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Glossary Term for Review: Equipment Identifier

Glossary Term for Review: Equipment Identifier

Date: June 22, 2023
Contact: Data Standards and Terminology Board (DSTB)

Hello Wildland Fire Data Community! The Data Standards and Terminology Board has received a request for a new term/data standard. A few things about our process are maturing – this includes ensuring definitions capture only the essence of the term – and nothing more. Historically our definitions have been overloaded with rules, descriptions, and examples, all in an effort to ensure the term is understood. There is a place for that information, just not in the definition. You will see that we are now including those fields, when applicable, as part of the proposed term. If you have additional content that you think will help explain a term, please add it to your feedback.

Please review, share with your subgroups, and provide feedback. The comment period will close July 21, 2023.

Thank you for your engagement in the NWCG glossary process – your participation is key to our success.

Background: Apparatus Number is a field currently exchanged in IRWIN and was originally grandfathered in. The time has come to update the term and standard, but we need your help!

Proposed Data Value Rules:  String, max 75 characters
Proposed Data Element: Equipment Identifier
Proposed Data Element Description: The unique alphanumeric values assigned to an apparatus.
Supersedes: Apparatus Number - the external alphanumeric value painted on the side of the equipment.

References:

Glossary Request Feedback

Resource Ordering Systems Resource Item Data Entry Standards

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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

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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

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Questions?  Please contact:
Emergency Medical Committee

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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