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Stress First Aid

Stress First Aid in Wildland Fire

Wildland firefighters are often exposed to intense stressors at work and experience many personal life stressors. Stress First Aid (SFA) was originally designed to support military personnel but has been tailored to support additional occupations, including wildland firefighters. SFA can help you recognize how an abnormal amount of stress can show up differently in individuals and learn tools to help navigate back to your true selves.

Stress responses fall along a spectrum of severity, this is shown in the Stress Continuum Model (2023) below. The continuum was developed to assess your own and others' stress responses. A simplified color scheme can allow people to talk about their levels of stress in an objective format without long explanations or details – crucial in an operating environment. 

Stress Continuum Model (2023) shows definition and features for: ready, reacting, injured, and ill.

People move along the continuum in either direction and the shifts can occur multiple times a day. You can learn tools for helping yourself and others by learning about Stress First Aid.

Inviting a fellow employee who is a skilled Stress First Aid Trainer can help open conversations within your workplace to help you and others better navigate during stressful times. 

Discussion Questions:

  • What signs do you show when you are experiencing stress?
  • When stressed, how do you try to manage independently? How do you like to receive help?
  • How do internal and external stigmas influence how you manage or seek help with stressors in your life?
  • How does your team continue to manage stressors and promote resiliency during the season?
     

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