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Firefighter Math: Table 2.2 Approximate Metric System Conversion Factors

To Change To Multiply by To Change To Multiply by
feet chains 0.0152 chains feet 66.0
feet meters 0.305 meters feet 3.280
yards meters 0.914 meters yards 1.094
miles kilometers 1.609 kilometers miles 0.621
square feet square meters 0.093 square meters square feet 10.764
square yards square meters 0.836 square meters square yards 1.196
square miles sq. kilometers 2.590 sq. kilometers square miles 0.386
acres sq. hectometers 0.405 sq. hectometers acres 2.471
cubic feet cubic meters 0.028 cubic meters cubic feet 35.315
cubic yards cubic meters 0.765 cubic meters cubic yards 1.308
fluid ounces milliliters 29,573.0 milliliters fluid ounces 0.034
pints liters 0.473 liters pints 2.114
quarts liters 0.946 liters quarts 1.057
gallons liters 3.785 liters gallons 0.264
ounces grams 28.349 grams ounces 0.035
pounds kilograms 0.454 kilograms pounds 2.205
short tons metric tons 0.907 metric tons short tons 1.102
pound-feet Newton-meters 1.365 ounce-inches Newton-meters 0.007062
pound-inch Newton-meters 0.11375      

Examples Using This Conversion Table:

To change feet to chains: Multiply feet by 0.0152
To change 124 feet to chains: Multiply feet by 0.0152
124 feet x 0.0152 = 1.88 chains = 1.9 chains

Temperature Conversion of Units:

°F =°Fahrenheit to °C =°Celsius        °C =°Celsius to°F =° Fahrenheit
°F = (°C x 9/5) + 32        °C = 5/9 x (F - 32)

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