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Uninformed on Strategy, Tactics, or Hazards

 

 

5. Uninformed on strategy, tactics, and hazards. A fire is burning on a hillside. A white airtanker drops red retardant in the foreground, where no flames are visible.

Wildland firefighters rely on coordinated strategies and tactics to efficiently suppress fires and avoid hazards. This Watch Out demonstrates an airtanker dropping retardant away from the intended area, potentially indicating unclear communication. Read about all 18 Watch Out Situations.

Firefighters who are uninformed on strategy, tactics, or hazards are in conflict with Watch Out Situation #5. Before going to the fireline, it is imperative that firefighters obtain information about strategies, tactics, or hazards by asking themselves the following questions:

  • Can communications be established to find out strategy, tactics, or hazards?
    • Discuss ways you might establish communications.
    • For example: Contact someone who is already on the fire and ask them what tactics and strategies are working or not working, what hazards have they witnessed, etc.
  • Can scouting safely identify potential hazards?
    • Talk about different methods of scouting a fire (e.g., using a lookout from your crew or sending a line scout ahead, utilizing air attack or the spotter on a smokejumper airplane).
    • Discuss what types of hazards you might come across and ways you would mitigate them.
    • For example: If you arrive at a fire after dark and are instructed to dig line downhill with the fire below, how could you make this a safe situation?
  • Have strategies, tactics, or hazards changed since last informed?
    • Discuss situations that might alter the way you are fighting a fire (e.g., wind shifts, resources you expected don’t arrive, etc.).
    • Also, think about what new hazards can develop while you are on the fireline (e.g., roots burning out and trees coming down, winds shifting direction and speed, etc.).
  • Can you get a briefing from your supervisor?
    • Talk about the importance of constant communications and ensuring firefighters are on the same page with strategies and tactics.
    • For example, if one crew decides to do a burnout but doesn’t let the crew at the other end of the line know what they are doing, what can happen?
  • To reduce the risks:
    • Post lookouts.
    • Determine escape routes and establish safety zones.
    • Consider retreating until you are better informed.
    • Don't leave a staging area or operational briefing until you have all the pertinent information.
      • Emphasize ways to inform firefighters about strategies, tactics, and hazards. Tell a story about when you were uninformed and what you did to correct the situation so that you were safe.
    • Use the NWCG Incident Response Pocket Guide (IRPG), PMS 461 (back inside cover) Briefing Checklist.

References:

Category
Operational Engagement

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NWCG Latest Announcements

Leadership Committee IAP Flyer Now Available

Date:  May 8, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Leadership Committee

The NWCG Leadership Committee promotes and enables leadership development across the wildland fire service. The committee provides education, training opportunities, and support for leadership innovation and best practices throughout the community.

A new IAP flyer is now available on the committee website, offering an overview of the products, curriculum, and learning opportunities the Leadership Committee develops. This resource is ideal for posting in your office, sharing with new employees, or distributing through your incident management teams to engage new voices in the leadership journey and reinforce a culture of self‑reflection, development, and growth.

References:

Leadership Committee 2026 IAP Flyer

Incident Operations Subcommittee Updates the Next Generation Position Task Book for FFT1

Date:  May 7, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Incident Operations Subcommittee

The NWCG Incident Operations Subcommittee (IOSC) has updated the NWCG Position Task Book for Firefighter Type 1 (Squad Boss) (FFT1), PMS 311‑14. The FFT1 Position Task Book transitioned to the Next Generation (Next Gen PTB) format in June 2025 through the Incident Performance and Training Modernization effort. Since then, IOSC has received feedback from the wildland fire community regarding coding for one of the tasks. Task #13 has been updated to include the option of evaluation in a simulation.

See IOSC Memorandum 26‑01: Transition Plan for Implementation of Updates to the NWCG Position Task Book for Firefighter Type 1 (Squad Boss) (FFT1), PMS 311‑14 for more information.

References:

IOSC Memorandum 26-01: Transition Plan for Implementation of Updates to the NWCG Postion Task Book for Firefighter Type 1

NWCG Firefighter Type 1 Squad Boss Position Page 

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