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NWCG Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Typing Standard – Proposed (5/24/2024)

The NWCG Equipment Technology Committee (ETC) is requesting comment on a proposed new OHV Typing Standard. Comments can be submitted using the OHV Typing Standard form below. The comment period will be open until August 30, 2024.

  Type 1 Type 2 Type 3 Type 4
Mandatory Standard Compliance¹

ANSI/OPEI B71.9–2022 
or ANSI/ROHVA 1–2023

ANSI/OPEI B71.9–2022 
or ANSI/ROHVA 1–2023

ANSI/OPEI B71.9–2022 
or ANSI/ROHVA 1–2023

 ANSI/OPEI B71.9–2022 
or ANSI/ROHVA 1–2023

Minimum Number of Seats in Each Row

 2 2 2 2

Number of Rows of Seating

 2 2 1 1

Minimum Vehicle Payload Capacity²

 1,000 lbs.  550  lbs. 1,000 lbs. 550 lbs.

Rear Box Load Capacity³

 500 lbs. or greater 150 to 499 lbs. 500 lbs. or greater 150 to 499 lbs.
Four Wheel or All-Wheel Drive Yes Yes Yes Yes

Taillamp(s)⁴ and Stop Lamp(s)⁵

 Yes Yes Yes Yes

Occupant Side Retention Devices⁶

 Yes Yes Yes Yes

Personnel Protective Barrier⁷

 Yes Yes Yes Yes

Minimum Fire Extinguisher⁸

 1A:10B:C 1A:10B:C 1A:10B:C 1A:10B:C

USWDS Paragraphs

¹ The OHV shall conform to either the ANSI/OPEI or ANSI/ROHVA standard in effect at the time of manufacture and shall not have any modifications that cause non-compliance.

² Payload capacity is the total amount of weight that can be loaded on the OHV. Payload includes personnel weight, fixed equipment, and cargo. Personnel weight shall be calculated at 200 lbs. for every seatbelt position, even if unoccupied.

³ Rear box load rating and payload capacity shall not be exceeded.

⁴ The OHV shall have a minimum of one (1) red taillamp that illuminates when the headlamps are on.

⁵ The OHV shall have a minimum of one (1) red stop lamp or combination taillamp/stop lamp that activates when braking occurs.

⁶ The OHV shall have Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) provided single hand operation doors or nets to prevent occupant body parts from injury in the event of an accident.

⁷ The OHV shall have a personnel protective barrier between the vehicle occupant seating area and cargo bed.

⁸ The OHV shall have an accessory fire extinguisher that is mounted to be easily accessible. The fire extinguish shall not be mounted by drilling or welding to the rollover protective structure (ROPS). If mounted to the ROPS using clamps or bands, it shall be mounted exterior of the occupant seating area.

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