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PMS 411

PMS 411

Introduction

Fire Shelter History

Know Your Fire Shelter

Escape and Entrapment

Selecting Your Deployment Site

Deployment

During a Deployment

Training

Inspection and Care

After a Deployment

Project Reviews, Tech Tips, and Publications

Deployment Stories, Insights, and Reports

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 Deployment Stories, Insights, and Reports 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 11 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.
  • Project Reviews, Tech Tips, and Publications — Provides project review information, alerts, Tech Tips, and publications.
  • Deployment Stories, Insights, and Reports — Provides reports, deployment stories, and common insights.
 
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Make an Impact: Serve the Wildland Fire Community as an IPTM SME!

Date:  June 11, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: NWCG SME Specialist

Note: Positions with an * will last approximately 6 months.
Positions with ** will last 12 - 18 months.

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. IPTM aims to transition NWCG’s training and qualification system to a performance-based model by updating position descriptions, Incident Position Standards, Next Generation Position Task Books (Next Gen PTBs), and training where needed.

NWCG is currently recruiting SMEs for the Fall 2026 positions listed below:

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References:

NWCG SME Interest Sign-up

IPTM Subject Matter Expert Duties and Expectations Document

Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM)

RMC Safety Bulletin 26-001: Rhabdomyolysis in Wildland Firefighters

Date:  May 28, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Risk Management Committee

The Risk Management Committee (RMC) has issued Safety Bulletin 26-001: Rhabdomyolysis in Wildland Firefighters. Research from 2016 to 2025 shows that 88 cases of rhabdomyolysis (rhabdo) were reported. Analysis of reports from eSafety, the Safety Management Information System (SMIS), and the Wildland Fire Lessons Learned Center (LLC) indicates that rhabdo is common during this time of year due to Work Capacity Tests and contributing factors such as weather, hydration, nutrition, and medication or supplement use.

RMC issued this safety bulletin to raise awareness in the Wildland Fire Community, and to provide research findings and educational resources that support reducing future cases of rhabdo.

References:

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RMC Safety Bulletin 26-001: Rhabdomyolysis in Wildland Firefighters

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
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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