Lightning Awareness

The power of lightning is immense. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the United States averages 51 annual lightning strike fatalities annually. About 90 percent of people struck by lightning are estimated to survive, but they often suffer from long lasting neurological damage.

Whenever possible, operations should cease, and individuals should make every effort to seek shelter indoors or in vehicles when lightening is near. If you absolutely cannot get to safety, you can slightly lessen the threat of being struck with the following tips:

Find a low spot that is not subject to flooding
Avoid tall trees, wires, utility lines, and other tall objects
If in an area of thick trees, move to an area with shorter trees
If only isolated trees are nearby, keep your distance twice the tree height from tree
If in open country, crouch low with feet together and minimize contact with the ground–squat
Do not group together
Do not handle metal hand tools or flammable materials
Do not stay on ridge tops or wide-open areas or near ledges

Activity should not resume until at least 30 mins after the storm activity has passed.

If a person is struck by lightning:

Resuscitation for persons struck by lightning must be initiated immediately.
Victims of lightning do not retain the charge and are not "electrified." It is safe to help them.
Cardiopulmonary arrest occurs from both the direct current to the heart and paralysis of the respiratory center in the brain.
Although cardiac rhythm may spontaneously return, respiratory muscle paralysis may persist, and rescue breaths may be necessary for several minutes even after the pulse returns.
Almost everyone struck by lightning who does not have cardiac and/or respiratory arrest at the scene survives, even though they may be seriously injured or burned.
If multiple people are struck, attend to those who do not have a pulse and are not breathing first. This is known as “reverse triage.”

Discussion Questions:

Look around at your current setting: where would you take cover in a storm?
If someone were to be struck by lightning, where is the rescue breathing equipment? Do you know how to use it?

Useful Resources

6MFS Suggestion Form

Have an idea or feedback?

Share it with the NWCG 6MFS Subcommittee

Follow NWCG on X and Facebook

Last Modified / Reviewed: 2024-12-20

Print PDF

NWCG Latest Announcements

EMC Memo 25-001: Interim Rapid Extraction Module (REMS) Training and Qualification Requirements

Date: June 3, 2025
Questions? Please contact:
Emergency Medical Committee

The Emergency Medical Committee has issued interim guidance for Rapid Extraction Module Support (REMS) teams. Until further notice, Type I and II REMS teams must designate a team leader qualified at Firefighter Type 1 Squad Boss (FFT1) or higher. This temporary change replaces the Single Resource Boss (SRB) requirement, which is currently not feasible due to administrative barriers.

This memorandum does not include any other changes to the NWCG Standards for Rapid Extraction Module Support, PMS 552. This interim change takes effect immediately and will remain in place until further notice.

References:

EMC Memo 25-001: Interim Rapid Extraction Module (REMS) Training and Qualification Requirements

NWCG Standards for Rapid Extraction Module Support, PMS 552

Equipment Bulletin 25-002: Chaps, Chain Saw, M-2020, Nonconformities Affecting Use, Appearance, and Serviceability

Date: June 2, 2025
Questions? Please contact:
Equipment Technology Committee

The Equipment Technology Committee issued Equipment Bulletin: 25-002 to address a manufacturing nonconformity affecting Forest Service specification, 6170-4K Chain Saw Chaps. The issue applies to chaps manufactured in 2024 and 2025 and distributed through FedMall. These chaps may have incorrectly bound edges that expose inner protective layers.

Independent purchasers should inspect all chain saw chaps received from FedMall beginning in 2024, prior to use. Review the full Equipment Bulletin: 25-002 for inspection criteria and recommended actions.

References:

NWCG Alerts

ETC Equipment Bulletin: 25-002

2024 Wildland Fire Emergency Medical Service Awards

Date: May 22, 2025
Questions? Please contact:
Emergency Medical Committee

The NWCG Emergency Medical Committee (EMC) is proud to announce the recipients of the 2024 Wildland Fire Emergency Medical Service Awards. Each year, EMC recognizes individuals and groups who have demonstrated exceptional actions or accomplishments that go above and beyond their normal mission or job duties.

Congratulations to all the awardees and nominees. Through leadership and initiative, they have made significant contributions to the safety and well-being of the wildland fire community. These honors are well deserved.

References:

2024 Wildland Fire EMS Awards

NWCG Emergency Medical Committee

NWCG Welcomes the Incident Management Teams Association as an Associate Member

Date: May 21, 2025
Questions? Please contact:
https://www.nwcg.gov/contact-us

The NWCG Executive Board is honored to announce that the Incident Management Teams Association (IMTA) has joined the National Wildfire Coordinating Group as an associate member.

IMTA is a dedicated group of incident management professionals committed to enhancing the profession by promoting standards and fostering collaboration across federal, state, local, Tribal, and private sector partners throughout all phases of incident management.

“Joining NWCG aligns with our mission to elevate incident management professionals nationwide,” said Dr. Randal Collins, President of IMTA. “This is a proud moment for all of us committed to advancing public safety.”

References:

Incident Management Teams Association

National Wildfire Coordinating Group

6MFS

Lightning Awareness

Discussion Questions:

Useful Resources

6MFS Suggestion Form

NWCG Latest Announcements

References:

References:

References:

References:

NWCG National Wildfire Coordinating Group

NWCG

National Wildfire Coordinating Group