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Physical Fatigue and Recovery

Defining Common Terms

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) broadly describes fatigue as "a feeling of weariness, tiredness, or lack of energy." 

Fatigue encompasses multiple dimensions: burnout, cognitive (associated with tasks and sleep), physical, emotional, and perceived fatigue. Here, we focus on understanding physical fatigue and fatigue management. Recovery can be defined as the restoration of health, measured through fatigue levels, functional capacity, and even mood. All these factors are interrelated with firefighter health, well-being, and performance. 

Different stressors lead to physical fatigue, which can build up over time.

  • Short-term fatigue comes from physical exhaustion due to stressors, such as insufficient sleep, physical exertion, poor nutrition or hydration, and environmental conditions over hours and days.
    • Acute fatigue can often be improved with proper rest and recovery.
  • Long-term fatigue occurs when recovery from short-term fatigue does not happen with regular rest.
    • Long-term fatigue typically arises from prolonged stress (weeks and months) without enough recovery time. This may lead to lower productivity, weakened immune response, and other health issues.

Physical Fatigue Management

Firefighters, supervisors, and incident managers need to find ways to reduce the occurrence of fatigue without recovery. We must acknowledge that stress is a necessary stimulus for your body to adjust. For instance, rigorous exercise puts physical stress on your body. And given the opportunity to recover, exercise leads to better aerobic capacity, strength, or endurance. However, you will not see the best results without adequate recovery.

Rest days and light workout days that include sustained pacing, stretching, and warm-up activities have been shown to promote and maintain muscle status while preventing the accumulation of physical stress that can lead to exhaustion. On the fireline, a host of other challenges exist to maintaining optimal nutrition, hydration, and sleep that help mitigate physical fatigue. Explore these in the discussion below. 

Discussion Questions:

In these common situations, how can you and your crew build in recovery strategies or minimize the accumulation of fatigue in these situations? For each, consider the roles of rest, sleep, hydration, nutrition, and environmental conditions.

  • During critical training, including crew training, project work, and 1-2 hours of PT daily.
  • Midsummer with crew available for initial attack and opportunity of one hour of physical training each day.
  • On assignment at a large incident and constructing direct fireline with your crew for 10 straight days. 

References:

Category
Firefighter Health & First Aid

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NWCG Latest Announcements

NEW! Incident Performance and Training Modernization Story Map Now Available

Date: Aug 26, 2025
Questions? Please contact:
National Wildfire Coordinating Group

NWCG is excited to announce the launch of the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) Story Map, a new interactive resource that showcases how NWCG is transforming wildland fire training and qualifications through a performance-based system.

Since its launch in 2023, IPTM has made major strides in updating how we manage incident positions:

  • 36 incident positions now have new Incident Position Standards and Next Generation Position Task Books available for field use
  • 6 more incident positions are nearing completion
  • 111 total incident positions are being analyzed through the IPTM initiative

The Story Map guides you through the IPTM process, highlights key accomplishments, and outlines what’s ahead. Whether you are a trainer or a trainee, this tool offers valuable insight into the modernization effort shaping the future of wildland fire training and qualifications.

This effort would not be possible without the contributions of NWCG staff, NWCG committees, and hundreds of subject matter experts across the wildland fire community.

References:

IPTM Story Map

Incident Performance and Training Modernization Webpage

NEW! S-290, Intermediate Wildland Fire Behavior (Blended) Available Now

Date: Aug 15, 2025
Questions? Please contact:
Fire Behavior Subcommittee

NWCG is excited to announce that the S-290, Intermediate Wildland Fire Behavior (Blended) training is now available on the Wildland Fire Learning Portal. S-290 (Blended) training combines online training and instructor-led training components that support individuals working towards any Single Resource Boss or Fire Effects Monitor incident qualifications.

This second course in the series collectively serves to develop fire behavior prediction knowledge and skills, and provides more detailed information on fuels, weather, and topography that affect wildland fire behavior for safety purposes.

Students are required to finish the prerequisite S-190, Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior, before enrolling in S-290, Intermediate Wildland Fire Behavior (Blended).

References:

S-290, Intermediate Wildland Fire Behavior (Blended)

S-190, Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior

Wildland Fire Learning Portal

NEW! S-271, Helicopter Crewmember (Blended) Now Available

Date: Aug 14, 2025
Questions? Please contact:
Interagency Helicopter Operations Subcommittee

The S-271, Helicopter Crewmember (Blended) is now available. Developed through the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) effort, this training supports individuals working towards Helicopter Crewmember (HECM) incident qualifications. 

S-271, Helicopter Crewmember (Blended) training combines online training and instructor-led training components. This course is designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary to perform the duties of the HECM position, as described in the NWCG Incident Position Standards for Helicopter Crewmember, PMS 350-22.

Any changes to qualification pathways will take effect with the next update of the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1, scheduled for January 2026.

References:

S-271, Helicopter Crewmember (Blended)

NWCG Helicopter Crewmember (HECM) Position Page

Wildland Fire Learning Portal

Incident Position Standards and Next Generation Position Task Books Now Available for FBAN and LTAN

Date: Aug 13, 2025
Questions? Please contact:
Fire Behavior Subcommittee

NWCG is excited to announce that Incident Position Standards and Next Generation Position Task Books are now available for Fire Behavior Analyst (FBAN) and Long Term Fire Analyst (LTAN).

The Performance Support Packages for these positions were developed as part of the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) effort. These resources support trainees, qualified personnel, and evaluators in their respective roles.

Any changes to qualification pathways will take effect with the next update of the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1, scheduled for January 2026.

References:

NWCG Fire Behavior Analyst Position Page

NWCG Long Term Fire Analyst Page