Engines

Engines

Steward: Equipment Technology Committee

The NWCG categorizes information on fire apparatus into logical groups and provides common options often requested by fire managers. The Incident Command System (ICS) uses this system based on the equipment capability. The table below shows NWCG minimum performance requirements for structure and, wildland engine resource types. Additional information for required crew training and equipment recommendations can be found at the position catalog.

Engine Types
Types 1 and 2 are structure; Types 3-7 are wildland
Requirements	Type 1	Type 2	Type 3	Type 4	Type 5	Type 6	Type 7
Tank minimum capacity (gal)	300	300	500	750	400	150	50
Pump minimum flow (gal/min)	1,000	500	150	50	50	50	10
Tank minimum capacity (gal)	300	300	500	750	400	150	50
At rated pressure (psi)	150	150	250	100	100	100	100
Hose: 2½-inch	1,200	1,000	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Hose: 1½-inch	50	500	1,000	300	300	300	N/A
Hose: 1-inch	N/A	N/A	500	300	300	300	200
Ladders per NFPA 1901	Yes	Yes	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	50N/A
Master stream 500 gal/min.	Yes	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Pump and roll	N/A	N/A	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Maximum GVWR (lb)	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	26,000	19,500	14,000
Personnel (minimum)	4	3	3	2	2	2	2
N/A = Not applicable NFPA = National Fire Protection Association GVWR = Gross vehicle weight rating

Notes:

All types shall meet Federal, state, and agency requirements for motor vehicle safety standards, including all gross vehicle weight ratings (GVWR) when fully loaded.
Type 3 engines and tactical water tenders shall be equipped with a foam proportioner system.
All water tenders and engine Types 3 through 6 shall be able to prime and pump water from a 10-foot lift.
Personnel shall meet the qualification requirements of NWCG’s NIMS Wildland Fire Qualification System Guide, PMS 310-1.

Common Additional Needs for Engines and Tenders (Request As Needed)

All-wheel drive (includes four-wheel drive)
High-pressure pump (250 psi at one-half flow of Type)
Foam proportioner
Compressed Air Foam System (CAFS) 40 ft3/min minimum
Additional personnel

Need a heading for this part - Equipment examples? Equipment directory? This information is from the Water Handling Equipment Guide, PMS 447-1

This section lists many of the different initial attack engines used in the United States and describes the wide variety of vehicle sizes, pump, and tank size configurations. The data displayed in this section are intended to assist individuals interested in outfitting an initial attack wildland engine. Some of the following engines could possibly be reclassified from one NWCG ICS type to another by changing the basic equipment compliment, personnel staffing, or level of training.

Note: Click the agency link for a further description.

NWCG ICS Type	Tank Capacity (gallons)	Pump Rating (gal/min @150 psi)	Pump Drive	Equipment Designator	Agency
1	500	1500	Mid Ship	N/A	Los Angeles County Fire Department
1	750	1500	Mid Ship	N/A	Sacramento Metro Fire Department
1	700	1500	Mid Ship	N/A	Sacramento Metro Fire Department
3	500	500	Hydrostatic	CAL FIRE Model 14/15	CAL FIRE
And so on...

Line Production Rates for Initial Action by Engine Crews in Chains per Crew per Hour

Fire Behavior Fuel Model	Specific Conditions	Chains Per Crew Hour Number of Persons in Crew
Fire Behavior Fuel Model	Specific Conditions	1	2	3	4	5+
1. Short Grass	Grass	6	12	24	35	40
1. Short Grass	Tundra	2	8	15	24	30
2. Open Timber/Grass Understory	All	3	7	15	21	25
3. Tall Grass	All	2	5	10	14	16
4. Chaparrel	Chaparrel	2	3	8	15	20
4. Chaparrel	High Pocosin	2	4	10	15	18
5. Brush (minimum 2 ft. tall)	All	3	6	12	16	20
6. Dormant Brush/Hardwood Slash	Black Spruce	3	6	10	16	20
6. Dormant Brush/Hardwood Slash	Others	3	6	12	16	20
7. Southern Rough	All	2	5	12	16	20
8. Closed Timber Litter	Conifers	3	8	15	20	24
8. Closed Timber Litter	Hardwoods	10	30	40	50	60
9. Hardwood Litter	Conifers	3	7	12	18	22
9. Hardwood Litter	Hardwoods	8	25	40	50	60
10. Timber (Litter & Understory)	All	3	8	12	16	20
11. Logging Slash, Light	All	3	8	12	16	20
12. Logging Slash, Medium	All	3	5	10	16	20
13. Logging Slash, Heavy	All	2	4	8	15	20
Note: These rates are to be used for estimating initial action productivity only. Do not use these rates to estimate sustained line construction, burnout, and holding productivity. Initial action may consist of scratch line construction and hotspotting.

NWCG Latest Announcements

New! Ransom Road WFSTAR Module

Date: December 16, 2025
Questions about RT-130?
Please contact: NWCG Audiovisual Specialist

NWCG is excited to announce the release of the new Ransom Road Fire Module to RT-130, Wildland Fire Safety Training Annual Refresher (WFSTAR).

This module features a firsthand account from Rob Lee, official reports, and animated maps of the Ransom Road Fire which occurred on June 8, 1981, in Florida's Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge.

The module is available now in NWCG's RT-130, WFSTAR Catalog.

References:

WFSTAR Catalog

Wildland Fire Lessons Learned Center

Call for Nominations: Paul Gleason Lead by Example Award

Date: December 11, 2025
Questions? Please contact:
Leadership Committee

Do you know someone working in wildland fire who strives to make positive change and is undeterred by obstacles or setbacks? Now is your chance to give that person the acknowledgment they deserve by nominating them for a Paul Gleason Lead by Example Award.

This award, is presented by the NWCG Leadership Committee to remember Paul Gleason's contributions to the wildland fire community and to recognize individuals or groups that exhibit the same spirit and dedication to leadership – those who lead by example.

Nominations can be submitted via email with an attached Lead by Example Form to BLM_FA_Leadership_Feedback@blm.gov or through the online form.

Tips for successful nominations and more information can be found on the Lead by Example webpage. All nominations must be submitted by December 31, 2025.

References:

Paul Gleason Lead By Example Award

Paul Gleason Lead by Example Award Nomination Form 2025

Leadership Committee

Coming Soon! Ransom Road WFSTAR Module

Date: December 9, 2025
Questions about RT-130?
Please contact: NWCG Audiovisual Specialist

On June 8, 1981, the Ransom Road Fire swept across Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge in Florida, marking a defining moment in wildland fire management. This event led directly to the creation of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's professional fire program.

Later this month, NWCG will release a compelling video that brings the Ransom Road Fire to life through firsthand accounts, official reports, and animated maps. Rob Lee, second on site during the deployment, shares his powerful recollections of that day.

This video will be going live later this month in NWCG's RT-130, Wildland Fire Safety Training Annual Refresher (WFSTAR) Catalogue.

References:

WFSTAR Catalogue

Wildland Fire Lessons Learned Center

2025-2026 Wildland Fire Leadership Campaign: "Leadership Levels" Now Available

Date: October 15, 2025
Questions? Please contact:
Leadership Committee

NWCG is excited to announce the release of the Leadership Committee’s 2025–2026 Leadership Campaign, themed “Leadership Levels.” This annual initiative offers all students of leadership and wildland fire management an opportunity to engage with essential leadership skills and knowledge needed to lead effectively in dynamic environments.

The campaign is structured into four quarters and may be completed at any time between October 1, 2025 -December 31, 2026. Leadership levels will be released quarterly.

Quarter One materials are now available on the Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program website and focus on Leadership Level 1, Follower (Self-Leadership).