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NWCG Alerts

Definitions

You may search for the definition of these safety terms in the NWCG Glossary Quick View: Safety Advisory, Safety Alert, Safety Bulletin, and  Safety Warning.

Templates

Templates are available on the NWCG Correspondence Templates page.

Additional Alert Programs

Alerts are issued by the NWCG committee with responsibility for the topic to be addressed. To request an alert, contact your agency representative on the appropriate NWCG Committee.

Date of Issue Alert Title Attachments Alert Type Alert Category
2025-04-10 ETC-EB-25-001 Retrofitted Hot/Cold Beverage Kits Available (NFES #0244) - 2025 Field Season Equipment Bulletin Equipment
2025-01-10 ETC-SW-25-001: Non-specification fire shelters Safety Warning Equipment
2024-10-01 ETC-SW-24-001: Stihl Toolless Fuel Caps Spill Prevention Safety Warning Equipment
2024-10-01 Advertencia de equipos 24-001: Prevención de derrames de la tapa de combustible sin herramientas de la motosierra Stihl Safety Warning Equipment
2024-09-16 RMC-SB-24-001: Use of Respirators on Wildland Fires Safety Bulletin Health
2024-08-29 ETC-EB-24-003: Diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) in fuel containers Equipment Bulletin Equipment
2024-08-29 ETC-EB-24-005: Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Inspection, Care, and Maintenance Equipment Bulletin Equipment
2024-08-29 ETC-EB-24-004: Two-compartment fuel and oil container (Dolmar) unavailable in the United States (US) and reminders for upkeeping current inventories Equipment Bulletin Equipment
2024-07-15 ETC-EB-24-002: NWCG Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Typing Standard – Request for Comment Equipment Bulletin Equipment
2024-05-29 ETC Bulletin 24-001: Discontinued Use of Hot/Cold Beverage Kits - 2024 Field Season Equipment Bulletin Equipment
2023-05-11 ETC-EB-2023-02: Fire shelter training material moved to a website and publication renamed Equipment Bulletin Equipment
2023-03-08 ETC-SW-2023-001: Non-specification Fire Shelters Safety Warning Equipment
2023-03-01 ETC-EB-2023-01: Discontinuation of Shelf Stable Food Boxes (NFES 7478) in NISC Equipment Bulletin Equipment
2022-09-12 RMC-SW-22-01: Hazard Tree Awareness for Strategic Decision Makers Safety Warning Personnel
2022-06-21 ETC-EA-22-05: BKR5000 Series Radio Firmware Update Equipment Advisory Equipment
2022-05-19 ETC-EA-22-04: BK Radio Not Powering Up When Switched to the On Position Equipment Advisory Equipment
2022-05-18 ETC-EB-22-01: 50:1 Fuel/Oil Mix Ratio Recommendation for 2-Stroke Wildland Fire Portable Pumps Equipment Bulletin Equipment
2022-03-16 ETC-EA-2022-03: Performance Differences Between Pre-and Post-2006 Fire Shelters Equipment Advisory Equipment
2022-01-05 ETC-EA-22-02: Fuel Container Geysering Equipment Advisory Equipment
2022-01-03 ETC-EA-22-01: Inspection of 3,000 lb. Cargo Nets Equipment Advisory Equipment
2021-04-22 ETC Safety Advisory 21-01: Drip Torch Lock Rings Detaching Safety Advisory Equipment
2021-03-04 ETC-EA-21-01: Fire Shelter PVC Bag Retrofit 2021 Equipment Advisory Equipment
2021-03-04 ETC-EB-21-01: Fire Shelter Training Update/Reminders Equipment Bulletin Equipment
2019-08-20 ETC-EB-2019-04: Medical Kit Changes – Urgent Recall of Altaire Pharmaceuticals Eye Wash Solution
Link to Altaire Pharmaceuticals Urgent Drug Recall Press Release
Equipment Bulletin Equipment
2019-05-30 ETC-EB-2019-03: NWCG Dozer Typing Standard - Request for Comment Equipment Bulletin Equipment
2019-05-09 ETC-EB-2019-02: Firefighter Pants Questionnaire Survey Equipment Bulletin Equipment
2019-02-12 ETC-EB-2019-01: Medical Kit Changes for 2019 Field Season Equipment Bulletin Equipment
2018-09-27 ETC-EB-2018-01: Further information on removal of NFES 001175 Five Gallon Fuel Can from NISCs Equipment Bulletin Equipment
2017-02-03 ETC-EB-2017-01: U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Issues STIHL Chainsaw Recall Equipment Bulletin Equipment
2016-10-07 ETC-EB-2016-03: Engine and Water Tender Foot Valve Leakage - Field Test Protocol Equipment Bulletin Equipment
2016-02-25 ETC-EB-2016-01: Phase-Out of Drip Torches That Do Not Comply with US DOT and US OSHA Specifications Equipment Bulletin Equipment
2015-07-22 Hardhat Cracking and Delamination Safety Advisory Equipment
2014-08-01 Stihl Chainsaw Fuel/Oil Caps and attachment Safety Warning Equipment
2013-06-25 NWCG Heat Related Illness (HRI) Reporting Form Safety Advisory Health
2013-05-28 Creation of Arduous Duty Line Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Positions Safety Advisory Personnel
2013-04-05 Heat Illness Prevention Pocket Guide Safety Advisory Health
2013-02-25 2013 WFSTAR Letter Safety Advisory Training
2012-11-13 SAFENET System Update Safety Advisory Reports
2012-01-27 2012 Wildland Fire Safety Training Annual Refresher Safety Advisory Training
2011-09-13 Hyperthermia Safety Advisory Health
2011-05-17 Implementation of New SAFENET Field Card Safety Advisory Personnel
2011-05-12 Rhabdomyolysis Epidemiological Study Results and Recommendations Safety Advisory Health
2011-02-04 2011 Wildland Fire Safety Training Annual Refresher (WFSTAR) Safety Advisory Training
2010-12-21 Rhabdomyolysis Epidemiological Study Safety Advisory Health
2010-07-22 Cache Memorandum No.10-3 - Non Compliant Fuel Bottles Safety Advisory Equipment
2010-07-04 Wildland Fire Smoke - Employee Exposure and Health Safety Advisory Health
2010-06-17 International Association of Fire Chiefs Safety Week Safety Advisory Health
2010-06-07 Ash Pit Safety Advisory Safety Advisory Personnel
2010-02-24 2009 Final Safety Gram Safety Advisory Reports
2010-02-10 Hang-Ups – Take a Second Look Safety Advisory Training
2010-01-29 2010 Wildland Fire Safety Training Annual Refresher (WFSTAR) Safety Advisory Training
2009-10-01 6 Minutes for Safety New Features Safety Advisory Miscellaneous
2009-08-17 Updates to the SAFENET Website Safety Advisory Miscellaneous
2009-08-03 Pump Refueling Safety Warning Safety Warning Equipment
2009-07-25 Final Safety Advisory Norovirus Safety Advisory Health
2009-07-15 NWCG#020-2009 Memorandum – Interim Influenza Guidelines for Wildland Fire Responses Safety Advisory Health
2009-07-10 DO NOT CONSUME MRE Dairy Shake Powder Safety Warning Health
2009-07-02 New Six Minutes for Safety Addition Safety Advisory Personnel
2009-07-02 Heat Illness Safety Safety Advisory Health
2009-06-16 Interagency Safety and Health Reporting Processes Safety Advisory Reports
2009-06-12 International Association of Fire Chiefs Safety Week Safety Advisory Personnel
2009-02-03 2008 Safety Gram Safety Advisory Reports
2009-02-02 Annual Wildland Fire Safety Refresher Training -2009 Safety Advisory Training
2009-01-22 10th Wildland Fire Safety Summit Safety Advisory Personnel
2008-11-17 TriData Study: 10 Years Later Safety Advisory Reports
2008-10-06 Fire Shelter System Website Safety Advisory Equipment
2008-08-14 MRSA Exposure Potential (Staph Infection) Safety Advisory Health
2008-08-08 Incident Medical Plans and Emergency Communications Safety Advisory Personnel
2008-07-30 NMAC Safety Stand Down - August 1, 2008 Safety Advisory Training
2008-07-25 NWCG Standards and Agency Administrator's Guide to Critical Incident Management Safety Advisory Miscellaneous
2008-07-09 Wildland Fire Fatalities Safety Advisory Reports
2008-07-03 Thunderstorm Safety Safety Advisory Fire Behavior
2008-06-23 Incident Emergency Medical Task Group (IEMTG) Safety Advisory Health
2008-06-17 Firefighter Safety Stand Down Safety Advisory Training
2008-04-28 Firefighters Concerned About Fire Shelter Length Safety Advisory Equipment
2008-02-08 Hazard Tree and Tree Felling Website Safety Advisory Miscellaneous
2008-01-31 2008 Updates - Annual Fireline Safety Refresher Training Safety Advisory Training
2008-01-17 2007 Safety Gram Safety Advisory Personnel
2007-10-30 Seat Belt Use Saves Lives!!! Safety Advisory Equipment
2007-08-06 Situation Awareness Briefing Safety Advisory Personnel
2007-07-17 Dry Fuels and Extreme Fire Behavior Safety Advisory Fire Behavior
2007-06-15 Firefighter Safety Stand Down Safety Advisory Personnel
2007-01-31 2006 Safety Gram Safety Advisory Reports
2007-01-09 Factual Investigation Reports – New York Peak Fire & Mudd Fire Safety Advisory Reports
2006-08-28 Burnovers Safety Advisory Personnel
2006-08-24 Driving Safety Safety Advisory Personnel
2006-08-02 National Preparedness Level 5 Safety Concerns and Mitigations Safety Advisory Personnel
2006-07-20 Extreme Fire Behavior Safety Advisory Fire Behavior
2006-07-13 Interagency Aviation Safety Alert Safety Advisory Personnel
2006-06-14 IAFC Safety Stand Down Safety Advisory Personnel
2006-05-16 New Wildland Fire Safety Initiatives Safety Advisory Personnel
2005-11-29 Racal Radio Recall Safety Advisory Equipment
2005-08-24 Narrowband Radio Operations Safety Advisory Equipment
2005-07-11 Failure of Sigg Type Bottles Safety Warning Equipment
2005-06-17 Fine Fuels Safety Advisory Fire Behavior
2005-06-17 Firefighter Safety Stand Down Talking Points Safety Advisory Personnel
2004-09-17 IRPG Correction Safety Advisory Miscellaneous
2004-08-10 Utility Box Mounting Brackets – Chevrolet 2500 HD Crew Cab Pickups Safety Advisory Equipment
2004-07-22 RACALT25 Power Consumption Safety Advisory Equipment
2004-07-06 Nuttall Fire Deployment – Coronado NF, Arizona Safety Warning Personnel
Showing 1 - 100 of 136 entries

NWCG Latest Announcements

ETC Bulletin 25-001: Retrofitted Hot/Cold Beverage Kits - 2025 Field Season

Date: April 16, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Equipment Technology Committee

Due to spout failures and the associated risk of burn injuries, manufacturers have retrofitted the Hot/Cold Beverage Kits using a heat-shrinking band to secure the black spout at the insertion site. The updated kits feature a fluorescent label on each full kit assembly for easy identification. Catering units are encouraged to confirm the clear heat-shrinking bands are intact around each spout before filling.

ETC Bulletin 24-001 regarding Hot/Cold Beverage Kits has been archived and replaced by ETC Bulletin 25-001 for the 2025 season.

References:

NWCG Alerts

ETC-EB-25-001 Retrofitted Hot/Cold Beverage Kits

NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Chainsaw Operations, PMS 212, and Next Generation Position Task Book for Basic Faller Are Now Available

Date: April 14, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Hazard Tree and Tree Felling Subcommittee

The updated NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Chainsaw Operations, PMS 212, and NWCG Position Task Book for Basic Faller (FAL3), PMS 311-19 are now available.

The NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Chainsaw Operations, PMS 212 includes position standards designed to be used in conjunction with the Next Generation Position Task Book (Next Gen PTB). The Next Gen PTB for Basic Faller (FAL3) includes an evaluation guide with suggested rating elements to consider when assessing trainees.

References:

NWCG Standards For Wildland Fire Chainsaw Operations, PMS 212

NWCG Position Task Book for Basic Faller (FAL3), PMS 311-119

NWCG Basic Faller (FAL3)

RMC Memo 25-01: Summary of Updates to Safety Officer Positions

Date: April 9, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
RMC Member Eric Fransted

The Risk Management Committee (RMC) serves as the position steward for all Safety Officer incident positions and continues to improve position standards, training, and naming conventions. The implementation of Complex Incident Management (CIM) required changes to position titles. RMC collaborated with the NWCG Incident Position Standards Committee (IPSC) to propose and implement these updates. 

References:

RMC Memo 25-01: Summary of Updates to Safety Officer Positions 

NWCG Position Catalog

Updated, NWCG Guide to Wildland Fire Origin and Cause Determination, PMS 412

Date: April 8, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Wildland Fire Investigation Subcommittee

PMS 412 provides guidance for wildland fire investigations. This guide outlines recommended procedures, practices, techniques, and methods to promote a systematic approach. The last update to this publication was in 2016.

References:

NWCG Guide to Wildland Fire Origin and Cause Determination PMS 412