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National Fire Equipment System Subcommittee

Mission Statement

Mission Statement

The National Fire Equipment System Subcommittee (NFESS) provides national leadership in wildland fire equipment and supply management..

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NFES header graphic. Decorative.

Primary Objectives

Photo of firefighters walking single file carrying tools and packs.

  • Identify equipment and supplies that should be maintained to a national standard.
  • Assist the user community in identifying additional equipment and supplies to be provided through the national cache system.
  • Provide guidance on developing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) between National Interagency Support Cache managers, the Technology and Development Centers, Kit and Refurbishment Units, and the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA).
  • Manage the additions and deletions of National Fire Equipment System (NFES) items and product deficiency issues.
  • Prepare and communicate NFES equipment issues through Cache Memos.
  • Recommend to ETC proposed modifications in standards for fire supplies as it pertains to cache items, kits, or accessories that are utilized nationally or by more than one Agency.

Fuel Geyser Awareness

NFES National Interagency Support Caches

The National Interagency Support Cache system is sponsored by the National Fire Equipment System. Information for each cache includes the three-letter designation, location, and contact information. Full membership requires utilization of a common inventory program, adherence to kit and refurbishment standards, and meeting interagency training requirements. View a list of the National Interagency Support Cache system.

NFES Pandemic Support Items

COVID-19 NFES Items Spreadsheet.

These contagious disease support items have been added to the NISC system. There are variety of products and sizes due to the high demand at a national level. NISCs may supplement due to available inventory. 

For specified items, it is important to follow the manufacturer’s directions for proper mixing. Label the container with a piece of tape and magic marker. Work closely and communicate with the servicing cache on transportation and demob procedures to minimize risk. And return empty spray containers at the end of the incident.

For more information, see

Cache Memos

Equipment Bulletin

Organization

Image Map

National Interagency Support Cache (NISC)

National Interagency Coordination Center Equipment and Supplies

National Interagency Incident Communications Division (NIICD)

Defense Logistics Agency (DLA)

FedMall

Incident Cache Business System (ICBS-R)

Agency Specific Task Books 

Chair: Marcus Medina

NWCG Coordinator: Carmen Thomason

Parent Committee: Equipment Technology Committee

Meeting Schedule: TBD

Page Last Modified or Reviewed:

NWCG Latest Announcements

NWCG Risk Management Committee Releases Safety Bulletin: 24-001 Use of Respirators on Wildland Fires

Date: November 7, 2024
Contact: Risk Management Committee

The Risk Management Committee (RMC) has released Safety Bulletin: 24-001 Use of Respirators on Wildland Fires. As wildland fire respirators are available through several established vendors, wildland fire personnel need to understand regulations and limitations of respirator use in the workplace.

Safety Bulletin 24-001 outlines the following topics regarding respirator use for wildland fires:

  • Requirements for Respirator Use
  • Voluntary Respirator Use
  • Current Respirator Options
  • Unknown Risks of Respirator Use

This bulletin also provides mitigation recommendations to help reduce smoke exposure for wildland firefighting efforts.

References:

NWCG Safety Bulletin: 24-001 Use of Respirators on Wildland Fires

NWCG Smoke Management Guide for Prescribed Fire, PMS 420-3

VIDEO: Protecting Wildfire Personnel from Smoke - How Incident Management Teams Address Smokes Risks

VIDEO: Smoke, Knowing the Risks

The Incident Position Standards and Next Generation Position Task Book are now available for Medical Unit Leader (MEDL)

Date: October 16, 2024
Contact: Incident Medical Subcommittee

NWCG is excited to announce that the NWCG Incident Position Standards for Medical Unit Leader, PMS 350-39 and NWCG Position Task Book for Medical Unit Leader (MEDL), PMS 311-39 are now available.

The Performance Support Package, which for MEDL includes the Incident Position Standards and Next Generation Position Task Book, were developed through the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) effort. The Performance Support Package will support trainees, those qualified in the position, and evaluators.

References:

NWCG Medical Unit Leader Position Page

NWCG Incident Position Standards for Medical Unit Leader, PMS 350-39

NWCG Position Task Book for Medical Unit Leader (MEDL), PMS 311-39

The Wildland Fire Learning Portal is Now Available

Date: October 9, 2024
Contact: Wildland Fire Learning Portal

The Wildland Fire Learning Portal (WFLP) is back online following a migration to a new learning management system (LMS) application. The WFLP team is actively addressing any issues that may arise as a result of the update, and appreciates your patience as the team works to enhance your experience. NWCG will share information from the WFLP as it is available.

Should you have any issues with accessing or using the WFLP, please use the link below to submit a ticket through the Help Center.

References:

Wildland Fire Learning Portal

Wildland Fire Learning Portal Help Center

NWCG Equipment Technology Committee Releases New Equipment Bulletins

Date: September 27, 2024
Contact: Equipment Technology Committee

The Equipment Technology Committee (ETC) has released three new Equipment Bulletins:

  • ETC-EB-24-003 Diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) in fuel containers.
  • ETC-EB-24-004 Two-compartment fuel and oil container (Dolmar) unavailable in the United States (US) and reminders for upkeeping current inventories.
  • ETC-EB-24-005 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Inspection, Care, and Maintenance.

These bulletins remind field going personnel of important issues related to equipment for wildland firefighting efforts.

References:

NWCG Alerts

ETC-EB-24-003 Diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) in fuel containers

ETC-EB-24-004 Two-compartment fuel and oil container (Dolmar) unavailable in the United States (US) and reminders for upkeeping current inventories

ETC-EB-24-005 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Inspection, Care, and Maintenance