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Week of Remembrance

World Suicide Prevention Day – September 10

 

Creating hope through action

Our work as firefighters is not limited to wildfires but has expanded to all risk and hazards, which brings even more exposure to stressful situations. Hurricanes, longer assignments, busier seasons, devastating fires… sound familiar? More time away from home and experiencing more stress can take a toll.

World Suicide Prevention Day. Creating Hope Through Action – September 10

Learn more at International Association of Suicide Prevention

Creating hope through action aims to inspire the confidence and light in all of us. Our actions, no matter how big or small, may provide hope to those who are struggling. Preventing suicide is possible and we are all key players in its prevention. Through action, we can make a difference to someone in their darkest moments – as a friend, neighbor, or colleague. We can all play a role in supporting those simply struggling or experiencing a suicidal crisis.

988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. Dark blue font on cyan colored background in box.

U.S.’s first three-digit mental health crisis line

In July 2022, the U.S. adopted 988, an easy to remember number for anyone experiencing mental health distress or a suicidal crisis.

What is 988?

The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline (formerly known as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline) offers free, 24/7 access to a counselor who is trained to support people experiencing mental health distress, suicidal, or substance use crises. Services are available in English, Spanish, or translation in over 250 languages.


What happens when you contact 988?

A trained crisis counselor will respond to your call or text. The counselor will listen, ask questions to understand how problems are affecting you, provide support, and share resources that might be helpful.

Help is a touch away

If you are experiencing thoughts of suicide or are in distress, text, or call 988 for free, confidential support available 24/7.

Learning to recognize indicators that you or someone on your crew/unit/team needs additional support can be the difference that saves a life.

Discussion topics:

  • What are different things you can do to help when you are feeling stressed or depressed?
  • What are possible warning signs a person may be displaying who is distressed or considering suicide?
  • What types of questions can a person ask someone who may be distressed or considering suicide?

References:

Category
Firefighter Health & First Aid

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NWCG Latest Announcements

ETC/RMC Safety Bulletin: 25-001 New Guidance on Laundering Wildland Fire Clothing to Reduce Contamination

Date: Aug 8, 2025
Questions? Please contact:
Equipment Technology Committee
 Risk Management Committee

The Equipment Technology Committee (ETC) and the Risk Management Committee (RMC) have issued Safety Bulletin 25-001: Laundering to Decontaminate Wildland Fire Clothing. Recent research revealed that wildland fire flame-resistant pants and shirts can be contaminated with chemicals from combustion byproducts, including carcinogens, and that common laundering practices can effectively remove these harmful contaminants from wildland firefighter clothing more effectively than previously understood. It is recommended to decontaminate wildland fire clothing as frequently as possible. 

Frequently Asked Questions about this new information and how to implement recommendations can be found on the NWCG Alerts page. Read the complete ETC/RMC Safety Bulletin: 25-001 to learn more. 

References:

NWCG Alerts

ETC Safety Bulletin: 25-001

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) on Laundering to Decontaminate Wildland Fire Clothing

Equipment Technology Committee

Risk Management Committee

FAQ Now Available for Archiving Type 1 and Type 2 Incident Positions

Date: Aug 6, 2025
Questions? Please contact:
Incident and Position Standards Committee

To support the transition to Complex Incident Management (CIM), NWCG will archive all Type 1 and Type 2 Command and General Staff (C&G) position qualifications in January 2026, as outlined in NWCG Executive Board Memo 25-002. To assist with this transition, a new Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document is now available.

This resource answers common questions about the status of Type 1 and Type 2 qualifications, impacts to incident qualification management, training requirements, and resource ordering considerations. Review the full FAQ to learn more.

For additional information on CIM and the transition of C&G positions, see NWCG Executive Board Memos 23-005, 24-005, and 25-002, as well as the Incident Workforce and Development Group webpage.

References:

NWCG Type 1 & Type 2 Position Archiving FAQ

NWCG Executive Board Correspondence

Incident Workforce Development Group

Incident and Position Standards Committee

Incident Position Standards and the Next Generation Position Task Books Now Available for UASD, UASM, UASL and UASP

Date: July 31, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Interagency Fire Unmanned Aircraft Systems Subcommittee
 

NWCG is excited to announce that Incident Position Standards and the Next Generation Position Task Books are now available for all four Unmanned Aircraft Systems positions:

  • Unmanned Aircraft Systems, Data Specialist (UASD)
  • Unmanned Aircraft Systems, Manager (UASM)
  • Unmanned Aircraft Systems, Module Leader (UASL)
  • Unmanned Aircraft Systems Pilot (UASP)

The Performance Support Packages for these positions were developed as part of the Incident Performance and Training Modernization 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 Unmanned Aircraft Systems, Data Specialist Position Page

NWCG Unmanned Aircraft Systems, Manager Position Page

NWCG Unmanned Aircraft Systems, Module Leader Position Page

NWCG Unmanned Aircraft Systems Pilot Position Page

Incident Position Standards and the Next Generation Position Task Books Now Available for RADO and INCM

Date: July 30, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Incident Logistics Subcommittee
 

NWCG is excited to announce that Incident Position Standards and the Next Generation Position Task Books are now available for Radio Operator (RADO) and Incident Communications Center Manager (INCM).

The Performance Support Packages for these positions were developed as part of the Incident Performance and Training Modernization 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 Radio Operator Position Page

NWCG Incident Communications Center Manager Position Page