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ATV – Safety

The use of ATVs for wildland fire suppression and prescribed fire operations has increased dramatically over the last ten years. Note: Several agencies have required training for ATV operations (check your agency’s requirements).

Most injuries associated with ATVs occur when:

  • Driver loses control (When the operator encounters a change of terrain or swerves to avoid an obstacle, it causes an abrupt change of balance and loss of control.),
  • Vehicle rolls over,
  • Driver or passenger is thrown off,
  • Operator’s loss of attention to what, where, and how an ATV is being operated, or
  • There is a collision with a fixed object.

Identified contributing factors to ATV accidents include:

  • Rider is inexperienced,
  • Excessive speed combined with rough terrain can create enough pitch and bounce to cause the operator to lose control of the vehicle,
  • Lack of helmet use,
  • ATV is improperly loaded, or load weight exceeds vehicle operation capacity, or
  • Operator carries a passenger that affects the operator’s control and operation of the ATV.

Safety measures for ATV use include:

  • Conduct pre-ride inspection which should include checking tires, throttle cable, front and rear brakes, lights and switches, oil and fuel, chain or driveshaft, and air filter. Clean out of weeds and other debris from around engine and other hot components, and check the chassis for any defects or wear.
  • Single riders only. Injuries frequently occur to passengers; therefore, riding double should not be permitted.
  • Always wear PPE – helmets, eye protection, and protective clothing. Appropriate helmets are those designed for motorcycle use (not firefighting) and should include safety visors/face shields, goggles, or safety glasses for eye protection.
  • Use headlights to improve visibility by other vehicles.
  • Maintain speeds acceptable for riding conditions, especially over uneven terrain.
  • Avoid traversing slopes.
  • Mounted or towed loads should not exceed the manufacturer’s recommendation and should be properly mounted so that weight transfer does not affect the center of gravity of the machine – mounting a tank (e.g., drip torch) on the rear of the vehicle increases the chances for a rear turnover.
  • Do not drive on public roads. Collisions with automobiles on public roads are the most common cause of fatal ATV accidents. It may be illegal to operate an ATV on public roads; check your state’s laws.

 

Category
Vehicles Roads
References
Safety and Occupational Health Manual Handbook, BLM-1112-1

Last Modified / Reviewed:

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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.

References:

NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Module Operations, PMS 430

NEW! NWCG Standards for Airtanker Operations, PMS 514

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.

References:

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:

  • Aircraft Dispatcher
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The Performance Support Packages for these positions, including the Expanded Dispatch Job Aid, J-601 and the Initial Attack and Aircraft Dispatcher Job Aid, J-602, were developed as part of the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) effort. These resources support trainees, qualified personnel, and evaluators in their 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 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