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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

2024 Paul Gleason Award Winners Announced

Date:  March 13, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Leadership Committee

The NWCG Leadership Committee is proud to announce the recipients of the 2024 Paul Gleason "Lead By Example" awards. Award categories include Initiative and Innovation, Mentoring and Teamwork, Motivation and Vision, as well as a Lifetime Achievement Award.

Congratulations to the awardees:

  • Justin Baxter, National Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) Operations Specialist, with the U.S. Forest Service — Initiative and Innovation
  • Kelly Woods, Director of the Wildland Firefighting Lessons Learned Center — Mentoring and Teamwork
  • Doug Booster, Instructor, ProHealth Net, Inc. — Motivation and Vision
  • Pam McDonald, Writer-Editor for the National Interagency Fire Center — Lifetime Achievement Award

References:

Paul Gleason Lead By Example Award

Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program (WFLDP)

Leadership Committee

NEW! S-231, Engine Boss Course Available Now

Date:  March 6, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Incident Operations Subcommittee

NWCG is pleased to announce the new S-231, Engine Boss (Single Resource) course is now available on the Wildland Fire Learning Portal (WFLP). Developed through the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) effort, this training supports individuals working towards Engine Boss, Single Resource (ENGB) incident qualifications. 

This is a performance-based instructor-led training (ILT) that focuses on the application of ENGB responsibilities during wildland fire operations, emphasizing readiness, information gathering, risk management, engine tactics, and Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) operations. Trainees apply these skills through scenario-based group work and an optional field day that reinforces hands-on engine operation tasks. 

References:

S-231, Engine Boss (Single Resource) (Instructor-led)

NWCG Engine Boss, Single Resource (ENGB) Position Page

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NWCG Celebrates 50 Years!

Date:  March 6, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: NWCG Executive Secretary

NWCG is proud to celebrate 50 years of service to the wildland fire community. Beginning in 1976 with an interagency agreement between the Department of Interior and Department of Agriculture, NWCG has grown to include additional member agencies and is recognized as the standard-setting leader in wildland fire operations.

To honor where we’ve been and highlight where we are going, the NWCG team has created a video showcasing our history and accomplishments. The video is now available on the NWCG website.

References:

NWCG 50 Year Anniversary Video

NEW! S-131, Firefighter Type 1 Course Available Now

Date:  March 6, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Incident Operations Subcommittee

NWCG is pleased to announce the new S-131, Firefighter Type 1 course is now available on the Wildland Fire Learning Portal (WFLP). Developed through the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) effort, this course is a performance-based instructor-led training (ILT) that focuses on the application of situational awareness and decision making, building on the knowledge and concepts introduced in previous required courses. Using a threaded fictitious fire, each unit focuses on a performance-based activity in which students practice applying their decision-making and problem-solving skills.

The S-131, Firefighter Type 1 course is required for individuals seeking qualifications to be a Firefighter Type 1 (Squad Boss) (FFT1) or an Incident Commander Type 5 (ICT5).

References:

S-131, Firefighter Type 1 (Instructor-led)

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