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Equipment Technology Committee

Banner Image (Legacy Committees before 2026)
ETC header graphic. Photo of firefighter with a hose inset in photo of fire. Decorative.
Mission Statement

Mission Statement

The Equipment Technology Committee (ETC) provides national leadership in wildland fire equipment, supplies, and chemicals. The ETC enables coordinated interagency management of wildland fire equipment, supplies, and chemicals, including planning, development, acquisition, and utilization. The ETC provides oversight of the National Interagency Support Caches and National Fire Equipment System.

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Primary Objectives

Firefighter with chainsaw cutting down a tree

  • Establish, maintain and communicate consistent interagency standards and guidelines for equipment, supplies and chemicals for wildland fire suppression.
  • Establish processes and procedures for the introduction, utilization, refurbishment, replacement, or disposal of any piece of equipment, supply item, or wildland fire chemical that has an established standard or specification.
  • Develop and implement standard operating procedures for ETC business practices which establish consistent, well defined methods of operations and decision making.
  • Contribute to the standardization of information technology systems (such as FireNet, IROC, etc.) to collect and distribute data, processes, forms, and other operational elements.

Alerts

Alert Title Additional Information
ETC-EA-2025-01: Pre-2006 Fire Shelter Degradation and Discontinuation of Use
ETC/RMC Safety Bulletin 25-001: Laundering to Decontaminate Wildland Fire Clothing
ETC-EB-25-004: New Aquatic Invasive Species - Golden Mussels
ETC-EB-25-002: Chaps, Chain Saw, M-2020, Nonconformities affecting use, appearance, and serviceability
ETC-EB-25-001 Retrofitted Hot/Cold Beverage Kits Available (NFES #0244) - 2025 Field Season
ETC-SW-25-001: Non-specification fire shelters
ETC-SW-24-001: Stihl Toolless Fuel Caps Spill Prevention
ETC-EB-24-003: Diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) in fuel containers
ETC-EB-24-004: Two-compartment fuel and oil container (Dolmar) unavailable in the United States (US) and reminders for upkeeping current inventories
ETC-EB-24-005: Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Inspection, Care, and Maintenance
ETC-EB-24-002: NWCG Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Typing Standard – Request for Comment
ETC Bulletin 24-001: Discontinued Use of Hot/Cold Beverage Kits - 2024 Field Season
ETC-EB-2023-02: Fire shelter training material moved to a website and publication renamed
ETC-SW-2023-001: Non-specification Fire Shelters
ETC-EB-2023-01: Discontinuation of Shelf Stable Food Boxes (NFES 7478) in NISC
ETC-EA-22-05: BKR5000 Series Radio Firmware Update
ETC-EA-22-04: BK Radio Not Powering Up When Switched to the On Position
ETC-EB-22-01: 50:1 Fuel/Oil Mix Ratio Recommendation for 2-Stroke Wildland Fire Portable Pumps
ETC-EA-2022-03: Performance Differences Between Pre-and Post-2006 Fire Shelters
ETC-EA-22-02: Fuel Container Geysering
ETC-EA-22-01: Inspection of 3,000 lb. Cargo Nets
ETC Safety Advisory 21-01: Drip Torch Lock Rings Detaching
ETC-EB-21-01: Fire Shelter Training Update/Reminders
ETC-EA-21-01: Fire Shelter PVC Bag Retrofit 2021
ETC-EB-2019-04: Medical Kit Changes – Urgent Recall of Altaire Pharmaceuticals Eye Wash Solution
ETC-EB-2019-03: NWCG Dozer Typing Standard - Request for Comment
ETC-EB-2019-02: Firefighter Pants Questionnaire Survey
ETC-EB-2019-01: Medical Kit Changes for 2019 Field Season
ETC-EB-2018-01: Further information on removal of NFES 001175 Five Gallon Fuel Can from NISCs
ETC-EB-2017-01: U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Issues STIHL Chainsaw Recall
ETC-EB-2016-03: Engine and Water Tender Foot Valve Leakage - Field Test Protocol
ETC-EB-2016-01: Phase-Out of Drip Torches That Do Not Comply with US DOT and US OSHA Specifications

Wildland Firefighter's Helmet Serviceability Guide Flowchart

Flow chart identifying the indicators of whether a wildland firefighter's helmet should be serviced or repaired.

This link will take you to the etc-determine-dom.pdfThis link will take you to the etc-helmet-notice.pdf

Helmet Inspection and Safety video (Time:  7:10)

PDF of the above Wildland Firefighter's Helmet Serviceability Guide flowchart

Determine Date of Manufacturing (DOM)

Inspect the Helmet: Helmet Notice: Summer 2012 by the Missoula Technology and Development Center (MTDC) regarding reports of cracking, delamination, and broken suspension keys in helmets.

Alternate Head Protection Available (March 2011)

Fuel Geyser Awareness

Vaporless Fueling System Field Evaluation

The Soter Fueling System (SFS) is a vaporless refueling system designed for chainsaws to mitigate the risk of injury from fuel geysering.  The SFS is a closed refueling system that prevents vapor from being released.   Information on the durability, maintainability and usability of the system is being evaluated by selected chainsaw operators. 

Soter Fuel System Orientation Video.  This video provides an overview of the Soter fuel system.  It includes instructions for proper installation and use.  Please watch the video before using the system.

Soter Fuel System Fuel Bottle Probe Retrofit Instructions.

Link to the evaluation.

Guidance Documents

Innovative Ideas

If you have an idea that you feel will improve wildland fire fighter safety, operating efficiency, and reduce costs, review the Guide for the Submission of Innovative Ideas for Product or Process Improvement and submission form. We'd like to hear from you!

Useful Resources for the Equipment Technology Committee

Helmet information is now available on the FSPPES homepage

Forest Service Technology and Development Centers

Forest Service Fire Equipment Specifications and Standards (cache equipment)

Wildland Fire Chemical Systems (WFCS) - The WFCS provides national resource agencies with detailed information promoting safe and effective fire suppression chemicals and aerial delivery systems.

Roscommon Equipment Center - Wildland fire engine and equipment designs and information

Chair: Hesse, Nate

NWCG Coordinator: Lamb, Erica

Parent Committee: N/A

Page Last Modified or Reviewed:

NWCG Latest Announcements

Leadership Committee IAP Flyer Now Available

Date:  May 8, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Leadership Committee

The NWCG Leadership Committee promotes and enables leadership development across the wildland fire service. The committee provides education, training opportunities, and support for leadership innovation and best practices throughout the community.

A new IAP flyer is now available on the committee website, offering an overview of the products, curriculum, and learning opportunities the Leadership Committee develops. This resource is ideal for posting in your office, sharing with new employees, or distributing through your incident management teams to engage new voices in the leadership journey and reinforce a culture of self‑reflection, development, and growth.

References:

Leadership Committee 2026 IAP Flyer

Incident Operations Subcommittee Updates the Next Generation Position Task Book for FFT1

Date:  May 7, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Incident Operations Subcommittee

The NWCG Incident Operations Subcommittee (IOSC) has updated the NWCG Position Task Book for Firefighter Type 1 (Squad Boss) (FFT1), PMS 311‑14. The FFT1 Position Task Book transitioned to the Next Generation (Next Gen PTB) format in June 2025 through the Incident Performance and Training Modernization effort. Since then, IOSC has received feedback from the wildland fire community regarding coding for one of the tasks. Task #13 has been updated to include the option of evaluation in a simulation.

See IOSC Memorandum 26‑01: Transition Plan for Implementation of Updates to the NWCG Position Task Book for Firefighter Type 1 (Squad Boss) (FFT1), PMS 311‑14 for more information.

References:

IOSC Memorandum 26-01: Transition Plan for Implementation of Updates to the NWCG Postion Task Book for Firefighter Type 1

NWCG Firefighter Type 1 Squad Boss Position Page 

NEW! S-212, Intermediate Faller (Online) Course Available Now 

Date:  April 23, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Hazard Tree and Tree Felling Subcommittee

NWCG is pleased to announce that the new S‑212, Intermediate Faller (Online), course is now available on the Wildland Fire Learning Portal (WFLP). This second course in the series provides students with the knowledge and skills required to perform the duties of an Intermediate Faller (FAL2), as described in the FAL2 Incident Position Description. This course is intended for individuals seeking to advance from Basic Faller (FAL3) to FAL2.

S‑212, Intermediate Faller is a fully online, self‑paced training program consisting of 13 units. Learners will engage with interactive, scenario‑based content designed to progressively build foundational skills and knowledge essential for the FAL2 role.

Students must be qualified as a Basic Faller (FAL3) prior to enrolling in S‑212, Intermediate Faller course.

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 2027.

References:

S-212 Intermediate Faller (Online)

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

Intermediate Faller (FAL2) Position Page

NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Chainsaw Operations, PMS 212

New Aircraft Flight Schedule Form, PMS 249

Date:  April 17, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: National Coordination System Committee

A new publication from the National Coordination System Committee (NCSC) is now available. The NWCG Aircraft Flight Schedule Form, PMS 249, will be used for aviation crews and dispatch to share flight information that is needed for resource tracking, and if needed, for emergency procedures.

For further details, please contact your NCSC representative. 

References:

NCSC Memo 26-01: Implementation of NWCG Aircraft Flight Schedule Form, PMS 249

NWCG Aircraft Flight Schedule Form, PMS 249