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2019 VFS Field Evaluation, Equipment Technology Committee

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2019 Operational Field Evaluation of the Vaporless Fueling System

Why (Purpose):

The purpose of the operational field evaluation is to provide a realistic and objective assessment of:

  1. How the system improves the current process for refueling.
  2. How mitigates the risk of fuel geysering.

In short, to see if the system works in real- world field conditions.

What:

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.

Who:

The operational field evaluation is being conducted by a selected interagency fire and non-fire crews.  If you are interested in please contact Ralph Gonzales (Ralph.Gonzales@USDA.gov). 

Related Sites:

Fuel Geyser Awareness

Reporting Period

Was This on an Incident?

Activity Type

Activity Type

Equipment Failure

Did You Have a Failure?

If the failure was due to a fuel geyser, please report the incident on the Fuel Geyser Incident Reporting form.

Reliability

The purpose of the reliability evaluation is to discover any design problems that did not manifest or could not be tested in the laboratory setting. The definition of failure is an essential component of the reliability evaluation.

Type of Failure

Description of Failure

Please provide a summary of the failure. Include the type of failure, activity being performed. If on an incident, please include the incident name.

Fueling Using the Probe
Reinstalling / Removal of the Receiver
Probe Installation and Removal on Fuel Bottle
Clearing Debris Lodged in Receiver. Debris Prevent Receiver From Closing

Why Was It Hard To Use?

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

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

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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. 

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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).

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S-130, Firefighter Training (Blended)

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Questions?  Please contact:
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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.

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