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Invasive Species Subcommittee

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Mission Statement

Mission Statement

The Invasive Species Subcommittee (ISSC) provides national leadership in the prevention of invasive species transport by wildland fire mobile equipment and related vehicles.

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Primary Objectives

– A cluster of zebra clams which spread to other water bodies by clinging to the hulls of boats.

  • Develop and disseminate standards, guidelines, best practices, and recommendations to control and prevent the spread of invasive species.
  • Integrate new and evolving information from the natural resource management community into the invasive species control effort.
  • Evaluate and recommend wildland fire and support vehicle utilization and/or decontamination techniques, equipment, or products to minimize invasive species transport.

Equipment Bulletins That Apply

Guidance Documents

Training

New Zealand Mud Snails

Preparing for Wildland Fire: A Step-by-Step Guide for NPS Invasive Plant Managers

USDA-FS Intermountain Region Aquatic Invasive Species

USDA- FS Invasive Species Program

USDA-FS Vehicle Cleaning Technology for Controlling the Spread of Noxious Weeds and Invasive Species 2005

Chair: Karen Stockmann

NWCG Coordinator: Erica Lamb

Parent Committee: Equipment Technology Committee

Meeting Schedule: TBD

Page Last Modified or Reviewed:

NWCG Latest Announcements

NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Chainsaw Operations, PMS 212, and Next Generation Position Task Book for Basic Faller Are Now Available

Date: April 14, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Hazard Tree and Tree Felling Subcommittee

The updated NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Chainsaw Operations, PMS 212, and NWCG Position Task Book for Basic Faller (FAL3), PMS 311-19 are now available.

The NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Chainsaw Operations, PMS 212 includes position standards designed to be used in conjunction with the Next Generation Position Task Book (Next Gen PTB). The Next Gen PTB for Basic Faller (FAL3) includes an evaluation guide with suggested rating elements to consider when assessing trainees.

References:

NWCG Standards For Wildland Fire Chainsaw Operations, PMS 212

NWCG Position Task Book for Basic Faller (FAL3), PMS 311-119

NWCG Basic Faller (FAL3)

RMC Memo 25-01: Summary of Updates to Safety Officer Positions

Date: April 9, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
RMC Member Eric Fransted

The Risk Management Committee (RMC) serves as the position steward for all Safety Officer incident positions and continues to improve position standards, training, and naming conventions. The implementation of Complex Incident Management (CIM) required changes to position titles. RMC collaborated with the NWCG Incident Position Standards Committee (IPSC) to propose and implement these updates. 

References:

RMC Memo 25-01: Summary of Updates to Safety Officer Positions 

NWCG Position Catalog

Updated, NWCG Guide to Wildland Fire Origin and Cause Determination, PMS 412

Date: April 8, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Wildland Fire Investigation Subcommittee

PMS 412 provides guidance for wildland fire investigations. This guide outlines recommended procedures, practices, techniques, and methods to promote a systematic approach. The last update to this publication was in 2016.

References:

NWCG Guide to Wildland Fire Origin and Cause Determination PMS 412

Updated NWCG Standards for Airtanker Base Operations, PMS 508

Date: March 31, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Airtanker Base Operations Unit

The updated NWCG Standards for Airtanker Base Operations (SABO), PMS 508 standardizes operations and procedures at interagency airtanker bases to ensure safe, efficient, and effective operations in support of interagency goals and objectives.

References:

NWCG Standards for Airtanker Base Operations, PMS 508