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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:

  1. All types shall meet Federal, state, and agency requirements for motor vehicle safety standards, including all gross vehicle weight ratings (GVWR) when fully loaded.
  2. Type 3 engines and tactical water tenders shall be equipped with a foam proportioner system.
  3. All water tenders and engine Types 3 through 6 shall be able to prime and pump water from a 10-foot lift.
  4. 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
1 2 3 4 5+
1. Short Grass Grass 6 12 24 35 40
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
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
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
Hardwoods 10 30 40 50 60
9. Hardwood Litter Conifers 3 7 12 18 22
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 Aircraft Flight Schedule Form, PMS 249

Date:  April 17, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: National Coordination System Committee

A new publication from the National Coordination System Committee (NCSC) is now available. The NWCG Aircraft Flight Schedule Form, PMS 249, will be used for aviation crews and dispatch to share flight information that is needed for resource tracking, and if needed, for emergency procedures.

For further details, please contact your NCSC representative. 

References:

NCSC Memo 26-01: Implementation of NWCG Aircraft Flight Schedule Form, PMS 249

NWCG Aircraft Flight Schedule Form, PMS 249

New Glossary Term for Review

Date:  April 15, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Data Standards and Terminology Board (DSTB)

The Data Standards and Terminology Board is requesting feedback on a new glossary term: Resource Protection Measure (RPM).

The proposed definition is: Practical guidance provided for incident personnel in a manner in which incident objectives can be achieved while reducing impacts to identified resources across the landscape. RPMs are informed by, but not restricted to, Minimum Impact Strategies and Tactics (MIST).

Please review, share with your subgroups, and provide feedback as appropriate through the following form: Request Feedback The comment period will close May 10, 2026.

Thank you for your engagement in the NWCG glossary process – your participation is key to our success.

References:

Glossary Request Feedback

Quarter Three Materials for the 2025-2026 Wildland Fire Leadership Campaign Now Available

Date:  April 1, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Leadership Committee

NWCG is excited to announce that Quarter Three materials for the 2025/2026 Wildland Fire Leadership Campaign are now available. 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.

Quarter Three materials focus on Leadership Level 3: Leader of People (Develop Intent). Leadership Level 3 is where your values, your team, and your influence come together. Leaders of People put their teams first, build trust, and lead with authenticity. They mentor future leaders and shape decisions up and down the chain.

References:

2025/2026 NWCG Leadership Campaign - Leadership Levels

Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program

Leadership Committee

WFSTAR 2026 Core Components Module Package and 2025 Fire Year in Review Now Available

Date:  March 23, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Joe Schindel

The 2026 Core Components Module Package for RT-130, Wildland Fire Safety Training Annual Refresher (WFSTAR) and the 2025 Fire Year in Review are now available on the NWCG website. The 2026 Core Components Module Package provides all content needed to deliver RT-130.

References:

2026 Core Components Module Package

2025 Fire Year in Review Module