• Determine national fire resource availability to support non-fire/all-hazard operations 

(Reference Support to the National Response Framework).

• Determine activation, coordination, and involvement of military and international 

resources.

o Requests for assistance from the military that may include MAFFS, military ground 

support, etc.

o Requests for assistance from foreign countries such as New Zealand, Australia, 

Canada, Mexico, etc.

• Manage Area Command Teams.

• Provides liaison and oversight to the Incident Commanders Advisory Council (ICAC).

• Manage Complex Incident Management Team rotations, monitor work/rest cycles, and 

may modify national rotations.

NMAC Support Function Responsibilities:

At any time regardless of Preparedness Levels NMAC may activate additional support functions. 

The following standard practices will apply when the specific role is activated:

Incident Management Team Coordinator:

• Coordinates with NICC and the GA to implement NMAC decisions.

• Tracks all IMT utilization.

• Provide recommendations to NMAC for team assignments.

Crew Coordinator:

• Coordinates with NICC and the GA to implement NMAC decisions.

• Tracks all Type 1 and 2IA crew assignments.

• At PL 4 and 5, NMAC may delegate tracking of all crew types.

• Provides recommendations to NMAC for crew allocations.

• Works directly with GAs to track crew needs and availability.

Smokejumper Coordinator:

• Coordinates with NICC and the GA to implement NMAC decisions.
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• Tracks all smokejumper movement and availability.

• Assists NMAC and the NICC in prioritizing competing booster requests. 

Responsibilities of GMACs:

• Determine and set Geographic Area priorities.

• Acquire, allocate, and reallocate resources.

• Issue coordinated Situation Assessment Statements.

MAC Group Coordinator 

The MAC Group Coordinator should be assigned when a MAC Group is activated. The MAC 

Group Coordinator serves as a facilitator to multi-agency decision making. The position provides 

expertise in obtaining and summarizing multi-agency information to affect collective decisions at 

the MAC Group level and implementing agencies’ priorities.

Responsibilities of the MAC Group Coordinator: 

• Ensure MAC Group decisions are communicated and implemented through established 

channels.

• Arrange for and manage facilities and equipment necessary to support the MAC Group 

function. 

• Facilitate the MAC Group decision process by ensuring the analysis and display of 

information that will assist the MAC Group, or their representatives, in keeping abreast of 

the total situation.

• Provide the data necessary for setting priorities, resource allocation and other collective 

decisions. 

Complexity 

An increase in complexity usually requires more involvement with management. Examples of 

complex situations are multiple problem fires, multiple agency involvement, or when competition 

for resources is high. MAC Groups may be activated in the most complex situations or directed by 

a Preparedness Level. They provide direction to off-incident coordination and support. Basic 

actions of a MAC Group are priority setting, allocating resources, and issuing coordinated situation 

assessments to the media. MAC Groups occur at all levels of the organization. 

Communications to and from the incident(s) are accomplished through the host agency’s dispatch 

unit, using established dispatch channels. This includes ICS-209s, supplemental intelligence 

worksheets, situation assessments, analysis, prognosis, and fire behavior/weather information. The 

Agency Administrator will communicate specific direction and policy directly to the Incident 

Commander(s) and Public Affairs will contact the Incident Information Officer(s) for media 

information and/or news releases. Redundant contacts are to be avoided. 

INCIDENT SUPPORT ORGANIZATION (ISO)

Agency Administrators are responsible for emergency operations. They provide general guidance 

and interact with the MAC Group. Typically, some or all of their responsibilities are delegated to 

personnel who can devote more complete attention to the situation. Often, the unit Fire 

Management Officer (FMO) has responsibility for the ISO and as a representative on the local 
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2024 NATIONAL INTERAGENCY STANDARDS FOR RESOURCE MOBILIZATION 19

MAC Group. Routine initial attack and other dispatch functions continue but are separated from 

the ISO. Each office shall maintain a Dispatch Operating Plan, which will include authorities, 

roles, and responsibilities for Expanded Dispatch personnel, procedures for routine and emergency 

operations, the resource order process, job aids, and references for the integration of Buying Teams 

and sources of supply. 

The ISO works to provide logistical support to the host agency and the incident(s). The ISO is 

implemented to address the increased business volume and to supplement established 

organizations. Staffing positions in an ISO are to be based on need rather than a preconceived 

organizational chart.

The ISO reports to the Agency Administrator and is composed of functional branches: Expanded 

Dispatch, Technical Support, and Administrative Support. The functional branches coordinate and 

cooperate to support the host agency and the incident(s). 

Incident Support Organization (ISO)

Expanded Dispatch Organization 

The Expanded Dispatch function of the ISO relieves the host agency’s dispatch unit by focusing 

exclusively on the large or complex incident(s). 

Expanded Dispatch Functional Areas

• Overhead

• Crews

• Aircraft, Logistical

• Equipment 

• Supplies 

The volume of orders and complexity of the incident(s) determines staffing levels and the degree 

of expertise required of the Expanded Dispatch organization. In less complex situations, one (1) 

dispatcher can handle more than one (1) functional area. Additional personnel may also work 

within the Expanded Dispatch, 

The Expanded Dispatch Supervisory Dispatcher (EDSP) is a facilitator accomplishing the 

direction provided by the Center Manager or Fire Management Officer, who has delegated 
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2024 NATIONAL INTERAGENCY STANDARDS FOR RESOURCE MOBILIZATION 20

authority from the Agency Administrator. Facilitation is accomplished by adequately staffing and 

supervising the operations of the Expanded Dispatch organization, maintaining positive and 

effective liaison with the host agency and incident management team(s), and assisting in clarifying 

the roles and responsibilities for the ISO and the host agency dispatch unit as needed. The 

individual filling this position must be a qualified EDSP and capable of performing all functions 

within the Expanded Dispatch organization.

An Expanded Dispatch Coordinator (CORD) is normally assigned in the most complex situations

where there are considerable external influences affecting the ISO, a local MAC Group is in place, 

or where span of control within the ISO and/or Expanded Dispatch becomes an issue.

Technical Support

The Technical Support function of the ISO provides specialized skills, which assist off-incident 

support operations. These can vary from situation to situation. Common Technical Support 

functions are telecommunications, caching of supplies, transportation services, equipment 

inspection, aviation ramp services, mobilization or demobilization center management, and 

security.

Administrative Support

The Administrative Support function of the ISO provides administrative services for the host 

agency, ISO, and incident(s). These can vary from situation to situation. Common Administrative 

Support functions are equipment and personnel timekeeping, procurement services such as a 

Buying Team(s), hiring of local ADs or casual employees, follow-up on local compensation and 

claims actions, providing fiscal advice, and vendor payments.

An Incident Business Advisor (INBA) may be ordered by the Agency Administrator to assist with 

incident business.

Example Organizations

ISOs are implemented to address the increased business volume and to supplement established 

organizations. Staff positions in an ISO are to be based on need rather than a preconceived 

organizational chart. (See ISO Organizations on the following pages.)

Incident Support Organization (ISO), Example – Complex Incident:
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Incident Support Organization (ISO), Example:

MOBILIZATION PROCEDURES FOR MILITARY ASSETS

It is advisable that units and field level users intending to order and utilize military resources obtain 

copies of the Military Use Handbook, located at: 

https://www.nifc.gov/sites/default/files/document-media/Military_Use_Handbook.pdf 
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INTERNATIONAL OPERATIONS

International Arrangements and Agreements, and respective Operating Plans, can be found at: 

https://www.nifc.gov/nicc/logistics/reference-documents 

Canada Support

Mobilizations involving the United States of America (USA) and Canada are governed and 

directed by the diplomatic note, Reciprocal Forest Fire Fighting Arrangement Operational 

Guidelines, and by local initial attack agreements. Requests to Canadian agencies will normally 

be made after USA resources are depleted, shortages are projected, or reasonable timeframes 

cannot be met. All requests for use of Canadian Resources must be ordered through NICC, except 

for local mutual aid that does not include provisions for any reimbursement. The USA may request 

airtankers from Canada only after all available contract and Call-When-Needed (CWN) aircraft 

have been mobilized. The USA may request helicopters from Canada after all available contract 

and CWN helicopters have been mobilized. 

Australia and New Zealand Support

Mobilizations involving the USA, Australia, and New Zealand are coordinated through NICC, and 

are defined in the Wildfire Arrangements between the Department of the Interior and Department 

of Agriculture of the United States and the Australian and New Zealand Participating Agencies 

and in the Annual Operating Plan for these Arrangements. Request to Australian and New Zealand 

Participating Agencies will normally be made after USA resources are depleted, shortages are 

projected, or reasonable timeframes cannot be met.

Mexico Support

Mobilizations involving the United States and Mexico for fires within ten (10) miles either side of 

the U.S. – Mexico border are defined in the Wildfire Protection Agreement between the 

Department of the Interior and the Department of Agriculture of the United States and the 

Secretariat of Environment, Natural Resources, and Fisheries of the United Mexican States for the 

Common Border. 

Mobilizing USA resources for suppression assistance within Mexico beyond the ten (10) mile zone 

must be approved and coordinated by NICC. 

Other Nations Support for Large Scale Mobilizations

DASP responds to requests from USAIDs Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (USAID/BHA). 

BHA works closely with U.S. Embassy's to determine if several criteria have been met for the U.S 

Ambassador to declare a disaster. There needs to be evidence of significant unmet humanitarian 

needs, U.S. humanitarian assistance will save lives, reduce suffering, and mitigate impact of 

emergencies, the affected country requests or will accept U.S. government assistance, and response 

aligns with U.S. government interests and objectives. If that support includes available resources 

through the land management agencies, BHA will go to DASP, DASP will place requests through 

NICC, which will also be coordinated through the DASP liaison located at NIFC. Small scale 

requests for disaster assistance or technical assistance are coordinated directly by DASP through 

the home units of the requested individuals. 
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Processes for International Mobilization of Federal Resources

International fire assignments are unique. The approval process for federal government employees 

has been expedited through the State Department and specific agencies, from 60-90 days to 3-7 

days. Due to the condensed process, it is critical the sending unit completes and submits all 

required documents in a timely manner. The NICC International Coordinator must have all 

completed documentation to ensure State Department and agency clearance prior to the employee

receiving country clearance. Clearance must be completed and approved prior to travel beginning. 

Dispatch Procedures for International Mobilization

International fire assignments are managed by the NICC, any questions should always be directed 

to the NICC International Coordinator. Once an order has been filled by a local dispatch center, 

they will ensure the completion of the following steps within the appropriate time allowed: 

• Ensure the resource is aware of all attached documentation within the order (i.e.: briefing 

packets, Special Needs documents, etc.)

• International Manifest is accurately completed and returned in a timely manner. The 

manifest must be submitted to NICC no later than 72 hours before the Needed Date and 

Time on the Resource Order Form. 

o Failure to meet the 72-hour timeframe will result in the order being canceled.

• Vehicle Information is completed (if applicable) within the manifest.

• Travel can be arranged but not implemented until notification is received from the NICC 

International Coordinator that they are cleared for travel. (This process may be different 

based on which country we are providing assistance/support.) 

o A copy of the itinerary is required to be submitted with the international manifest.

• Once the manifest is received by the NICC, it is sent to be reviewed for international travel 

clearance. (This may take 48 hours or longer) 

Once NICC receives confirmation the traveler is cleared through their respective agency, and State 

Department Electronic Country Clearance (ECC) is confirmed, the resource and/or resources host 

dispatch center will be informed of the resources approval to mobilize. 

No travel can occur until this confirmation is received.

ORDERING PROCESS AND PROCEDURES

All agencies have designated ordering procedures for incident and wildland fire support and 

services. These established ordering channels provide for: rapid movement of requests, agency 

review, efficient utilization of resources, and cost effectiveness.

Geographic Area Coordination Centers (GACCs)

The GACCs act as focal points for internal and external requests not filled at the local level. 

GACCs are located in the following areas:

ALASKA – Fort Wainwright, Alaska: https://fire.ak.blm.gov/

EASTERN – Milwaukee, Wisconsin: https://gacc.nifc.gov/eacc/
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GREAT BASIN – Salt Lake City, Utah: https://gacc.nifc.gov/gbcc/

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA OPERATIONS – Redding, California: https://gacc.nifc.gov/oncc/

NORTHERN ROCKIES – Missoula, Montana: https://gacc.nifc.gov/nrcc/

NORTHWEST – Portland, Oregon: https://gacc.nifc.gov/nwcc/

ROCKY MOUNTAIN – Lakewood, Colorado: https://gacc.nifc.gov/rmcc/

SOUTHERN – Atlanta, Georgia: https://gacc.nifc.gov/sacc/

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA OPERATIONS – Riverside, California: https://gacc.nifc.gov/oscc/

SOUTHWEST – Albuquerque, New Mexico: https://gacc.nifc.gov/swcc/

Name Requests 

Each geographic area has the ability to evaluate each name request from their area, if there is an 

outstanding need for the requested resource capability within that geographic area or ongoing 

suppression efforts, it may be denied.

All name requests not filled by the item being requested will be returned to the requesting unit 

with the appropriate associated documentation i.e., Unable to honor this request due to outstanding 

needs within the geographic area.

Name Requests on Budgeted, Severity or Non-Suppression Funds

Name requests charged to severity, budgeted/programmed, or non-suppression funds are 

acceptable and will be processed without delay.

Severity requests often involve strategic movement of resources from area with lower fire 

potential, being directed by agency managers and/or duty officers and will be honored.

Refer to Chapters 20 (Overhead) and 40 (Equipment) for additional information.

Ordering Process for All Orders

Resource order requests will be processed using IROC. Resource order requests as the result of an 

incident, preparedness, severity, and wildland or prescribed fire will follow the established 

ordering channel displayed below.

At the point in this flow when an order can be filled, reverse the process to ensure proper 

notification back to the incident or requesting office. Local agency dispatch offices should use 

mutual aid agreements with cooperators whenever possible.
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INCIDENT

DISPATCH CENTER

GEOGRAPHIC AREA COORDINATION CENTER

NATIONAL INTERAGENCY COORDINATION CENTER

GEOGRAPHIC AREA COORDINATION CENTER

DISPATCH CENTER

SENDING AGENCY

Support to Border Fires

Border fires are defined as a wildfire that has crossed the boundary from one (1) Geographic Area 

into another or where the fire is expected to cross the boundary within two (2) burning periods.

Whereas both Geographic Areas have a vested interest and authority to provide resource support 

to the incident, they may order directly from each other in support of the incident. The following 

protocols apply:

• A single ordering point will be designated to ensure proper assignment and demobilization 

of resources. The incident will remain with the originating unit for situation reporting and 

prioritization.

• The dispatch organization designated as the single ordering point may place orders to either

GACC using established ordering channels, however only the GACC of the originating 

unit dispatch is authorized to place orders with NICC.

• Prior to initiating border fire support operations, concurrence and agreement must occur 

between the two GACCs and NICC. To maintain effective coordination and ensure that the 

appropriate resources are mobilized, communication will be necessary between both 

GACCs and the ordering unit dispatch organization.
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MOBILIZATION AND DEMOBILIZATION INFORMATION

Travel information for resources will be transmitted by using IROC. Each travel segment will 

identify mode of travel, carriers name with flight numbers, departure and arrival locations with 

estimated departure time and estimated arrival time (ETD/ETA) using the local time and time 

zone.

NON-INCIDENT RELATED ORDERING

Resource acquisition not related to an incident, preparedness, severity, and wildland fire may also 

follow these ordering procedures. The use of appropriate cost coding procedures is required.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY OF CHANGES

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