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COVID-19 Prevention and Management During Wildland Fire Operations

A picture of a covid 19 infected cell.Introduction

A significant amount of information regarding COVID-19 has been distributed as agencies respond to the Coronavirus pandemic. This page provides wildland fire personnel quick, singe-point access to COVID-19 prevention and management information pertinent to wildland fire operations. As always, all wildland fire personnel are responsible for ensuring compliance with home-agency direction.

USWDS Paragraphs

Wildland Fire-Specific Information and Direction on COVID-19

Operational Tools

Testing and Screening Information

Prevention and Management Information

Other Resources

Older Information But Still Useful

Key Takeaways:

Get Ready for Fire Season 2022!

Key Mitigations to Practice

Read

Videos Related to Coronavirus

Note: Videos were created in 2020 and guidance has changed slightly. The videos are still relevant but ensure you are checking for the most up to date guidance.

COVID-19: NWCG Executive Board Message

NWCG Executive Board Chair Frank Guzman shares a message about COVID-19 to the wildland fire community.


Time: 1:38

COVID-19: Mental Health Awareness

The pressures of wildland fire response have been compounded in 2020 by the presence of COVID-19. NWCG Mental Health Subcommittee Co-Chair Bodie Ronk shares a message about the importance of mental health awareness.


Time: 1:36

COVID-19: A Message from Fire Leadership

The global coronavirus pandemic adds additional complexity to wildland fire suppression. Leaders from various NWCG member agencies share their intent regarding challenges associated with COVID-19, mitigation strategies, and special considerations for wildland fire personnel this fire season.


Time: 10:32

COVID-19: Prevention for Fire Personnel

An Incident Commander, Fire Staff Officer, Medical and Public Health Advisory Team member, and Medical Officer discuss the importance of COVID-19 spread prevention and describe best practices for wildland fire response personnel.


Time: 12:34

LLC Resources for COVID-19 Education

The Wildland Fire Lessons Learned Center promotes ongoing learning in the wildland fire service. Assistant Center Director Alex Viktora describes LLC resources associated with COVID-19 in fire season 2020 and provides a tour of some useful features of Wildland Fire Lessons Learned Center.


Time: 2:39

COVID-19: Psychological Transition and Balance

Dr. Steven Nicholas, a mental health professional with an extensive background counseling first responders, describes concepts and tools to assist fire personnel in monitoring and managing stress and mental health.


Time: 11:20
Documents referenced in the video:

COVID-19: Taking Care of Fire Personnel

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, safe wildland fire response requires additional coordination and specialized procedures. MPHAT Coordinator Kaili McCray discusses the importance of public health engagement during pre-incident planning and describes available resources for fire personnel.


Time: 8:13

COVID-19 Resource Movement

Firefighters and personnel are essential, emergency service providers who often need to be moved inside and across state boundaries to successfully fight fire. Sharing resources and helping each other is the key to our success. Covid-19 has presented new challenges to move resources safely and effectively. In this video, resource managers discuss various strategies and tactics being implemented to help move resources throughout the country.


Time: 9:12

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