PMS 449-2

NWCG NFES Catalog Part 2 Publications PMS 449 2. The National Fire Equipment System (NFES) was created to provide standards for fire supplies and equipment as well as an organized method for ordering and stocking those items. The NWCG National Fire Equipment System Catalog, national in scope, reflects the items admitted to the NFES and the cache locations where they are stocked.

PMS 437

The Fire Behavior Field Reference Guide (FBFRG) describes a range of practices by which fire behavior assessments are conducted for fireline leadership in the field, and by Fire Behavior Analysts (FBANs) and Long Term Fire Analysts (LTANs) in support of more sophisticated analysis. It is a hands-on publication for use in the field, in fire behavior training, and as a learning reference.

Executive Board

The NWCG executive board member is comprised of appointed representatives from the member entities. The Executive Board provides leadership, strategic direction, and managerial oversight of all aspects of NWCG management and operations. The Executive Board members work in a collective, collaborative, and consensus-seeking manner to accomplish the NWCG mission.

RT-130, Wildland Fire Safety Training Annual Refresher (WFSTAR)

RT-130 Decorative banner. Group of photos depicting wildland firefighters performing various duties.

Working with Heavy Equipment

Wildland firefighters perform dangerous work around heavy equipment. Regardless of position or crew type, all firefighters must be equipped to work near heavy equipment. Review Heavy Equipment and other useful references in the IRPG Operational Engagement pages to better prepare yourself when working near heavy equipment.

Category: Hazards

Core Component(s):

Local Topics, Incident Reviews and Lessons Learned, Fire and Aviation Operational Safety, Human Factors, Communication and Decision Making

Estimated Delivery Time: 30 minutes

Video Length: 11:06

Intent

Regardless of position or crew type, all firefighters must be prepared to work safely around heavy equipment. Review Working with Heavy Equipment and other useful references in the NWCG Incident Response Pocket Guide (IRPG), PMS 461. Use the Operational Engagement pages to prepare yourself for working near heavy equipment.

Facilitator Preparation

Review the video and module tools.
Reference the IRPG. Provide copies for students to utilize and answer questions.
Consider additional activities and discussion questions pertinent to the location and agency.

Facilitating the Discussion

Share the intent of the module with the class.
Show the video.
Facilitate a small or large group discussion using discussion questions and IRPG.

Discussion Questions

Locate and review Working with Heavy Equipment in the IRPG. Identify one take-away message within the section specific to your module (e.g., NWCG Dozer Typing Standard, safe distances, communication methods, and hazards).
Locate and review additional IRPG references that may be applicable when working with heavy equipment (e.g., LCES, Safety Zones, Downhill Fireline Construction Checklist, Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) firefighting). Identify one take-away message from each resource specific to your module.
How does your module manage risk when working with or near heavy equipment?
1. Reference the Risk Management Process in the IRPG.
  1. What critical roles are required when working with heavy equipment?
  2. Who on your module is assessing hazards?
  3. How do you communicate hazard within your module and to heavy equipment operators?
  4. Discuss how this plan differs during night operations.
Review how your module communicates using radios.
1. What specific channels should be used to communicate with heavy equipment?
2. How do you communicate with heavy equipment if they don’t have radio capabilities?
3. How do night operations impact how you communicate with heavy equipment?

Resources

Website: Wildland Fire Lessons Learned Center – Sheep Gap Fire
Website: Wildland Fire Lessons Learned Center – Liberty Fire
Website: Wildland Fire Lessons Learned Center – Clearwater Fire: Power Pole Strike by Dozer
Website: WFSTAR – Golden Gate Estates Fire
Document: 6 minutes for safety (operational briefing)
Document: 6 minutes for safety (no link with crewmembers or supervisor)
Document: 6 minutes for safety (dozer/plow operations)

Additional Video Information

This video is also available as a download (zip file, size 857MB) with the .srt file for closed captioning (you may need to right click and Save As). For information on how to add closed captioning to a video, see this how to page.
Note: For Chrome and Firefox, right click the word download and select Save Link As; for IE, right click and select Save Target As.

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Last Modified / Reviewed: October 22, 2025

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NWCG Latest Announcements

Coming Soon! Ransom Road WFSTAR Module

Date: December 9, 2025
Questions about RT-130?
Please contact: NWCG Audiovisual Specialist

On June 8, 1981, the Ransom Road Fire swept across Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge in Florida, marking a defining moment in wildland fire management. This event led directly to the creation of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's professional fire program.

Later this month, NWCG will release a compelling video that brings the Ransom Road Fire to life through firsthand accounts, official reports, and animated maps. Rob Lee, second on site during the deployment, shares his powerful recollections of that day.

This video will be going live later this month in NWCG's RT-130, Wildland Fire Safety Training Annual Refresher (WFSTAR) Catalogue.

References:

WFSTAR Catalogue

Wildland Fire Lessons Learned Center

2025-2026 Wildland Fire Leadership Campaign: "Leadership Levels" Now Available

Date: October 15, 2025
Questions? Please contact:
Leadership Committee

NWCG is excited to announce the release of the Leadership Committee’s 2025–2026 Leadership Campaign, themed “Leadership Levels.” This annual initiative offers all students of leadership and wildland fire management an opportunity to engage with essential leadership skills and knowledge needed to lead effectively in dynamic environments.

The campaign is structured into four quarters and may be completed at any time between October 1, 2025 -December 31, 2026. Leadership levels will be released quarterly.

Quarter One materials are now available on the Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program website and focus on Leadership Level 1, Follower (Self-Leadership).

References:

2025/2026 NWCG Leadership Campaign - Leadership Levels

Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program

Leadership Committee

Updated! L-280, Followership to Leadership (Instructor-led) Course

Date: October 3, 2024
Questions? Please contact:
Leadership Committee

NWCG is pleased to announce the updated L-280, Followership to Leadership (Instructor-led) course is now available. L-280 is intended for operational personnel at the Firefighter Type 1 level, and for individuals pursuing Leadership Level 2, New Leader.

This instructor-led course is a primer on leadership and the second formal course in the Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program. It helps emerging leaders build the confidence, skills, and mindset needed to lead effectively in high-risk environments.

For more information about leadership development and available courses, visit the Leadership Committee Web Portal.

References:

L-280, Followership to Leadership (Instructor-led)

Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program

Wildland Fire Learning Portal

Equipment Advisory 25-01: Pre-2006 Fire Shelter Degradation and Discontinuation of Use

Date: Sept 26, 2025
Questions? Please contact:
Equipment Technology Committee

The Equipment Technology Committee (ETC) has released Equipment Advisory 25-01: Pre-2006 Fire Shelter Degradation and Discontinuation of Use. This advisory recommends all pre-2006 fire shelters should be removed from service by January 1, 2026.

This advisory recommends firefighters and fire managers to:

Inspect fire shelters immediately
Replace and destroy any pre-2006 shelters (identified by white or pink insert label)
Order replacements as needed

For further details, please refer to the complete advisory.

References:

Equipment Advisory 25-01: Pre-2006 Fire Shelter Degradation and Discontinuation of Use

NWCG Fire Inspection Flowchart, PMS 411-1

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