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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

Incident Position Standards and the Next Generation Position Task Books Now Available for PROC and TIME

Date: July 17, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Incident Business Committee

NWCG is excited to announce that Incident Position Standards and the Next Generation Position Task Books are now available for Procurement Unit Leader (PROC) and Time Unit Leader (TIME).

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 update, scheduled for January 2026.

References:

NWCG Procurement Unit Leader Position Page

NWCG Time Unit Leader Position Page

National Wildland Firefighter Day

Date: July 2, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
National Interagency Fire Center

The National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) recognizes July 2, 2025, as National Wildland Firefighter Day (NWFFD). Established in 2022, NWFFD honors the dedication of wildland firefighters and support personnel. This day falls within the 2025 Week of Remembrance (June 30 - July 6), providing an opportunity to renew our commitment to wildland firefighter safety while remembering those who have fallen in the line of duty.

NWCG provides leadership to enable interoperable wildland fire operations among federal, state, local, Tribal, and territorial partners. NWCG standards and training establish common practices to contribute to safe, effective, and coordinated interagency wildland fire operations nationwide.

References:

Week of Remembrance

National Wildland Firefighter Day

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