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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

RMC Memorandum 26-02: SAFENET Modernization and SafeNetX Launch

Date:  June 25, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Risk Management Committee

The Risk Management Committee (RMC) is pleased to announce the launch of SafeNetX, the modernized safety reporting system now available to the wildland fire community. Effective June 15, 2026, SafeNetX enables reporting of unsafe, unhealthy, near-miss, and high-risk operations across wildland fire, all-hazard incidents, training, and related work environments.

SafeNetX is the result of a multi-agency modernization effort led by RMC, which began evaluating improvements to the legacy SAFENET system in 2021. To learn more, read the full RMC memorandum in the links provided.

References:

SafeNetX

RMC Safety Memorandum 26-02: SAFENET Modernization and SafeNet X Launch

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)