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November 18

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Title: NWCG logo - Description: NWCG logo of three chain links superimposed over a red flame.NWCG Executive Board

Meeting Minutes – 18 November 2015

 

Participants

Participants name followed by agency

 

 

NWCG
Participants

 

Executive Board:  Dalan Romero for Bob Roberts (BIA), Dan Smith, Chair (NASF), Chuck Wamack for John Glenn, Vice-Chair (BLM), Russ Babiak for Chris Wilcox (FWS), Mark Koontz (NPS), Russ Johnson for Rod Bloms (DOI OWF Liaison), Will May (IAFC).  Not present:  Aitor Bidaburu (USFA), Frank Guzman (USFS), Jim Erickson (ITC), Tim Sexton (RD&A).

 

NWCG Staff:  Deb Fleming (Training Development Program Manager), Elaine Waterbury (Planning Branch Coordinator), Krysta Shultz (Executive Secretary), Sean Cross (NWCG Program Manager) Tim Blake (Operations Branch Coordinator), Paul Schlobohm (NWCG FMB Liaison), Mark Cantrell (Instructional Systems Specialist)

 

 

Other
Participants

 

 

Meeting handouts are available upon request via email at blm_fa_nwcg_executive_secretary@blm.gov

 

Item

Topic

Presenter

Action Taken

1

FMB/NWCG Coordination Update

Bill Kaage

Sean Cross

Reviewed and validated the working relationship between NWCG and FMB Executive Board(s) and Committees. 

2

Welcome, Agenda Review and Active Tasking Review

Paul Schlobohm

N/A

3

Request:  Training Assessment Action Plan and S-520 Objectives/Steering Committee

Mark Cantrell

Sean Cross

Board members given an update on the progress toward accomplishing elements of the action plan wherein a transition from a course to position perspective occurs.  These elements will include: 1) Position Analysis; 2) Training Needs Assessment; 3) Development of a Training Package; 4) Post-Qualification Continuing Education; and 5) Continual Training & Qualification System Improvement.

 

Eight NWCG courses, including S-520, are currently managed by NAFRI-based course development subcommittees. Board supports establishing these as NWCG subgroups under the NWCG organizational structure. NWCG and NAFRI leadership will work together to make this happen.

4

Status Report:  Wildland Fire Safety Training update

 

Deb Fleming

Board received an update on position hiring and plans for upgrading core components.

5

Request:  Endorsements Tasking Deliverable

Tim Blake

Accepted deliverable and closed TM 14-04.

6

Status Report:  NWCG Action Items on IMT Succession Planning

Paul Schlobohm

Board members reviewed IMT Succession Table.  Changes to each item include: 1) 15-07:  Change timing of ISOG Red Book update to 2017; 2) 15-10: Update to reflect work still being accomplished; 3) 15-11:  No change; and 4) 15-12: Dan Smith to bring back to OG for clarification and or reassignment.

7

Request:  Incident Emergency Medical Subcommittee (IEMS) Awards

Tim Blake

Approved.

8

Status Report:  Annual Meeting Update

Paul Schlobohm

Board reviewed a rough draft of the Annual Meeting agenda with a final draft to be vetted via email 15 December 2015.

9

Status Report:  End of Year 2015 Budget Summary

Elaine Waterbury

N/A

 

10

Status Report:  Lightning Round

All

Roshelle Pederson renewed as Chair, Data Management Committee (DMC).

 

Jamie Parker replaced Ron Shilz as Chair, Incident Business Committee (IBC).

 

Board approved the word document files of the Incident Response Pocket Guide (IRPG) to be sent to Germany for translation.

 

Date
Participants

<p>
<strong>Executive Board:&nbsp; </strong>Dalan Romero for Bob Roberts (BIA), Dan Smith, Chair (NASF), Chuck Wamack for John Glenn, Vice-Chair (BLM), Russ Babiak for Chris Wilcox (FWS), Mark Koontz (NPS), Russ Johnson for Rod Bloms (DOI OWF Liaison), Will May (IAFC).&nbsp; Not present:&nbsp; Aitor Bidaburu (USFA), Frank Guzman (USFS), Jim Erickson (ITC), Tim Sexton (RD&amp;A).</p>

<p>
&nbsp;</p>

<p>
<strong>NWCG Staff:&nbsp; </strong>Deb Fleming (Training Development Program Manager), Elaine Waterbury (Planning Branch Coordinator), Krysta Shultz (Executive Secretary), Sean Cross (NWCG Program Manager) Tim Blake (Operations Branch Coordinator), Paul Schlobohm (NWCG FMB Liaison), Mark Cantrell (Instructional Systems Specialist)</p>

Other Participants

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EB Item

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NWCG Latest Announcements

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:

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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:

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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

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EMC Memo 25-001: Interim Rapid Extraction Module (REMS) Training and Qualification Requirements

Date: June 3, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Emergency Medical Committee

The Emergency Medical Committee has issued interim guidance for Rapid Extraction Module Support (REMS) teams. Until further notice, Type I and II REMS teams must designate a team leader qualified at Firefighter Type 1 Squad Boss (FFT1) or higher. This temporary change replaces the Single Resource Boss (SRB) requirement, which is currently not feasible due to administrative barriers.

This memorandum does not include any other changes to the NWCG Standards for Rapid Extraction Module Support, PMS 552. This interim change takes effect immediately and will remain in place until further notice.

References:

EMC Memo 25-001: Interim Rapid Extraction Module (REMS) Training and Qualification Requirements

NWCG Standards for Rapid Extraction Module Support, PMS 552