Skip to main content

6MFS

Committee Home

6MFS Calendar

Topics Categories

All 6MFS Topics

Aviation

Airtankers

Felling Safety

Fire Communication

Firefighter Health and First Aid

Leadership

Miscellaneous Fireline Hazards

Operational Engagement

This Day in History

Vehicles - Roads

Weather - Fire Behavior

Week of Remembrance

Search All 6MFS Topics by Keyword

Contagious Diseases

Living with others in a camp environment we are at significant risk of spreading contagious diseases. In fact, many of the significant impacts of modern medicine include recognizing how viral and bacterial organisms spread from human to human and limiting these pathways. We take it for granted today, but not long ago the concept of sewer systems, clean water and hand washing were not understood or utilized. As we learned from COVID19, good preventative measures, early detection, and isolation are key to decreasing the spread of any contagious disease.

Common contagious diseases include influenza (flu), viral upper respiratory tract infections, COVID19, strep throat and gastrointestinal illnesses.

Spread can be decreased by these preventative measures:

  • Good hand washing and hygiene
  • Eating, sleeping, and living in smaller groups
  • Good rest, nutrition, and hydration
  • Isolating yourself if you become ill early on and get medically evaluated
  • Keeping food and water sources away from waste and sewer systems

If you or your crewmembers start to notice signs and symptoms of a contagious disease, make sure to advise your supervisor and take steps to isolate. Consider isolating the entire crew in the work environment as much as possible, even when others are still feeling well. Utilize spike camps and remote briefings when available.

If a medical unit is available, consider an initial evaluation. This will help track illness throughout the camp. This is especially important for gastrointestinal illnesses because use of common food, toilet and water areas can easily infect the entire camp quickly and must be identified early.

We all protect each other – if you are feeling ill, it is better to seek an evaluation and isolate until improved than risk infecting your crew and putting other individuals and the mission or even incident at risk.

Discussion Questions:

  • What steps does your crew take when someone develops cold-like symptoms?
  • How can your crew isolate from a larger camp if several members are sick and still have the healthy members continue to work?
  • Does your crew consider contagious disease a workplace hazard? Does the crew culture around illness need to change?

References:

Category
Firefighter Health and First Aid

6MFS Suggestion Form


Have an idea or feedback?

Share it with the NWCG 6MFS Subcommittee
 


Follow NWCG on X and Facebook
 


 

Last Modified / Reviewed:

Print PDF

NWCG Latest Announcements

Intermediate Faller (FAL2) Position Task Book Update

Date:  July 24, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Tree Felling Subcommittee

NWCG Operations Management Committee (OMC) has issued an update to the NWCG Position Task Book for Intermediate Faller (FAL2), PMS 311-91. To ensure clarity for both trainees and evaluators, the updated FAL2 Position Task Book (PTB) explicitly states who is authorized to sign off on your tasks:

“Evaluators must be qualified as a FAL2, or an Advanced Faller (FAL1).”

If you are currently working out of a previously published version of the FAL2 PTB, you do not need to restart. However, OMC highly encourages you to take the following step to prevent any confusion in the field:

  • Print and replace the updated evaluator information page (page 2) in your current physical PTB.

References:

Intermediate Faller (FAL2) Position Page

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

NWCG Position Task Book for Intermediate Faller (FAL2), PMS 311-91

Equipment Advisory 26-001: Potential Front Driveline Joint Failure on 2018 and Earlier Ram Pickups

Date:  July 10, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Equipment and Technology Subcommittee

The Logistics/Equipment Management Committee (LMC) has released Equipment Advisory 26-001: Potential Front Driveline Joint Failure on 2018 and Earlier Ram Pickups. This advisory highlights multiple U.S. Forest Service regions reporting front driveline joint failure incidents.

This advisory recommends firefighters and fire managers to: 

  • Follow all Ram-issued inspection, maintenance, and service guidance for front driveline joints. 
  • Consider installing a driveline loop. 
  • Coordinate with fleet managers and service providers to determine the most appropriate driveline loop kit for each pickup.

For further details, please refer to the complete advisory.

References:

Equipment Advisory 26-001: Potential Front Driveline Joint Failure on 2018 and Earlier Ram Pickups

Technical Service Bulletin: 03-002-21

NEW! NWCG Standard Operating Procedures, PMS 900

Date:  July 9, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: NWCG Staff

NWCG is excited to announce the publication of the NWCG Standard Operating Procedures, PMS 900.

The new publication establishes general, consistent, and uniform standards for conducting business with the National Wildfire Coordinating Group.

References:

NWCG Standard Operating Procedures, PMS 900

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

Date:  July 8, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Leadership Development Subcommittee

NWCG is excited to announce that Fourth Quarter 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 Four materials focus on Leadership Level 4: Leader of Leaders (Provide Direction). Leadership Level 4 is where you are setting the conditions for others to do things well, even when you are not present. This quarter focuses on equipping experienced leaders with skills to provide direction, build trust across teams, and foster strong decision making. 

References:

2025/2026 NWCG Leadership Campaign - Leadership Levels

Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program

Leadership Development Subcommittee