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Norovirus

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Norovirus causes sudden vomiting and diarrhea and makes one feel extremely ill. It is highly contagious and can spread rapidly through a crew or fire camp by exposure to stool and vomit of sick people. Food, drink, and objects can be contaminated even if you don’t see anything on them. Sick individuals are contagious for three days after recovery, possibly longer.

Symptoms of Norovirus infection usually last about 2–3 days and include:

  • Diarrhea.
  • Vomiting.
  • Stomach pain.
  • Dehydration due to excessive vomiting and diarrhea.

Treatment:

  • There is no drug for treating Norovirus and antibiotics don’t help.
  • Drink plenty of fluids with electrolytes.
  • In some cases, fluid may need to be given intravenously.

If you have symptoms, take these steps to prevent spread:

  • Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water after using the toilet.
    • If soap and water aren’t available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 62% ethanol.
  • Do not prepare food for others while you are sick and for three days after you recover.
  • Clean and disinfect surfaces with a bleach-based cleaning solution immediately after they have been contaminated by vomit or diarrhea.
  • Wash soiled laundry thoroughly.
    • Wear disposable gloves if possible and wash your hands after handling.
    • Immediately remove items that may be contaminated, place them in a plastic bag, machine wash with detergent on the longest cycle, and machine dry.
    • Handle soiled items gently to avoid spreading the virus.

Precautions:

  • Wash your hands with soap and water before eating, drinking, or smoking.
  • Don’t touch your mouth or food after touching anything that might be contaminated.
  • Wear disposable gloves when taking care of anyone who is sick.

 

Category
Firefighter Health & First Aid


Last Modified / Reviewed:

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2025 Updates to the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1

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Contact: Incident and Position Standards Committee

The NWCG Incident and Position Standards Committee has updated the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1. 

These updates address changes to incident position names and requirements for qualification, training, and experience. Updates related to the implementation of Complex Incident Management (CIM) are also included.  

The NWCG Wildland Fire Position Qualification Flowchart, PMS 308 has also been updated to reflect the recent changes.

References:

NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1

NWCG Wildland Fire Position Qualification Flowchart, PMS 308

NWCG Memo: 2025-01 January 2025 Updates to the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Positions Qualifications, PMS 310-1

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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.

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

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Contact: Leadership Committee

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Congratulations to the awardees:

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Paul Gleason Lead by Example Award

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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