Skip to main content

Equipment Technology Committee

Banner Image
ETC header graphic. Photo of firefighter with a hose inset in photo of fire. Decorative.
Mission Statement

Mission Statement

The Equipment Technology Committee (ETC) provides national leadership in wildland fire equipment, supplies, and chemicals. The ETC enables coordinated interagency management of wildland fire equipment, supplies, and chemicals, including planning, development, acquisition, and utilization. The ETC provides oversight of the National Interagency Support Caches and National Fire Equipment System.

Body

Primary Objectives

Firefighter with chainsaw cutting down a tree

  • Establish, maintain and communicate consistent interagency standards and guidelines for equipment, supplies and chemicals for wildland fire suppression.
  • Establish processes and procedures for the introduction, utilization, refurbishment, replacement, or disposal of any piece of equipment, supply item, or wildland fire chemical that has an established standard or specification.
  • Develop and implement standard operating procedures for ETC business practices which establish consistent, well defined methods of operations and decision making.
  • Contribute to the standardization of information technology systems (such as FireNet, IROC, etc.) to collect and distribute data, processes, forms, and other operational elements.

Alerts

Wildland Firefighter's Helmet Serviceability Guide Flowchart

Image
Flow chart identifying the indicators of whether a wildland firefighter's helmet should be serviced or repaired.

This link will take you to the etc-determine-dom.pdfThis link will take you to the etc-helmet-notice.pdf

Helmet Inspection and Safety video (Time:  7:10)

PDF of the above Wildland Firefighter's Helmet Serviceability Guide flowchart

Determine Date of Manufacturing (DOM)

Inspect the Helmet: Helmet Notice: Summer 2012 by the Missoula Technology and Development Center (MTDC) regarding reports of cracking, delamination, and broken suspension keys in helmets.

Alternate Head Protection Available (March 2011)

Fuel Geyser Awareness

Vaporless Fueling System Field Evaluation

The Soter Fueling System (SFS) is a vaporless refueling system designed for chainsaws to mitigate the risk of injury from fuel geysering.  The SFS is a closed refueling system that prevents vapor from being released.   Information on the durability, maintainability and usability of the system is being evaluated by selected chainsaw operators. 

Soter Fuel System Orientation Video.  This video provides an overview of the Soter fuel system.  It includes instructions for proper installation and use.  Please watch the video before using the system.

Soter Fuel System Fuel Bottle Probe Retrofit Instructions.

Link to the evaluation.

Guidance Documents

Innovative Ideas

If you have an idea that you feel will improve wildland fire fighter safety, operating efficiency, and reduce costs, review the Guide for the Submission of Innovative Ideas for Product or Process Improvement and submission form. We'd like to hear from you!

Useful Resources for the Equipment Technology Committee

Helmet information is now available on the FSPPES homepage

Forest Service Technology and Development Centers

Forest Service Fire Equipment Specifications and Standards (cache equipment)

Wildland Fire Chemical Systems (WFCS) - The WFCS provides national resource agencies with detailed information promoting safe and effective fire suppression chemicals and aerial delivery systems.

Roscommon Equipment Center - Wildland fire engine and equipment designs and information

Chair: Nate Hesse

NWCG Coordinator: Erica Lamb

Parent Committee:

Meeting Schedule: Bi-annually – spring and fall

Page Last Modified or Reviewed:

NWCG Latest Announcements

Great Basin Cache Upgrading to New Inventory System

Date: May 7, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Great Basin Cache
Phone: (208) 387-5104
Fax: (208) 387-5573

The Great Basin Cache (GBK) is transitioning to a new inventory system to better serve the wildland fire community. During this upgrade, GBK will be unable to process standard orders from Part 1: Fire Supplies and Equipment and Part 2: Publications between May 8-20, 2025, with exceptions made for emergency fire orders. Orders will be accepted through close of business May 7.

To browse the latest available items, please refer to the National Fire Equipment System (NFES) catalogs. 

References:

NWCG NFES Catalog-Part 1: Fire Supplies and Equipment, PMS 449-1

NWCG NFES Catalog-Part 2: Publications, PMS 449-2

NEW! Air Operations Summary (ICS 220 WF) Now Available

Date: May 2, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
National Interagency Aviation Committee

The Air Operations Summary (ICS 220 WF) provides the Air Operations Branch with the number, type, location, and specific assignments of helicopters and air resources. The new ICS 220 WF also includes medical extraction capabilities and air resources tracking.

Understanding the capabilities of aviation assets is critical for effective medical and extraction responses. Coordination with the Medical Unit Leader is essential to ensure alignment and consistency between the ICS 220 WF and the Medical Plan (ICS 206 WF). 

References:

Air Operations Summary (ICS 220 WF)

National Interagency Aviation Committee

Incident Command System (ICS) Forms

Incident Position Standards and Next Generation Position Task Book Available for Firing Boss, Single Resource

Date: April 30, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Fuels Management Committee

NWCG is excited to announce that the NWCG Incident Position Standards for Firing Boss, Single Resource, PMS 350-105, and the NWCG Position Task Book for Firing Boss, Single Resource (FIRB), PMS 311-105, are now available. 

These resources, part of the Performance Support Package developed through the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) effort, support trainees, qualified personnel, and evaluators. 

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

 

References:

NWCG Firing Boss, Single Resource Position Page

NWCG Incident Position Standards for Firing Boss, Single Resource, PMS 350-105

NWCG Position Task Book for Firing Boss, Single Resource (FIRB), PMS 311-105

Incident Position Standards and Next Generation Position Task Book Available for Helicopter Crewmember

Date: April 28, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Interagency Helicopter Operations Subcommittee

NWCG is excited to announce that the NWCG Incident Position Standards for Helicopter Crewmember, PMS 350-22, and the NWCG Position Task Book for Helicopter Crewmember (HECM), PMS 311-22, are now available.

These resources, part of the Performance Support Package developed through the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) effort, support trainees, qualified personnel, and evaluators.

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

References:

NWCG Incident Position Standards for Helicopter Crewmember, PMS 350-22

NWCG Incident Position Standards for Helicopter Crewmember, PMS 350-22

NWCG Position Task Book for Helicopter Crewmember (HECM), PMS 311-22