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Submission of Innovative Ideas

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ETC header graphic. photo of firefighter with a hose inset in photo of fire.  Decorative.

Key Points

  • The Innovation Proposal Form must contain:
    • Innovation Proposal
    • Implementation Narrative
    • Safety Narrative
  • The submission of the Innovation Proposal Form may constitute a public disclosure. Please check with the United States Patent and Trademark Office for information and timelines.
  • The Equipment Technology Committee (ETC) or the NWCG partner agencies are not responsible for the cost incurred in the preparation of proposals.
  • Materials submitted to ETC through the Innovation Proposal process may not be returned.
  • Funding for further development of a concept or product is not available through this process.
  • ETC or cooperating agencies may be working on the same or a similar idea already from another individual or organization.

Introduction

This procedure outlines the process for submitting innovative ideas to improve wildland firefighter safety, operating efficiency, and cost reduction. NWCG encourages the submission of innovative ideas or product proposals (collectively, Innovation Proposal) that will contribute to its mission. ETC is chartered under NWCG and is responsible to receive and review these proposals as part of the innovation and program lifecycle process. ETC will review innovative proposals to determine whether the innovation can be practically implemented into wildland fire suppression, prevention, or rehabilitation operations.

Innovative ideas include new technology, significant improvement to existing products or new application of existing technology. Feedback to assist the proponent to develop the concept, idea, or product further will be provided when appropriate. However, this does not imply interest or endorsement of the idea, concept, or product.

Submission of Innovative Proposals

ETC will consider innovation proposals from individuals, organizations, and manufacturers. There are no specific dates for the submission of innovation proposals; however, proposals are only reviewed twice a year. The cutoff dates are March 15 and September 15. Submissions received after the cutoff date will be accepted but not reviewed until after the next cutoff date. Receipt of proposals will be acknowledged via electronic or written communications.

Multiple submissions of an Innovation Proposal to other ETC members or cooperating agency offices are not necessary. This central receipt point is aware of other areas of interest and tries to ensure that each proposal is sent to potentially interested programs.

The proposals will be reviewed fairly and objectively by subject matter experts available to ETC. The proposer will be notified of the results of the review. Correspondence will be sent to the proposer within 60 days after the cut-of date. The proposer will be contacted if more information or time is needed for the response.

The submission of the proposal form constitutes a public disclosure and may affect the application of a patent. Please refer to the United States Patent and Trademark Office for more information. The disclosure of an Idea to ETC does not establish a confidential relationship or obligate ETC and cooperating agencies to treat the idea (or any related materials) as secret or confidential.

What to Submit

Each proposal should be self-contained and written with clarity and thoroughness. The Innovation Proposal, at a minimum, must contain the following items:

  • Innovation Proposal
  • Implementation Narrative
  • Safety Narrative

The Innovation Proposal Form serves as a base document for the proposal.

It is used to assess which program area it is most applicable to. The Innovation Proposal Form is below.

An Implementation and Safety narrative, no more than 500 words, must be included to identify the following:

  • Objectives.
  • Implementation. How the proposed idea could be implemented operationally.
  • Safety and training requirements.

Additional documents such as technical drawings, artist sketches, or product brochures should also be submitted. Concepts must be validated by test results and test methods. Prototypes or product samples may be requested later as part of the evaluation process.

Review Process

The Innovation Proposal document package will be reviewed to determine if further evaluation is warranted. The review panel consists of subject matter experts within the National Technology & Development Program (NTDP) and other cooperating agencies. The review panel will recommend one of the following:

  1. No further action – The proposal does not meet agency needs, is not a new product or application of an existing product, or implementation is beyond the scope of the agency.
  2. Evaluate as part of product lifecycle – The product can be included in a current specification and will be evaluated as part of the lifecycle to improve products covered in that specification.
  3. The proposal meets a need; however, further development beyond the authority of ETC through this program is needed – The proposal may be referred to other programs for consideration if the submitter is looking for funding assistance. Funding for further development of a concept or product is not available through the innovation process.
  4. The proposal has merit; however, more information is needed.

Submissions are reviewed twice annually. Cutoff dates are March 15 and September 15.

Submission Form

  • Receipt of proposals will be acknowledged via electronic or written communications.
  • The submission of the Innovation Proposal Form is entirely voluntary.
  • Multiple submissions are not necessary, your proposal will be shared with other cooperating agencies.

We're temporarily unable to accept attachments through this form. Please email your attachments to your form submission directly to NWCG Webmaster at BLM_FA_NWCG_Webmaster@blm.gov. We apologize for any inconvenience.

NWCG Latest Announcements

ETC/RMC Safety Bulletin: 25-001 New Guidance on Laundering Wildland Fire Clothing to Reduce Contamination

Date: Aug 8, 2025
Questions? Please contact:
Equipment Technology Committee
 Risk Management Committee

The Equipment Technology Committee (ETC) and the Risk Management Committee (RMC) have issued Safety Bulletin 25-001: Laundering to Decontaminate Wildland Fire Clothing. Recent research revealed that wildland fire flame-resistant pants and shirts can be contaminated with chemicals from combustion byproducts, including carcinogens, and that common laundering practices can effectively remove these harmful contaminants from wildland firefighter clothing more effectively than previously understood. It is recommended to decontaminate wildland fire clothing as frequently as possible. 

Frequently Asked Questions about this new information and how to implement recommendations can be found on the NWCG Alerts page. Read the complete ETC/RMC Safety Bulletin: 25-001 to learn more. 

References:

NWCG Alerts

ETC Safety Bulletin: 25-001

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) on Laundering to Decontaminate Wildland Fire Clothing

Equipment Technology Committee

Risk Management Committee

FAQ Now Available for Archiving Type 1 and Type 2 Incident Positions

Date: Aug 6, 2025
Questions? Please contact:
Incident and Position Standards Committee

To support the transition to Complex Incident Management (CIM), NWCG will archive all Type 1 and Type 2 Command and General Staff (C&G) position qualifications in January 2026, as outlined in NWCG Executive Board Memo 25-002. To assist with this transition, a new Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document is now available.

This resource answers common questions about the status of Type 1 and Type 2 qualifications, impacts to incident qualification management, training requirements, and resource ordering considerations. Review the full FAQ to learn more.

For additional information on CIM and the transition of C&G positions, see NWCG Executive Board Memos 23-005, 24-005, and 25-002, as well as the Incident Workforce and Development Group webpage.

References:

NWCG Type 1 & Type 2 Position Archiving FAQ

NWCG Executive Board Correspondence

Incident Workforce Development Group

Incident and Position Standards Committee

Incident Position Standards and the Next Generation Position Task Books Now Available for UASD, UASM, UASL and UASP

Date: July 31, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Interagency Fire Unmanned Aircraft Systems Subcommittee
 

NWCG is excited to announce that Incident Position Standards and the Next Generation Position Task Books are now available for all four Unmanned Aircraft Systems positions:

  • Unmanned Aircraft Systems, Data Specialist (UASD)
  • Unmanned Aircraft Systems, Manager (UASM)
  • Unmanned Aircraft Systems, Module Leader (UASL)
  • Unmanned Aircraft Systems Pilot (UASP)

The Performance Support Packages for these positions were developed as part of the Incident Performance and Training Modernization effort. These resources support trainees, qualified personnel, and evaluators in their respective roles.

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:

NWCG Unmanned Aircraft Systems, Data Specialist Position Page

NWCG Unmanned Aircraft Systems, Manager Position Page

NWCG Unmanned Aircraft Systems, Module Leader Position Page

NWCG Unmanned Aircraft Systems Pilot Position Page

Incident Position Standards and the Next Generation Position Task Books Now Available for RADO and INCM

Date: July 30, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Incident Logistics Subcommittee
 

NWCG is excited to announce that Incident Position Standards and the Next Generation Position Task Books are now available for Radio Operator (RADO) and Incident Communications Center Manager (INCM).

The Performance Support Packages for these positions were developed as part of the Incident Performance and Training Modernization effort. These resources support trainees, qualified personnel, and evaluators in their respective roles.

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:

NWCG Radio Operator Position Page

NWCG Incident Communications Center Manager Position Page