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Bugs We Hate Part 1 - Ticks

What are “vector-borne diseases”?

Ticks and mosquitoes are not only pesky and annoying, but they can carry some nasty diseases. Diseases that infect us from their bites are called “vector-borne diseases.” There are long lists of vector-borne diseases, but we will focus on just a few here.

Ticks

Many different ticks exist out there that used to be more geographically isolated but are expanding their territory and are no longer isolated to certain areas as much as before. This means that you can get Lyme Disease (first found in Lyme, Connecticut) from a tick in Colorado, and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever is most common in North Carolina, Tennessee and Arkansas!

  1. Lyme Disease bacteria are less likely to infect you if you remove the tick within 24 hours.
    • Symptoms depend on the stage of the disease (stage 1, 2, or 3) – early we can see rash, fever, headache, joint stiffness.
    • Not everyone gets the classic “target” rash.
  2. Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever symptoms are fever, headache, muscle aches, rash, and sometimes vomiting occurs.
  3. Alpha Gal Syndrome is a food allergy that can develop after certain tick bites. The allergy is typically to red meat and other mammal food products like gelatins and sometimes dairy.
    • Symptoms include redness, hives, itching, and swelling after eating red meat.
    • Symptoms are delayed 3-6 hours from eating.

The Best Medicine is Prevention!

  • Spray your outdoor clothing, shoes, tent, and other gear with a repellent that is 0.5% permethrin.
  • Use a repellent with DEET - 20% is recommended.
  • Shower as soon as possible to wash off any loose ticks. Check for ticks that may have burrowed.
  • Use a mirror to check your body well. Check your underarms, hair and hairline, your ears, waist, between your legs, behind your knees, and inside your belly button.
  • Check your gear. Before you wash your work clothes, put them in the dryer on hot for at least 10 minutes to kill ticks.

Removal of tick - do not use matches or lighters. Grasp at the point where the head is embedded with tweezers and gently pull out. Try to avoid squeezing the tick. Once tick is removed, wash the bite area with soap and water.

Note date, time, and area of body you were bitten, and if practical, save the tick in a resealable plastic bag and freeze it for later identification if needed. If you are in a highly endemic area, you can seek medical care and discuss if preventative antibiotics are indicated. Otherwise, monitor your symptoms.

Four steps on how to remove a tick from your skin.

For more detailed instructions, visit the CDC website.

Discussion Questions:

  • What can you do to prevent vector-borne diseases from ticks?
  • Do you have a plan each day to check yourself?
  • Can a buddy help? When and where?
  • What should you do if you find a tick?
  • What are the signs to be looking out for?

References:

Category
Firefighter Health and First Aid

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NWCG Latest Announcements

NEW! S-212, Intermediate Faller (Online) Course Available Now 

Date:  April 23, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Hazard Tree and Tree Felling Subcommittee

NWCG is pleased to announce that the new S‑212, Intermediate Faller (Online), course is now available on the Wildland Fire Learning Portal (WFLP). This second course in the series provides students with the knowledge and skills required to perform the duties of an Intermediate Faller (FAL2), as described in the FAL2 Incident Position Description. This course is intended for individuals seeking to advance from Basic Faller (FAL3) to FAL2.

S‑212, Intermediate Faller is a fully online, self‑paced training program consisting of 13 units. Learners will engage with interactive, scenario‑based content designed to progressively build foundational skills and knowledge essential for the FAL2 role.

Students must be qualified as a Basic Faller (FAL3) prior to enrolling in S‑212, Intermediate Faller course.

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 January 2027.

References:

S-212 Intermediate Faller (Online)

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

Intermediate Faller (FAL2) Position Page

NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Chainsaw Operations, PMS 212

New Aircraft Flight Schedule Form, PMS 249

Date:  April 17, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: National Coordination System Committee

A new publication from the National Coordination System Committee (NCSC) is now available. The NWCG Aircraft Flight Schedule Form, PMS 249, will be used for aviation crews and dispatch to share flight information that is needed for resource tracking, and if needed, for emergency procedures.

For further details, please contact your NCSC representative. 

References:

NCSC Memo 26-01: Implementation of NWCG Aircraft Flight Schedule Form, PMS 249

NWCG Aircraft Flight Schedule Form, PMS 249

New Glossary Term for Review

Date:  April 15, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Data Standards and Terminology Board (DSTB)

The Data Standards and Terminology Board is requesting feedback on a new glossary term: Resource Protection Measure (RPM).

The proposed definition is: Practical guidance provided for incident personnel in a manner in which incident objectives can be achieved while reducing impacts to identified resources across the landscape. RPMs are informed by, but not restricted to, Minimum Impact Strategies and Tactics (MIST).

Please review, share with your subgroups, and provide feedback as appropriate through the following form: Request Feedback The comment period will close May 10, 2026.

Thank you for your engagement in the NWCG glossary process – your participation is key to our success.

References:

Glossary Request Feedback

Quarter Three Materials for the 2025-2026 Wildland Fire Leadership Campaign Now Available

Date:  April 1, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Leadership Committee

NWCG is excited to announce that Quarter Three materials for the 2025/2026 Wildland Fire Leadership Campaign are now available. This annual initiative offers all students of leadership and wildland fire management an opportunity to engage with essential leadership skills and knowledge needed to lead effectively in dynamic environments.

Quarter Three materials focus on Leadership Level 3: Leader of People (Develop Intent). Leadership Level 3 is where your values, your team, and your influence come together. Leaders of People put their teams first, build trust, and lead with authenticity. They mentor future leaders and shape decisions up and down the chain.

References:

2025/2026 NWCG Leadership Campaign - Leadership Levels

Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program

Leadership Committee