Glossary of Terms

Used to change the qualification status of a position for a responder. This action is taken on the Incident Qual Card page and requires a justification explaining the reason for the change before the action can be saved.

Also called: Admin Action

IQCS applies security to training session management. Only those individuals with designated access will be able to make changes to session data and completion. These individuals are the session creator, course coordinator, and those identified under the authorized session access.

IQCS role that has wide-capabilities in IQCS to add and modify qualification-related responder records within the assigned organizational codes. This includes incident experience, training, career development, Incident Qualification Cards, contact data, employment information, and Incident Qualifications in general. Account Managers are given authority to manage the training and certification by local Agency Management.

See IQCS Role Matrix for specific page access. 

Physical address of where the responder administrative records are maintained. May be different from Duty Location.

Assigned to national representatives of each participating agency who are responsible for applying agency standards, policies, and IQCS business practices.  Access includes the ability to view all data on responders within their own agency and limited capability to edit values in certain foundation tables in the application.

The individual who is authorized to change a responder’s experience status from qualified, trainee or blocked on the Incident Qualification Card. The Authorizing Official is usually the Certifying Official, but can be someone else such as another supervisor or manager.

The individual who is authorized to manually award a competency to a responder’s qualifications. The Awarding Official is usually a supervisor, manager or the Certifying Official but can be delegated to the account manager level.

A code and title used to uniquely identify a particular agency organizational unit that is used for grouping responder records and enforcing security access. Agency organization are linked to an agency.

Also called: Org Code, Organization, Organization Code

See agency organizational codes and structure. 

A five character code used to represent an agency. Also utilized to establish the agency’s organizational structure and reflect qualification requirements.

The process whereby the employing agency documents that the individual is approved to perform duties and responsibilities for a specified position. This includes the selection of the position to appear on the Incident Qualification Card and the position task book certification. 

General function to filter competencies by a category such as fitness, position, task book, licenses and certificates, recurrent and training. Each competency in the system has been linked to a single category. The responder’s competency record is established and maintained at other screens and, in most cases, IQCS will automatically update the responder’s competencies screen.

Abbreviation up to seven characters that represents the competency title/description. The code is the key field in data tables that the system uses for competency records.

General function to filter competencies by type such as  NWCG positions and ICS functional areas or job family.

Identifies an instance where prerequisite experience and/or training is defined by more than one way to meet the requirement set for position qualification. All complex competency codes end with the suffix CPX (positions) or TPX (training).

Foundation for implementing agency standards in IQCS. Control tables serve numerous functions in the system including providing a place to establish and maintain the core data; eliminate redundant data entry by providing default values, and contribute to data integrity through uniformity and consistency of data entry.

The most inclusive of action types. This action is not available on all pages. One goal of IQCS is to preserve true historical data so this action should be used judiciously and only when the data has been entered incorrectly.

A single-scheduled training course. The session stores the specific date, location, meeting time, instructor(s), sponsoring unit, and course coordinator. Each session is assigned a session ID that defines it uniqueness from other like training courses.

IQCS role which gives permissions and access to certain components and pages for responder competency management. The role may be assigned to an IQCS user who has been delegated that authority by agency management and has completed the Certifying Official training course.

See IQCS Role Matrix for specific page access. 

The capacity in which the overhead resource is qualified to perform a position. May also be used to define how the resource performed on a specific incident. In both cases the capacity is defined as “trainee” or “qualified”.

See: NWCG Data Standard

See NWCG Glossary of Wildland Fire, PMS 205

See NWCG Glossary of Wildland Fire, PMS 205

Physical address of where the responder is assigned. May be different from Admin Location.

The Department of the Interior (DOI) Incident Positions Qualification Guide (IPQG) establishes minimum standards for incident personnel and ensuring the ability of DOI to prevent, protect, mitigate, prepare for, respond to, and recover from incidents that may occur. The IPQG is a crucial component of meeting requirements under the National Incident Management System (NIMS) while ensuring all DOI personnel responding to or managing incidents are qualified in the position assigned. The IPQG is designed to establish minimum education, training, skills, knowledge, experience, and physical fitness standards for incident positions. Standards may be augmented to meet specific needs of a DOI bureau or office. 

See: DOI EM Tool Kit

See NWCG Glossary of Wildland Fire, PMS 205

The date the action or information entered becomes active. Effective dates in IQCS allows managers to create and build a historical qualification record for a responder without overwriting or eliminating data.

Only used when more than one action is taken on an Effective Date row during the same day. This tells the system when there are multiple effective dates that are the same which one is the most current.

An equivalent course is determined by agency identified “evaluators” (at the national/state level) to be equal to a NWCG approved course. Awarding course equivalency is an agency specific responsibility. Only agencies have the authority to certify their employees meet NWCG training requirements when alternative course offerings are used. Individual agencies will set guidelines for equivalency determination and may grant credit for courses they deem equivalent. For IQCS, there is an Equivalency Table to reflect approved equivalencies and reduce the need for course competencies to be manually added to the responder record.

The type of employment appointment or agreement under which a person is hired.

See: NWCG Data Standard

This data standard specifies general, high-level codes and descriptions to be used in categorizing the types of incidents and planned events to which the interagency wildland fire community responds.

See: NWCG Data Standard

List of manually entered training that is not referenced in the IQCS system against a responder’s qualifications or identified on the course table.

A system-generated 11-digit unique number assigned to each responder when a profile has been created in the IQCS database to track incident training, experience, and qualifications. Empl ID is the key field used in database to search for responders.

Also called: Empl ID

An organizational code (Org Code) to identify an inactive responder record that is used when a responder no longer works for an agency organization. Moving a record to NWCG0 (Set ID) INAC (organization) will allow others to view and transfer to their unit if needed using the Organization Code block on the Job Data page.

IQCS database number assigned to each incident record added to the IQCS database. System assigned by IQCS when an Incident is added to IQCS and used only in the IQCS application to provide uniqueness. 

This action works the same as Update/Display, but allows the user to review not only current and future rows of information, but also historical rows of data.

Process that allows the exchange of personnel qualification data between IQCS and those who are tracked by Incident Qualification System (IQS).

A responder record will be flagged as a possible duplicate (conflict) if specific data elements match an existing record in IRWIN. Resolution requires the manual verification by the IQCS Account Manager to ensure the flagged resource is unique and IS NOT a duplicate to an existing record. Verification may result in the rejection of the entry, addition of the entry, or merge with an existing resource and the entry.

The name assigned to an incident.

See: NWCG Data Standard

The Integrated Reporting of Wildland-Fire Information (IRWIN) service is an investment intended to enable “end-to-end” fire reporting capability. IRWIN provides data exchange capabilities between existing 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.

The Interagency Resource Ordering Capability (IROC) is a dynamic, modern, flexible and scalable application that aligns with interagency business needs for resource ordering for all hazard incidents. IROC is web-based and supports PC devices.

IROC provides the Dispatch Community with a fast and stable system that works well even during peak activity. It also supports a simple reporting user interface.

See: FAM-IT Portal

A responder record being added that has matching attributes to another responder record that already exists in IRWIN. 

Response messages received from IRWIN based on a request from IQCS. Messages include but not limited to: add/change responder, conflict status, add position qual, remove position qual.

See: Interagency Acronym List

Indicates the types of incidents for which this resource is qualified to perform in this position. Wildland Fire, Prescribed Fire, All "other" Hazards (WF, AH, RX).

See: NWCG Data Standard

See NWCG Glossary of Wildland Fire, PMS 205

See NWCG Glossary of Wildland Fire, PMS 205

See NWCG Glossary of Wildland Fire, PMS 205

See NWCG Glossary of Wildland Fire, PMS 205

See NWCG Glossary of Wildland Fire, PMS 205

IQCS role that has limited IQCS access for viewing qualifications data and querying relevant reports, verifying position criteria have been met, ensuring qualifications criteria are maintained, and determining workforce analytics needs for the affected unit. Those assigned this role are often the Certifying Official or other supervisors (e.g. Agency, Regional/Geographic Area, FMO, AFMO) who are normally responsible for the incident qualifications for their organization.

See IQCS Role Matrix for specific page access. 

The fuel model which best represents the primary carrier of the fire for the reporting period. Valid values are one of the 13 fuel models described for Block 29 of the ICS209 User Manual.

See: NWCG Data Standard

The Federal Wildland Fire Qualifications Supplement includes federal agency-sponsored positions that are not included in the NWCG PMS 310-1 but are frequently used on wildland fire incidents. Positions and associated requirements listed in this supplement have been approved for inclusion by representatives from their respective agencies. This supplement lists established minimum requirements for training, experience, physical fitness level, and currency standards for all participating agencies. These positions include training to meet NIMS requirements.

See: FAM-IT Portal

A code that indicates the fitness level of a human resource.

See: NWCG Data Standard

A code that indicates the fitness level of a human resource.

See: NWCG Data Standard

Each organization can define Groups to enroll a group of responders in a course session or document experience on an incident more efficiently than for each responder individually.

IQCS role with limited authority (e.g.entering responder experience, incident setup, and troubleshooting responder qualifications) for responders in the assigned organizational code. The group leader role might be assigned to a Hotshot Superintendent, Helitack Supervisor, or Fire Operations Supervisor.

See IQCS Role Matrix for specific page access. 

Statement entered into the IQCS record that explains why a particular action was taken on a responder’s qualification record. Agencies require justification for manual awarding of competencies, admin action to a qualification status and deleting a position task book.

Track how often activity is performed on a responder’s account. This field is updated with the current date whenever any activity occurs on the responder’s account. After 3 years, IQCS will identify responders who have not had activity on their account and automatically place them into INAC status. If no activity is performed on an account in 5 years, IQCS will archive the responder.

A page in the application to manage external certifications, licensing, warrants, and/or agency-defined specialties. IQCS will track information that applies to position qualification and certification because the expiration of a license or warrant will result in the loss of a qualification. 

The IQCS identifier used to define a physical address for a responder’s administrative and duty location.

See: NWCG Standards for Course Delivery, PMS 901-1

The last name of the resource as it appears on a government issued ID. Applies only to overhead resources.

See: NWCG Data Standard

This data standard specifies the standard format and rules for a number or code that uniquely identifies an incident for a particular local fire management organization within a particular calendar year.

See: NWCG Data Standard

Competencies are generally system awarded but there may be circumstances that require you to manually award competencies to accurately reflect the responder’s record. In most cases, competencies are managed on other screens but there are some circumstances  where a competency will need to be manually awarded; for example: Technical Specialists positions and for cleaning up responder historical documentation.

See: NWCG Data Standard

Contact information for the manager of the resource. For use in duplicate resolution and also transferring resources from one SOR (system of record) to another. Based on the Resource SOR, this information would be the person who is responsible for certifying that this resource meets the requirements for the Type, Kind and Category.

See: NWCG Data Standard

The middle name of the resource as it appears on a government issued ID. Applies only to overhead resources.

See: NWCG Data Standard

National Incident Management System (NIMS) provides a common, nationwide approach to enable the whole community to work together to manage all threats and hazards. NIMS applies to all incidents, regardless of cause, size, location, or complexity.

See: FEMA website

The National Wildfire Coordinating Group provides national leadership to enable interoperable wildland fire operations among federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial partners.  

See: NWCG website

This IQCS role includes being able to view responder training records, view instructor history, define course sessions, course session enrollment and nomination flow. This position will not be able to edit the responder training record, manage instructor history, or add a non-employee for session management.

See IQCS Role Matrix for specific page access. 

Employees of non-member agencies (e.g. States, Contractors, non-wildfire agencies) can be added as a non-employee to create the required EmplID to document personnel as an instructor or student in training session management. IQCS is not the system of record for the non-employee’s qualifications.

See: NWCG Data Standard 

The NWCG Position Naming Board provides national leadership to maintain incident management position title and code (mnemonic) consistency throughout the wildland fire community. 

See: NWCG Data Standard

See: NWCG Unit IDx

The NWCG Unit Identifier Board (UIB) provides national leadership in the approval and use of Unit Identifiers in support of effective fire management decision-making.

NWCG data standards (data element and geospatial data layer) provide specifications that enable the common usage of data across wildland fire information systems.

See: NWCG Data Standards, PMS 910

The NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1 standardizes the minimum NWCG requirements for federal, state, and local agencies in providing resources to fill a national interagency request for all types of wildland fire incidents.

See: NWCG Incident Position Description Catalog

See NWCG Glossary of Wildland Fire, PMS 205

See NWCG Glossary of Wildland Fire, PMS 205

Each block of content on the homepage is called a pagelet. These pagelets display summary information within a small rectangular area on the page. The pagelets provide users with a snapshot of content and are controlled by their permissions and roles.

The accumulation of core behaviors (task book, training, licenses and certification, position, and/or fitness), that define the requirements of a position for agency qualification.

Function and screen of report component(s) in which the individual who is running the report can view the ‘Run Status’ (i.e., queued, processing, and success).

Personally Identifiable Information (PII) is any information that can be used to distinguish or trace an individual’s identity, either alone or when combined with other types of information. Some PII may be non-sensitive such as information found on a business card, official email address, or work related phone number that generally does not require special handling. Sensitive PII requires special handling and must be protected against unauthorized access, use or disclosure at all times, including during storage, transmission, telework, and travel, to prevent harm, embarrassment, or unfairness to an individual. Examples of sensitive PII include, but are not limited to: 

• Personal Identifiers such as passport, Tribal ID, driver’s license, and social security number (SSN) 
• Date of birth, mother’s maiden name
• Personal email addresses, physical addresses, and phone numbers
• Medical history, biometrics, nationality, criminal history 
• Credit card number, bank account information
• Consider the context, such as a list of employees with poor performance evaluations

The collection and use of SSNs are authorized only when necessary to meet a legal or regulatory requirement. IQCS does NOT have authorization to collect/store SSNs. 

Individual’s primary email.

See: NWCG Data Standard

Individual’s primary phone.

See: NWCG Data Standard

See NWCG Glossary of Wildland Fire, PMS 205

See NWCG Glossary of Wildland Fire, PMS 205

See NWCG Glossary of Wildland Fire, PMS 205

See NWCG Glossary of Wildland Fire, PMS 205

See NWCG Glossary of Wildland Fire, PMS 205

IQCS automatically compares a responder's competencies to established criteria for a given position based on the requirements of the responder's agency. This automatic process results in the responder receiving one of the following qualification statuses on the Incident Qual Card page: Qualified, Trainee or Unqualified. System qualification statuses on a responder's Incident Qual Card page are directly tied to competencies in the responder’s Competencies page and/or experience records to maintain currency.

Responder record meets all the position qualification requirements as identified by the agency.

A run control is a type of online page that is used to begin a process, such as the batch processing of a qualifications run or running a report. Run control pages generally start a program that manipulates data (i.e., used to pull together data from various tables to generate predefined reports, such as the Responder Master Record, C-028).

An ID that is required to run any report in IQCS. Run Control IDs are uniquely defined and associated to each user but can be used repeatedly.

The IRWIN username of the system that currently is the System of Record for the resource and the capabilities for that resource.   

See: NWCG Data Standard

See NWCG Glossary of Wildland Fire, PMS 205

See NWCG Glossary of Wildland Fire, PMS 205

An application user account for those that will be access their own responder qualification record only and will not be managing other responder qualification records. 

To manage responder data, this function allows users to find any responder in the IQCS system, if they exist, and see very basic information including organization, location, job details, and contact information for their training officer and account manager.

IQCS role to view responder data and run numerous reports. The only edit access includes updating responder personal information, entering experience by incident, licenses/certificates management and troubleshooting responder qualifications. There is view-only access to responder qualification management.

See IQCS Role Matrix for specific page access. 

Allows users to submit ideas and/or changes that might  help with the functionality within the IQCS system.

Individual’s secondary phone.

See: NWCG Data Standard

See NWCG Glossary of Wildland Fire, PMS 205

Application user account account for managing responder qualification records via the roles of account manager, training officer, certifying official, eceta. 

See: NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1

See: DOI Incident Positions Qualification Guide (IPQG)

IQCS role includes being able to add a non-employee record, access to their responder’s training records, and edit any training administration needs. The training administration includes managing courses sessions, editing training details, student enrollment, and nomination flow.

See IQCS Role Matrix for specific page access. 

Manages their responders in all aspects of training, coordination and nomination administration. This includes adding a non-employee, creating groups, viewing position task books, access to manage their responder’s training records, perform needs assessment processes, and edit any training administration needs. The training administration includes managing courses sessions, editing training details, student enrollment, edit course instructor history, and nomination flow.

See IQCS Role Matrix for specific page access. 

The organizational hierarchy in IQCS that represents the structure of the agency.

Responder record does not meet the position qualification requirements as identified by the agency.

Defines menus, pages, tabs, and reports an IQCS account holder has access to. A user account can have multiple roles assigned within IQCS. Don’t confuse the IQCS Role with the ‘regular job’ duties of a person who might be assigned the IQCS User Role with the same name.

See: NWCG Data Standard 

Also called: Unique Incident ID

See: NWCG Standards for Course Delivery, PMS 901-1

See NWCG Glossary of Wildland Fire, PMS 205

The Wildland Fire Learning Portal (WFLP) is an enterprise learning management system that enables the national wildland fire community to better meet their education and training needs.

IQCS user training for user roles is hosted on the WFLP.

See: Wildland Fire Organizations

See NWCG Glossary of Wildland Fire, PMS 205

See NWCG Glossary of Wildland Fire, PMS 205

The NWCG Unit Identifier of the center primarily responsible for dispatching the resource.

See: NWCG Data Standard