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My Safety

 

An important aspect of safety is individual responsibility for one’s own health and safety. Even with the best supervision, each individual firefighter will occasionally be required to make personal decisions concerning safety. It is important that individual responsibility is taught as the basis for a viable safety program. Some of those individual responsibilities are:

  • Fitness for duty. Begin each work shift both mentally and physically prepared for the rigors of wildland firefighting. Getting adequate sleep, maintaining a healthy diet, and proactively participating in physical training are foundations for your personal safety.
  • Utilization of personal protective equipment (PPE). Wear your PPE without being told. Each individual is responsible for performing their own risk assessments. Utilize PPE when a hazard is identified that can be mitigated by wearing a particular PPE component.
  • Following safe work practices. For example, using a spotter when backing up vehicles is the prudent and professional course of action. If you are unsure how to perform a job or task safely, ask your supervisor or an experienced coworker.
  • Using the correct reference materials is an important aspect of safety. You should have a working knowledge of the Interagency Standards for Fire and Aviation Operations (Red Book), Incident Response Pocket Guide (IRPG), PMS 461, and your local operating guidelines.
  • Ensure instructions are clearly understood. Communication is a basic responsibility for all fire personnel. Ask appropriate questions to clarify uncertain issues. Speak up when you observe hazards that may place you or others at risk.
  • Maintain situational awareness at all times. Awareness is a vital component of My Safety. Pay attention to what is happening around your area of operations. Always display an awareness of what is happening around you by asking questions or sharing information.

Summary:

Do not expect someone else to be responsible for your safety. Take it upon yourself to make My Safety your number one priority.

Discussions Points:

  • Talk about ways you can improve your safety.
  • Have your supervisor talk about their expectations for individual safety.

 

Category
Leadership
References
10 Standard Firefighting Orders, PMS 110
10 and 18 Poster, PMS 110-18
18 Watch Out Situations, PMS 118
Incident Response Pocket Guide (IRPG), PMS 461
Interagency Standards for Fire & Fire Aviation Operations (Red Book)

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NWCG Latest Announcements

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

ETC Equipment Bulletin: 25-004 NEW Aquatic Invasive Species – Golden Mussels

Date: July 29, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Equipment Technology Committee
 

The Equipment Technology Committee (ETC) issued Equipment Bulletin: 25-004, notifying the wildland fire community about a newly discovered invasive species and actions to take if found. Golden mussels, a highly invasive species recently identified in California, pose a significant risk to native ecosystems, infrastructure, and fire equipment. These mussels rapidly colonize hard and soft surfaces, including aquatic plants and fire equipment, clogging pipes, fouling motors, disrupting water systems, and impacting native species.

To help prevent their spread, fire personnel must follow the decontamination procedures outlined in the NWCG Guide to Preventing Aquatic Invasive Species Transport by Wildland Fire Operations, PMS 444. Additionally, report any sightings immediately to your Lead Resource Advisor and include clear, close-up photos and location details.

Read the complete ETC Equipment Bulletin: 25-004 to learn more. 

References:

NWCG Alerts

ETC Equipment Bulletin: 25-004

NWCG Guide to Preventing Aquatic Invasive Species Transport by Wildland Fire Operations, PMS 444

Incident Position Standards and the Next Generation Position Task Books Now Available for ICT5 and FFT1

Date: July 29, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Incident Command Subcommittee
Incident Operations Subcommittee

NWCG is excited to announce that Incident Position Standards and the Next Generation Position Task Books are now available for Incident Commander Type 5 (ICT5) and Firefighter Type 1 Squad Boss (FFT1).

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 Incident Commander Type 5 Position Page

NWCG Firefighter Type 1 Squad Boss Position Page