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Contagious Diseases

Living with others in a camp environment we are at significant risk of spreading contagious diseases. In fact, many of the significant impacts of modern medicine include recognizing how viral and bacterial organisms spread from human to human and limiting these pathways. We take it for granted today, but not long ago the concept of sewer systems, clean water and hand washing were not understood or utilized. As we learned from COVID19, good preventative measures, early detection, and isolation are key to decreasing the spread of any contagious disease.

Common contagious diseases include influenza (flu), viral upper respiratory tract infections, COVID19, strep throat and gastrointestinal illnesses.

Spread can be decreased by these preventative measures:

  • Good hand washing and hygiene
  • Eating, sleeping, and living in smaller groups
  • Good rest, nutrition, and hydration
  • Isolating yourself if you become ill early on and get medically evaluated
  • Keeping food and water sources away from waste and sewer systems

If you or your crewmembers start to notice signs and symptoms of a contagious disease, make sure to advise your supervisor and take steps to isolate. Consider isolating the entire crew in the work environment as much as possible, even when others are still feeling well. Utilize spike camps and remote briefings when available.

If a medical unit is available, consider an initial evaluation. This will help track illness throughout the camp. This is especially important for gastrointestinal illnesses because use of common food, toilet and water areas can easily infect the entire camp quickly and must be identified early.

We all protect each other – if you are feeling ill, it is better to seek an evaluation and isolate until improved than risk infecting your crew and putting other individuals and the mission or even incident at risk.

Discussion Questions:

  • What steps does your crew take when someone develops cold-like symptoms?
  • How can your crew isolate from a larger camp if several members are sick and still have the healthy members continue to work?
  • Does your crew consider contagious disease a workplace hazard? Does the crew culture around illness need to change?

 

Category
Firefighter Health & First Aid
References
NWCG Emergency Medical Committee
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
EMS Infectious Disease Playbook

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NWCG Latest Announcements

NEW! S-290, Intermediate Wildland Fire Behavior (Blended) Available Now

Date: Aug 15, 2025
Questions? Please contact:
Fire Behavior Subcommittee

NWCG is excited to announce that the S-290, Intermediate Wildland Fire Behavior (Blended) training is now available on the Wildland Fire Learning Portal. S-290 (Blended) training combines online training and instructor-led training components that support individuals working towards any Single Resource Boss or Fire Effects Monitor incident qualifications.

This second course in the series collectively serves to develop fire behavior prediction knowledge and skills, and provides more detailed information on fuels, weather, and topography that affect wildland fire behavior for safety purposes.

Students are required to finish the prerequisite S-190, Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior, before enrolling in S-290, Intermediate Wildland Fire Behavior (Blended).

References:

S-290, Intermediate Wildland Fire Behavior (Blended)

S-190, Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior

Wildland Fire Learning Portal

NEW! S-271, Helicopter Crewmember (Blended) Now Available

Date: Aug 14, 2025
Questions? Please contact:
Interagency Helicopter Operations Subcommittee

The S-271, Helicopter Crewmember (Blended) is now available. Developed through the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) effort, this training supports individuals working towards Helicopter Crewmember (HECM) incident qualifications. 

S-271, Helicopter Crewmember (Blended) training combines online training and instructor-led training components. This course is designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary to perform the duties of the HECM position, as described in the NWCG Incident Position Standards for Helicopter Crewmember, PMS 350-22.

Any changes to qualification pathways will take effect with the next update of the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1, scheduled for January 2026.

References:

S-271, Helicopter Crewmember (Blended)

NWCG Helicopter Crewmember (HECM) Position Page

Wildland Fire Learning Portal

Incident Position Standards and Next Generation Position Task Books Now Available for FBAN and LTAN

Date: Aug 13, 2025
Questions? Please contact:
Fire Behavior Subcommittee

NWCG is excited to announce that Incident Position Standards and Next Generation Position Task Books are now available for Fire Behavior Analyst (FBAN) and Long Term Fire Analyst (LTAN).

The Performance Support Packages for these positions were developed as part of the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) effort. These resources support trainees, qualified personnel, and evaluators in their respective roles.

Any changes to qualification pathways will take effect with the next update of the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1, scheduled for January 2026.

References:

NWCG Fire Behavior Analyst Position Page

NWCG Long Term Fire Analyst Page

ETC/RMC Safety Bulletin: 25-001 New Guidance on Laundering Wildland Fire Clothing to Reduce Contamination

Date: Aug 8, 2025
Questions? Please contact:
Equipment Technology Committee
 Risk Management Committee

The Equipment Technology Committee (ETC) and the Risk Management Committee (RMC) have issued Safety Bulletin 25-001: Laundering to Decontaminate Wildland Fire Clothing. Recent research revealed that wildland fire flame-resistant pants and shirts can be contaminated with chemicals from combustion byproducts, including carcinogens, and that common laundering practices can effectively remove these harmful contaminants from wildland firefighter clothing more effectively than previously understood. It is recommended to decontaminate wildland fire clothing as frequently as possible. 

Frequently Asked Questions about this new information and how to implement recommendations can be found on the NWCG Alerts page. Read the complete ETC/RMC Safety Bulletin: 25-001 to learn more. 

References:

NWCG Alerts

ETC Safety Bulletin: 25-001

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) on Laundering to Decontaminate Wildland Fire Clothing

Equipment Technology Committee

Risk Management Committee