COVID-19 Prevention and Management During Wildland Fire Operations

Introduction

A significant amount of information regarding COVID-19 has been distributed as agencies respond to the Coronavirus pandemic. This page provides wildland fire personnel quick, singe-point access to COVID-19 prevention and management information pertinent to wildland fire operations. As always, all wildland fire personnel are responsible for ensuring compliance with home-agency direction.

Wildland Fire-Specific Information and Direction on COVID-19

Screening Information

• FMB COVID-19 Interim Screen Protocol for Wildland Fire Personnel
  • Wildland Fire COVID-19 Screening Tool (Supplemental to the COVID-19 Interim Screening Protocol for Wildland Fire Personnel released by the Federal Fire Management Board.).

Prevention and Management Information

• NWCG Quick Guide to Prevention and Management of COVID-19 During Wildland Fire Operations
• NWCG Infectious Disease Guidance for Wildland Fire Incidents
• NWCG Standards for Aviation Operations in Response to the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19)
• NWCG Medical Unit COVID-19 Concept of Operations Plan
• FMB Wildland Fire COVID-19 Page
  • FMB Memo 20-005:  Establishment of COVID-19 Wildland Fire Medical and Public Health Advisory Team
• COVID-19 Best Practices for All Fire Personnel (Area Command Teams, courtesy of Great Basin Coordinating Group)
• FMB Interim Guidance for Prevention and Management of COVID-19 During Wildland Fire Operations
• Geographic Area Wildland Fire Response Plans for COVID-19 Pandemic
• DOI:  Wildfires and COVID-19
• NIFC COVID-19 Portal
• FAQs for firefighters from the Centers for Disease Control
• Wildland Fire Lessons Learned Center COVID-19 Resources
  • Coronavirus Guidelines Clarification for the Fireline and Fire Camp
• 6MFS
  • COVID-19 and the Wildland Fire Environment
  • COVID-19 LCES
  • Effects of Smoke Exposure (including COVID-19)

Testing Information

• FMB No. 20-012, Updated Guidance on Laboratory Testing for Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19)
  • Attachment A:  MPHAT Memo, Laboratory Testing for Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19), Wildland Fire Management Personnel
  • Attachment B:  COVID Testing for Critical Infrastructure Worker (CIW) - Wildland Firefighter (FFTR) Flowchart

Operational Tools

• Fire and COVID-19 Briefing Checklist Decal (English and Spanish versions) for Incident Response Pocket Guide (IRPG), PMS 461
• NFES Pandemic Support Items
• NMAC Checklist Memorandum 2020-22: Interagency Checklist for Mobilization of Resources in a COVID-19 Environment
  • NMAC Interagency Checklist for Mobilization of Resources in a COVID-19 Environment

Important Information from the Centers for Disease Control

• CDC: Coronavirus (COVID-19)
• What you should know about COVID-19 to protect yourself and others
• Social distancing
• What you need to know about handwashing
• Cleaning and disinfecting vehicles
• Symptoms of COVID-19
• CDC Coronavirus Self-Checker

Other Resources

• Coronavirus.gov
• White House: Opening Up America Again
• FEMA: COVID-19 Response

Videos Related to Coronavirus

COVID-19: NWCG Executive Board Message

NWCG Executive Board Chair Frank Guzman shares a message about COVID-19 to the wildland fire community.


Time: 1:38

COVID-19: Mental Health Awareness

The pressures of wildland fire response have been compounded in 2020 by the presence of COVID-19. NWCG Mental Health Subcommittee Co-Chair Bodie Ronk shares a message about the importance of mental health awareness.


Time: 1:36

COVID-19: A Message from Fire Leadership

The global coronavirus pandemic adds additional complexity to wildland fire suppression. Leaders from various NWCG member agencies share their intent regarding challenges associated with COVID-19, mitigation strategies, and special considerations for wildland fire personnel this fire season.


Time: 10:32

COVID-19: Prevention for Fire Personnel

An Incident Commander, Fire Staff Officer, Medical and Public Health Advisory Team member, and Medical Officer discuss the importance of COVID-19 spread prevention and describe best practices for wildland fire response personnel.


Time: 12:34

LLC Resources for COVID-19 Education

The Wildland Fire Lessons Learned Center promotes ongoing learning in the wildland fire service. Assistant Center Director Alex Viktora describes LLC resources associated with COVID-19 in fire season 2020 and provides a tour of some useful features of lessons.wildfire.gov.


Time: 2:39