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Firefighter Nutrition

 

Nutrition is a critical part of the health and safety of wildland fire suppression personnel. This is the fuel for the body to perform the work and maintain cognitive abilities. Wildland firefighters on the fireline need 4,000 to 6,000 calories a day to avoid an energy deficit. 

Consider the following key points when choosing your meal:

  • There are three major energy sources in food: carbohydrates, protein, and fats.
  • Carbohydrates (also called sugar) offer an immediate source of energy for your body. They provide the fuel for your muscles and organs, such as your brain.
  • Proteins are the basic building blocks of the human body. They are made up of amino acids that help build muscles, blood, skin, hair, nails, and internal organs.
  • Fat is an essential nutrient that provides energy, energy storage, insulation, and contour to the body.
  • National Technology and Development Program (NTDP) recommends eating 150 to 200 kcals every two hours during the work shift to maintain blood glucose and energy levels.  

Carbohydrates:

  • Studies on athletes have shown that carbohydrates are the most critical energy source for performance and health.
  • Carbohydrates are your body’s first choice for fuel. If given a choice of several types of foods simultaneously, your body will use the energy from carbohydrates first.
  • If you do not eat enough carbohydrates, the following can occur:
    • Fatigue.
    • Muscle cramps.
    • Poor mental function.
  • Fire camp lunches are designed to allow firefighters small amounts of food (primarily carbohydrates) that can be easily eaten throughout the work shift.

Discussion Points:

How are you eating your fire lunch? Is it all at once or in small amounts throughout the day? Think of long-duration events (ultra runs, triathlons). Do athletes stop for a big meal or eat small amounts constantly throughout the race?

 

This topic was submitted by Joe Domitrovich, Ph.D., Exercise Physiologist, Missoula Technology and Development Center. 

 

 

Last Modified / Reviewed:

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NWCG Equipment Technology Committee Releases Safety Warning: 25-001 Non-specification fire shelters

Date: January 15, 2025
Contact: Equipment Technology Committee

The Equipment Technology Committee (ETC) has released Safety Warning: 25-001 Non-specification fire shelters. Non-specification fire shelters claiming to meet Forest Service (FS) fire shelter specification 5100-606 were first found in February of 2023. As of September 2024, non-specification shelters are again being advertised and sold on the open market.

This Safety Warning outlines details and recommended procedures to purchase FS specification shelters made with materials and components that meet performance criteria and toxicity testing requirements outlined in FS Specification 5100-606. 

For additional information on identifying non-specification shelters, please view ETC Safety Warning 23-01.

References:

ETC Safety Warning 25-001: Non-specification fire shelters

NWCG Equipment Technology Committee

ETC Safety Warning 23-01

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Contact: Leadership Committee

The NWCG Leadership Committee has awarded the 2023 Paul Gleason “Lead By Example” awards to individuals in the categories of Initiative and Innovation, Mentoring and Teamwork, and Motivation and Vision, as well as a Lifetime Achievement Award.

Congratulations to the awardees:

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Paul Gleason Lead by Example Award

Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program

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Updated NWCG Standards for Water Scooping Operations, PMS 518

Date: December 19, 2024
Contact: Water Scooper Operations Unit

The NWCG Standards for Water Scooping Operations, PMS 518 establishes the standards for dispatching, utilizing, and coordinating water scooping aircraft on interagency wildland fires. These standards should be used in conjunction with the NWCG Standards for Aerial Supervision (SAS), PMS 505, and any local, state, or geographic/regional water scooping plans.

References:

NWCG Standards for Water Scooping Operations, PMS 518

Updated NWCG Standards for Aerial Supervision, PMS 505

Date: December 19, 2024
Contact: Interagency Aerial Supervision Subcommittee

The Interagency Aerial Supervision Subcommittee has updated the NWCG Standards for Aerial Supervision, PMS 505. PMS 505 establishes standards for aerial supervision operations for national interagency wildland fire operations. 

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NWCG Standards for Aerial Supervision, PMS 505