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Week of Remembrance

2016 WOR: Physical Capacity

Ribbon symbol for survivor next to the Wildland Fire Leadership logoWeek of Remembrance June 30-July 6, 2016

Physical capacity is a vital component of job performance in wildfire suppression activities. The physical work performed is classified by OSHA in the “extremely hard” and the loads carried in the “very heavy” categories. The duration and intensity level of these physical activities is highly variable in most cases and places both short-term and long-term demands on the individual Physical training programs should not just prepare individuals for wildfire suppression activities but also work to manage long-term health of the individual. The ability to handle the physical challenges associated with the occupation can be paramount for employees’ ability to accomplish production goals without undue fatigue and without becoming a hazard to themselves or to coworkers.

WLFF Job Tasks:
Hiking
Carrying Weight
Digging
Sawing
Moving Brush
  

Training Specificity: It’s easy to make someone tired…but are you really making them better for what they need? What are the important traits for wildland firefighter (strength, speed, endurance)?  How do those interact?

  • The key one for long endurance activities is the aerobic threshold. The activity level where our bodies go from primarily using oxygen (aerobic) to non-oxygen (anaerobic) energy pathways. This threshold can change with fitness level. 

Training for occupation must be multi-dimensional (based on the job task demands)

  • A single exercise session should include the following phases:
    • Warm-up (5-10 min; low to moderate)
    • Stretching ( >10 min of stretching after cool-down)
    • Conditioning or sports-related exercise (20-60 min)
    • Cool-down (5-10 min; low to moderate)

 

Our bodies have different thresholds for this work performed.  Last year, physical training injuries were the 3rd highest group of total wildland fire injuries (2015 LLC Incident Review Summary). The biggest principle lacking from physical training programs typically is RECOVERY!

graphic of mountain peak with milestone markers of physical capacity at various points

The topics for the NWCG “Wildland Firefighter Week of Remembrance” have been drawn from the Human Performance Optimization course taught as a part of the USFS Apprentice Academy in cooperation with the Missoula Technology and Development Center (MTDC) and is rooted in the desire to prepare wildland fire personnel to optimally manage themselves and others at any given time. Review and resources have been contributed by the Wildland Fire Lessons Learned Center, NIFC External Affairs, the Wildland Fire annual refresher group, and the Wildland Fire Leadership Subcommittee.

 

Category
Week of Remembrance
References
Are You Fire Fit? (Wildland Fire Lessons Learned Center video
Heat Related Illness: (WFSTAR video)

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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