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

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

Is Your LCES Adequate

LCES doesn't make any sense if it's not based on fire behavior and worse case fire potential.
Category: Operations
Core Component(s):
Incident Reviews and Lessons Learned, Fire and Aviation Operational Safety, Human Factors, Communication and Decision Making
Estimated Delivery Time: 30 minutes
Video Length: 8:14

Intent

Establish Lookouts, Communications, Escape Routes, and Safety Zones (LCES) based on worse-case fire behavior and potential.

Facilitator Preparation

  • Review the video and module tools.
  • Consider additional activities and discussion questions pertinent to the location and agency.

Facilitating the Discussion

  • Show the video.
  • Facilitate a small or large group discussion using the discussion questions.

Discussion Questions

  1. What led to Paul Gleason creating LCES in 1991?
  2. This video states that LCES should be based on worst-case fire behavior. Have you been on an incident where it wasn’t based on a worst-case scenario? What was the outcome?
  3. Where are some of the largest safety zones that you’ve seen? Were they implemented based on explosive fire behavior? Were they adequate?
  4. The term “set it and forget it” was used in this video for LCES. How do you feel about this term?
  5. According to the video, what is the fundamental intent of a lookout?

Resources

Additional Video Information

  • This video is also available as a download (zip file, size 26 MB) with .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, Firefox, and Edge, right click the word download and select Save Link As; for Internet Explorer (IE), right click and select Save Target As.

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Date: June 2, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Equipment Technology Committee

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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:

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Questions?  Please contact:
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2024 Wildland Fire EMS Awards

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Date: May 21, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
https://www.nwcg.gov/contact-us

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IMTA is a dedicated group of incident management professionals committed to enhancing the profession by promoting standards and fostering collaboration across federal, state, local, Tribal, and private sector partners throughout all phases of incident management.

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References:

Incident Management Teams Association

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Date: May 14, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
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PMS 431 defines the organizational structure, staffing, and qualifications for Type 1 and Type 2 Wildland Fire Modules, outlining their roles in wildland fire suppression, prescribed fire, and resource management. The NWCG Guide for Wildland Fire Modules, PMS 431, should be used in conjunction with the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Module Operations, PMS 430.

References:

NWCG Guide for Wildland Fire Modules, PMS 431

NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Module Operations, PMS 430