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National Fire Equipment System Subcommittee

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Mission Statement

Mission Statement

The National Fire Equipment System Subcommittee (NFESS) provides national leadership in wildland fire equipment and supply management..

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Primary Objectives

Photo of firefighters walking single file carrying tools and packs.

  • Identify equipment and supplies that should be maintained to a national standard.
  • Assist the user community in identifying additional equipment and supplies to be provided through the national cache system.
  • Provide guidance on developing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) between National Interagency Support Cache managers, the Technology and Development Centers, Kit and Refurbishment Units, and the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA).
  • Manage the additions and deletions of National Fire Equipment System (NFES) items and product deficiency issues.
  • Prepare and communicate NFES equipment issues through Cache Memos.
  • Recommend to ETC proposed modifications in standards for fire supplies as it pertains to cache items, kits, or accessories that are utilized nationally or by more than one Agency.

Fuel Geyser Awareness

NFES National Interagency Support Caches

The National Interagency Support Cache system is sponsored by the National Fire Equipment System. Information for each cache includes the three-letter designation, location, and contact information. Full membership requires utilization of a common inventory program, adherence to kit and refurbishment standards, and meeting interagency training requirements. View a list of the National Interagency Support Cache system.

NFES Pandemic Support Items

COVID-19 NFES Items Spreadsheet.

These contagious disease support items have been added to the NISC system. There are variety of products and sizes due to the high demand at a national level. NISCs may supplement due to available inventory. 

For specified items, it is important to follow the manufacturer’s directions for proper mixing. Label the container with a piece of tape and magic marker. Work closely and communicate with the servicing cache on transportation and demob procedures to minimize risk. And return empty spray containers at the end of the incident.

For more information, see

Cache Memos

Equipment Bulletin

Organization

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Chair: Marcus Medina

NWCG Coordinator: Lamb, Erica

Parent Committee: Equipment Technology Committee

Meeting Schedule:

TBD

Page Last Modified or Reviewed:

NWCG Latest Announcements

ETC Equipment Bulletin: 25-003 Flame-Resistant Shirt Survey

Date: June 12, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Equipment Technology Committee

The U.S. Forest Service National Technology and Development Program (NTDP) is seeking input on the Forest Service-designed flame-resistant (FR) shirt, currently available through the National Interagency Support Cache system and FedMall.

NTDP is conducting a product review to improve future FR shirt designs. As part of this effort, a short survey is now open for federal employees who have worn any of three recent FR shirt models. Feedback will guide design improvements to better meet the needs of wildland firefighters.

To comply with the Paperwork Reduction Act, responses are limited to federal employees. The survey is open through September 12, 2025. 

References:

NWCG Alerts

ETC Equipment Bulletin: 25-003

NEW! S-130, Firefighter Training (Blended) Now Available

Date: June 10, 2025
If you have questions, please visit our FAQ page. 
If your question is not answered there, you can 
submit your question using our Contact Us form. 
 

The S-130, Firefighter Training (Blended), equips new wildland firefighters with essential skills through a mix of online learning and hands-on training. The course features a required online component and an instructor-led exercise, reinforcing online concepts with practical performance-based training.

The course builds competencies in wildland fire operations, safety, and equipment use, applicable across various operational environments. Both the online component and instructor-led field exercise must be completed to receive a certificate of completion. Students are required to finish the prerequisite S-190, Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior, before enrolling in S-130, Firefighter Training (Blended).

References:

S-130, Firefighter Training (Blended)

S-190, Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior

Wildland Fire Learning Portal

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