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Week of Remembrance

Preparedness Level (PL) 5 Watch Outs

Preparedness levels are established locally, geographically and nationally to indicate that there are ongoing major incidents and potential to exhaust, or have exhausted, all agency fire resources. There are a number of factors which exist at this preparedness level that have the potential to impact firefighter safety:

  • Most or all levels of the fire management organization are operating at maximum capacity or even in crisis mode.
  • The incident support system is maxed out.
  • Resources needed to accomplish incident objectives are unavailable.
  • Fatigue is impacting individuals at all levels of the organization.
  • There is a sustained high operational tempo.

We must be mindful that these conditions reduce our margin for error.  The decisions we make have the potential to further reduce that margin, or to increase our capacity to cope with uncertainty.

Read this scenario and imagine that you are in a similar situation.

It is PL5 and you are on a rapidly growing Type 3 incident. There sources on the incident can’t keep up with the demands of the fire. An Incident Management Team (IMT) has been ordered but is not expected to arrive for multiple days. An engine crew has exceeded their 2:1 work/rest ratio for 3 days straight and is now overly fatigued, mentally and physically. The crew works a full day shift prepping line with chainsaws for the night shift’s planned burn operations.

The engine is a part of a task force responsible for completing a back burn and holding the line without the ability to bring in extra resources if things don’t go as planned. The engine crew consists of an Engine Boss (ENGB), an experienced assistant, a first-year crew member, and a local fuels tech with more than four years of fire experience but not as a primary firefighter. The assistant is involved in the burn and is working for the Firing Boss (FIRB), leaving the ENGB and two crew members to help with holding. Unfavorable winds during the night burn cause the firefighters to take smoke all night.

About six hours into the burn, the ENGB is faced with a decision. The task force needs a Heavy Equipment Boss (HEQB). As a trainee HEQB and the only available option, the ENGB is asked to leave the engine and provide direction to a dozer. At this point the ENGB takes a tactical pause to think about the timeline that got them to this point.

  • Scenarios like this are not uncommon during PL 5; we operate at high tempos for long durations often with narrow margins for safety. Take this time to discuss how you could create margin in this situation or share a personal story where you were stretched operationally and what you did.
  • Do we adjust our tactics during PL5 knowing it is unlikely we will get any additional resources?
  • Are there other circumstances when conditions like PL5 can occur?
  • What practices can you use to cope with the increase of expectations and operational tempo during PL 5 conditions?
Category
Operational Engagement

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NWCG Latest Announcements

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

NEW! S-130, Firefighter Training (Blended) Now Available

Date: June 10, 2025
If you have questions, please visit our FAQ page. 
If your question is not answered there, you can 
submit your question using our Contact Us form. 
 

The S-130, Firefighter Training (Blended), equips new wildland firefighters with essential skills through a mix of online learning and hands-on training. The course features a required online component and an instructor-led exercise, reinforcing online concepts with practical performance-based training.

The course builds competencies in wildland fire operations, safety, and equipment use, applicable across various operational environments. Both the online component and instructor-led field exercise must be completed to receive a certificate of completion. Students are required to finish the prerequisite S-190, Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior, before enrolling in S-130, Firefighter Training (Blended).

References:

S-130, Firefighter Training (Blended)

S-190, Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior

Wildland Fire Learning Portal