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NWCG FireNet Utilization Standard Operating Procedure

Firenet SOP header graphic. Decorative.

Since 2018, FireNet has been recognized by NMAC as the official electronic messaging and file collaboration system in support of the interagency wildland fire mission and to comply with legal and policy mandates regarding security and privacy. NWCG's mission is to establish standards for interoperable wildland fire operations, and its committee structure represents all IMT functional areas.

The establishment of standard business practices in the use and management of FireNet across functional areas, IMTs, and Geographic Areas will strengthen the operating system, limit repetition and variations by IMTs, and create consistency for all users. Additionally, it will enable the inclusion of these standard practices, which includes forms, workflows, and user groups, in the FireNet incident environment. For example, the Planning Subcommittee’s electronic records management structure is automated into each FireNet incident, allowing IMTs to immediately begin use of this standard, regardless of their geographic location and team. Finally, it will allow the FireNet team to establish a standard environment for IMTs to run scenarios and prepare for fire season.

In a digital environment, standardization is necessary to minimize resource, license, and helpdesk support and to provide a consistent, repeatable process which will allow automation and streamline processes for firefighting resources and non-IMT members. Once these standard business practices are established and deployed in FireNet, the FireNet team can more easily support those IMT activities outside of direct incident support.

NWCG Committees recognize the following positions as requiring named accounts in FireNet in order to fully complete the position duties. A named account generates a FireNet email address (first_last@firenet.gov), which is required to send and receive emails in shared inboxes. Those without named accounts can still interact in FireNet as Guests.

  • Dispatch Centers (including GACC/NICC) [National Coordination System Committee]
  • Air Bases:  Airtanker Bases / SEAT Bases / Helibases/ Smokejumpers [National Interagency Aviation Committee]
  • PIO [Public Information Officer Subcommittee]
  • PSC [Incident Planning Subcommittee]
  • ITSS [Incident Planning Subcommittee]
  • DMOB [Incident Planning Subcommittee]
  • RESL [Incident Planning Subcommittee]
  • SITL [Incident Planning Subcommittee]
  • GISS [Incident Planning Subcommittee]
  • SCKN [Incident Planning Subcommittee]
  • DOCL [Incident Planning Subcommittee]
  • LSC [Incident Logistics Subcommittee]
  • ORDM [Incident Logistics Subcommittee]
  • FSC [Incident Business Committee]
  • COST [Incident Business Committee]
  • TIME [Incident Business Committee]
  • PTRC [Incident Business Committee]
  • EQTR [Incident Business Committee]
  • COMP [Incident Business Committee]
  • PROC [Incident Business Committee]
  • ICPI [Incident Business Committee]
  • INBA [Incident Business Committee]
  • IC [Incident Command Subcommittee]
  • LOFR [Incident Command Subcommittee] 
  • PETM [Communication, Education, and Prevention Committee]
  • PETL [Communication, Education, and Prevention Committee]

NWCG Committees recognize the need for the following shared inboxes on all interagency incidents. Only named accounts can access the shared inboxes to send and receive emails on behalf of the incident.

  • Dispatch Centers (including GACC/NICC) [National Coordination System Committee]
  • Air Bases:  Airtanker Bases / SEAT Bases / Helibases/ Smokejumpers [National Interagency Aviation Committee]
  • Main (PIO) [Public Information Officer Subcommittee]
  • Planning [Incident Planning Subcommittee]
  • Demobilization [Incident Planning Subcommittee]
  • Resources [Incident Planning Subcommittee]
  • Situation [Incident Planning Subcommittee]
  • Documentation [Incident Planning Subcommittee]
  • Status Check-in [Incident Planning Subcommittee]
  • Finance [Incident Business Committee]
  • Logistics [Incident Logistics Subcommittee]
  • Ordering [Incident Logistics Subcommittee]
  • Air Operations [National Interagency Aviation Committee]
  • Liaison [Incident Command Subcommittee] 
  • Fire Prevention Education Teams [Communication, Education, and Prevention Committee]
  • Buying Team [Incident Business Committee]

NWCG Committees have designated default folder structures within each functional area channel in incident Teams.

  • General (default)
    • eDoc Box [Incident Planning Subcommittee]
    • Welcome Email (document)
    • FireNet Incident Tracker (document)
  • Planning Channel [Incident Planning Subcommittee]
  • Resources Channel [Incident Planning Subcommittee]
  • Demobilization Channel [Incident Planning Subcommittee]
  • Situation Channel [Incident Planning Subcommittee]
  • Finance Channel [Incident Business Committee]
  • Information Channel [Public Information Officer Subcommittee]
  • Liaison Channel [Incident Command Subcommittee]
  • Logistics Channel [Incident Logistics Subcommittee]
    • Communications Unit
    • Facilities Unit
    • Food Unit
    • Ground Support Unit
    • Supply Unit
    • Ordering
    • Security
    • Medical Unit
  • Safety Channel [Risk Management Committee]
    • ICS 206 WF
    • ICS 215A
    • Safety Messages
  • Operations Channel [Incident Operations Subcommittee]
  • Air Operations Channel [National Interagency Aviation Committee]
    • ​Mirror eDoc box files for Aviation Section

 

 

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