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Proper Use of Trigger Points

 

The 10 Standard Firefighting Orders and the 18 Watch Out Situations, as referenced in the Incident Response Pocket Guide (IRPG), PMS 461, provide wildland firefighters with a set of consistent best practices and a series of scenarios to be mindful of when responding to a wildland fire.

A poster with individual line art drawings of the 10 Standard Firefighting Orders and 18 Watch Out Situations used to educate wildland firefighters of the dangers and situations to be aware of.

View the 10 and 18 Poster, PMS 110-18.

Accurate situation awareness (SA) requires a constant reassessment of conditions (existing and potential) that may impact the safety and effectiveness of tactics. Monitor for the 18 Watch Out Situations and establish trigger points (in the form of operational or environmental limits) ahead of time.

Remember, trigger points are not decision-makers but serve as predetermined cues to prompt you to re-evaluate the current and potential situation and its associated risks. They help you to determine and implement the proper course of action.

The following items are considerations in your planning and discussion.

  • Use trigger points for preplanning. Do not wait until you are in the wrong place at the wrong time – with no time.
  • Trigger points should be based on measurable factors such as: ​
    • Relative Humidity (RH).
    • Winds.
    • Fire behavior.
    • Topographical boundaries.
    • Time constraints/time of day.
    • Time/distance to safety zones.
    • Loss of suppression resources.
    • Other operational considerations (e.g., firefighter fatigue, loss of lookouts or communication, weather change).
  • As you approach predetermined trigger points, go through the Risk Management Process to help you decide if a change in tactics is required:
    • Identify hazards.
    • Assess hazards.
    • Develop controls and make risk decisions.
    • Implement controls.
    • Supervise and evaluate. ​
  • Consider the following command/leadership responsibilities when changing tactics:
    • Communicate the changes to your subordinates, as well as to adjacent forces and up the chain of command.
    • Account for all your people.
    • Make sure everyone knows and follows the new plan. ​

 

 

Category
Weather Fire Behavior
References
10 and 18 Poster, PMS 110-18
10 Standard Firefighting Orders, PMS 110
18 Watch Out Situations, PMS 118
Incident Response Pocket Guide (IRPG), PMS 461, Risk Management Process, Operat…


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NWCG Latest Announcements

2025 Professional Reading Program

Date: February 18, 2025
Contact: Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program (WFLDP)

The Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program is announcing the 2025 Professional Reading list! The goal of the annual reading list is to promote the reading and discussion of the books throughout the year.

The five books chosen for this year are: Surf When You Can by Brett Crozier, Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl, Elephant Company by Vicki Constantine Croke, Simply Managing by Henry Mintzberg, and Chop Wood Carry Water by Joshua Metcalf.

References:

Professional Reading Program

Task Group Volunteers Needed to Update the Property Loss or Damage Report, OF 289

Date: February 5, 2025
Contact: Julie Bennett, Incident Business Committee Chair

The Incident Business Committee (IBC) is requesting volunteers for a new task group to revise the 1981 version of the Property Loss or Damage Report, OF 289 and create an incident replacement job aid. The volunteers may be recruited from within or outside the Geographic Area Incident Business Committees.

References:

IBC Memorandum 25-02

IBC Correspondence

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

Date: February 4, 2025
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

NWCG Equipment Technology Committee Releases Safety Warning: 25-001 Non-specification fire shelters

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.

References:

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

NWCG Equipment Technology Committee

ETC Safety Warning 23-01