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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! M-280, Resource Advisor, Fireline (Instructor-Led) Course Available Now

Date: January 29, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Resource Advisor Subcommittee

NWCG is pleased to announce the new M-280, Resource Advisor, Fireline (Instructor-Led) course is now available. This training supports individuals working towards Resource Advisor, Fireline (REAF) incident qualifications.

M-280, Resource Advisor, Fireline (Instructor-Led) training prepares students to serve as a Resource Advisor, Fireline (REAF) as defined in NWCG Incident Position Standards for Resource Advisor, Fireline, PMS 350-112. This course presents scenarios that reflect the diverse challenges a REAF may encounter during an incident. Through these scenarios, participants gain hands-on experience and an understanding of REAF responsibilities in a controlled learning environment.

References:

Resource Advisor, Fireline Position Page

NWCG Position Standards for Resource Advisor, Fireline, PMS 350-112

M-280, Resource Advisor, Fireline (Instructor-Led)

Wildland Fire Learning Portal

2026 Updates to the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1

Date: January 23, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Incident and Position Standards Committee

The Incident and Position Standards Committee has updated the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1.

These updates address changes to incident position names and requirements for qualification, training, and experience. Updates related to the implementation of Complex Incident Management (CIM) and Incident Performance Training Modernization (IPTM) are also included.

The NWCG Wildland Fire Position Qualification Flowchart, PMS 308 has also been updated to reflect the recent changes.

References:

NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1

NWCG Wildland Fire Position Qualification Flowchart, PMS 308

IPSC Memo 26-01: January 2026 Updates to the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Positions Qualifications, PMS 310-1

Incident Business Committee Memo 26-01: Updated Emergency Equipment Shift Ticket, OF 297

Date: January 22, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Incident Business Committee

The Incident Business Committee (IBC) has released Memorandum 26-01: OF 297 and 2026 Fire Use. This memo informs the wildland fire community that the updated Emergency Equipment Shift Ticket, OF 297 is available for download and can be ordered through the Great Basin Cache.

Beginning January 15, 2026 the previous version of the OF 297 form has been discontinued.

For further details, please contact your IBC representative.

References:

Incident Business Committee Memorandum 26-01

Great Basin Cache

NEW! S-390, Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior Calculations (Blended) Available Now

Date: December 22, 2025
Questions about RT-130? 
Please contact: Fire Behavior Subcommittee

NWCG is excited to announce that the new S-390, Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior Calculations (Blended) training is now available on the Wildland Fire Learning Portal.

This third course in the series combines online and instructor-led training components aimed at individuals who are involved in planning, managing, and executing wildland fire and prescribed burn operations; who require a thorough understanding of fire behavior calculations to enhance effectiveness and safety. This includes students who require the knowledge and skill necessary to perform the duties of a Type 3 Incident Commander (ICT3), Division/Group Supervisor (DIVS), or Prescribed Fire Burn Boss Type 2 (RXB2).

Students are required to be qualified as any Single Resource Boss position and complete the prerequisite S-290, Intermediate Wildland Fire behavior (Blended) course, before enrolling in S-390.

References:

S-390, Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior Calculations (Blended)

Wildland Fire Learning Portal