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Heat Stress

During activity, the body releases more than 70 percent of the energy used by muscles as heat.  As a result, heat loss is crucial to prevent an excessive rise in body temperature during firefighting activities. If heat exchange between the body and the environment is impaired, such as in hot or humid environments, firefighter performance can be substantially impaired.

A heat-related illness (HRI) is a potentially fatal disorder caused by elevated body temperatures from internal heat produced by activity or external environmental heat added to the body that cannot be removed to maintain normal body temperature.

Symptoms of an HRI may be difficult to recognize and may occur in no particular order. They may include:

  • Muscle cramps and weakness.
  • Dizziness, headache, and irritability.
  • Rapid, weak pulse.
  • Vomiting.
  • Profuse sweating with cool, clammy skin leading to hot, dry skin.
  • Loss of consciousness.

If you suspect a heat illness, stop work and begin treatments to cool down the body, and consider further procedures.

Considerations for mitigation during firefighting activity:

  • Ability to handle heat is different between individuals and varies on a daily basis.
  • Performing physical tasks, such as hiking, or or digging fireline, is our largest producer of body heat.
  • Hiking typically raises your body temperature 1 to 2 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • At elevated body temperatures, the risk of HRI is higher.
  • Maintain low skin temperature when possible, as it allows heat transfer from the body.
  • Pack weights exceeding 25 percent of body weight add to the body’s demands during activity.
  • Recovery of high body temperature requires:
    • Reduction of work output.
    • Removal from sources of heat.
    • Proper nutrition and hydration strategies.

Note: Recovery is not just a shift-to-shift concept. It is also task-to-task and even a minute-to-minute process.

 

Category
Firefighter Health & First Aid
References
Wildland Firefighter Heat Stress | National Technology & Development Program (f…
Incident Response Pocket Guide (IRPG), Heat-Related Injury (pink section).

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Updated, NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Module Operations, PMS 430

Date: March 11, 2025
Contact: Fire Use Subcommittee
Wildland Fire Module Unit

The NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Module Operations, PMS 430 standardizes procedures and expectations for Wildland Fire Modules (WFMs). These standards are to be used by staff, supervisors, specialists, and technicians for planning, administering, and conducting WFM operations. These standards will also be used as a measure of WFM qualifications, capabilities, and expected performance, for both Type 1 and Type 2 WFMs.

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NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Module Operations, PMS 430

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Date: March 7, 2025
Contact: National Interagency Aviation Committee

The NWCG Standards for Airtanker Operations, PMS 514 establishes the standards for dispatching, utilizing, and coordinating airtankers on interagency wildland fires. These standards should be used in conjunction with the NWCG Standards for Aerial Supervision (SAS), PMS 505, NWCG Standards for Airtanker Base Operations (SABO), PMS 508, and any applicable agency plans.

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NWCG Standards for Airtanker Operations, PMS 514

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Date: March 5, 2025
Contact: National Coordination System Committee

NWCG is excited to announce that Incident Position Standards and Next Generation Position Task Books are now available for all six Dispatch positions:

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

References:

NWCG Aircraft Dispatcher Position Page 

NWCG Expanded Dispatch Coordinator Position Page 

NWCG Expanded Dispatch Recorder Position Page 

NWCG Expanded Dispatch Supervisory Dispatcher Position Page 

NWCG Expanded Dispatch Support Dispatcher Position Page 

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Incident Position Standards and the Next Generation Position Task Books Now Available for DMOB, DOCL, and RESL

Date: February 28, 2025
Contact: Incident Operations Subcommittee

NWCG is excited to announce that Incident Position Standards and the Next Generation Position Task Books are now available for Demobilization Unit Leader (DMOB), Documentation Unit Leader (DOCL), and Resources Unit Leader (RESL).

The Performance Support Packages for these positions, including a job aid for RESL, were developed as part of the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) 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.

References:

NWCG Demobilization Unit Leader Position Page 

NWCG Documentation Unit Leader Position Page 

NWCG Resources Unit Leader Position Page