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Operational Briefings

 

Operational briefings are critical to safe fire operations. To ensure a consistent and effective briefing, a standardized briefing checklist should always be used. The following checklist is printed on the inside back cover of the Incident Response Pocket Guide (IRPG), PMS 461:

Situation:

  • Fire name, location, map orientation, other incidents in the area
  • Terrain influences
  • Fuel type and conditions
  • Fire weather (previous, current, and expected)
  • Winds, relative humidity (RH), temperatures, etc.
  • Fire behavior (previous, current, and expected): Time of day, alignment of slope and wind, etc.

Mission/Execution:

  • Command: Incident Commander (IC)/immediate supervisor
  • Leader’s intent: overall objectives/strategy
  • Specific tactical assignments
  • Contingency plans
  • Medevac plan: personnel, equipment, transport options, contingency plans

Communications:

  • Communication Plan: tactical, command, air-to-ground frequencies, cell phone numbers, etc.

Service/Support:

  • Other resources: working adjacent and those available to order
  • Aviation operations
  • Logistics: transportation, supplies and equipment

Risk Management:

  • Identify known hazards and risks
  • Identify control measures to mitigate hazards/reduce risk
    • Include LCES
  • Identify trigger points for reevaluating operations

Questions or Concerns?

 

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Updated NWCG Standards for Water Scooping Operations, PMS 518

Date: December 19, 2024
Contact: Water Scooper Operations Unit

The NWCG Standards for Water Scooping Operations, PMS 518 establishes the standards for dispatching, utilizing, and coordinating water scooping aircraft on interagency wildland fires. These standards should be used in conjunction with the NWCG Standards for Aerial Supervision (SAS), PMS 505, and any local, state, or geographic/regional water scooping plans.

References:

NWCG Standards for Water Scooping Operations, PMS 518

Updated NWCG Standards for Aerial Supervision, PMS 505

Date: December 19, 2024
Contact: Interagency Aerial Supervision Subcommittee

The Interagency Aerial Supervision Subcommittee has updated the NWCG Standards for Aerial Supervision, PMS 505. PMS 505 establishes standards for aerial supervision operations for national interagency wildland fire operations. 

References:

NWCG Standards for Aerial Supervision, PMS 505

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Date: December 3, 2024
Contact: NWCG TRAINING

Two new job aids are now available: Packing List for Wildland Fire Fireline Personnel, J-101 and Packing List for Wildland Fire Support Personnel, J-102, should serve as a baseline for items needed on a wildland fire assignment. These lists will help personnel prepare for a 14 to 21-day assignment on the fireline or in a support role.

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Job Aid Catalog

NWCG Packing List for Wildland Fire Fireline Personnel, J-101

NWCG Packing List for Wildland Fire Support Staff, J-102

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Date: November 14, 2024
Contact: Equipment Technology Committee

The Equipment Technology Committee (ETC) has released Safety Warning: 24-001 Stihl Chainsaw Toolless Fuel Cap Spill Prevention. Misaligned toolless fuel caps on Stihl chainsaws have led to recurring fuel spillage, fuel ignition, and burn injuries during wildland fire management operations.

This Safety Warning is intended to highlight the details and recommended procedures for the installation of a Stihl chainsaw toolless fuel cap, as well as how to identify and correct a misaligned, damaged, or broken fuel cap to help prevent fuel spillage.

References:

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