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Lightning Awareness

The power of lightning is immense. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the United States averages 51 annual lightning strike fatalities annually. About 90 percent of people struck by lightning are estimated to survive, but they often suffer from long lasting neurological damage.

Whenever possible, operations should cease, and individuals should make every effort to seek shelter indoors or in vehicles when lightening is near. If you absolutely cannot get to safety, you can slightly lessen the threat of being struck with the following tips:

  • Find a low spot that is not subject to flooding
  • Avoid tall trees, wires, utility lines, and other tall objects
  • If in an area of thick trees, move to an area with shorter trees
  • If only isolated trees are nearby, keep your distance twice the tree height from tree
  • If in open country, crouch low with feet together and minimize contact with the ground–squat
  • Do not group together
  • Do not handle metal hand tools or flammable materials
  • Do not stay on ridge tops or wide-open areas or near ledges

Activity should not resume until at least 30 mins after the storm activity has passed.

If a person is struck by lightning:

  • Resuscitation for persons struck by lightning must be initiated immediately.
  • Victims of lightning do not retain the charge and are not "electrified." It is safe to help them.
  • Cardiopulmonary arrest occurs from both the direct current to the heart and paralysis of the respiratory center in the brain.
  • Although cardiac rhythm may spontaneously return, respiratory muscle paralysis may persist, and rescue breaths may be necessary for several minutes even after the pulse returns.
  • Almost everyone struck by lightning who does not have cardiac and/or respiratory arrest at the scene survives, even though they may be seriously injured or burned.
  • If multiple people are struck, attend to those who do not have a pulse and are not breathing first.  This is known as “reverse triage.”

Discussion Questions:

  • Look around at your current setting: where would you take cover in a storm?
  • If someone were to be struck by lightning, where is the rescue breathing equipment? Do you know how to use it?

References:

Category
Firefighter Health and First Aid

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NWCG Latest Announcements

NEW! S-212, Intermediate Faller (Online) Course Available Now 

Date:  April 23, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Hazard Tree and Tree Felling Subcommittee

NWCG is pleased to announce that the new S‑212, Intermediate Faller (Online), course is now available on the Wildland Fire Learning Portal (WFLP). This second course in the series provides students with the knowledge and skills required to perform the duties of an Intermediate Faller (FAL2), as described in the FAL2 Incident Position Description. This course is intended for individuals seeking to advance from Basic Faller (FAL3) to FAL2.

S‑212, Intermediate Faller is a fully online, self‑paced training program consisting of 13 units. Learners will engage with interactive, scenario‑based content designed to progressively build foundational skills and knowledge essential for the FAL2 role.

Students must be qualified as a Basic Faller (FAL3) prior to enrolling in S‑212, Intermediate Faller course.

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 2027.

References:

S-212 Intermediate Faller (Online)

RMC Memo 26-01: Transition Plan for Implementing Updates to Intermediate Faller (FAL2) Position Qualifications

Intermediate Faller (FAL2) Position Page

NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Chainsaw Operations, PMS 212

New Aircraft Flight Schedule Form, PMS 249

Date:  April 17, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: National Coordination System Committee

A new publication from the National Coordination System Committee (NCSC) is now available. The NWCG Aircraft Flight Schedule Form, PMS 249, will be used for aviation crews and dispatch to share flight information that is needed for resource tracking, and if needed, for emergency procedures.

For further details, please contact your NCSC representative. 

References:

NCSC Memo 26-01: Implementation of NWCG Aircraft Flight Schedule Form, PMS 249

NWCG Aircraft Flight Schedule Form, PMS 249

New Glossary Term for Review

Date:  April 15, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Data Standards and Terminology Board (DSTB)

The Data Standards and Terminology Board is requesting feedback on a new glossary term: Resource Protection Measure (RPM).

The proposed definition is: Practical guidance provided for incident personnel in a manner in which incident objectives can be achieved while reducing impacts to identified resources across the landscape. RPMs are informed by, but not restricted to, Minimum Impact Strategies and Tactics (MIST).

Please review, share with your subgroups, and provide feedback as appropriate through the following form: Request Feedback The comment period will close May 10, 2026.

Thank you for your engagement in the NWCG glossary process – your participation is key to our success.

References:

Glossary Request Feedback

Quarter Three Materials for the 2025-2026 Wildland Fire Leadership Campaign Now Available

Date:  April 1, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Leadership Committee

NWCG is excited to announce that Quarter Three materials for the 2025/2026 Wildland Fire Leadership Campaign are now available. 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.

Quarter Three materials focus on Leadership Level 3: Leader of People (Develop Intent). Leadership Level 3 is where your values, your team, and your influence come together. Leaders of People put their teams first, build trust, and lead with authenticity. They mentor future leaders and shape decisions up and down the chain.

References:

2025/2026 NWCG Leadership Campaign - Leadership Levels

Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program

Leadership Committee