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Week of Remembrance

Tire Information and Inspection

 

This 6 Minutes for Safety honors Will Hawkins and Jacob O’Malley from the BLM Nevada Winnemucca District Fire Program, who lost their lives during the Denio engine rollover. You are Never Forgotten!

 

On Sunday, July 10, 2016, two Bureau of Land Management (BLM) firefighters were killed and another was seriously injured when their Type 4 fire engine was involved in a single-vehicle rollover 37 miles north of Winnemucca, Nevada. The accident was the result of tire failure causing the driver to lose control and the vehicle to roll over. This incident initiated changes within the BLM Fire program including standardization of Rollover Protection Systems for all 4-door cab engines, discontinuation of single tire rear wheel water handling equipment, and documentation of the in-depth annual tire inspection.

Firefighters must equip themselves with information to carry out the inspection and maintenance of fire fleet vehicles and equipment tires. The NWCG – WFSTAR Tire Information and Inspection video is a helpful supplement to the information below. Tires should be visually inspected and pressure tested daily as a part of preventive maintenance checks. Here are some tire information and inspection tips:

  • Tire Identification Number (TIN) – Branded on the tire sidewall, the TIN begins with the letters “DOT” and are used for recalls. The last four digits represent the week and year of manufacture.
  • Tire size – important when looking for a proper replacement tire. Pay attention to the section width and aspect ratio (metric style).
  • Load index (load range, if older) – A two or three-digit number that indicates the weight a tire can support when inflated to specified tire pressure. Example using 150/147:
    • Single tires – 7,400 lb x 2 tires = 14,800 lb front axle weight
    • Dual tires – 6,800 lb x 4 tires = 27,200 lbs rear axle weight
  • Speed rating – This rating applies to the tire and NOT the vehicle. Look for the letter after the load index number: 150/147 L.
  • Tire rotation – The owner's manual will have the recommended service intervals.
  • Tread depth – Measure at least once a month or anytime you see excessive wear. For example, BLM policy is is to replace tires that read below 4/32 of an inch. Refer to your agency policy.
  • Tire Condition – Visually inspect tires to identify deterioration such as: weather cracking, separation, bulges, holes, sidewall damage, tread depth, tread condition, and uneven wear.
  • Contact a reputable tire shop professional for assistance if you are unable to locate specific items on a tire, and to ensure your tires meet the specific requirements for your vehicle.
  • Torque lug nuts to the original equipment manufacturer recommended setting found in the owner's manual anytime the tire/rim is removed from the vehicle. Retorque the lug nuts again in 100 miles or as identified in the owner's manual.

Discussion and Practice:

Head over to your vehicles to work through these next bullet points.

  • Locate the week and year of manufacture on your tires at the end of the TIN. Dated tires should be replaced according to Agency policy or tire manufacturer recommendation.
  • Measure tread depth: Replace tires with less than 4/32”. The Code of Federal Regulations requires front tires at 2/32” or less to be placed Out Of Service (CFR393.75 Tires).
  • Inspect your tires for abnormal signs of damage, deterioration related to age, weather cracking, separation, bulges, holes, sidewall damage, tread depth, condition, and uneven wear. If deficiencies are located have a qualified tire professional determine if replacement is necessary.
  • Determine the load index of the tires on your vehicle: Is it sufficient to handle the payload rating of the chassis and its components? If not, the tires should be replaced.
     
Category
Vehicles Roads
References
Denio Engine Rollover 2016, Wildland Fire Lessons Learned Center
Crew Carrier Tire Failure 2016, Wildland Fire Lessons Learned Center
NWCG – WFSTAR video Tire Information and Inspection video
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration – Tire Safety


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The Experiential Learning Subcommittee is looking for your feedback on Staff Rides

Date: September 20, 2024
Contact: Ashleigh D'Antonio and George Risko, Leadership Committee

The Experiential Learning Subcommittee needs to hear from the field about where the greatest need lies regarding staff rides and their accessibility.

  • Do you have an event you would like to turn into a learning experience?
  • Do you have a staff ride built, but are struggling to implement the delivery?
  • Do you need help building capacity?
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Fill out this short survey below to help us help you.

References:

Staff Rides: Feedback

Staff Rides

Updated NWCG Single Resource Casual Hire Information, PMS 934

Date: September 19, 2024
Contact: Incident Business Committee

The Incident Business Committee has updated the NWCG Single Resource Casual Hire Information, PMS 934. This update expands the provisions for hiring emergency personnel.

References:

NWCG Single Resource Casual Hire Information, PMS 934

IBC Memorandum 24-03

NWCG 2024 Spring/Summer Highlights

Date: September 13, 2024

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Welcome to our latest highlights from the National Wildfire Coordinating Group, where we explore the latest updates, insights, and efforts that develop interoperable wildland fire operations among federal, state, local, Tribal, and territorial partners.

The Performance Support Package, which for ABRO includes the Incident Position Standards and Next Generation Position Task Book were developed through the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) effort. The Performance Support Package will support trainees, those qualified in the position, and evaluators.
 

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NASA JOINS NWCG!

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is officially an associate member of NWCG. As such, NASA is beginning to collaborate with wildland fire management agencies with the goal of increasing collaboration across agencies and leveraging NASA data, technology, and innovation for nation-wide efforts in wildland fire management. NASA has a rich history of research, development, and technology transfer in the areas of Earth science, space technologies, and aeronautics that support the NWCG mission.

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WWW.NWCG.GOV HAS A NEW LOOK AND DESIGN

The NWCG web team dedicated the past two years to making a significant upgrade to the www.nwcg.gov site. This upgrade involved a comprehensive redesign of over 7,700 web pages.

The modernization of NWCG’s website involved migrating to Drupal 10, a cutting—edge content management system, and leveraging Amazon Web Service GovCloud for secure and efficient hosting. These upgrades help ensure that the NWCG website remains current in content management practices, offering enhanced customization, improved performance, and an overall superior user experience.

NWCG Leadership Committee

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The Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program announced the Professional Reading Program’s 2024 list!

The years books include:

  • Young Men and Fire by Norman Maclean
  • The Wisdom of the Bullfrog by William H. McRaven
  • The Art of Clear Thinking by Hasard Lee
  • Emotional Agility by Susan David
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Learn more at the NWCG Leadership Committee

INCIDENT PERFORMANCE AND TRAINING MODERNIZATION

In 2023, NWCG kicked off the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) effort. A training system overhaul focused on developing a performance-based training system designed to shift training to on-the-job when appropriate.

Over the next five years, NWCG intends to analyze all positions within the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1. To date we are currently working on 30 incident positions, and planning for 20+ in calendar year 2025.

Subject Matter Experts from a variety of geographical areas and agencies recently completed the position analysis for 16 positions. From this analysis, Incident Positions Standards and a Next Generation Position Task Book will be developed for each position.

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Incident Performance and Training Modernization

NEXT GENERATION POSITION TASK BOOK

In April 2024, NWCG launched the new Next Generation Position Task Book (Next Gen PTB) which is a key component of the IPTM effort. This revised evaluation tool is designed to work in conjunction with the newly developed Incident Position Standards.

Major Next Gen PTB changes:

  • Structured to improve constructive conversations between evaluators and trainees.
  • Reference new Incident Position Standards.
  • Include only tasks required to be evaluated for successful performance.
  • Trainees will be rated on their performance vs. initialing whether a task was completed.
  • Must include written feedback when trainee does not meet the standard.
  • Will be position specific (no combined PTBs).
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NWCG’s training course catalog is now available on the Wildland Fire Learning Portal (WFLP).

To access the training course catalog, visit WFLP and either set up an account or login as a guest.

 

 

The Incident Position Standards and Next Generation Position Task Book are now available for Aircraft Base Radio Operator (ABRO)

Date: September 12, 2024
Contact: Interagency Helicopter Operations Subcommittee

NWCG is excited to announce that the NWCG Incident Position Standards for Aircraft Base Radio Operator, PMS 350-87 and NWCG Position Task Book for Aircraft Base Radio Operator (ABRO), PMS 311-87 are now available.

The Performance Support Package, which for ABRO includes the Incident Position Standards and Next Generation Position Task Book were developed through the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) effort. The Performance Support Package will support trainees, those qualified in the position, and evaluators.

References:

NWCG Aircraft Base Radio Operator Position Page

NWCG Incident Position Standards for Aircraft Base Radio Operator, PMS 350-87

NWCG Position Task Book for Aircraft Base Radio Operator, PMS 311-87