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NWCG Glossary of Wildland Fire, PMS 205

Overview

The NWCG Glossary of Wildland Fire provides an extensive listing of approved terms and definitions used by the NWCG community. It contains terms commonly used by NWCG in the areas of wildland fire and incident management and is not intended to list all terms used by NWCG groups and member agencies. The NWCG has directed that all committee and subgroup product glossaries be contained within the NWCG Glossary of Wildland Fire to maintain definition consistency and clarity among documents.

Comments, questions, and recommendations shall be submitted to the appropriate agency program manager assigned to the Data Standards and Terminology Board (DSTB). 

NWCG Glossary of Wildland Fire, PMS 205  (Quick View)

EDG Explorer is a database platform used for managing NWCG Glossary terms.  The following table is a quick view of the terms found in EDG. More detailed information such as rules, documentation, and term relationships may be viewed in EDG Explorer.  

Note: If the NWCG Glossary of Wildland Fire is not displaying below please report it to NWCG Webmaster

Title Steward Status Definition
dry run IASS Interagency Aerial Supervision Subcommittee Approved

A trial pass over the target area by a leadplane and/or an airtanker to pinpoint target areas and warn ground personnel of the impending retardant or extinguishing agent drop.

dry socket EMC Emergency Medical Committee Approved

A tooth socket (aka. cavity) in which after tooth extraction a blood clot fails to form or disintegrates without undergoing organization; also : a condition that is marked by the occurrence of such a socket or sockets and that is usually accompanied by neuralgic pain but without suppuration.

dry storage ETC Equipment Technology Committee Approved

Refers to dry chemical retardants stored at air attack bases and available for mixing with water.

dry-bulb temperature FDSC Fire Danger Subcommittee Approved

The temperature of the air measured in the shade 4-8 feet above the ground.

dry-bulb thermometer FWS Fire Weather Subcommittee Approved

In a psychrometer, the thermometer not covered with muslin which is used to determine air temperature.

duff FUSC Fire Use Subcommittee Approved

The layer of decomposing organic materials lying below the litter layer of freshly fallen twigs, needles, and leaves and immediately above the mineral soil.

durability (foam) ETC Equipment Technology Committee Approved

The effective life span of foam bubbles.

duty week IBC Incident Business Committee Approved

Regular number of hours worked per week by a full-time firefighter, excluding overtime.

dynamic grid failure CEPC Communication, Education, and Prevention Committee In Development

When a dynamic brake is applied, the traction motors convert to generators which produe electrical current that is routed to a resistor grid on the locamotive. This resistor grid resembles a larg toaster element and its location on an engive varies but is typically vented out the top of the locomotive car body.

earthquake (event) NCSC National Coordination System Committee Approved

An event dealing with response to an earthquake.

ecchymosis EMC Emergency Medical Committee Approved

The escape of blood into the tissues from ruptured blood vessels marked by a livid black-and-blue or purple spot or area; also: the discoloration so caused (aka. bruise).

ectoparasite EMC Emergency Medical Committee Approved

A parasite that lives on the exterior of its host.

eddy FUSC Fire Use Subcommittee, FWS Fire Weather Subcommittee Approved

A circular-like flow of a fluid (such as air or water) drawing its energy from a flow of much larger scale, and brought about by pressure irregularities as in the downwind (lee) side of a solid obstacle. For example, wind conditions may be erratic and may eddy on the downwind side of large rock outcroppings, buildings, etc. 

edema EMC Emergency Medical Committee Approved

An abnormal excess accumulation of serous fluid in connective tissue or in a serous cavity — called also dropsy.

edge (fuel type) FUSC Fire Use Subcommittee Approved

The boundary between two fairly distinct fuel types.

edge (plant community) FUSC Fire Use Subcommittee Approved

The place where plant communities meet or where successional stages or vegetative conditions within plant communities come together.

edge firing FUSC Fire Use Subcommittee Approved

Method of burning in which fires are set along the edges of an area and allowed to spread inward.

edit name (feature class) GSC Geospatial Subcommittee Approved

Name of the person editing the feature.

eductor ETC Equipment Technology Committee Approved

A device used to introduce and mix fire chemical into a water stream. An eductor is a fitting with three ports, an inlet for water flow, an outlet for water flow, and an inlet for fire chemical concentrate. The flow of water through the eductor produces a region of lower pressure at the fire chemical inlet, drawing the chemical into the water stream. 

effective windspeed FWS Fire Weather Subcommittee Approved

The midflame wind speed adjusted for the effect of slope on fire spread.

efficacy EMC Emergency Medical Committee Approved

The power to produce an effect.

ejector ETC Equipment Technology Committee Approved

A siphon device used to fill an engine's tank when the water source is below or beyond the engine's drafting capability.

elapsed time IOSC Incident Operations Subcommittee Archived

The total time taken to complete any step(s) in fire suppression.

elastomer MFES Mobile Fire Equipment Subcommittee Approved

An elastic substance similar to rubber.

elearning IPSC Incident and Position Standards Committee Archived

Conceptually represents the optimum integration of modern educational methods and professional staff development training with state of the art technology. The primary goal is enhancing on-the-job performance, motivation, and learning performance.

electric fence CEPC Communication, Education, and Prevention Committee In Development

A fence through which an electric current can be passed thereby giving an electric shock to any person or animal touching it.

electric motor/power tools/battery CEPC Communication, Education, and Prevention Committee In Development

A machine that converts electrical energy into mechanical energy.

electrical system/faulty wiring CEPC Communication, Education, and Prevention Committee In Development
electrical transmission/distribution systems CEPC Communication, Education, and Prevention Committee In Development
electrical utilities CEPC Communication, Education, and Prevention Committee In Development

Companies or organizations responsible for generating, transmitting, distributing and selling electrcity to consumers.

electronic Cigarettes CEPC Communication, Education, and Prevention Committee In Development

A battery-powered device that simulates the act of smoking by delivering a vaporized form of nicotine and other substances.

elevation (water source) GSC Geospatial Subcommittee Approved

Surface elevation in feet at the water source.

elevation feet In Development

A geographic location's height above or below a fixed reference point

elevation loss ETC Equipment Technology Committee Approved

In hydraulics, the pressure loss caused by raising water through hose or pipe to a higher elevation (roughly equal to one psi for every two-foot increase in elevation above the pump) (11.3 kPa per meter).

elongation MFES Mobile Fire Equipment Subcommittee Approved

The increase in length caused by applied force or pressure. It may be measured at any specified load or pressure and is expressed as a percentage of the original length.

emergency NIMSIC National Incident Management System Integration Committee Approved

Any incident, whether natural, technological, biological, or human-caused, that necessitates responsive action to protect life or property.

Emergency Equipment Rental Agreement (EERA) IBC Incident Business Committee Approved

An agreement written at an incident using an EERA, OF-294. The duration is for the length of the incident only.

Emergency Firefighter (EFF) IBC Incident Business Committee Approved

A person employed as an emergency worker on a forest or wildland fire which threatens damage to property under public management. Emergency firefighters are hired for the duration of the emergency only.

Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT) NIAC National Interagency Aviation Committee Approved

A radio transmitter attached to the aircraft structure which operates from its own power source on 121.5 MHz and 243 MHz. The transmitter transmits a distinctive downward swept audio tone for homing purposes and is designed to function without human action after an accident. 

Emergency Management Assistance Compact NIMSIC National Incident Management System Integration Committee Approved

A congressionally ratified agreement that provides form and structure to interstate mutual aid. Through EMAC, a disaster-affected state can request and receive assistance from other member states quickly and efficiently, resolving two key issues up front: liability and reimbursement.

Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) EMC Emergency Medical Committee Approved

An EMS professional who provides basic life support skills and interventions for patients within the EMS system.

emergency operations plan NCSC National Coordination System Committee, NIMSIC National Incident Management System Integration Committee Approved

A plan for responding to a variety of potential hazards.

emergency response provider NIMSIC National Incident Management System Integration Committee Archived

Any federal, state, or local emergency public safety, law enforcement, emergency responder, emergency medical (including hospital emergency facilities), and related personnel, agencies, and authorities. It is any organization responding to an emergency, or providing mutual aid support to such an organization, whether in the field, at the scene of an incident, or operations center. 

emergency stabilization IFPC Interagency Fire Planning Committee Approved

Planned actions to stabilize and prevent unacceptable degradation to natural and cultural resource, to minimize threats to life or property resulting from the effects of a fire, or to repair/replace/construct physical improvements necessary to prevent degradation of land or resources. 

emergency stabilization (event) NCSC National Coordination System Committee Approved

An event dealing with emergency response to stabilize land and structures damaged by wildfire with the objective to protect life and property from damage due to post-fire events and fire. Usually occurring 1-12 months from ignition date.

Emergency Support Function (ESF) NIMSIC National Incident Management System Integration Committee Approved

The grouping of governmental and certain private sector capabilities into an organizational structure to provide core capabilities and services most likely needed to manage domestic incidents.

emission FUSC Fire Use Subcommittee Approved

A release of combustion gases and aerosols into the atmosphere.

Emission Factor (EF) FUSC Fire Use Subcommittee Approved

The mass of particulate matter produced per unit mass of fuel consumed (pounds per ton, grams per kilogram).

emission rate FUSC Fire Use Subcommittee Approved

The amount, or mass of smoke produced per unit of time. For example: Emission Rate = Available Fuel x Burning Rate x Emission Factor.

emission reduction FUSC Fire Use Subcommittee Approved

A strategy for controlling smoke from prescribed fires that minimizes the amount of smoke output per unit area treated.

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NWCG Latest Announcements

Great Basin Cache Construction Impacts NWCG Publications Delivery

Date: February 13, 2024
Contact: Randy Chindarak 

Please be advised that construction at the Great Basin Cache will impact the delivery of NWCG publications and training products after February 21st. If you have a need for hard copy publications or training materials, please put your order in ASAP and those orders will be sent out within the next week. This impact is anticipated to last two weeks.

Last date to order publications prior to demolition is February 21, 2024.

References:

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

NWCG Work Capacity Test Administrator's Guide, PMS 307

Date: December 7, 2023
Contact: Risk Management Committee (RMC) 

An updated NWCG Work Capacity Test Administrator's Guide is now available. This publication is intended to aid WCT Administrators in preparing and performing a WCT. 

The WCT Administrator will be able to complete proper paperwork and administer respective job-related field tests to determine a worker's capacity to meet NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1.

References:

NWCG Work Capacity Test Administrator's Guide, PMS 307

Updated NWCG Standards for Aerial Supervision, PMS 505

Date: December 6, 2023
Contact: Interagency Aerial Supervision Subcommittee (IASS) 

The December 2023 revision of the NWCG Standards for Aerial Supervision, PMS 505, is now available for download. No changes have been made to the associated forms and documents.

References:

NWCG Standards for Aerial Supervision, PMS 505

Training catalog will migrate to the Wildland Fire Learning Portal

Date: October 23, 2023
Contact: NWCG Training 

In November 2023, the training catalog will be migrated from the NWCG website to the Wildland Fire Learning Portal (WFLP) as part of a streamlining and process improvement effort. This will first occur for all training that is required for positions, followed by training that has been recommended for positions.

References:

NWCG Training Courses

Wildland Fire Learning Portal (WFLP)