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NWCG User Guide for Glossary of Wildland Fire

EDG Glossary Database Capabilities

  1. One entry per definition, not per term. Instead of having one term with multiple definitions, there is now a single definition per term and a term is used multiple times with a clarifying word in parentheses. For example:
    Screenshot showing one entry per definition
  2. Synonym has been replaced with alternative label in order to remove duplicate entries where two synonyms had the same definition. There will be one entry with a label and alternative label or labels.
    Screenshot showing an example of one entry with a label and alternative labels.
  3. It is now possible to see terms associated with a specific publication. This is in its infancy stages and will continue to grow with steward engagement.
    Screenshot of terms associated with a specific publication
  4. Terms have more ways to describe a relationship between other terms. Broader term, narrower term, related term, exact match, close match, and others can now be used to describe the relationships between terms; previously limited to See Also.
    Screenshot showing the relationship between terms
  5. More metadata about terms can be collected, including business rules, permissible values, status, key stakeholders and stewards, and more.
  6. All terms are lowercase unless they are a proper noun or have an acronym.

How to Comment

When viewing any term, click on the Explore button and submit a comment using the Send Feedback option.
Screenshot of the comment box

A steward will then have the ability to mark the comment as Resolved or Declined.

What This Means for Stewards

Additional instructions will be available as the workflow template in EDG is customized. A few features:

  1. Terms and definitions can be edited directly in EDG in a working copy of the glossary.
  2. Automatic notifications will be enabled, so EDG will automatically notify the identified stewards when a comment is received.
  3. Users will be able to easily see where a term is in the process.

 

Last Modified / Reviewed:

NWCG Latest Announcements

Incident Position Standards and the Next Generation Position Task Books Now Available for RADO and INCM

Date: July 30, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Incident Logistics Subcommittee
 

NWCG is excited to announce that Incident Position Standards and the Next Generation Position Task Books are now available for Radio Operator (RADO) and Incident Communications Center Manager (INCM).

The Performance Support Packages for these positions were developed as part of the Incident Performance and Training Modernization effort. These resources support trainees, qualified personnel, and evaluators in their respective roles.

Any changes to qualification pathways will take effect with the next update of the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1, scheduled for January 2026.

References:

NWCG Radio Operator Position Page

NWCG Incident Communications Center Manager Position Page

ETC Equipment Bulletin: 25-004 NEW Aquatic Invasive Species – Golden Mussels

Date: July 29, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Equipment Technology Committee
 

The Equipment Technology Committee (ETC) issued Equipment Bulletin: 25-004, notifying the wildland fire community about a newly discovered invasive species and actions to take if found. Golden mussels, a highly invasive species recently identified in California, pose a significant risk to native ecosystems, infrastructure, and fire equipment. These mussels rapidly colonize hard and soft surfaces, including aquatic plants and fire equipment, clogging pipes, fouling motors, disrupting water systems, and impacting native species.

To help prevent their spread, fire personnel must follow the decontamination procedures outlined in the NWCG Guide to Preventing Aquatic Invasive Species Transport by Wildland Fire Operations, PMS 444. Additionally, report any sightings immediately to your Lead Resource Advisor and include clear, close-up photos and location details.

Read the complete ETC Equipment Bulletin: 25-004 to learn more. 

References:

NWCG Alerts

ETC Equipment Bulletin: 25-004

NWCG Guide to Preventing Aquatic Invasive Species Transport by Wildland Fire Operations, PMS 444

Incident Position Standards and the Next Generation Position Task Books Now Available for ICT5 and FFT1

Date: July 29, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Incident Command Subcommittee
Incident Operations Subcommittee

NWCG is excited to announce that Incident Position Standards and the Next Generation Position Task Books are now available for Incident Commander Type 5 (ICT5) and Firefighter Type 1 Squad Boss (FFT1).

The Performance Support Packages for these positions were developed as part of the Incident Performance and Training Modernization effort. These resources support trainees, qualified personnel, and evaluators in their respective roles.

Any changes to qualification pathways will take effect with the next update of the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1, scheduled for January 2026.

References:

NWCG Incident Commander Type 5 Position Page

NWCG Firefighter Type 1 Squad Boss Position Page

Incident Position Standards and the Next Generation Position Task Books Now Available for ATBM and FWBM

Date: July 28, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Airtanker Base Operations Unit

NWCG is excited to announce that Incident Position Standards and the Next Generation Position Task Books are now available for Airtanker Base Manager (ATBM) and Fixed Wing Base Manager (FWBM).

The Performance Support Packages for these positions were developed as part of the Incident Performance and Training Modernization effort. These resources support trainees, qualified personnel, and evaluators in their respective roles.

Any changes to qualification pathways will take effect with the next update of the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1, scheduled for January 2026.

References:

NWCG Airtanker Base Manager Position Page

NWCG Fixed Wing Base Manager Position Page