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Mental Health

Mental Health in Wildland Fire

Mental health is a key component to overall health, no different than physical health. Mental health issues can impact your ability to focus and make critical decisions on the fireline. They also impact overall quality of life. The National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) established the Mental Health Subcommittee to help firefighters and fire managers better recognize hazards to mental health and wellness, implement preventative strategies, and promote resources available to firefighters.

Mental Health Subcommittee Logo and Banner

Below is an introduction to some of the resources available that may help you prepare for, recognize, and navigate stressors at work and at home.

Resources Available

  • NWCG Mental Health Subcommittee
  • A Preparedness Guide for Firefighters and Their Families, PMS 600 
    Provides honest information, resources, and conversation starters to give you, the wildland firefighter, tools that will be helpful in preparing yourself and your support network for the realities of your career.
  • Reset: Firefighter and Family Members’ Reintegration Guide
    This serves as a companion document to the Preparedness Guide. This guide provides information about the reintegration process to help you reunite with your family, friends, and communities. Whether you went on a single assignment or have been on the road all season, this guide provides useful tips for resetting, keeping connections and relationships, managing stress, and navigating end of season closeouts.
  • Wildland Fire Mental Health
    This video highlights the importance of mental health, risk factors, recognition of symptoms, and resources available to wildland firefighters. Open communication and willingness to have hard conversations are foundational to breaking stigmas to mental health.
  • Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) Desk Reference
    The CISM program provides crisis intervention techniques and trained peer support to assist employees after a critical injury or fatality. The CISM Desk Reference provides a high-level introduction to the program, including pre-incident education to promote resiliency and awareness, incident response to aid recovery, and involvement through peer support.
  • Stress First Aid
    This curriculum emphasizes basic steps in recognizing stress and simple tools for addressing stress.

Discussion Questions:

  • How do you prepare for the season or an assignment?
  • How do you regroup after the season or assignment?
  • How does your resource or unit support each other through the season or through stressful events?
  • How do you show signs of stress? How do you handle stress? How do you like to be helped?
     

References: 

Category
Firefighter Health and First Aid

6MFS Suggestion Form


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NWCG Latest Announcements

2025 Wildland Fire EMS Awards

Date:  June 12, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Emergency Medical Committee

The NWCG Emergency Medical Committee (EMC) announces the recipients of the 2025 Wildland Fire Emergency Medical Service (EMS) Awards. EMC annually recognizes individuals and groups who have demonstrated outstanding actions or accomplishments that are above and beyond the expectation of one’s normal mission or job duties.

Congratulations to all the awardees and nominees. Through leadership and initiative, they have made significant contributions to the safety of the wildland fire community. These awards are well deserved.

References:

2025 Wildland Fire EMS Awards

Emergency Medical Committee

Incident Position Standards and the Next Generation Position Task Book Now Available for RAMP

Date:  June 12, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Airtanker Base Operations Unit

NWCG is excited to announce that Incident Position Standards and the Next Generation Position Task Book are now available for Ramp Manager (RAMP).

The Performance Support Package for this position was 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 release in January 2027.

References:

NWCG Ramp Manager Position Page

National Interagency Aviation Committee

Make an Impact: Serve the Wildland Fire Community as an IPTM SME!

Date:  June 11, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: NWCG SME Specialist

Note: Positions with an * will last approximately 6 months.
Positions with ** will last 12 - 18 months.

NWCG is seeking experienced wildland firefighters and support personnel to serve as Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) for the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) initiative. IPTM aims to transition NWCG’s training and qualification system to a performance-based model by updating position descriptions, Incident Position Standards, Next Generation Position Task Books (Next Gen PTBs), and training where needed.

NWCG is currently recruiting SMEs for the Fall 2026 positions listed below:

  • Equipment Manager (EQPM)*
  • Fixed Wing Parking Tender (FWPT)**
  • Mixmaster (MXMS)*
  • Public Information Officer Complex (PIOC)*
  • Retardant Crewmember (RTCM)*
  • Strike Team Leader Crew (STCR)*
  • Strike Team Leader Engine (STEN)*
  • Strike Team Leader Heavy Equipment (STEQ)*
  • Task Force Leader (TFLD)**
  • Wildland Fire Investigator (INVF)** 

Projects begin October 2026. Sign up by July 10, 2026, at the link below and review the attached document for additional details. 

References:

NWCG SME Interest Sign-up

IPTM Subject Matter Expert Duties and Expectations Document

Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM)

RMC Safety Bulletin 26-001: Rhabdomyolysis in Wildland Firefighters

Date:  May 28, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Risk Management Committee

The Risk Management Committee (RMC) has issued Safety Bulletin 26-001: Rhabdomyolysis in Wildland Firefighters. Research from 2016 to 2025 shows that 88 cases of rhabdomyolysis (rhabdo) were reported. Analysis of reports from eSafety, the Safety Management Information System (SMIS), and the Wildland Fire Lessons Learned Center (LLC) indicates that rhabdo is common during this time of year due to Work Capacity Tests and contributing factors such as weather, hydration, nutrition, and medication or supplement use.

RMC issued this safety bulletin to raise awareness in the Wildland Fire Community, and to provide research findings and educational resources that support reducing future cases of rhabdo.

References:

NWCG Alerts

RMC Safety Bulletin 26-001: Rhabdomyolysis in Wildland Firefighters