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Mental Health Subcommittee

Banner Image (Legacy Committees before 2026)
MHSC header graphic. Decorative. Images of firefighters overlaid on a forest fire in background. On the left positive words reflective of healthy mental state such as confidence, teamwork, friendships. On the right words indicating unhealthy stressors that may lead to poor mental health such as stress, time, expectations, no sleep, etc.
Mission Statement

Mission Statement

The Mental Health Subcommittee (MHSC) provides national leadership in wildland firefighter mental health and wellness. The MHSC promotes and facilitates a national interagency approach to proactively identifying and addressing firefighter mental health.

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Primary Objectives

Photo of a line of wildland firefighters walking away, single file, down a path.

  • Develop NWCG guidance that enables firefighters and fire managers to recognize hazards to  mental health and wellness and take effective prevention and mitigation actions.
  • Standardize processes for collecting and analyzing data on wildland firefighter mental health and wellness.
  • Use this data to inform development of NWCG wildland firefighter mental health and wellness guidance.
  • Provide a forum for all firefighters and managers to increase their knowledge of wildland firefighter mental health issues and contribute to improvements in this area.

Additional Resources

National Suicide Prevention Week September 07-13, 2025

The NWCG Mental Health Subcommittee (MHSC) and Risk Management Committee (RMC) recognize the unique challenges and demands faced by the wildland fire community. MHSC and RMC know we are all stronger together and believe in fostering a culture of support, understanding, and resilience.

Suicide Prevention Awareness encourages us to actively connect and support each other. By engaging in everyday interactions, we strengthen our bonds and create pathways for those in need to access the necessary help.

Please review the materials and resources for the 2025 Suicide Prevention Awareness Week for more information that could make a difference for yourself or someone else. This September, MHSC challenges everyone to explore ideas and take actions that extend beyond this year’s Suicide Prevention Awareness Week.

National Suicide Prevention Week September 8-14, 2024

In the wildland fire community, we often refer to September as “Snaptember.” This is a time when we can really feel the grind of the fire season, mentally, physically, and emotionally. This month also holds a significant place as Suicide Prevention Month in the U.S. September reminds us to check in with ourselves and others and to reach out for help when needed.

The NWCG Mental Health Subcommittee of the Risk Management Committee remains dedicated to sharing mental health resources and information with our wildland fire community throughout the year. This year’s theme, “Stronger Together,” reflects the importance of mutual support in all aspects of our lives — at work, with family, and among friends.

Please remember that one valuable resource is the 988 Lifeline, available 24/7 for free. Whether you need immediate support or just want to talk, you can call or text 988 to connect with a trained counselor. You can also call if you’re worried about someone else. If you or someone else is in immediate danger, seek emergency help by going to the nearest emergency room or calling 911.

We urge you to foster conversations about mental health and share these resources within your teams and communities. By doing so, we strengthen our collective well-being and continue to support each other through the challenges we face.

Resources are available at 988 Lifeline.

  • We all need support sometimes. Help is always available, and reaching out is a sign of strength.
  • Taking care of our mental health is just as important as our physical health. Both are vital for our overall well-being.
  • Check in on your buddies and yourself. Regular check-ins can make a significant difference.
  • It takes strength to ask for help. Don’t hesitate to reach out when you need it.
  • Be the voice that gives someone hope. Your support can be a lifeline to others.
  • Be the voice that gives someone hope. Your support can be a lifeline to others.
  • Prevention starts with awareness. Be an advocate for mental health by knowing the resources available and sharing with others.

Hashtags:

#StrongerTogether #988 #SuicidePreventionMonth #SuicidePrevention #MentalHealthMatters #SuicideAwareness #WildlandFirefighterMentalHealth

*If you receive messaging from someone in need of help, please refer to  Support for Suicidal Individuals as a resource.

National Suicide Prevention Week September 10-16, 2023

As members of the wildland fire community, we can each take steps to support the wellbeing of fellow wildland firefighters and wildland fire support personnel. Together, we can prevent suicide by increasing awareness, decreasing stigma, and taking steps to care for ourselves and others.

In recognition of National Suicide Prevention Week, the NWCG Mental Health Subcommittee has created seven days of messaging to support wildland firefighter health and wellbeing.

We challenge you to use these materials to start a conversation about maintaining mental health and wellness with coworkers and to learn new ways of caring for yourself and others throughout the year. Each short piece takes only a few minutes to read but could provide information that makes a difference for you or someone else.

 

Chair: Givens, Alyssa

NWCG Coordinator: Gaskill, Steven

Parent Committee: Risk Management Committee

Page Last Modified or Reviewed:

NWCG Latest Announcements

2025 Wildland Fire EMS Awards

Date:  June 12, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Emergency Medical Committee

The NWCG Emergency Medical Committee (EMC) announces the recipients of the 2025 Wildland Fire Emergency Medical Service (EMS) Awards. EMC annually recognizes individuals and groups who have demonstrated outstanding actions or accomplishments that are above and beyond the expectation of one’s normal mission or job duties.

Congratulations to all the awardees and nominees. Through leadership and initiative, they have made significant contributions to the safety of the wildland fire community. These awards are well deserved.

References:

2025 Wildland Fire EMS Awards

Emergency Medical Committee

Incident Position Standards and the Next Generation Position Task Book Now Available for RAMP

Date:  June 12, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Airtanker Base Operations Unit

NWCG is excited to announce that Incident Position Standards and the Next Generation Position Task Book are now available for Ramp Manager (RAMP).

The Performance Support Package for this position was developed as part of the Incident Performance and Training Modernization effort. These resources support trainees, qualified personnel, and evaluators in their respective roles.

Any changes to qualification pathways will take effect with the next update of the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1, scheduled for release in January 2027.

References:

NWCG Ramp Manager Position Page

National Interagency Aviation Committee

Make an Impact: Serve the Wildland Fire Community as an IPTM SME!

Date:  June 11, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: NWCG SME Specialist

Note: Positions with an * will last approximately 6 months.
Positions with ** will last 12 - 18 months.

NWCG is seeking experienced wildland firefighters and support personnel to serve as Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) for the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) initiative. IPTM aims to transition NWCG’s training and qualification system to a performance-based model by updating position descriptions, Incident Position Standards, Next Generation Position Task Books (Next Gen PTBs), and training where needed.

NWCG is currently recruiting SMEs for the Fall 2026 positions listed below:

  • Equipment Manager (EQPM)*
  • Fixed Wing Parking Tender (FWPT)**
  • Mixmaster (MXMS)*
  • Public Information Officer Complex (PIOC)*
  • Retardant Crewmember (RTCM)*
  • Strike Team Leader Crew (STCR)*
  • Strike Team Leader Engine (STEN)*
  • Strike Team Leader Heavy Equipment (STEQ)*
  • Task Force Leader (TFLD)**
  • Wildland Fire Investigator (INVF)** 

Projects begin October 2026. Sign up by July 10, 2026, at the link below and review the attached document for additional details. 

References:

NWCG SME Interest Sign-up

IPTM Subject Matter Expert Duties and Expectations Document

Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM)

RMC Safety Bulletin 26-001: Rhabdomyolysis in Wildland Firefighters

Date:  May 28, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Risk Management Committee

The Risk Management Committee (RMC) has issued Safety Bulletin 26-001: Rhabdomyolysis in Wildland Firefighters. Research from 2016 to 2025 shows that 88 cases of rhabdomyolysis (rhabdo) were reported. Analysis of reports from eSafety, the Safety Management Information System (SMIS), and the Wildland Fire Lessons Learned Center (LLC) indicates that rhabdo is common during this time of year due to Work Capacity Tests and contributing factors such as weather, hydration, nutrition, and medication or supplement use.

RMC issued this safety bulletin to raise awareness in the Wildland Fire Community, and to provide research findings and educational resources that support reducing future cases of rhabdo.

References:

NWCG Alerts

RMC Safety Bulletin 26-001: Rhabdomyolysis in Wildland Firefighters