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Fire Shelter Stigma

 

A primary objective of every operational fire plan is to keep firefighters out of entrapment situations. However, firefighters must always be prepared to deploy their fire shelters. Being ready means more than just practicing deployments and having a fire shelter that is in ready condition. Being ready also means firefighters are mentally prepared to make the decision to deploy.

Firefighters have suffered burn injuries and severe smoke inhalation because they delayed fire shelter deployment due to apprehension.

We train and practice how to deploy our fire shelters—so why do we hesitate to use them?

 

The apprehension often relates to the stigma that comes with fire shelters.

Firefighters who have deployed fire shelter have described this apprehension:

  • Somebody screwed up!
  • It’s not a real deployment.
  • Here comes the investigation!
  • Am I in trouble?
  • They’re going to fire me!
  • Should I really pull this shelter out?
  • Am I overreacting?

Deploying a shelter does not need to be an unquestionable, last-second, life-saving event. If you feel your situation is uncertain and can be improved by deploying a shelter, use it.

The Fall 2011 edition of the Wildland Fire Lessons Learned Center’s Two More Chains addresses this issue

 

“Forest officials and seasoned firefighters involved with this incident all made the point that firefighters must not be reluctant to use the fire shelter or be intimidated about using it. They all said that a stigma currently is associated with fire shelter deployment. We must work past that stigma. . . The decision to deploy is a positive decision.”

Nuttall Complex Fire Shelter Deployment Review, December 2004
 

 

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Date:  March 17, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Fire Behavior Subcommittee

NWCG is pleased to announce that the new S-490, Advanced Fire Behavior Calculations (Blended), 2026 course is now available.

This training includes performance-based activities that allow students to apply the knowledge and concepts required for the Fire Behavior Analyst (FBAN), Long Term Fire Analyst (LTAN), and Prescribed Fire Burn Boss Type 1 (RXB1) positions. It supports individuals working towards these incident qualifications.

This blended course begins with a self-paced online training (OLT) in the Wildland Fire Learning Portal (WFLP), followed by an in-person instructor-led training (ILT).

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The NWCG Leadership Committee is proud to announce the recipients of the 2024 Paul Gleason "Lead By Example" awards. Award categories include Initiative and Innovation, Mentoring and Teamwork, Motivation and Vision, as well as a Lifetime Achievement Award.

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NWCG is proud to celebrate 50 years of service to the wildland fire community. Beginning in 1976 with an interagency agreement between the Department of Interior and Department of Agriculture, NWCG has grown to include additional member agencies and is recognized as the standard-setting leader in wildland fire operations.

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