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PMS 411

PMS 411

Introduction

Fire Shelter History

Know Your Fire Shelter

Escape and Entrapment

Selecting Your Deployment Site

Deployment

During a Deployment

Training

Inspection and Care

After a Deployment

Project Reviews, Tech Tips, and Publications

Deployment Stories, Insights, and Reports

NWCG Standards for M-2002 Fire Shelters, PMS 411

Introduction

Publication cover: the new generation fire shelter. Image of flames and trees in the forefront.

The fire shelter is required personal protective equipment (PPE) for all federal wildland firefighters and must be carried on the fireline by everyone on federal wildfires. All National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) member agencies have required carrying a fire shelter since 2010. State, local, and rural fire departments may have different policies regarding the fire shelter’s use.

The fire shelter was first required for federal wildland firefighters in 1977. Since then, shelters have saved hundreds of firefighters’ lives and protected hundreds more from serious injuries. However, it is important to understand that the shelter will not protect firefighters in all deployment situations. Sadly, between the old style and M-2002, 41 firefighters have perished in fully or partially deployed shelters.

Carrying a fire shelter should never be considered a risk mitigation tool or substitute for safety.

What you see on this site may be familiar because much of the guidance for using shelters is unchanged. Stories relayed by firefighters who survived deployments can help other firefighters learn how to use the M-2002 shelter. For interviews with deployment survivors, see the Deployment Stories, Insights, and Reports tab on the menu.

This site is a reference for fire shelters and is not intended to stand alone. New and experienced firefighters should use this site as part of a comprehensive fire shelter training program that includes facilitated discussions and hands-on training. No one who is required to carry a fire shelter should go on the fireline without reading, understanding, and practicing the recommendations provided on this site.

This site contains 11 sections, each explaining a different part of the fire shelter, training for its use, and the use of the fire shelter on the fireline. For training purposes, sections can be utilized individually, or in conjunction with others. The shelter training sections are:

  • Fire Shelter History — Provides the history of the fire shelter, and material, and design advancements.
  • Know Your Fire Shelter — Explains how the fire shelter protects you.
  • Escape and Entrapment — Provides information on avoiding entrapments and reviews entrapment situations.
  • Selecting Your Deployment Site — Discusses deployment site selection.
  • Deployment — Explains how to prepare for deployment and the steps to deploy your shelter.
  • During a Deployment — Provides information on what can be expected during a deployment.
  • Training — Explains the importance of training and provides training scenario suggestions.
  • Inspection and Care — Describes inspection criteria and procedures that will keep worn shelters off the fireline.
  • After a Deployment — Discusses what may happen in the days and weeks following a deployment.
  • Project Reviews, Tech Tips, and Publications — Provides project review information, alerts, Tech Tips, and publications.
  • Deployment Stories, Insights, and Reports — Provides reports, deployment stories, and common insights.
 
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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

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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

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Make an Impact: Serve the Wildland Fire Community as an IPTM SME!

Date:  June 11, 2026
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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:

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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

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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:

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RMC Safety Bulletin 26-001: Rhabdomyolysis in Wildland Firefighters