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Chainsaw – 20" - 24" Bar

NFES #
000159
Category
Small Engine Equipment
Updated
Storage and Shelf Life Checks
Yes
Storage and Shelf Life Procedure
Date Last Tested (DLT) not to exceed 12 months

Initial Inspection/Disposal Criteria

  1. Visually inspect for evidence of use (dust, oil, starter seal broken), damage or missing parts.
  2. Return to stock if there is no sign of use or damage and date last tested (DLT) does not exceed 12 months.
  3. Refurbish as necessary if unit has been used or fueled, damaged, or shelf life is exceeded.
  4. Dispose of the unit if it is not economically repairable.

Refurbishment procedures

A. Cleaning

  1. Remove dirt and oil using compressed air or detergent and shop towels as necessary.
  2. Use pressure washer and degreaser to remove heavy deposits of oil and grease.
  3. Equipment should be repaired and tested as quickly as possible after pressure washing to minimize rust formation on metal parts.

B. Repair

  1. Check for loose or missing parts and mounting hardware. Tighten or replace as necessary.
  2. Ensure that the air filter is clean and dry before reinstalling. Replace the filter if it is damaged or will not come clean.
  3. Replace spark plug and fuel filter if saw shows normal signs of field use. Use only solid terminal spark plugs
  4. Test function of rewind starter, ensure proper engagement of engine and recoil function. Check for damage or fraying of pull cord; repair or replace as necessary.
  5. Ensure all decals (operations and warning) are affixed and legible.
  6. Ensure fuel geyser danger sticker is present and legible. Reference cache memo 17-2 below.
  7. Inspect power-head (engine) for freeness of all moving parts, ensuring that the crankshaft, piston/cylinder, and all engine bearings are not damaged.
  8. Clean muffler of excess carbon.
  9. Inspect spark arrestor screen for build-up. Clean, repair or replace as necessary.
  10. Replace sprocket or star drum if the wear is deep enough to catch a fingernail. Inspect clutch shoes and springs. Replace if damaged or missing. Replace clutch drum if badly burned (discolored).
  11. Clean and re-grease the clutch bearing, replace if needle bearings are pitted or damaged.
  12. Ensure saw chain is properly sharpened to manufacturer’s specifications after each use. Replace chain if: Cutters have been filed down to 50% or less of the original cutter length; two or more cutters are broken; tie straps are worn down to rivets; if stretched beyond tensioning abilities; or when side plate is filed back to rear attaching rivet.
  13. Service the guide bar after each use. Inspect groove depth and width; true and file rails; and inspect for bends. Replace guide bar if rails are cracked, chipped, burned, or have a dip deeper than 1/16”. Inspect sprocket tip for wear and looseness. Lubricate tip if grease type.

C. Test for Performance

  1. Refer to the owner’s manual for operations and specifications information specific to chainsaw model.
  2. Should any function fail a test, refer to the manufacturer’s repair manual.
  3. Check condition of fuel mix; ensure fuel is fresh and the correct mix oil ratio is used prior to starting the engine. Use a fuel stabilizer in fuel during testing to help ensure proper operation of engine at post storage start up.
  4. Ensure recoil starter functions properly. Check for damage or fraying of pull cord; repair or replace as necessary.
  5. Start saw and allow engine to warm-up at idle.
  6. Ensure that there are no leaks at engine, fuel tank or bar oil tank.
  7. Run saw and inspect for proper function of bar oiler and chain brake.
  8. Ensure all engine controls are operational.
  9. Inspect engine speed using a digital tachometer, adjust carburetor to obtain specified speed.
  10. If saw chain rotates at the specified idle speed, inspect clutch for loose and or missing springs.
  11. Should any function fail a test, refer to the manufacturer’s repair manual and troubleshooting guide to correct the problem.
  12. Remove all fuel from fuel tank and run engine until carburetor is completely empty of fuel.
  13. Remove bar and chain oil from the oil tank (local cache option).

D. Repackaging

  1. Attach bar guard on cutting attachment.  
  2. Use a nylon “zip-tie” to tie off (seal) starter rope to the handlebar.
  3. Attach a certification tag that indicates date last tested (DLT), property #, and name of inspector certifying the performance.
  4. Ensure that all identification (property #, serial #, owner ID) is affixed and legible.

 

NWCG Latest Announcements

ETC/RMC Safety Bulletin: 25-001 New Guidance on Laundering Wildland Fire Clothing to Reduce Contamination

Date: Aug 8, 2025
Questions? Please contact:
Equipment Technology Committee
 Risk Management Committee

The Equipment Technology Committee (ETC) and the Risk Management Committee (RMC) have issued Safety Bulletin 25-001: Laundering to Decontaminate Wildland Fire Clothing. Recent research revealed that wildland fire flame-resistant pants and shirts can be contaminated with chemicals from combustion byproducts, including carcinogens, and that common laundering practices can effectively remove these harmful contaminants from wildland firefighter clothing more effectively than previously understood. It is recommended to decontaminate wildland fire clothing as frequently as possible. 

Frequently Asked Questions about this new information and how to implement recommendations can be found on the NWCG Alerts page. Read the complete ETC/RMC Safety Bulletin: 25-001 to learn more. 

References:

NWCG Alerts

ETC Safety Bulletin: 25-001

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) on Laundering to Decontaminate Wildland Fire Clothing

Equipment Technology Committee

Risk Management Committee

FAQ Now Available for Archiving Type 1 and Type 2 Incident Positions

Date: Aug 6, 2025
Questions? Please contact:
Incident and Position Standards Committee

To support the transition to Complex Incident Management (CIM), NWCG will archive all Type 1 and Type 2 Command and General Staff (C&G) position qualifications in January 2026, as outlined in NWCG Executive Board Memo 25-002. To assist with this transition, a new Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document is now available.

This resource answers common questions about the status of Type 1 and Type 2 qualifications, impacts to incident qualification management, training requirements, and resource ordering considerations. Review the full FAQ to learn more.

For additional information on CIM and the transition of C&G positions, see NWCG Executive Board Memos 23-005, 24-005, and 25-002, as well as the Incident Workforce and Development Group webpage.

References:

NWCG Type 1 & Type 2 Position Archiving FAQ

NWCG Executive Board Correspondence

Incident Workforce Development Group

Incident and Position Standards Committee

Incident Position Standards and the Next Generation Position Task Books Now Available for UASD, UASM, UASL and UASP

Date: July 31, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Interagency Fire Unmanned Aircraft Systems Subcommittee
 

NWCG is excited to announce that Incident Position Standards and the Next Generation Position Task Books are now available for all four Unmanned Aircraft Systems positions:

  • Unmanned Aircraft Systems, Data Specialist (UASD)
  • Unmanned Aircraft Systems, Manager (UASM)
  • Unmanned Aircraft Systems, Module Leader (UASL)
  • Unmanned Aircraft Systems Pilot (UASP)

The Performance Support Packages for these positions were developed as part of the Incident Performance and Training Modernization effort. These resources support trainees, qualified personnel, and evaluators in their respective roles.

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 2026.

References:

NWCG Unmanned Aircraft Systems, Data Specialist Position Page

NWCG Unmanned Aircraft Systems, Manager Position Page

NWCG Unmanned Aircraft Systems, Module Leader Position Page

NWCG Unmanned Aircraft Systems Pilot Position Page

Incident Position Standards and the Next Generation Position Task Books Now Available for RADO and INCM

Date: July 30, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Incident Logistics Subcommittee
 

NWCG is excited to announce that Incident Position Standards and the Next Generation Position Task Books are now available for Radio Operator (RADO) and Incident Communications Center Manager (INCM).

The Performance Support Packages for these positions were developed as part of the Incident Performance and Training Modernization effort. These resources support trainees, qualified personnel, and evaluators in their respective roles.

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 2026.

References:

NWCG Radio Operator Position Page

NWCG Incident Communications Center Manager Position Page