NWCG Alerts

Definitions

You may search for the definition of these safety terms in the NWCG Glossary Quick View: Safety Advisory, Safety Alert, Safety Bulletin, and Safety Warning.

Templates

Templates are available on the NWCG Correspondence Templates page.

Additional Alert Programs

Alerts are issued by the NWCG committee with responsibility for the topic to be addressed. To request an alert, contact your agency representative on the appropriate NWCG Committee.

Date of Issue	Alert Title	Attachments	Alert Type	Alert Category Sort descending	Additional Information
2015-07-22	Hardhat Cracking and Delamination		Safety Advisory	Equipment
2014-08-01	Stihl Chainsaw Fuel/Oil Caps and attachment		Safety Warning	Equipment
2001-04-13	Fire Shelter Packaging Defect		Safety Advisory	Equipment
2001-04-20	Fire Shelter Recall Information		Safety Advisory	Equipment
2002-03-07	Fireshelter Alert		Safety Advisory	Equipment
2002-07-11	P2V and C130A Operational Suspensions		Safety Advisory	Equipment
2002-07-12	Fire Danger PocketCards		Safety Advisory	Equipment
2002-07-16	Forest Service Policy – Fire Resistant Clothing (Kevlar BDU)		Safety Advisory	Equipment
2002-08-27	PVC Fusee Holders		Safety Advisory	Equipment
2002-08-27	Securing Large Tent Shelters		Safety Advisory	Equipment
2002-10-22	Defective Wiring, Single Cell Headlamp		Safety Advisory	Equipment
2002-12-12	Fire Shelter Re-bagging Project – Continued		Safety Advisory	Equipment
2003-02-19	Aviation Resources Shortfall		Safety Advisory	Equipment
2004-03-31	Int'l Harvester Corp. Mod. 4300 and 4400 Vehicles		Safety Advisory	Equipment
2003-08-14	King Radio Clam Shell Issues		Safety Advisory	Equipment
2004-07-02	Frequency Incompatibility – Narrowband / Wideband Issues		Safety Advisory	Equipment
2004-07-22	RACALT25 Power Consumption		Safety Advisory	Equipment
2004-08-10	Utility Box Mounting Brackets – Chevrolet 2500 HD Crew Cab Pickups		Safety Advisory	Equipment
2005-08-24	Narrowband Radio Operations		Safety Advisory	Equipment
2005-11-29	Racal Radio Recall		Safety Advisory	Equipment
2007-10-30	Seat Belt Use Saves Lives!!!		Safety Advisory	Equipment
2008-04-28	Firefighters Concerned About Fire Shelter Length		Safety Advisory	Equipment
2008-10-06	Fire Shelter System Website		Safety Advisory	Equipment
2010-07-22	Cache Memorandum No.10-3 - Non Compliant Fuel Bottles		Safety Advisory	Equipment
2002-08-22	Failure of Sigg Type Bottles		Safety Warning	Equipment
2002-09-02	Fire Shelter Bag Modifications		Safety Warning	Equipment
2003-07-29	Primus and Other Fuel Bottles		Safety Warning	Equipment
2004-04-09	New Fire Shelter Recall		Safety Warning	Equipment
2005-07-11	Failure of Sigg Type Bottles		Safety Warning	Equipment
2009-08-03	Pump Refueling Safety Warning		Safety Warning	Equipment
2019-08-20	ETC-EB-2019-04: Medical Kit Changes – Urgent Recall of Altaire Pharmaceuticals Eye Wash Solution	Link to Altaire Pharmaceuticals Urgent Drug Recall Press Release	Equipment Bulletin	Equipment
2019-05-30	ETC-EB-2019-03: NWCG Dozer Typing Standard - Request for Comment		Equipment Bulletin	Equipment
2019-05-09	ETC-EB-2019-02: Firefighter Pants Questionnaire Survey		Equipment Bulletin	Equipment
2019-02-12	ETC-EB-2019-01: Medical Kit Changes for 2019 Field Season		Equipment Bulletin	Equipment
2018-09-27	ETC-EB-2018-01: Further information on removal of NFES 001175 Five Gallon Fuel Can from NISCs		Equipment Bulletin	Equipment
2017-02-03	ETC-EB-2017-01: U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Issues STIHL Chainsaw Recall		Equipment Bulletin	Equipment
2016-10-07	ETC-EB-2016-03: Engine and Water Tender Foot Valve Leakage - Field Test Protocol		Equipment Bulletin	Equipment
2016-02-25	ETC-EB-2016-01: Phase-Out of Drip Torches That Do Not Comply with US DOT and US OSHA Specifications		Equipment Bulletin	Equipment
2021-03-04	ETC-EB-21-01: Fire Shelter Training Update/Reminders		Equipment Bulletin	Equipment
2021-03-04	ETC-EA-21-01: Fire Shelter PVC Bag Retrofit 2021		Equipment Advisory	Equipment
2021-04-22	ETC Safety Advisory 21-01: Drip Torch Lock Rings Detaching		Safety Advisory	Equipment
2022-01-03	ETC-EA-22-01: Inspection of 3,000 lb. Cargo Nets		Equipment Advisory	Equipment
2022-01-05	ETC-EA-22-02: Fuel Container Geysering		Equipment Advisory	Equipment
2022-03-16	ETC-EA-2022-03: Performance Differences Between Pre-and Post-2006 Fire Shelters		Equipment Advisory	Equipment
2022-05-18	ETC-EB-22-01: 50:1 Fuel/Oil Mix Ratio Recommendation for 2-Stroke Wildland Fire Portable Pumps		Equipment Bulletin	Equipment
2022-05-19	ETC-EA-22-04: BK Radio Not Powering Up When Switched to the On Position		Equipment Advisory	Equipment
2022-06-21	ETC-EA-22-05: BKR5000 Series Radio Firmware Update		Equipment Advisory	Equipment
2023-03-01	ETC-EB-2023-01: Discontinuation of Shelf Stable Food Boxes (NFES 7478) in NISC		Equipment Bulletin	Equipment
2023-03-08	ETC-SW-2023-001: Non-specification Fire Shelters		Safety Warning	Equipment
2023-05-11	ETC-EB-2023-02: Fire shelter training material moved to a website and publication renamed		Equipment Bulletin	Equipment
2024-07-15	ETC-EB-24-002: NWCG Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Typing Standard – Request for Comment		Equipment Bulletin	Equipment
2024-08-29	ETC-EB-24-004: Two-compartment fuel and oil container (Dolmar) unavailable in the United States (US) and reminders for upkeeping current inventories		Equipment Bulletin	Equipment
2024-08-29	ETC-EB-24-005: Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Inspection, Care, and Maintenance		Equipment Bulletin	Equipment
2024-10-01	Advertencia de equipos 24-001: Prevención de derrames de la tapa de combustible sin herramientas de la motosierra Stihl		Safety Warning	Equipment
2024-10-01	ETC-SW-24-001: Stihl Toolless Fuel Caps Spill Prevention		Safety Warning	Equipment
2024-08-29	ETC-EB-24-003: Diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) in fuel containers		Equipment Bulletin	Equipment
2025-01-10	ETC-SW-25-001: Non-specification fire shelters		Safety Warning	Equipment
2024-05-29	ETC Bulletin 24-001: Discontinued Use of Hot/Cold Beverage Kits - 2024 Field Season		Equipment Bulletin	Equipment
2025-04-10	ETC-EB-25-001 Retrofitted Hot/Cold Beverage Kits Available (NFES #0244) - 2025 Field Season		Equipment Bulletin	Equipment
2025-05-05	ETC-EB-25-002: Chaps, Chain Saw, M-2020, Nonconformities affecting use, appearance, and serviceability		Equipment Bulletin	Equipment
2025-06-09	ETB-EB-25-003: Flame-Resistant Shirt Survey		Equipment Bulletin	Equipment
2025-07-24	ETC-EB-25-004: New Aquatic Invasive Species - Golden Mussels		Equipment Bulletin	Equipment
2025-09-23	ETC-EA-2025-01: Pre-2006 Fire Shelter Degradation and Discontinuation of Use		Equipment Advisory	Equipment
2004-06-10	Fire Behavior Alert for Southwest		Safety Advisory	Fire Behavior
2005-06-17	Fine Fuels		Safety Advisory	Fire Behavior
2006-07-20	Extreme Fire Behavior		Safety Advisory	Fire Behavior
2007-07-17	Dry Fuels and Extreme Fire Behavior		Safety Advisory	Fire Behavior
2008-07-03	Thunderstorm Safety		Safety Advisory	Fire Behavior
2001-05-24	Firefighter Personal Hygiene		Safety Advisory	Health
2003-09-04	Group A Streptococcus		Safety Advisory	Health
2004-05-10	Wildland Firefighter Health and Safety Report No. 8		Safety Advisory	Health
2008-06-23	Incident Emergency Medical Task Group (IEMTG)		Safety Advisory	Health
2008-08-14	MRSA Exposure Potential (Staph Infection)		Safety Advisory	Health
2009-07-02	Heat Illness Safety		Safety Advisory	Health
2009-07-15	NWCG#020-2009 Memorandum – Interim Influenza Guidelines for Wildland Fire Responses		Safety Advisory	Health
2009-07-25	Final Safety Advisory Norovirus		Safety Advisory	Health
2010-06-17	International Association of Fire Chiefs Safety Week		Safety Advisory	Health
2010-07-04	Wildland Fire Smoke - Employee Exposure and Health		Safety Advisory	Health
2010-12-21	Rhabdomyolysis Epidemiological Study		Safety Advisory	Health
2011-05-12	Rhabdomyolysis Epidemiological Study Results and Recommendations		Safety Advisory	Health
2011-09-13	Hyperthermia		Safety Advisory	Health
2013-04-05	Heat Illness Prevention Pocket Guide		Safety Advisory	Health
2013-06-25	NWCG Heat Related Illness (HRI) Reporting Form		Safety Advisory	Health
2001-08-13	Heat Intolerance from Performance Pills		Safety Warning	Health
2009-07-10	DO NOT CONSUME MRE Dairy Shake Powder		Safety Warning	Health
2024-09-16	RMC-SB-24-001: Use of Respirators on Wildland Fires		Safety Bulletin	Health
2025-07-30	ETC/RMC Safety Bulletin 25-001: Laundering to Decontaminate Wildland Fire Clothing		Safety Bulletin	Health	Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) on Laundering to Decontaminate Wildland Fire Clothing
2001-04-12	Safety Alert System		Safety Advisory	Miscellaneous
2002-12-18	T & D Publications Available		Safety Advisory	Miscellaneous
2004-09-17	IRPG Correction		Safety Advisory	Miscellaneous
2008-02-08	Hazard Tree and Tree Felling Website		Safety Advisory	Miscellaneous
2008-07-25	NWCG Standards and Agency Administrator's Guide to Critical Incident Management		Safety Advisory	Miscellaneous
2009-08-17	Updates to the SAFENET Website		Safety Advisory	Miscellaneous
2009-10-01	6 Minutes for Safety New Features		Safety Advisory	Miscellaneous
2013-05-28	Creation of Arduous Duty Line Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Positions		Safety Advisory	Personnel
2001-04-30	Six Minutes for Safety		Safety Advisory	Personnel
2001-08-16	Message from the Federal Fire Directors		Safety Advisory	Personnel
2002-03-08	SAFENET Endorsed by NWCG		Safety Advisory	Personnel
2002-06-21	Work / Rest Policy		Safety Advisory	Personnel
2002-07-11	Price Canyon Entrapment 72 Hr. Report		Safety Advisory	Personnel

NWCG Latest Announcements

NEW! D-110, Expanded Dispatch Recorder Course Available Now

Date: May 15, 2026
Questions?
Please contact: Dispatch Position and Curriculum Management Subcommittee

NWCG is pleased to announce the new D-110, Expanded Dispatch Recorder (Instructor-led) course is now available on the Wildland Fire Learning Portal (WFLP). Developed through the National Coordination System Committee, this course introduces the structure and function of expanded dispatch, the qualities of an effective dispatcher, and provides hands-on experience with the Interagency Resource Ordering Capability (IROC) system.

The D-110, Expanded Dispatch Recorder course aligns with the competencies and duties outlined in the NWCG Incident Position Standards for Expanded Dispatch Recorder, PMS 350-59, and is designed for individuals with no prior experience who may be called upon to support dispatch operations.

References:

D-110, Expanded Dispatch Recorder (Instructor-Led)

Expanded Dispatch Recorder (EDRC), Position Page

NWCG Incident Position Standards for Expanded Dispatch Recorder, PMS 350-59

Wildland Fire Learning Portal

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 Position 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.