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Noise Exposure Safety

Working in noisy environments presents daily safety challenges to wildland firefighters. Research clearly indicates that accidents and injuries increase in noisy work environments. This can be due to distraction, miscommunication, and an inability to hear warnings. Hearing loss can be permanent, but it is also preventable.

The most at risk of excessive noise exposure include:

  • Sawyers and swampers
  • Masticator and chipper workers 
  • Heavy equipment operators
  • Helitack and helibase personnel
  • Engine and pump operators
  • Operators of weed trimmers/leaf blowers/air compressors
  • Airtanker base and retardant mixing personnel

Mitigation Techniques

  • When possible, stay far away from the noise source. 
    • The louder the noise is, the faster it can cause permanent hearing loss. Limit the amount of time you are exposed to the noise over 85 decibels (dB) to give your ears a break. If you must raise your voice to be understood by people nearby, then noise is likely more than 85 dB.
  • Always wear hearing protection making certain that: 
    • Your hearing protection has a Noise Reduction Rating (NRR) of at least 28 dB for sawyers/swampers and masticator/chipper workers, 20 dB for everyone else. 
    • Your earplugs are clean. Change your earplugs often and store somewhere clean (preferably not your Nomex buttonhole).

Properly insert your earplugs:

Visual aid for how to insert an noise canceling ear plug.
  • Roll the earplug up into a small, thin "snake" with clean fingers. 
  • Pull the top of your ear up and back with your opposite hand to straighten out your ear canal, then insert the earplug. 
  • Hold the earplug in with your finger. Count to 20 or 30 while waiting for the plug to expand and fill the ear canal. 
  • Tug the earplug gently to make sure it is seated correctly. 
  • One size does NOT fit all. You may need a different earplug size or style if it does not stay seated over time. 
  • Cup your ears with your hands in a noisy environment; if you notice a big difference in noise, recheck the fit of your earplugs. Also, your voice will sound muffled when the plug has made a good seal.

Action: 

  1. Look at your earplugs. If they are dirty, get a new pair and a spare.
  2. Get audiograms every year. If you don’t, find out how you can. Your Safety Officer is a good starting place. 
  3. Turn down your music just a little bit, especially when you listen with earbuds.
  4. Most importantly, insert your earplugs correctly. Improperly seated earplugs offer little protection.

Discussion Questions:

  • How can exposure to excessive noise reduce the firefighter’s ability to maintain good situational awareness?
  • What ear protection does your crew use? How do you store it? What is the NRR? 
  • Do you wear hearing protection when you work in all noisy environments? If not, why? 
  • Given your responses above, how can you improve your protective hearing equipment and use of it?
  • How do you protect your hearing at home when working with loud equipment, such as chainsaws, mowers, and weed whackers?

Resources:

 

Category
Firefighter Health and First Aid, Miscellaneous Fireline Hazards

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NWCG Latest Announcements

LMC Equipment Bulletin 26-001: Aquatic Invasive Species – Seasonal Reminder for Mussels

Date:  July 30, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Equipment and Technology Subcommittee

The Logistics and Equipment Management Committee (LMC) issued Equipment Bulletin 26-001: Aquatic Invasive Species - Seasonal Reminder for Mussels, reminding the wildland fire community that aquatic mussels continue to be a problem. Mussels rapidly colonize hard and soft surfaces, including aquatic plants and fire equipment, clogging pipes, fouling motors, disrupting water systems, and impacting native species.

To help prevent their spread, fire personnel must follow the decontamination procedures outlined in the NWCG Guide to Preventing Aquatic Invasive Species Transport by Wildland Fire Operations, PMS 444. Additionally, report any sightings immediately to your Lead Resource Advisor and include clear, close-up photos (with a pen or your hand for size reference) and location details.”

Read the complete LMC Equipment Bulletin 26-001, to learn more. 

References:

NWCG Alerts

LMC Equipment Bulletin 26-001: Aquatic Invasive Species - Seasonal Reminder for Mussels

NWCG Guide to Preventing Aquatic Invasive Species Transport by Wildland Fire Operations, PMS 444

Intermediate Faller (FAL2) Position Task Book Update

Date:  July 24, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Tree Felling Subcommittee

NWCG Operations Management Committee (OMC) has issued an update to the NWCG Position Task Book for Intermediate Faller (FAL2), PMS 311-91. To ensure clarity for both trainees and evaluators, the updated FAL2 Position Task Book (PTB) explicitly states who is authorized to sign off on your tasks:

“Evaluators must be qualified as a FAL2, or an Advanced Faller (FAL1).”

If you are currently working out of a previously published version of the FAL2 PTB, you do not need to restart. However, OMC highly encourages you to take the following step to prevent any confusion in the field:

  • Print and replace the updated evaluator information page (page 2) in your current physical PTB.

References:

Intermediate Faller (FAL2) Position Page

RMC Memo 26-01: Transition Plan for Implementing Updates to Intermediate Faller (FAL2) Position Qualifications

NWCG Position Task Book for Intermediate Faller (FAL2), PMS 311-91

Equipment Advisory 26-001: Potential Front Driveline Joint Failure on 2018 and Earlier Ram Pickups

Date:  July 10, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Equipment and Technology Subcommittee

The Logistics/Equipment Management Committee (LMC) has released Equipment Advisory 26-001: Potential Front Driveline Joint Failure on 2018 and Earlier Ram Pickups. This advisory highlights multiple U.S. Forest Service regions reporting front driveline joint failure incidents.

This advisory recommends firefighters and fire managers to: 

  • Follow all Ram-issued inspection, maintenance, and service guidance for front driveline joints. 
  • Consider installing a driveline loop. 
  • Coordinate with fleet managers and service providers to determine the most appropriate driveline loop kit for each pickup.

For further details, please refer to the complete advisory.

References:

Equipment Advisory 26-001: Potential Front Driveline Joint Failure on 2018 and Earlier Ram Pickups

Technical Service Bulletin: 03-002-21

NEW! NWCG Standard Operating Procedures, PMS 900

Date:  July 9, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: NWCG Staff

NWCG is excited to announce the publication of the NWCG Standard Operating Procedures, PMS 900.

The new publication establishes general, consistent, and uniform standards for conducting business with the National Wildfire Coordinating Group.

References:

NWCG Standard Operating Procedures, PMS 900