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Firefighter Math: Table 2.2 Approximate Metric System Conversion Factors

To Change To Multiply by To Change To Multiply by
feet chains 0.0152 chains feet 66.0
feet meters 0.305 meters feet 3.280
yards meters 0.914 meters yards 1.094
miles kilometers 1.609 kilometers miles 0.621
square feet square meters 0.093 square meters square feet 10.764
square yards square meters 0.836 square meters square yards 1.196
square miles sq. kilometers 2.590 sq. kilometers square miles 0.386
acres sq. hectometers 0.405 sq. hectometers acres 2.471
cubic feet cubic meters 0.028 cubic meters cubic feet 35.315
cubic yards cubic meters 0.765 cubic meters cubic yards 1.308
fluid ounces milliliters 29,573.0 milliliters fluid ounces 0.034
pints liters 0.473 liters pints 2.114
quarts liters 0.946 liters quarts 1.057
gallons liters 3.785 liters gallons 0.264
ounces grams 28.349 grams ounces 0.035
pounds kilograms 0.454 kilograms pounds 2.205
short tons metric tons 0.907 metric tons short tons 1.102
pound-feet Newton-meters 1.365 ounce-inches Newton-meters 0.007062
pound-inch Newton-meters 0.11375      

Examples Using This Conversion Table:

To change feet to chains: Multiply feet by 0.0152
To change 124 feet to chains: Multiply feet by 0.0152
124 feet x 0.0152 = 1.88 chains = 1.9 chains

Temperature Conversion of Units:

°F =°Fahrenheit to °C =°Celsius        °C =°Celsius to°F =° Fahrenheit
°F = (°C x 9/5) + 32        °C = 5/9 x (F - 32)

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2025/2026 Leadership Campaign Quarter 2 Now Available!

Date: February 13, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Leadership Committee

NWCG is excited to announce that the Quarter Two materials for the 2025/2026 Wildland Fire Leadership Campaign are now available! This annual initiative invites all leadership and wildland fire management students to engage with essential skills and knowledge needed to lead effectively in dynamic environments.

This quarter focuses on Leadership Level 2: New Leader (Conveying Intent). Conveying intent is a crucial leadership competency in the high-risk, dynamic environment of wildland firefighting. Months 4 - 6 will concentrate on how successfully conveying intent enhances situational awareness, promotes shared understanding, and empowers firefighters to exercise initiative and adapt to changing conditions.

References:

2025/2026 NWCG Leadership Campaign - Leadership Levels

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Opportunity to Serve the Wildland Fire Community as an IPTM SME!

Date: February 10, 2026
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Please contact: NWCG SME Specialist

NWCG is seeking experienced wildland firefighters and support personnel to serve as Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) for the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) initiative. The intent of IPTM is to transition NWCG’s training and qualification system to a performance-based model through updated position descriptions, Incident Position Standards, Next Generation Position Task Books (Next Gen PTBs), and updates to training where needed.

NWCG is currently recruiting SMEs for the following positions:

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Projects begin April/May 2026 and require 15–20 hours per month for 6–8 months, including a five-day workshop in Boise, Idaho this May. Apply by February 27, 2026, at the link below and review the attached document for details.

References:

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NEW! M-280, Resource Advisor, Fireline (Instructor-Led) Course Available Now

Date: January 29, 2026
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Please contact: Resource Advisor Subcommittee

NWCG is pleased to announce the new M-280, Resource Advisor, Fireline (Instructor-Led) course is now available. This training supports individuals working towards Resource Advisor, Fireline (REAF) incident qualifications.

M-280, Resource Advisor, Fireline (Instructor-Led) training prepares students to serve as a Resource Advisor, Fireline (REAF) as defined in NWCG Incident Position Standards for Resource Advisor, Fireline, PMS 350-112. This course presents scenarios that reflect the diverse challenges a REAF may encounter during an incident. Through these scenarios, participants gain hands-on experience and an understanding of REAF responsibilities in a controlled learning environment.

References:

Resource Advisor, Fireline Position Page

NWCG Position Standards for Resource Advisor, Fireline, PMS 350-112

M-280, Resource Advisor, Fireline (Instructor-Led)

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2026 Updates to the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1

Date: January 23, 2026
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Please contact: Incident and Position Standards Committee

The Incident and Position Standards Committee has updated the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1.

These updates address changes to incident position names and requirements for qualification, training, and experience. Updates related to the implementation of Complex Incident Management (CIM) and Incident Performance Training Modernization (IPTM) are also included.

The NWCG Wildland Fire Position Qualification Flowchart, PMS 308 has also been updated to reflect the recent changes.

References:

NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1

NWCG Wildland Fire Position Qualification Flowchart, PMS 308

IPSC Memo 26-01: January 2026 Updates to the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Positions Qualifications, PMS 310-1