NWCG Glossary of Wildland Fire, PMS 205

A safety briefing emphasizes key safety concerns on the incident and is presented at each briefing session. The safety briefing should contain information to alert incident personnel of potential risk/hazard considered to be most critical.

The general term referring to the undesirable addition of substances (gases, liquids, or solid particles) to the atmosphere that are foreign to the natural atmosphere or are present in quantities exceeding natural concentrations.

An airborne dust, fume, gas, mist, odor, smoke, vapor, soot, pollen, carbon, acid or particulate matter or any combination thereof.

An increase in the central pressure of a low. Counter-clockwise wind flow around the low usually decreases as filling occurs.

A NIMS guiding principle stating that each individual involved in incident management reports to and takes direction from only one person.

Prediction of probable fire behavior, usually prepared by a fire behavior analyst, in support of fire suppression or prescribed burning operations.

Rate at which a propellant and other combustibles burn.

A progressive system of building a fireline on a wildfire without changing relative positions in the line. Each worker does one to several "licks", or strokes, with a given tool and then moves forward a specified distance to make room for the worker behind.

Graph showing the increase in temperature at a specified point in a fire as a function of time, beginning with ignition and ending with burnout.

The meeting which serves as a final review and approval, by the Command and General Staff, of operational plans and resources requirements. This meeting is an element of the Planning Cycle.

Evaluation of all factors pertinent to probable future behavior of a going fire and of the potential ability of available forces to perform fire suppression operations on a specified time schedule.

A number of individuals that have been organized and trained and are supervised principally for operational assignments on an incident.

A management approach, fundamental to NIMS, that involves (1) establishing objectives, e.g., specific, measurable and realistic outcomes to be achieved; (2) identifying strategies, tactics, and tasks to achieve the objectives; (3) performing the tactics and tasks and measuring and documenting results in achieving the objectives; and (4) taking corrective action to modify strategies, tactics, and/or performance to achieve the objectives.

Five-minute test used to predict a person's ability to take in, transport, and use oxygen (aerobic capacity), the most important factor limiting the ability to perform arduous work.

The dispatch center actively supporting an incident and the resources assigned or a resource who is temporarily transferred for official action i.e. details, temporary duty station, etc.

A situation in which a tree is lodged in another, preventing it from falling to the ground.

The reduction in forest floor thickness due to consumption by fire.

The secondary effects of fire such as tree regeneration, plant succession, and changes in site productivity. Although second order fire effects are dependent, in part, on first order fire effects, they also involve interaction with many other non-fire variables. 

A planned, systematic procedure for collecting, recording, and evaluating prefire and fire management intelligence data for a given planning unit or preattack block. The planning phase is usually followed by a construction and development program integrated with other resources and activities. 

A number used to indicate relative (not actual) rate of spread.

Rapid combustion and/or explosion of unburned gases trapped at some distance from the main fire front. Usually occurs only in poorly ventilated topography.

For statistical purposes, a fire burning more than a specified area of land e.g., 300 acres.

A signaling device mounted on retardant aircraft which generates a tremulous siren sound to warn firefighters on the ground that a plane is approaching to drop retardant.

The hours of a day (a daily tour-of-duty) and the days of an administrative workweek (a weekly tour-of-duty) that constitutes an employee's regularly scheduled administrative workweek.

Of, or pertaining to, measurement by weight.

Management of wildfire or prescribed fire to meet resource objectives specified in land/resource management plans.

Apparatus utilizing an air compressor and positive displacement pump coupled to the same engine, plumbed to a non-pressurized tank, for producing foam. The operation involves injecting compressed air into a liquid stream containing a suitable foaming agent.

Pollutants deemed most harmful to public health and welfare and that can be monitored effectively. They include carbon monoxide (CO), lead (Pb), nitrogen oxides (Nox), sulfur dioxide (SO2), ozone (O3), particulate matter (PM) of aerodynamic diameter less than or equal to 10 micrometers (PM10) and particulate matter of aerodynamic diameter less than or equal to 2.5 micrometers (PM2.5). 

To detach two pieces of hose by backing the swivel thread off the nipple thread.

A small ridge which extends finger-like from a main ridge.

Any obstruction to the spread of fire. Typically an area or strip devoid of combustible fuel.

Burning of any fuel outdoors without the use of mechanical combustion enhancements.

Firefighting assistance given to adjacent areas and nearby communities by contract or other agreement that covers conditions and payment for assistance rendered and services performed. Contrasted to mutual aid, in which neighboring firefighting organizations assist each other without charge. 

A course or courses that must be completed prior to initiating a position task book. Training which has been identified as required cannot be challenged; an agency equivalent course may be used as a substitute when the course meets or exceeds a required course's learning and performance objectives. 

The number and size of fires historically experienced on a given unit over a given period (usually one day) at a given index of fire danger.

To examine a fire area to obtain information about current and probable fire behavior and other related fire suppression information.

The chance that a firebrand will cause an ignition when it lands on receptive fuels.

Three guiding values that should be the basis for the decisions that leaders make. The three values are:

Duty ─ How a leader values their job. Duty begins with everything required by law and policy, but is much more than that. A leader commits to excellence in all aspects of their professional responsibility so that when the job is done they can look back and say, "I couldn't have given any more".
Respect ─ How a leader values their co-workers. Respect for the individual forms the very basis for the rule of law in America. This value reminds leaders that those who follow are their greatest resource. Not all followers will succeed equally, but they all deserve respect.
Integrity ─ How a leader values himself or herself. An individual cannot be in charge of others unless they are in charge of their own actions. People of integrity separate what is right from what is wrong and act according to what they know is right, even at personal cost.

Eleven principles describing tangible behaviors that reflect and demonstrate the wildland fire leadership values. The eleven principles are:
Be proficient in your job.
Make sound and timely decisions.
Ensure tasks are understood, supervised, and accomplished.
Develop your subordinates for the future.
Know your subordinates and look out for their well-being.
Keep your subordinates informed.
Build the team.
Employ your subordinates in accordance with their capabilities.
Know yourself and seek improvement.
Seek responsibility and accept responsibility for your actions.
Set the example.

Manipulation of stands of brush by manual, mechanical, chemical, or biological means or by prescribed burning for the purpose of achieving land management objectives.

A landing necessitated by apparent impending failure of engines, systems, or components which makes continued flight unadvisable.

Instantaneous explosion or rapid burning of superheated gases that occurs when oxygen is introduced into an oxygen-depleted confined space. It may occur because of inadequate or improper ventilation procedures.

The organizational level having responsibility for operations within a defined geographic area. Divisions are established when the number of resources exceeds the manageable span of control of the Section Chief. See Group.

An organizational subdivision established to divide the incident management structure into functional areas of operation. Groups are composed of resources assembled to perform a special function not necessarily within a single geographic area.

The discharge of distinct pockets of water and air due to the insufficient mixing of foam concentrate, water, and air in a compressed air foam system.

A radio transmitter attached to the aircraft structure which operates from its own power source on 121.5 MHz and 243 MHz. The transmitter transmits a distinctive downward swept audio tone for homing purposes and is designed to function without human action after an accident. 

The boundary of a fire at a given moment.

Any uncontrolled fire near to or heading toward an area under organized fire protection.

A heat detection system used for fire detection, mapping, and hotspot identification.

The display or printout of an infrared scanner operating over a fire.