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NWCG FireNet Utilization Standard Operating Procedure

Firenet SOP header graphic. Decorative.

Since 2018, FireNet has been recognized by NMAC as the official electronic messaging and file collaboration system in support of the interagency wildland fire mission and to comply with legal and policy mandates regarding security and privacy. NWCG's mission is to establish standards for interoperable wildland fire operations, and its committee structure represents all IMT functional areas.

The establishment of standard business practices in the use and management of FireNet across functional areas, IMTs, and Geographic Areas will strengthen the operating system, limit repetition and variations by IMTs, and create consistency for all users. Additionally, it will enable the inclusion of these standard practices, which includes forms, workflows, and user groups, in the FireNet incident environment. For example, the Planning Subcommittee’s electronic records management structure is automated into each FireNet incident, allowing IMTs to immediately begin use of this standard, regardless of their geographic location and team. Finally, it will allow the FireNet team to establish a standard environment for IMTs to run scenarios and prepare for fire season.

In a digital environment, standardization is necessary to minimize resource, license, and helpdesk support and to provide a consistent, repeatable process which will allow automation and streamline processes for firefighting resources and non-IMT members. Once these standard business practices are established and deployed in FireNet, the FireNet team can more easily support those IMT activities outside of direct incident support.

NWCG Committees recognize the following positions as requiring named accounts in FireNet in order to fully complete the position duties. A named account generates a FireNet email address (first_last@firenet.gov), which is required to send and receive emails in shared inboxes. Those without named accounts can still interact in FireNet as Guests.

  • Dispatch Centers (including GACC/NICC) [National Coordination System Committee]
  • Air Bases:  Airtanker Bases / SEAT Bases / Helibases/ Smokejumpers [National Interagency Aviation Committee]
  • PIO [Public Information Officer Subcommittee]
  • PSC [Incident Planning Subcommittee]
  • ITSS [Incident Planning Subcommittee]
  • DMOB [Incident Planning Subcommittee]
  • RESL [Incident Planning Subcommittee]
  • SITL [Incident Planning Subcommittee]
  • GISS [Incident Planning Subcommittee]
  • SCKN [Incident Planning Subcommittee]
  • DOCL [Incident Planning Subcommittee]
  • LSC [Incident Logistics Subcommittee]
  • ORDM [Incident Logistics Subcommittee]
  • FSC [Incident Business Committee]
  • COST [Incident Business Committee]
  • TIME [Incident Business Committee]
  • PTRC [Incident Business Committee]
  • EQTR [Incident Business Committee]
  • COMP [Incident Business Committee]
  • PROC [Incident Business Committee]
  • ICPI [Incident Business Committee]
  • INBA [Incident Business Committee]
  • IC [Incident Command Subcommittee]
  • LOFR [Incident Command Subcommittee] 
  • PETM [Communication, Education, and Prevention Committee]
  • PETL [Communication, Education, and Prevention Committee]

NWCG Committees recognize the need for the following shared inboxes on all interagency incidents. Only named accounts can access the shared inboxes to send and receive emails on behalf of the incident.

  • Dispatch Centers (including GACC/NICC) [National Coordination System Committee]
  • Air Bases:  Airtanker Bases / SEAT Bases / Helibases/ Smokejumpers [National Interagency Aviation Committee]
  • Main (PIO) [Public Information Officer Subcommittee]
  • Planning [Incident Planning Subcommittee]
  • Demobilization [Incident Planning Subcommittee]
  • Resources [Incident Planning Subcommittee]
  • Situation [Incident Planning Subcommittee]
  • Documentation [Incident Planning Subcommittee]
  • Status Check-in [Incident Planning Subcommittee]
  • Finance [Incident Business Committee]
  • Logistics [Incident Logistics Subcommittee]
  • Ordering [Incident Logistics Subcommittee]
  • Air Operations [National Interagency Aviation Committee]
  • Liaison [Incident Command Subcommittee] 
  • Fire Prevention Education Teams [Communication, Education, and Prevention Committee]
  • Buying Team [Incident Business Committee]

NWCG Committees have designated default folder structures within each functional area channel in incident Teams.

  • General (default)
    • eDoc Box [Incident Planning Subcommittee]
    • Welcome Email (document)
    • FireNet Incident Tracker (document)
  • Planning Channel [Incident Planning Subcommittee]
  • Resources Channel [Incident Planning Subcommittee]
  • Demobilization Channel [Incident Planning Subcommittee]
  • Situation Channel [Incident Planning Subcommittee]
  • Finance Channel [Incident Business Committee]
  • Information Channel [Public Information Officer Subcommittee]
  • Liaison Channel [Incident Command Subcommittee]
  • Logistics Channel [Incident Logistics Subcommittee]
    • Communications Unit
    • Facilities Unit
    • Food Unit
    • Ground Support Unit
    • Supply Unit
    • Ordering
    • Security
    • Medical Unit
  • Safety Channel [Risk Management Committee]
    • ICS 206 WF
    • ICS 215A
    • Safety Messages
  • Operations Channel [Incident Operations Subcommittee]
  • Air Operations Channel [National Interagency Aviation Committee]
    • ​Mirror eDoc box files for Aviation Section

 

 

NWCG Latest Announcements

Updated NWCG Standards for Fire Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operations, PMS 515

Date: April 23, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Interagency Fire Unmanned Aircraft Systems Subcommittee

The NWCG Standards for Fire Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operations, PMS 515 standardizes processes and procedures for the interagency use of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), including pilot inspections and approvals. This updated publication provides the aviation community with standards to ensure UAS are used safely, effectively, and efficiently in support of fire management goals and objectives.

References:

NWCG Standards for Fire Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operations, PMS 515

NWCG National Interagency Aviation Committee

ETC Bulletin 25-001: Retrofitted Hot/Cold Beverage Kits - 2025 Field Season

Date: April 16, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Equipment Technology Committee

Due to spout failures and the associated risk of burn injuries, manufacturers have retrofitted the Hot/Cold Beverage Kits using a heat-shrinking band to secure the black spout at the insertion site. The updated kits feature a fluorescent label on each full kit assembly for easy identification. Catering units are encouraged to confirm the clear heat-shrinking bands are intact around each spout before filling.

ETC Bulletin 24-001 regarding Hot/Cold Beverage Kits has been archived and replaced by ETC Bulletin 25-001 for the 2025 season.

References:

NWCG Alerts

ETC-EB-25-001 Retrofitted Hot/Cold Beverage Kits

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