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Hydration

Dehydration can occur due to a variety of reasons such as vomiting, diarrhea, excessive sweating, and and even some medications. For Wildland Firefighters sweating is the primary way the body regulates its temperature. Maintaining body fluids is essential for sweating. You must hydrate before, during, and after work.

  • Studies conducted on wildland firefighters indicate that during fire suppression activities firefighters need to drink a minimum of one quart of fluid each hour of work.
  • Before work, you should consume extra fluids to prepare for the heat. Drink one or two cups of water, juice, or a sports drink before work.
  • While working, drink at least one quart of fluid per hour. Drink as much as you can during the lunch break. Water is your greatest need during work in the heat.
  • Hyponatremia (abnormally low concentration of sodium in the blood) as a result of excessive water intake is a potentially life-threatening complication. It can be prevented when hydration is enhanced by electrolytes, through fluids, or food containing sodium and potassium.
  • After work, it is important to continue drinking to replace fluid losses. Thirst always underestimates fluid needs, so you should drink more than you think you need.
  • Unacclimatized workers lose more salt in the heat, so they need to pay particular attention to salt replacement.
  • Don’t overdo salt intake. Excessive salt can impair temperature regulation and cause stomach distress, fatigue, and other problems.
  • You can assess your hydration by observing the volume, color, and concentration of your urine. Low volumes of dark, concentrated urine, or painful urination indicate a serious need for rehydration. Other signs of dehydration include a rapid heart rate, weakness, excessive fatigue, and dizziness.
  • Rapid loss of several pounds of body weight is a certain sign of dehydration. Rehydrate before returning to work. Working in a dehydrated state can lead to serious consequences, including heat stroke, muscle breakdown, and kidney failure.

Discussion Questions:

  • What are you doing right now to ensure that you are hydrated?

 

Category
Firefighter Health & First Aid
References
Fitness and Work Capacity, PMS 304-2
Death from Hyponatremia as a Result of Acute Water Intoxication in an Army Basi…
NWCG Incident Response Pocket Guide, PMS 461
Interagency Standards for Fire & Fire Aviation Operations (Red Book)

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NWCG Latest Announcements

2025 Week of Remembrance

Date: June 27, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
6 Minutes for Safety Subcommittee

As we approach the 2025 Week of Remembrance (WOR), June 30–July 6, we dedicate this time to reflect on the past incidents from 2015 and honor the fallen through learning. Since its inception in 2014, WOR has honored wildland firefighters who made the ultimate sacrifice while encouraging critical discussions that reinforce lessons learned.

Throughout the week, we encourage thoughtful and generative conversations—whether in briefing rooms or at tailgates—that promote a culture of continuous learning and safety.

References:

2025 Week of Remembrance: Letter to Leadership

Wildland Fire Lessons Learned Center

ETC Equipment Bulletin: 25-003 Flame-Resistant Shirt Survey

Date: June 12, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Equipment Technology Committee

The U.S. Forest Service National Technology and Development Program (NTDP) is seeking input on the Forest Service-designed flame-resistant (FR) shirt, currently available through the National Interagency Support Cache system and FedMall.

NTDP is conducting a product review to improve future FR shirt designs. As part of this effort, a short survey is now open for federal employees who have worn any of three recent FR shirt models. Feedback will guide design improvements to better meet the needs of wildland firefighters.

To comply with the Paperwork Reduction Act, responses are limited to federal employees. The survey is open through September 12, 2025. 

References:

NWCG Alerts

ETC Equipment Bulletin: 25-003

NEW! S-130, Firefighter Training (Blended) Now Available

Date: June 10, 2025
If you have questions, please visit our FAQ page. 
If your question is not answered there, you can 
submit your question using our Contact Us form. 
 

The S-130, Firefighter Training (Blended), equips new wildland firefighters with essential skills through a mix of online learning and hands-on training. The course features a required online component and an instructor-led exercise, reinforcing online concepts with practical performance-based training.

The course builds competencies in wildland fire operations, safety, and equipment use, applicable across various operational environments. Both the online component and instructor-led field exercise must be completed to receive a certificate of completion. Students are required to finish the prerequisite S-190, Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior, before enrolling in S-130, Firefighter Training (Blended).

References:

S-130, Firefighter Training (Blended)

S-190, Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior

Wildland Fire Learning Portal

EMC Memo 25-001: Interim Rapid Extraction Module (REMS) Training and Qualification Requirements

Date: June 3, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Emergency Medical Committee

The Emergency Medical Committee has issued interim guidance for Rapid Extraction Module Support (REMS) teams. Until further notice, Type I and II REMS teams must designate a team leader qualified at Firefighter Type 1 Squad Boss (FFT1) or higher. This temporary change replaces the Single Resource Boss (SRB) requirement, which is currently not feasible due to administrative barriers.

This memorandum does not include any other changes to the NWCG Standards for Rapid Extraction Module Support, PMS 552. This interim change takes effect immediately and will remain in place until further notice.

References:

EMC Memo 25-001: Interim Rapid Extraction Module (REMS) Training and Qualification Requirements

NWCG Standards for Rapid Extraction Module Support, PMS 552