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PMS 448

PMS 448

PMS 448

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Ladder – Step, 8’ Fiberglass

NFES #
000586
Category
Camp
Updated
Storage and Shelf Life Checks
Yes
Storage and Shelf Life Procedure
If stored upright, it must be securely strapped to prevent falling.

Initial Inspection/Disposal Criteria

  1. Ladders should not have any damage including cracks, chips and splinters, deformed rails or rungs from heat, chemical or environmental exposure, or any bends and breaks, lack of structural integrity, missing components or loose parts.
  2. The steps or rungs must be tight and secure to the side rails.
  3. All hardware and fittings need to be properly and securely attached.
  4. Movable parts must be tested to see that they operate without binding or without too much free play.
  5. All labels should be intact and readable.
  6. Ladders shall be free of oil, grease, or slippery materials.
  7. All accessories such as leg levelers, paint shelves, stand-off shelves, etc. are in good condition.
  8. The ladder feet must have slip resistant materials.
  9. Return to stock if ladder passes visual inspection and no refurbishment is needed.
  10. Refurbish if damage detected is repairable and cost effective.
  11. Dispose of any ladder that has any material defect or damage that cannot be repaired, excessive paint exists. Dispose of any wooden or metal ladders.

Refurbishing Procedures

A. Cleaning

  1. Remove all oil, grease.
  2. Clean with soap and water or power wash.
  3. Air dry.

B. Repair

  • Replace any damaged or missing components with manufacturer’s specific parts and meeting the ladder’s original design criteria.

C. Testing for performance

  1. Visual inspection of all ladder steps, ladder legs, and ladder cross supports.
  2. Set up ladder and check for stability.

D. Repackaging

  • Local cache option

 

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NWCG Latest Announcements

Task Group Volunteers Needed to Update the Property Loss or Damage Report, OF 289

Date: February 5, 2025
Contact: Julie Bennett, Incident Business Committee Chair

The Incident Business Committee (IBC) is requesting volunteers for a new task group to revise the 1981 version of the Property Loss or Damage Report, OF 289 and create an incident replacement job aid. The volunteers may be recruited from within or outside the Geographic Area Incident Business Committees.

References:

IBC Memorandum 25-02

IBC Correspondence

2025 Updates to the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1

Date: February 4, 2025
Contact: Incident and Position Standards Committee

The NWCG Incident and Position Standards Committee has updated the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1. 

These updates address changes to incident position names and requirements for qualification, training, and experience. Updates related to the implementation of Complex Incident Management (CIM) are also included.  

The NWCG Wildland Fire Position Qualification Flowchart, PMS 308 has also been updated to reflect the recent changes.

References:

NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1

NWCG Wildland Fire Position Qualification Flowchart, PMS 308

NWCG Memo: 2025-01 January 2025 Updates to the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Positions Qualifications, PMS 310-1

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