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Week of Remembrance

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2014 WOR: Honoring Those That Have Been Lost in Aviation Accidents

Ribbon symbol for WOR next to Wildland Fire Lessons Learned logo.Week of Remembrance June 30-July 6, 2014

Almost all firefighters will interact with aircraft on fires…bucket drops, blivets, sling loads of supplies, crew shuttles, reconnaissance, medevac, retardant drops from SEATs and tankers, and air attack. Due to its heavy use for fire logistics and operations, aviation remains one of the highest risk activities that a firefighter will be exposed to. Have we improved? Yes. Are aircraft still crashing? Yes. Are we still killing pilots and firefighters? Yes. Can we do something about it? YES!

Get the right training and maintain currency: Beyond the S-classes and fire aviation qualifications, there are many A-classes offered by IAT (Interagency Aviation Training) that may or may not be required (depends on your agency) and cover content that can be very helpful to someone trying to gain a better understanding of aviation. There are classes on Airspace, Aircraft Radio Use, Automated Flight Following, Water Ditching and much more! Some are taught in the classroom, some by webinar, and some online. Check it out!

Be as informed as possible: Did you know that a recent Accident Prevention Bulletin on rotor strikes states the USFS and DOI had over 60 rotor strikes reported in the past 10 years with 7 fatalities from 4 separate accidents? If you work with helicopters wouldn’t you be interested in why this was happening and how to prevent it? This Office of Aviation Services (OAS) webpage has a long list of safety-related bulletins. You can also query SAFECOM to see what is being reported in your area, type of aircraft or mission or an incident that you are going to. Your IRPG’s blue pages can be very helpful also.

Learn from the Past: There are many aviation lessons that have been learned from “blood and bent metal” that can help us work with aviation more safely. You can learn about DOI and USFS accidents and near misses from annual accident reviews.

Understand the capabilities and limitations of each air resource: For example…should you consider Air Attack an aerial lookout? Why do you want to clear firefighters off the line for a retardant drop? What is the best way to describe a target to an aerial resource?

Limit exposure: Limit the amount of time that a helicopter has to hover and the amount of time you are in, under and around them. Limiting exposure also means asking yourself “is this flight necessary?” and “is there a better way to do it?”

Communicate: Ground crews must assess hazards at the helispot/drop zone and communicate potential hazards to the flight crew/pilot. It is easy to trust the people that work around aviation all the time, but trust your gut feeling also. If it looks wrong or feels wrong it might very well BE wrong. Say something! “Communicate” also means that if you don’t know, ask.

Don’t settle for “well we’ve always done it this way.” For example…just this year, the way some SEATs (single engine air tankers) track flight time was changed. Before, pilots would call roll time which violated sterile cock pit. Now flight time is measured block to block.

 

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NWCG Latest Announcements

2024 Paul Gleason Award Winners Announced

Date:  March 13, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Leadership Committee

The NWCG Leadership Committee is proud to announce the recipients of the 2024 Paul Gleason "Lead By Example" awards. Award categories include Initiative and Innovation, Mentoring and Teamwork, Motivation and Vision, as well as a Lifetime Achievement Award.

Congratulations to the awardees:

  • Justin Baxter, National Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) Operations Specialist, with the U.S. Forest Service — Initiative and Innovation
  • Kelly Woods, Director of the Wildland Firefighting Lessons Learned Center — Mentoring and Teamwork
  • Doug Booster, Instructor, ProHealth Net, Inc. — Motivation and Vision
  • Pam McDonald, Writer-Editor for the National Interagency Fire Center — Lifetime Achievement Award

References:

Paul Gleason Lead By Example Award

Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program (WFLDP)

Leadership Committee

NEW! S-231, Engine Boss Course Available Now

Date:  March 6, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Incident Operations Subcommittee

NWCG is pleased to announce the new S-231, Engine Boss (Single Resource) course is now available on the Wildland Fire Learning Portal (WFLP). Developed through the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) effort, this training supports individuals working towards Engine Boss, Single Resource (ENGB) incident qualifications. 

This is a performance-based instructor-led training (ILT) that focuses on the application of ENGB responsibilities during wildland fire operations, emphasizing readiness, information gathering, risk management, engine tactics, and Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) operations. Trainees apply these skills through scenario-based group work and an optional field day that reinforces hands-on engine operation tasks. 

References:

S-231, Engine Boss (Single Resource) (Instructor-led)

NWCG Engine Boss, Single Resource (ENGB) Position Page

Wildland Fire Learning Portal

NWCG Celebrates 50 Years!

Date:  March 6, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: NWCG Executive Secretary

NWCG is proud to celebrate 50 years of service to the wildland fire community. Beginning in 1976 with an interagency agreement between the Department of Interior and Department of Agriculture, NWCG has grown to include additional member agencies and is recognized as the standard-setting leader in wildland fire operations.

To honor where we’ve been and highlight where we are going, the NWCG team has created a video showcasing our history and accomplishments. The video is now available on the NWCG website.

References:

NWCG 50 Year Anniversary Video

NEW! S-131, Firefighter Type 1 Course Available Now

Date:  March 6, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Incident Operations Subcommittee

NWCG is pleased to announce the new S-131, Firefighter Type 1 course is now available on the Wildland Fire Learning Portal (WFLP). Developed through the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) effort, this course is a performance-based instructor-led training (ILT) that focuses on the application of situational awareness and decision making, building on the knowledge and concepts introduced in previous required courses. Using a threaded fictitious fire, each unit focuses on a performance-based activity in which students practice applying their decision-making and problem-solving skills.

The S-131, Firefighter Type 1 course is required for individuals seeking qualifications to be a Firefighter Type 1 (Squad Boss) (FFT1) or an Incident Commander Type 5 (ICT5).

References:

S-131, Firefighter Type 1 (Instructor-led)

NWCG Firefighter Type 1 (Squad Boss) Position Page

NWCG Incident Commander Type 5 Position Page

Wildland Fire Learning Portal