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PMS 448

PMS 448

PMS 448

Introduction

COVID-19 Refurb Guidelines

References

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Deleted Items

Chaps – Protective, Summer Weight 40" Long

NFES #
000150
Category
Cordura
Updated
Storage and Shelf Life Checks
None

Initial Inspection/Disposal Criteria

  1. Inspect fabric and webbing for any holes, cuts, tears, or burns. Tears less than ½ inch can be repaired. Tears or cuts longer than ½” render the item unserviceable. 
  2. Inspect for any area of abrasion that has weakened fabric beyond repair.
  3. Inspect for any webbing that is cut, burned, or abraded beyond economical repair.
  4. Inspect each leg. If either leg has more than five patches, remove from service.
  5. Chaps should be removed from service if not labeled with specification USFS 6170-4F, 4G, or 4H or are not certified to NFPA 1977-05.
  6. Inspect all molded nylon hardware for dirt, cracks, breaks, and proper function.
  7. Return to stock if item does not show any signs of use and passes visual inspection.
  8. Refurbish if the item needs to be cleaned and/or damage can be repaired economically.
  9. Dispose of item if it fails initial inspection.
  10. Dispose of item if wood chips and sawdust are evident inside the layers at the bottom of the chaps.
  11. Dispose of item if the first layer of yellow Kevlar has a cut that is more than 1 inch long.
  12. Dispose of item if improper repairs have been made, such as patch jobs that stitched through the Kevlar.

Refurbishing Procedures

A.  Cleaning

  1. Allow any mud or loose dirt to dry and then remove using a stiff-bristle brush.  If stains remain, wash as recommended below.
  2. Remove light oil and dirt stains by brushing with a Citrosqueeze® solution, brush with a bristle brush, rinse thoroughly and hang to dry.
  3. For heavier oil or grease soak in a Citrosqueeze® solution for at least 4 hours, brush with a bristle brush, rinse thoroughly and hang to dry.

DO NOT MACHINE WASH OR DRY.

DO NOT USE BLEACH TO CLEAN FABRIC.

DO NOT PRESSURE WASH.

B. Repair

  1. Repair burn holes and cuts. 
  2. Use Seam Grip® to repair holes or cuts in the nylon shell. 
  3. To repair holes less than ½ inch in length, apply a dot of Seam Grip® over the hole and allow the Seam Grip® to dry. 
  4. Allow chaps to dry for at least 12 hours before using.
  5. Replace burned, abraded, or cut nylon webbing with like items.
  6. Replace broken or nonfunctioning hardware. 

C. Testing for Performance

  • Retest all replaced hardware. The hardware should function easily with little force being applied and no difficulty in the release.

D. Repackaging

  • Pack 10 each in NFES #002007 carton (24” x 16” x 16”).

 

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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:

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  • 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