PMS 449-2

NWCG NFES Catalog Part 2 Publications PMS 449 2. The National Fire Equipment System (NFES) was created to provide standards for fire supplies and equipment as well as an organized method for ordering and stocking those items. The NWCG National Fire Equipment System Catalog, national in scope, reflects the items admitted to the NFES and the cache locations where they are stocked.

PMS 437

The Fire Behavior Field Reference Guide (FBFRG) describes a range of practices by which fire behavior assessments are conducted for fireline leadership in the field, and by Fire Behavior Analysts (FBANs) and Long Term Fire Analysts (LTANs) in support of more sophisticated analysis. It is a hands-on publication for use in the field, in fire behavior training, and as a learning reference.

Executive Board

The NWCG executive board member is comprised of appointed representatives from the member entities. The Executive Board provides leadership, strategic direction, and managerial oversight of all aspects of NWCG management and operations. The Executive Board members work in a collective, collaborative, and consensus-seeking manner to accomplish the NWCG mission.

NWCG Standards for M-2002 Fire Shelters, PMS 411

Introduction

Publication cover: the new generation fire shelter. Image of flames and trees in the forefront.

The fire shelter is required personal protective equipment (PPE) for all federal wildland firefighters and must be carried on the fireline by everyone on federal wildfires. All National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) member agencies have required carrying a fire shelter since 2010. State, local, and rural fire departments may have different policies regarding the fire shelter’s use.

The fire shelter was first required for federal wildland firefighters in 1977. Since then, shelters have saved hundreds of firefighters’ lives and protected hundreds more from serious injuries. However, it is important to understand that the shelter will not protect firefighters in all deployment situations. Sadly, between the old style and M-2002, 41 firefighters have perished in fully or partially deployed shelters.

Carrying a fire shelter should never be considered a risk mitigation tool or substitute for safety.

What you see on this site may be familiar because much of the guidance for using shelters is unchanged. Stories relayed by firefighters who survived deployments can help other firefighters learn how to use the M-2002 shelter. For interviews with deployment survivors, see the Resources tab on the menu.

This site is a reference for fire shelters and is not intended to stand alone. New and experienced firefighters should use this site as part of a comprehensive fire shelter training program that includes facilitated discussions and hands-on training. No one who is required to carry a fire shelter should go on the fireline without reading, understanding, and practicing the recommendations provided on this site.

This site contains 10 sections, each explaining a different part of the fire shelter, training for its use, and the use of the fire shelter on the fireline. For training purposes, sections can be utilized individually, or in conjunction with others. The shelter training sections are:

Fire Shelter History – Provides the history of the fire shelter, and material, and design advancements.
Know Your Fire Shelter – Explains how the fire shelter protects you.
Escape and Entrapment – Provides information on avoiding entrapments and reviews entrapment situations.
Selecting Your Deployment Site – Discusses deployment site selection.
Deployment – Explains how to prepare for deployment and the steps to deploy your shelter.
During a Deployment – Provides information on what can be expected during a deployment.
Training – Explains the importance of training and provides training scenario suggestions.
Inspection and Care – Describes inspection criteria and procedures that will keep worn shelters off the fireline.
After a Deployment – Discusses what may happen in the days and weeks following a deployment.
Resources – Provides project review information, training aids, Tech Tips, publications, reports, and Fire Shelter Deployment Stories.

˂˂ Previous Chapter

Next Chapter ˃˃

Share on Social Media

Print PDF

NWCG Latest Announcements

2025/2026 Leadership Campaign Quarter 2 Now Available!

Date: February 13, 2026
Questions?
Please contact: Leadership Committee

NWCG is excited to announce that the Quarter Two materials for the 2025/2026 Wildland Fire Leadership Campaign are now available! This annual initiative invites all leadership and wildland fire management students to engage with essential skills and knowledge needed to lead effectively in dynamic environments.

This quarter focuses on Leadership Level 2: New Leader (Conveying Intent). Conveying intent is a crucial leadership competency in the high-risk, dynamic environment of wildland firefighting. Months 4 - 6 will concentrate on how successfully conveying intent enhances situational awareness, promotes shared understanding, and empowers firefighters to exercise initiative and adapt to changing conditions.

References:

2025/2026 NWCG Leadership Campaign - Leadership Levels

Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program

Leadership Committee

Opportunity to Serve the Wildland Fire Community as an IPTM SME!

Date: February 10, 2026
Questions?
Please contact: NWCG SME Specialist

NWCG is seeking experienced wildland firefighters and support personnel to serve as Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) for the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) initiative. The intent of IPTM is to transition NWCG’s training and qualification system to a performance-based model through updated position descriptions, Incident Position Standards, Next Generation Position Task Books (Next Gen PTBs), and updates to training where needed.

NWCG is currently recruiting SMEs for the following positions:

Aircraft Timekeeper (ATIM)
Compensation/Claims Unit Leader (COMP)
Cost Unit Leader (COST)
Crew Representative (CREP)
Deck Coordinator (DECK)
Fire Effects Monitor (FEMO)
Field Observer (FOBS)
Geographic Information System Specialist (GISS)
Ordering Manager (ORDM)
Receiving/Distribution Manager (RCDM)
Staging Area Manager (STAM)

Projects begin April/May 2026 and require 15–20 hours per month for 6–8 months, including a five-day workshop in Boise, Idaho this May. Apply by February 27, 2026, at the link below and review the attached document for details.

References:

NWCG SME Interest Sign-up

IPTM Subject Matter Expert Duties and Expectations Document

Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM)

NEW! M-280, Resource Advisor, Fireline (Instructor-Led) Course Available Now

Date: January 29, 2026
Questions?
Please contact: Resource Advisor Subcommittee

NWCG is pleased to announce the new M-280, Resource Advisor, Fireline (Instructor-Led) course is now available. This training supports individuals working towards Resource Advisor, Fireline (REAF) incident qualifications.

M-280, Resource Advisor, Fireline (Instructor-Led) training prepares students to serve as a Resource Advisor, Fireline (REAF) as defined in NWCG Incident Position Standards for Resource Advisor, Fireline, PMS 350-112. This course presents scenarios that reflect the diverse challenges a REAF may encounter during an incident. Through these scenarios, participants gain hands-on experience and an understanding of REAF responsibilities in a controlled learning environment.

References:

Resource Advisor, Fireline Position Page

NWCG Position Standards for Resource Advisor, Fireline, PMS 350-112

M-280, Resource Advisor, Fireline (Instructor-Led)

Wildland Fire Learning Portal

2026 Updates to the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1

Date: January 23, 2026
Questions?
Please contact: Incident and Position Standards Committee

The Incident and Position Standards Committee has updated the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1.

These updates address changes to incident position names and requirements for qualification, training, and experience. Updates related to the implementation of Complex Incident Management (CIM) and Incident Performance Training Modernization (IPTM) are also included.

The NWCG Wildland Fire Position Qualification Flowchart, PMS 308 has also been updated to reflect the recent changes.

References:

NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1

NWCG Wildland Fire Position Qualification Flowchart, PMS 308

IPSC Memo 26-01: January 2026 Updates to the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Positions Qualifications, PMS 310-1

About Us

NWCG Training

NWCG Publications

NWCG Training

NWCG Systems Improvement

NWCG Positions

NWCG Publications

Incident Position Performance Cycle

Publication and Web Portal Management

Course Steering Committee

List of Committees

NWCG Staff

NWCG Committee Information

NWCG Committee Information

NWCG Committee Information

Organizational Types

NWCG Task Books

NWCG Task Books

NFES Catalogs

PMS 449-1

PMS 449-2

NWCG Master Roster

Agency Specific Position Task Books

Job Aids

PMS 200

PMS 200

PMS 200

PMS 200

PMS 200

PMS 936-1

PMS 936-1

PMS 437

6MFS Topics

PMS 936

PMS 901-1

PMS 425

PMS 425

PMS 425

PMS 425

PMS 425

PMS 425

NWCG Incident Position Standards

PMS 910

PMS 910

PMS 448

PMS 448

PMS 448

PMS 448

PMS 448

PMS 448

PMS 448

PMS 448

PMS 448

PMS 448

PMS 448

PMS 448

PMS 448

PMS 448

PMS 448

PMS 448

PMS 448

PMS 448

PMS 448

PMS 530-1

PMS 530-1

PMS 530-1

PMS 530-1

PMS 530-1

PMS 530-1

ICS Forms

PMS 310-1

PMS 310-1

NWCG Alerts

Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program

Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program

Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program

Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program

Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program

Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program

NWCG Committees