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.

RT-130, Wildland Fire Safety Training Annual Refresher (WFSTAR)

RT-130 Decorative banner. Group of photos depicting wildland firefighters performing various duties.

Little Venus Fire

Revisit significant events and statistics from the 2024 fire season. Identify lessons learned to prepare for the future. Explore intelligence sources to independently enhance big picture situational awareness.

Category: Operations

Core Component(s):

Local Topics, Incident Reviews and Lessons Learned, Fire and Aviation Operational Safety

Estimated Delivery Time: 45 minutes

Video Length: 18:27

Agency operated Unmanned Aircraft Systems are becoming more prevalent and more capable every year. This video is designed to provide all firefighters with a baseline understanding of UAS capabilities and limitations. Through that lens the video covers typing, communications, integration in the Fire Traffic Area, decision making when ordering, and updates in the NWCG Incident Response Pocket Guide (IRPG), PMS 461.

Category: Aviation

Core Component(s):

Fire and Aviation Operational Safety, Human Factors, Communication and Decision Making

Estimated Delivery Time: 30 Minutes

Video Length: 9:24

Understanding the capabilities and limitations of Short-haul operations will help you utilize a Short-haul resource effectively. Whether you’re a Duty Officer responsible for deciding what type of resource to send to a new incident in a remote area, or you are a first-year crewmember awaiting your first fire assignment, this module will help you make informed decisions in the field by providing insight into Short-haul operations relevant to all wildland firefighters.

Category: Aviation

Core Component(s):

Fire and Aviation Operational Safety, Human Factors, Communication and Decision Making

Estimated Delivery Time: 45 minutes

Video Length: 12:41

A case study involving a medical extrication on a wildfire in western Oregon. The person in charge of the extrication had to decide the best method to get the patient to definitive medical care. This case study examines their decision and the factors they had to consider.

Category: Case Studies

Core Component(s):

Local Topics, Incident Reviews and Lessons Learned

Estimated Delivery Time: 50 minutes

Video Length: 9:21

Build a knowledge base by listening to three aerial firefighting experts explain best practices when utilizing aerial resources and clarify what it means for a line to be clear.

Category: Operations

Core Component(s):

Fire and Aviation Operational Safety, Human Factors, Communication and Decision Making

Estimated Delivery Time: 30 minutes

Video Length: 12:13

Intent

Review the sequence of events that led to the Little Venus Fire entrapment/deployment and discuss significant lessons learned.

Facilitator Preparation

Review the video and module tools.
Consider additional activities and discussion questions relevant to the location and agency.

Facilitating the Discussion

Show the video.
Facilitate a small or large group discussion using the activity and discussion questions below.
Guide discussion based on the Risk Management Process in the NWCG Incident Response Pocket Guide (IRPG), PMS 461. Provide copies of the IRPG for students to utilize and answer questions.

Discussion Questions

Part 1

Identify Hazards (Situation Awareness)

When did the involved personnel obtain the basic critical information?
1. Objectives, communication, who’s in charge, previous fire behavior, weather forecast, and local factors.
2. Was the assignment scouted?

Assess Hazards

Were potential fire behavior hazards estimated?
Which tactical hazards or Watch Out Situations were present?
What other warnings or indicators were present prior to the entrapment?

Develop Controls and Make Risk Decisions

Where was the fireline anchor point?
Was there an established lookout?
What communication links were in place between the involved personnel and their fireline supervisor or adjoining forces?
What was the pre-identified escape route(s)?
What was the pre-identified safety zone(s)?
Was a Medical Plan in place?

Implement Controls

Were the necessary hazard controls in place for this situation? If not, what was lacking?
Were the strategies and tactics based on expected fire behavior? If not, why?
Did all involved resources have an opportunity for feedback during the decision-making process? If not, why?

Supervise and Evaluate

What individual or human factors existed that increased the potential for decision errors?
What organizational factors existed that increased the potential for decision errors?
As the fire and situation evolved, did the strategy, and tactics continue to work? Did the hazard controls evolve as the fire and situation evolved?

Part 2

Consider the casual factors identified in Part 1; then summarize the significant lessons to be learned from this case study.

Resources

Document: Little Venus Fire Shelter Deployment Peer Review Report
Publication:NWCG Incident Response Pocket Guide(IRPG), PMS 461

Additional Video Information

This video is also available as a download (zip file, size 89 MB) .srt file for closed captioning (you may need to right click and Save As). For information on how to add closed captioning to a video, see this how-to page.
Note: For Chrome, Firefox, and Edge, right click the word download and select Save Link As; for Internet Explorer (IE), right click and select Save Target As.

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Last Modified / Reviewed: October 22, 2025

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NWCG Latest Announcements

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).

References:

2025/2026 NWCG Leadership Campaign - Leadership Levels

Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program

Leadership Committee

Updated! L-280, Followership to Leadership (Instructor-led) Course

Date: October 3, 2024
Questions? Please contact:
Leadership Committee

NWCG is pleased to announce the updated L-280, Followership to Leadership (Instructor-led) course is now available. L-280 is intended for operational personnel at the Firefighter Type 1 level, and for individuals pursuing Leadership Level 2, New Leader.

This instructor-led course is a primer on leadership and the second formal course in the Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program. It helps emerging leaders build the confidence, skills, and mindset needed to lead effectively in high-risk environments.

For more information about leadership development and available courses, visit the Leadership Committee Web Portal.

References:

L-280, Followership to Leadership (Instructor-led)

Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program

Wildland Fire Learning Portal

Equipment Advisory 25-01: Pre-2006 Fire Shelter Degradation and Discontinuation of Use

Date: Sept 26, 2025
Questions? Please contact:
Equipment Technology Committee

The Equipment Technology Committee (ETC) has released Equipment Advisory 25-01: Pre-2006 Fire Shelter Degradation and Discontinuation of Use. This advisory recommends all pre-2006 fire shelters should be removed from service by January 1, 2026.

This advisory recommends firefighters and fire managers to:

Inspect fire shelters immediately
Replace and destroy any pre-2006 shelters (identified by white or pink insert label)
Order replacements as needed

For further details, please refer to the complete advisory.

References:

Equipment Advisory 25-01: Pre-2006 Fire Shelter Degradation and Discontinuation of Use

NWCG Fire Inspection Flowchart, PMS 411-1

NWCG Alerts

NEW! S-219, Firing Operations (Blended) Now Available

Date: Sept 11, 2025
Questions? Please contact:
Fuels Management Committee

The S-219, Firing Operations (Blended) course is now available on the Wildland Fire Learning Portal. Developed through the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) effort, this training supports individuals working towards Firing Boss, Single Resource (FIRB) incident qualifications.

This blended course combines online and instructor-led training to provide students with the knowledge and skills required to perform the duties of the FIRB, as described in the NWCG Incident Position Standards for Firing Boss, Single Resource, PMS 350-105.

Any changes to qualification pathways will take effect with the next update of the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1, scheduled for January 2026.

References:

S-219, Firing Operations (Blended)

NWCG Firing Boss, Single Resource Position Page

Wildland Fire Learning Portal

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