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Mental Health

Mental Health in Wildland Fire

Mental health is a key component to overall health, no different than physical health. Mental health issues can impact your ability to focus and make critical decisions on the fireline. They also impact overall quality of life. The National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) established the Mental Health Subcommittee to help firefighters and fire managers better recognize hazards to mental health and wellness, implement preventative strategies, and promote resources available to firefighters.

Mental Health Subcommittee Logo and Banner

Below is an introduction to some of the resources available that may help you prepare for, recognize, and navigate stressors at work and at home.

Resources Available

  • NWCG Mental Health Subcommittee
  • A Preparedness Guide for Firefighters and Their Families, PMS 600 
    Provides honest information, resources, and conversation starters to give you, the wildland firefighter, tools that will be helpful in preparing yourself and your support network for the realities of your career.
  • Reset: Firefighter and Family Members’ Reintegration Guide
    This serves as a companion document to the Preparedness Guide. This guide provides information about the reintegration process to help you reunite with your family, friends, and communities. Whether you went on a single assignment or have been on the road all season, this guide provides useful tips for resetting, keeping connections and relationships, managing stress, and navigating end of season closeouts.
  • Wildland Fire Mental Health
    This video highlights the importance of mental health, risk factors, recognition of symptoms, and resources available to wildland firefighters. Open communication and willingness to have hard conversations are foundational to breaking stigmas to mental health.
  • Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) Desk Reference
    The CISM program provides crisis intervention techniques and trained peer support to assist employees after a critical injury or fatality. The CISM Desk Reference provides a high-level introduction to the program, including pre-incident education to promote resiliency and awareness, incident response to aid recovery, and involvement through peer support.
  • Stress First Aid
    This curriculum emphasizes basic steps in recognizing stress and simple tools for addressing stress.

Discussion Questions:

  • How do you prepare for the season or an assignment?
  • How do you regroup after the season or assignment?
  • How does your resource or unit support each other through the season or through stressful events?
  • How do you show signs of stress? How do you handle stress? How do you like to be helped?
     

References: 

Category
Firefighter Health and First Aid

6MFS Suggestion Form


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NWCG Latest Announcements

NEW! S-490, Advanced Fire Behavior Calculations (Blended) Available Now

Date:  March 17, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Fire Behavior Subcommittee

NWCG is pleased to announce that the new S-490, Advanced Fire Behavior Calculations (Blended), 2026 course is now available.

This training includes performance-based activities that allow students to apply the knowledge and concepts required for the Fire Behavior Analyst (FBAN), Long Term Fire Analyst (LTAN), and Prescribed Fire Burn Boss Type 1 (RXB1) positions. It supports individuals working towards these incident qualifications.

This blended course begins with a self-paced online training (OLT) in the Wildland Fire Learning Portal (WFLP), followed by an in-person instructor-led training (ILT).

References:

S-490, Advanced Fire Calculations (Blended)

NWCG Fire Behavior Analyst (FBAN) Position Page

NWCG Long Term Fire Analyst (LTAN) Position Page

NWCG Prescribed Fire Burn Boss Type 1 (RXB1) Position Page

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

Wildland Fire Learning Portal

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