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Health and Wellness Subcommittee

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Mission Statement

Mission Statement

The Health & Wellness Subcommittee (HWSC) provides national leadership in comprehensive health and wellness for wildland fire personnel. The HWSC is responsible for maintenance of all NWCG products and standards delegated to them within their content area.

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Primary Objectives

  • Develop, review, and maintain standards that are accurate, current, and aligned with the NWCG mission within the wildland fire comprehensive health and wellness content area as delegated by the Safety/Risk Management Committee (SRC).
  • Develop NWCG guidance that enables firefighters and fire managers to recognize hazards to comprehensive health and wellness and take effective prevention and mitigation actions.
  • Advise on best practices for standardizing data on wildland firefighter comprehensive health and wellness.
  • Provide a forum for all firefighters and managers to increase their knowledge of wildland firefighter health and wellness issues and contribute to improvements in this area.
  • Engage in effective coordination and communication among subcommittees and stakeholders to promote cross-functional collaboration, prevent duplication of effort, and support integrated standards development.
  • Assist the SRC as requested to ensure all standards, publications, incident positions, training courses, and any other work produced by the HWSC are fully vetted for alignment across the NWCG primary agencies.
  • Identify emerging issues within the committee’s area of expertise and elevate them to the SRC with appropriate context and recommendations.

Additional Resources

National Suicide Prevention Week September 07-13, 2026

Wildland fire asks a great deal of the people who do this work. Extended assignments, long hours, high-risk environments, time away from family and community, and the cumulative effects of these challenges can take a toll on mental well-being. The NWCG Health and Wellness Subcommittee (HWSC) and Safety and Risk Management Committee (SRC) recognize the importance of supporting the fire community and creating a culture where mental health is treated as an essential part of workforce safety and resilience. 

Suicide prevention is not something we address only when there is a crisis—it starts with the everyday connections we build with one another. A conversation around the tailgate, a check-in after a difficult assignment, or simply letting someone know that you care can open the door to support. Together, we can cultivate a community where reaching out for help is seen as a sign of strength and where everyone knows they do not have to navigate difficult times alone. 

For more information that could make a difference in your life or the life of someone you care about, please review the materials and resources for the 2026 Suicide Prevention Awareness Week. This September, HWSC invites everyone to explore ideas and take actions that extend far beyond this week.

National Suicide Prevention Week September 07-13, 2025

The NWCG Mental Health Subcommittee (MHSC) and Risk Management Committee (RMC) recognize the unique challenges and demands faced by the wildland fire community. MHSC and RMC know we are all stronger together and believe in fostering a culture of support, understanding, and resilience.

Suicide Prevention Awareness encourages us to actively connect and support each other. By engaging in everyday interactions, we strengthen our bonds and create pathways for those in need to access the necessary help.

Please review the materials and resources for the 2025 Suicide Prevention Awareness Week for more information that could make a difference for yourself or someone else. This September, MHSC challenges everyone to explore ideas and take actions that extend beyond this year’s Suicide Prevention Awareness Week.

National Suicide Prevention Week September 8-14, 2024

In the wildland fire community, we often refer to September as “Snaptember.” This is a time when we can really feel the grind of the fire season, mentally, physically, and emotionally. This month also holds a significant place as Suicide Prevention Month in the U.S. September reminds us to check in with ourselves and others and to reach out for help when needed.

The NWCG Mental Health Subcommittee of the Risk Management Committee remains dedicated to sharing mental health resources and information with our wildland fire community throughout the year. This year’s theme, “Stronger Together,” reflects the importance of mutual support in all aspects of our lives — at work, with family, and among friends.

Please remember that one valuable resource is the 988 Lifeline, available 24/7 for free. Whether you need immediate support or just want to talk, you can call or text 988 to connect with a trained counselor. You can also call if you’re worried about someone else. If you or someone else is in immediate danger, seek emergency help by going to the nearest emergency room or calling 911.

We urge you to foster conversations about mental health and share these resources within your teams and communities. By doing so, we strengthen our collective well-being and continue to support each other through the challenges we face.

Resources are available at 988 Lifeline.

  • We all need support sometimes. Help is always available, and reaching out is a sign of strength.
  • Taking care of our mental health is just as important as our physical health. Both are vital for our overall well-being.
  • Check in on your buddies and yourself. Regular check-ins can make a significant difference.
  • It takes strength to ask for help. Don’t hesitate to reach out when you need it.
  • Be the voice that gives someone hope. Your support can be a lifeline to others.
  • Be the voice that gives someone hope. Your support can be a lifeline to others.
  • Prevention starts with awareness. Be an advocate for mental health by knowing the resources available and sharing with others.

Hashtags:

#StrongerTogether #988 #SuicidePreventionMonth #SuicidePrevention #MentalHealthMatters #SuicideAwareness #WildlandFirefighterMentalHealth

*If you receive messaging from someone in need of help, please refer to  Support for Suicidal Individuals as a resource.

National Suicide Prevention Week September 10-16, 2023

As members of the wildland fire community, we can each take steps to support the wellbeing of fellow wildland firefighters and wildland fire support personnel. Together, we can prevent suicide by increasing awareness, decreasing stigma, and taking steps to care for ourselves and others.

In recognition of National Suicide Prevention Week, the NWCG Mental Health Subcommittee has created seven days of messaging to support wildland firefighter health and wellbeing.

We challenge you to use these materials to start a conversation about maintaining mental health and wellness with coworkers and to learn new ways of caring for yourself and others throughout the year. Each short piece takes only a few minutes to read but could provide information that makes a difference for you or someone else.

Chair: Givens, Alyssa

Vice Chair: Lechowski, Buzz

NWCG Coordinator: Gaskill, Steven

Parent Committee: Safety and Risk Management Committee

Page Last Modified or Reviewed:

NWCG Latest Announcements

NWCG Committees Observe Suicide Prevention Awareness Week: September 7-13, 2026

Date:  September 8, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Health and Wellness Subcommittee

The NWCG Health and Wellness Subcommittee (HWSC) and Safety/Risk Management Committee (SRC) recognize the unique challenges and demands faced by the wildland fire community. The HWSC and SRC know that we are all stronger together and believe in fostering a culture of support, understanding, and resilience.

Suicide Prevention Awareness encourages us to actively connect with and support each other. For more information that could make a difference for yourself or someone else please review the materials and resources provided for the 2026 Suicide Prevention Awareness Week.

References:

2026 Letter from Leadership

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

Health and Wellness Subcommittee

Safety and Risk Management Committee

2025 Paul Gleason Award Winners Announced

Date:  August 13, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Leadership Development Subcommittee

The NWCG Qualifications Management Committee (QMC) and Leadership Development Subcommittee (LDSC) are proud to announce the recipients of the 2025 Paul Gleason "Lead By Example" awards. Award categories include Initiative and Innovation, Mentoring and Teamwork, and Motivation and Vision.

Congratulations to the awardees:

  • Hunter Bell, U.S. Forest Service — Initiative and Innovation
  • Shannon Deane, U.S. Wildland Fire Service— Initiative and Innovation
  • Chris Delaney, U.S. Wildland Fire Service — Motivation and Vision
  • Sean Peterson, U.S. Forest Service — Mentoring and Teamwork

References:

Paul Gleason Lead By Example Award

Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program (WFLDP)

Leadership Development Subcommittee

LMC Equipment Bulletin 26-001: Aquatic Invasive Species – Seasonal Reminder for Mussels

Date:  July 30, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Equipment and Technology Subcommittee

The Logistics and Equipment Management Committee (LMC) issued Equipment Bulletin 26-001: Aquatic Invasive Species - Seasonal Reminder for Mussels, reminding the wildland fire community that aquatic mussels continue to be a problem. 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 (with a pen or your hand for size reference) and location details.”

Read the complete LMC Equipment Bulletin 26-001, to learn more. 

References:

NWCG Alerts

LMC Equipment Bulletin 26-001: Aquatic Invasive Species - Seasonal Reminder for Mussels

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

Intermediate Faller (FAL2) Position Task Book Update

Date:  July 24, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Tree Felling Subcommittee

NWCG Operations Management Committee (OMC) has issued an update to the NWCG Position Task Book for Intermediate Faller (FAL2), PMS 311-91. To ensure clarity for both trainees and evaluators, the updated FAL2 Position Task Book (PTB) explicitly states who is authorized to sign off on your tasks:

“Evaluators must be qualified as a FAL2, or an Advanced Faller (FAL1).”

If you are currently working out of a previously published version of the FAL2 PTB, you do not need to restart. However, OMC highly encourages you to take the following step to prevent any confusion in the field:

  • Print and replace the updated evaluator information page (page 2) in your current physical PTB.

References:

Intermediate Faller (FAL2) Position Page

RMC Memo 26-01: Transition Plan for Implementing Updates to Intermediate Faller (FAL2) Position Qualifications

NWCG Position Task Book for Intermediate Faller (FAL2), PMS 311-91