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2024 WOR: Letter to Leadership

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Letter to Leadership

May we never stop learning.

Week of Remembrance (WOR) 2024 is dedicated to the thoughtful review and recognition of the events of the 2018 Mendocino Complex. As such, this year’s theme of “Learning From the Mendocino Complex” aims to embody a longstanding hallmark of WOR: the act of honoring through learning. Each day focuses on a topical area or event from the Mendocino Complex that has massive relevance on all incidents past, present, and future. Throughout the week, energy is focused toward providing a springboard for the generative conversation that will occur in briefing rooms and at tailgates.
 
This year, WOR also encourages the fire community to be reflective of our own thinking, emotions, communication style, and of the limitations of perspective on and off the fire ground. The human factor, as we call it, is a common denominator in all of our actions and outcomes. How can we study our own thinking in order to be safer fire practitioners? Where do we start?  Within the somber context of tragedy, we are reminded that our predecessors faced these same challenges. By renewing our commitment to refine and evolve our craft, and to engage with events of the past as serious students, we honor the fallen in the most meaningful way.
 
There is no doubt that, for many, this will be a difficult week. Even many years removed, the trauma of those who share a connection to an incident may become fresh and painful. We at 6 Minutes for Safety will continue to educate and draw attention to the importance of providing support for firefighter mental health. We ask our fellow and parent committees to join us in this effort.

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NWCG Latest Announcements

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

Paul Gleason Lead by Example Awards

Date: January 14, 2025
Contact: Leadership Committee

The NWCG Leadership Committee has awarded the 2023 Paul Gleason “Lead By Example” awards to individuals in the categories of Initiative and Innovation, Mentoring and Teamwork, and Motivation and Vision, as well as a Lifetime Achievement Award.

Congratulations to the awardees:

  • Sam Bowen, Superintendent of the Mark Twain Veteran Crew with the U.S. Forest Service.
  • Greg Titus, Zone Fire Management Officer for the St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
  • Renae Crippen, Manager of the Blue Mountain Interagency Dispatch Center with the U.S. Forest Service.
  • Eric Carlson, Instructor with OMNA International.

References:

Paul Gleason Lead by Example Award

Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program

Interview with Paul Gleason

Updated NWCG Standards for Water Scooping Operations, PMS 518

Date: December 19, 2024
Contact: Water Scooper Operations Unit

The NWCG Standards for Water Scooping Operations, PMS 518 establishes the standards for dispatching, utilizing, and coordinating water scooping aircraft on interagency wildland fires. These standards should be used in conjunction with the NWCG Standards for Aerial Supervision (SAS), PMS 505, and any local, state, or geographic/regional water scooping plans.

References:

NWCG Standards for Water Scooping Operations, PMS 518

Updated NWCG Standards for Aerial Supervision, PMS 505

Date: December 19, 2024
Contact: Interagency Aerial Supervision Subcommittee

The Interagency Aerial Supervision Subcommittee has updated the NWCG Standards for Aerial Supervision, PMS 505. PMS 505 establishes standards for aerial supervision operations for national interagency wildland fire operations. 

References:

NWCG Standards for Aerial Supervision, PMS 505