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Table 3.1 Water Handling Unit Estimations

Description
ID = Inner Diameter		 Rounded Values
Used in
U.S. Measure
Field Estimations
GOOD TO MEMORIZE
ID = Inner Diameter
Volume (Capacity)		 U.S. Measure
Volume (Capacity)
One hose length    
1-1/2-in ID x 100 ft 9 gal 9.2 gal
1-in ID x 100 ft 4 gal 4.1 gal
3/4-in ID x 50 ft 1 gal 1.2 gal
5/8-in ID x 50 ft 1 gal 0.8 gal
     
  Weight Weight
1 gal of water at 20°C 8 lb 8.3 lb
     
  Pressure Pressure
1 ft of water head (1 in2 column of water) 0.5 psi 0.434 psi
Atmospheric pressure 15 psi @ sea level 14.7 psi @ sea level
1,000 ft increase in elevation 0.5 psi decrease in atmospheric pressure 0.5 psi decrease in atmospheric pressure
     
  Draft (lift) Draft (lift)
1 in of mercury 1 ft 1.134 ft
1,000 ft increase in elevation 1 ft loss 1 ft loss
Maximum theoretical lift 34 ft 33.9 ft
Maximum attainable lift with new pump 29 ft * 29.4 ft
Maximum practical attainable lift 22 ft 22.4 ft

 

* Pump lift varies with pump efficiency, which decreases proportionately to the hours of use.

NWCG Latest Announcements

Incident Position Standards and the Next Generation Position Task Books Now Available for DMOB, DOCL, and RESL

Date: February 28, 2025
Contact: Incident Operations Subcommittee

NWCG is excited to announce that Incident Position Standards and the Next Generation Position Task Books are now available for Demobilization Unit Leader (DMOB), Documentation Unit Leader (DOCL), and Resources Unit Leader (RESL).

The Performance Support Packages for these positions, including a job aid for RESL, were developed as part of the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) 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.

References:

NWCG Demobilization Unit Leader Position Page 

NWCG Documentation Unit Leader Position Page 

NWCG Resources Unit Leader Position Page 

Next Generation Position Task Book and Updated Incident Position Description Now Available for Operations Section Chief Complex

Date: February 27, 2025
Contact: Incident Operations Subcommittee

NWCG is excited to announce that Operations Section Chief Complex (OSCC) has a Next Generation NWCG Position Task Book for Operations Section Chief Complex (OSCC), PMS 311-108 and an updated Incident Position Description.

These resources support trainees, qualified personnel, and evaluators in their respective roles.

References:

NWCG Operations Section Chief Complex Position Page 

NWCG Operations Section Chief Complex Incident Position Description 

NWCG Position Task Book for Operations Section Chief Complex (OSCC), PMS 311-108 

2025 NWCG Incident Response Pocket Guide (IRPG), PMS 461, Now Available

Date: February 27, 2025
Contact: Incident Operations Subcommittee

NWCG is excited to announce that the 2025 NWCG Incident Response Pocket Guide (IRPG), PMS 461, is now available. Visit NWCG's website to learn about the major updates and changes in the 2025 version of the IRPG. The NWCG Guia de Respuesta de Incidente de Bolsillo (GRI), PMS 461-ES is available electronically and will be available from Great Basin Cache by early summer 2025.

All hard copy materials, including the IRPG, are ordered through the Great Basin Cache (GBK). Information on the ordering process can be found in the National Fire Equipment System (NFES) Catalog.

References:

2025 IRPG Information 

NWCG Incident Response Pocket Guide (IRPG), PMS 461 

NWCG Guia de Respuesta de Incidente de Bolsillo (GRI), PMS 461-ES 

NWCG NFES Catalog - Part 2: Publications, PMS 449-2 

2025 Professional Reading Program

Date: February 18, 2025
Contact: Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program (WFLDP)

The Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program is announcing the 2025 Professional Reading list! The goal of the annual reading list is to promote the reading and discussion of the books throughout the year.

The five books chosen for this year are: Surf When You Can by Brett Crozier, Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl, Elephant Company by Vicki Constantine Croke, Simply Managing by Henry Mintzberg, and Chop Wood Carry Water by Joshua Metcalf.

References:

Professional Reading Program