Engines

Engines

Steward: Equipment Technology Committee

The NWCG categorizes information on fire apparatus into logical groups and provides common options often requested by fire managers. The Incident Command System (ICS) uses this system based on the equipment capability. The table below shows NWCG minimum performance requirements for structure and, wildland engine resource types. Additional information for required crew training and equipment recommendations can be found at the position catalog.

Engine Types
Types 1 and 2 are structure; Types 3-7 are wildland
Requirements	Type 1	Type 2	Type 3	Type 4	Type 5	Type 6	Type 7
Tank minimum capacity (gal)	300	300	500	750	400	150	50
Pump minimum flow (gal/min)	1,000	500	150	50	50	50	10
Tank minimum capacity (gal)	300	300	500	750	400	150	50
At rated pressure (psi)	150	150	250	100	100	100	100
Hose: 2½-inch	1,200	1,000	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Hose: 1½-inch	50	500	1,000	300	300	300	N/A
Hose: 1-inch	N/A	N/A	500	300	300	300	200
Ladders per NFPA 1901	Yes	Yes	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	50N/A
Master stream 500 gal/min.	Yes	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Pump and roll	N/A	N/A	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Maximum GVWR (lb)	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	26,000	19,500	14,000
Personnel (minimum)	4	3	3	2	2	2	2
N/A = Not applicable NFPA = National Fire Protection Association GVWR = Gross vehicle weight rating

Notes:

All types shall meet Federal, state, and agency requirements for motor vehicle safety standards, including all gross vehicle weight ratings (GVWR) when fully loaded.
Type 3 engines and tactical water tenders shall be equipped with a foam proportioner system.
All water tenders and engine Types 3 through 6 shall be able to prime and pump water from a 10-foot lift.
Personnel shall meet the qualification requirements of NWCG’s NIMS Wildland Fire Qualification System Guide, PMS 310-1.

Common Additional Needs for Engines and Tenders (Request As Needed)

All-wheel drive (includes four-wheel drive)
High-pressure pump (250 psi at one-half flow of Type)
Foam proportioner
Compressed Air Foam System (CAFS) 40 ft3/min minimum
Additional personnel

Need a heading for this part - Equipment examples? Equipment directory? This information is from the Water Handling Equipment Guide, PMS 447-1

This section lists many of the different initial attack engines used in the United States and describes the wide variety of vehicle sizes, pump, and tank size configurations. The data displayed in this section are intended to assist individuals interested in outfitting an initial attack wildland engine. Some of the following engines could possibly be reclassified from one NWCG ICS type to another by changing the basic equipment compliment, personnel staffing, or level of training.

Note: Click the agency link for a further description.

NWCG ICS Type	Tank Capacity (gallons)	Pump Rating (gal/min @150 psi)	Pump Drive	Equipment Designator	Agency
1	500	1500	Mid Ship	N/A	Los Angeles County Fire Department
1	750	1500	Mid Ship	N/A	Sacramento Metro Fire Department
1	700	1500	Mid Ship	N/A	Sacramento Metro Fire Department
3	500	500	Hydrostatic	CAL FIRE Model 14/15	CAL FIRE
And so on...

Line Production Rates for Initial Action by Engine Crews in Chains per Crew per Hour

Fire Behavior Fuel Model	Specific Conditions	Chains Per Crew Hour Number of Persons in Crew
Fire Behavior Fuel Model	Specific Conditions	1	2	3	4	5+
1. Short Grass	Grass	6	12	24	35	40
1. Short Grass	Tundra	2	8	15	24	30
2. Open Timber/Grass Understory	All	3	7	15	21	25
3. Tall Grass	All	2	5	10	14	16
4. Chaparrel	Chaparrel	2	3	8	15	20
4. Chaparrel	High Pocosin	2	4	10	15	18
5. Brush (minimum 2 ft. tall)	All	3	6	12	16	20
6. Dormant Brush/Hardwood Slash	Black Spruce	3	6	10	16	20
6. Dormant Brush/Hardwood Slash	Others	3	6	12	16	20
7. Southern Rough	All	2	5	12	16	20
8. Closed Timber Litter	Conifers	3	8	15	20	24
8. Closed Timber Litter	Hardwoods	10	30	40	50	60
9. Hardwood Litter	Conifers	3	7	12	18	22
9. Hardwood Litter	Hardwoods	8	25	40	50	60
10. Timber (Litter & Understory)	All	3	8	12	16	20
11. Logging Slash, Light	All	3	8	12	16	20
12. Logging Slash, Medium	All	3	5	10	16	20
13. Logging Slash, Heavy	All	2	4	8	15	20
Note: These rates are to be used for estimating initial action productivity only. Do not use these rates to estimate sustained line construction, burnout, and holding productivity. Initial action may consist of scratch line construction and hotspotting.

NWCG Latest Announcements

NWCG Welcomes the Incident Management Team Association as an Associate Member

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

The NWCG Executive Board is honored to announce that the Incident Management Teams Association (IMTA) has joined the National Wildfire Coordinating Group as an associate member.

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.

“Joining NWCG aligns with our mission to elevate incident management professionals nationwide,” said Dr. Randal Collins, President of IMTA. “This is a proud moment for all of us committed to advancing public safety.”

References:

Incident Management Teams Association

National Wildfire Coordinating Group

Updated NWCG Guide for Wildland Fire Modules, PMS 431

Date: May 14, 2025
Questions? Please contact:
Fire Use Subcommittee

The updated NWCG Guide for Wildland Fire Modules, PMS 431 serves as a supplemental resource for wildland fire module operations, providing information frequently used in the field.

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

Updated NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Resource Typing, PMS 200 Now Includes Off-Highway Vehicle Typing Standards

Date: May 13, 2025
Questions? Please contact:
Mobile Fire Equipment Subcommittee

The NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Resource Typing, PMS 200 has been updated to include newly developed Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) typing standards. These standards organize OHV information into logical categories and outline key safety requirements for occupants.

NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Resource Typing, PMS 200 establishes minimum typing standards for aircraft, crews, and equipment used in national mobilization to wildland fire incidents. Typing designations are assigned based on measurable capability and performance criteria.

References:

NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Resource Typing, PMS 200

NEW! S-204, Interpersonal and Critical Thinking Skills for Safety Officers Now Available

Date: May 12, 2025
Questions? Please contact:
Risk Management Committee

The S-204, Interpersonal and Critical Thinking Skills for Safety Officers self-directed online course is now available! Developed through the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) effort, this training supports individuals working towards Safety Officer, Field (SOFF) incident qualifications.

S-204, Interpersonal and Critical Thinking Skills for Safety Officers focuses on facilitating hazard mitigation conversations and building trust to influence safety-related decisions. Individuals can self-enroll through the Wildland Fire Learning Portal (WFLP).

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