Skip to main content

RT-130 (WFSTAR)

WFSTAR Overview

WFSTAR Catalog

Course Delivery Information

Core Components

2024 Fire Year in Review

2025 Core Components Module Package

Target Audience

FAQ

Historical Modules (Archived)

 

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

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

Hub Locking and 4WD Operation

Wildland firefighters perform dangerous work around heavy equipment. Regardless of position or crew type, all firefighters must be equipped to work near heavy equipment. Review Heavy Equipment and other useful references in the IRPG Operational Engagement pages to better prepare yourself when working near heavy equipment.
Category: Hazards
Core Component(s):
Local Topics, Incident Reviews and Lessons Learned, Fire and Aviation Operational Safety, Human Factors, Communication and Decision Making
Estimated Delivery Time: 30 minutes
Video Length: 3:42

Intent

Firefighters are exposed to risk while driving on a constant basis. By becoming knowledgeable about your vehicle, its maintenance, and proper use of its components; you can increase your effectiveness on the fireline and decrease your risk while driving.

Facilitator Preparation

  • Review the video and module tools and choose the most relevant videos to your group.
  • Consider additional activities and discussion questions relevant to the location and agency.
  • Browse the Lessons Learned Center for information learned from vehicle incidents.

Facilitating the Discussion

  • Share the intent of the module with the class.
  • Show the video.
  • Facilitate a small or large group discussion using discussion questions.

Discussion Questions

  1. What are the most common hazards when driving (e.g., poor visibility, cumulative fatigue, wash-boarded roads, vehicle maintenance)?
    1. How does your module manage these risks?
    2. How do these risks differ during night operations?
  2. Reference the Risk Management Process in the NWCG Incident Response Pocket Guide  (IRPG), PMS 461. Discuss how this process applies to driving (e.g., Identify Hazards (situational awareness), Assess Hazards, Develop Controls and Make Risk Decisions, Implement Controls, Supervise and evaluate).
    1. Discuss as a group one of the following scenarios and how you would apply the risk management process:
      1. Caravanning through a highly populated city during rush hour.
      2. Traversing steep, loose soil while navigating to specific drop point.
      3. Ingress & egress during Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) operations.
  3. What preventative maintenance oversights lead to vehicle malfunctions and accidents (e.g., tire failures, hubs locked in at high speeds, pump failure)?
    1. Discuss what components of your vehicle must be inspected regularly (e.g., engine oil, tire pressure, windshield wiper fluid, power steering fluid).
    2. How does your module track vehicle maintenance and inspections?
    3. How do you check for equipment safety issues and recalls? How often?
    4. What resources do you use answer questions about your vehicle?
  4. What vehicle processes should everyone on your module be familiar with (e.g., how to move specific module vehicles in an emergency, how to start the engine pump)?
    1. Determine an opportunity for crew members to practice this skill.
    2. Compare and contrast driving hazards during fire operations and driving to the incident (e.g., high speed travel vs. low range, 2-1 rest ratio considerations, fatigue).
  5. What is the specific process of engaging and disengaging four-wheel drive in the specific vehicles that you will be operating on your module?
    1. When should you engage the four-wheel drive?
    2. Should you take additional risks or assignments because your vehicle does have four-wheel drive (why or why not)?
  6. Discuss the specific order of operations in starting and stopping the engine’s water pump.
    1. Do all crew members know how to operate the engine pump? How could you cross-train to ensure all crew members understand how to maintain the engine pump (e.g., preventative maintenance, pressure tests, winterization)?
    2. Do adjacent resources at your district know how to operate the engine pump in case of emergency?
  7. The US DOT estimates that there were 42,915 vehicle fatalities in 2021. How do you integrate facets of defensive driving and preventative maintenance into the personal vehicle you use to commute to and from work?

General Resources

Tire Inspection Module Resources

Hub Locking, 4WD Resources

  • Document: Check Your Owner’s Manual

Engine Regeneration Resources

  • Document: Regen Equipment Bulletin: How To
  • Document: Regen Equipment Bulletin: Tips
  • Document: Check Your Owner’s Manual

Resources to Check for Recalls

  • Go to NHTSA.GOV-Subscriptions to sign up for recall information emails for your vehicle.
  • Call The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153) for recall information.
  • Call the manufacturer service center and ask them to check the vin for outstanding recalls.
  • When you take your module’s vehicle to the dealership have the manufacturer's service center check the vehicle identification number (VIN) for outstanding recalls.
  • Website: GSA.GOV-GOV RECALLS
  • Website: NHTSA.GOV - SAFETY ISSUES & RECALLS

Additional Video Information

  • This video is also available as a download (zip file, size 349MB) with the .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 and Firefox, right click the word download and select Save Link As; for IE, right click and select Save Target As.

 

Please Provide Feedback

Indicates required field

NWCG values your constructive input and we thank you for taking the time to provide feedback.

Although contact information is optional, we hope that you provide a way for us to contact you in case we need clarification on your comment. If you would like to be contacted regarding your feedback, you must provide contact information. 

Would you like a response?
If you would like a response, you must provide contact information (name and email) below.
CAPTCHA
Image CAPTCHA
Enter the characters shown in the image.
This question is for testing whether or not you are a human visitor and to prevent automated spam submissions.

Last Modified / Reviewed:

Print PDF

NWCG Latest Announcements

NEW! S-390, Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior Calculations (Blended) Available Now

Date: December 22, 2025
Questions about RT-130? 
Please contact: Fire Behavior Subcommittee

NWCG is excited to announce that the new S-390, Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior Calculations (Blended) training is now available on the Wildland Fire Learning Portal.

This third course in the series combines online and instructor-led training components aimed at individuals who are involved in planning, managing, and executing wildland fire and prescribed burn operations; who require a thorough understanding of fire behavior calculations to enhance effectiveness and safety. This includes students who require the knowledge and skill necessary to perform the duties of a Type 3 Incident Commander (ICT3), Division/Group Supervisor (DIVS), or Prescribed Fire Burn Boss Type 2 (RXB2).

Students are required to be qualified as any Single Resource Boss position and complete the prerequisite S-290, Intermediate Wildland Fire behavior (Blended) course, before enrolling in S-390.

References:

S-390, Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior Calculations (Blended)

Wildland Fire Learning Portal

NEW! S-320, Introduction to Incident Management Teams (Blended) Available Now

Date: December 18, 2025
Questions about RT-130? 
Please contact: Incident and Position Standards Committee

NWCG is excited to announce that S-320, Introduction to Incident Management Teams (Blended) is now available on the Wildland Fire Learning Portal!

This blended course combines online learning with instructor-led training, designed for individuals seeking to build leadership skills and gain experience in incident management.

Students are required to complete the prerequisite trainings ICS-100, Introduction to Incident Command System (ICS), ICS-200, Basic ICS for Initial Response, and ICS-700, An Introduction to the National Incident Management System (NIMS) prior to attending S-320.

References:

S-320, Introduction to Incident Management Teams (Blended)

Wildland Fire Learning Portal

New! Ransom Road WFSTAR Module

Date: December 16, 2025
Questions about RT-130? 
Please contact: NWCG Audiovisual Specialist

NWCG is excited to announce the release of the new Ransom Road Fire Module to RT-130, Wildland Fire Safety Training Annual Refresher (WFSTAR).

This module features a firsthand account from Rob Lee, official reports, and animated maps of the Ransom Road Fire which occurred on June 8, 1981, in Florida's Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge.

The module is available now in NWCG's RT-130, WFSTAR Catalog.

References:

WFSTAR Catalog

Wildland Fire Lessons Learned Center

Call for Nominations: Paul Gleason Lead by Example Award

Date: December 11, 2025
Questions? Please contact:
 Leadership Committee 

Do you know someone working in wildland fire who strives to make positive change and is undeterred by obstacles or setbacks? Now is your chance to give that person the acknowledgment they deserve by nominating them for a Paul Gleason Lead by Example Award.

This award, is presented by the NWCG Leadership Committee to remember Paul Gleason's contributions to the wildland fire community and to recognize individuals or groups that exhibit the same spirit and dedication to leadership – those who lead by example.

Nominations can be submitted via email with an attached Lead by Example Form to BLM_FA_Leadership_Feedback@blm.gov or through the online form. 

Tips for successful nominations and more information can be found on the Lead by Example webpage. All nominations must be submitted by December 31, 2025.

References:

Paul Gleason Lead By Example Award 

Paul Gleason Lead by Example Award Nomination Form 2025 

Leadership Committee