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PMS 448

PMS 448

PMS 448

Introduction

COVID-19 Refurb Guidelines

References

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Deleted Items

Chaps – Protective, Summer Weight

NFES #
000044
Category
Cordura
Updated
Storage and Shelf Life Checks
None

Initial Inspection/Disposal Criteria

  1. Inspect fabric and webbing for any holes, cuts, tears, or burns. Tears less than ½ inch can be repaired.  Tears or cuts longer than ½” render the item unserviceable. 
  2. Inspect for any area of abrasion that has weakened fabric beyond repair.
  3. Inspect for any webbing that is cut, burned, or abraded beyond economical repair.
  4. Inspect each leg, if either leg has more than five patches.
  5. Chaps should be removed from service if not labeled with specification USFS 6170-4F or are not certified to NFPA 1977-05.  
  6. Inspect all molded nylon hardware for dirt, cracks, breaks, and proper function.
  7.  Return to stock if item does not show any signs of use and passes visual inspection.
  8. Refurbish if the item needs to be cleaned and/or damage can be repaired economically.
  9. Dispose of item if it fails initial inspection.
  10. Dispose of item if wood chips and sawdust are evident inside the layers at the bottom of the chaps.
  11. Dispose of item if the first layer of yellow Kevlar has a cut that is more than 1 inch long.
  12. Dispose of item if improper repairs have been made, such as patch jobs that stitched through the Kevlar.

Refurbishing Procedures

A.  Cleaning

  1. Allow any mud or loose dirt to dry and then remove using a stiff-bristle brush.  If stains remain, wash as recommended below.
  2. Remove light oil and dirt stains by brushing with a Citrosqueeze® solution, brush with a bristle brush, rinse thoroughly and hang to dry.
  3. For heavier oil or grease soak in a Citrosqueeze® solution for at least 4 hours, brush with a bristle brush, rinse thoroughly and hang to dry

DO NOT MACHINE WASH OR DRY.

DO NOT USE BLEACH TO CLEAN FABRIC.

DO NOT PRESSURE WASH.

B. Repair

  1. Repair burn holes and cuts. 
  2. Use Seam Grip® to repair holes or cuts in the nylon shell. 
  3. To repair holes less than ½ inch in length, apply a dot of Seam Grip® over the hole and allow the Seam Grip® to dry. 
  4. Allow chaps to dry for at least 12 hours before using
  5. Replace burned, abraded, or cut nylon webbing with like items.
  6. Replace broken or nonfunctioning hardware.                                                                                 

C. Testing for Performance

  • Retest all replaced hardware. The hardware should function easily with little force being applied and no difficulty in the release.

D.  Repackaging

  • Pack 10 each in NFES #002007 carton (24” x 16” x 16”).

 

 

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NWCG Latest Announcements

Quarter Three Materials for the 2025-2026 Wildland Fire Leadership Campaign Now Available

Date:  April 1, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Leadership Committee

NWCG is excited to announce that Quarter Three materials for the 2025/2026 Wildland Fire Leadership Campaign are now available. This annual initiative offers all students of leadership and wildland fire management an opportunity to engage with essential leadership skills and knowledge needed to lead effectively in dynamic environments.

Quarter Three materials focus on Leadership Level 3: Leader of People (Develop Intent). Leadership Level 3 is where your values, your team, and your influence come together. Leaders of People put their teams first, build trust, and lead with authenticity. They mentor future leaders and shape decisions up and down the chain.

References:

2025/2026 NWCG Leadership Campaign - Leadership Levels

Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program

Leadership Committee

WFSTAR 2026 Core Components Module Package and 2025 Fire Year in Review Now Available

Date:  March 23, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Joe Schindel

The 2026 Core Components Module Package for RT-130, Wildland Fire Safety Training Annual Refresher (WFSTAR) and the 2025 Fire Year in Review are now available on the NWCG website. The 2026 Core Components Module Package provides all content needed to deliver RT-130.

References:

2026 Core Components Module Package

2025 Fire Year in Review Module

NEW! S-490, Advanced Fire Behavior Calculations (Blended) Available Now

Date:  March 17, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Fire Behavior Subcommittee

NWCG is pleased to announce that the new S-490, Advanced Fire Behavior Calculations (Blended), 2026 course is now available.

This training includes performance-based activities that allow students to apply the knowledge and concepts required for the Fire Behavior Analyst (FBAN), Long Term Fire Analyst (LTAN), and Prescribed Fire Burn Boss Type 1 (RXB1) positions. It supports individuals working towards these incident qualifications.

This blended course begins with a self-paced online training (OLT) in the Wildland Fire Learning Portal (WFLP), followed by an in-person instructor-led training (ILT).

References:

S-490, Advanced Fire Calculations (Blended)

NWCG Fire Behavior Analyst (FBAN) Position Page

NWCG Long Term Fire Analyst (LTAN) Position Page

NWCG Prescribed Fire Burn Boss Type 1 (RXB1) Position Page

2024 Paul Gleason Award Winners Announced

Date:  March 13, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Leadership Committee

The NWCG Leadership Committee is proud to announce the recipients of the 2024 Paul Gleason "Lead By Example" awards. Award categories include Initiative and Innovation, Mentoring and Teamwork, Motivation and Vision, as well as a Lifetime Achievement Award.

Congratulations to the awardees:

  • Justin Baxter, National Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) Operations Specialist, with the U.S. Forest Service — Initiative and Innovation
  • Kelly Woods, Director of the Wildland Firefighting Lessons Learned Center — Mentoring and Teamwork
  • Doug Booster, Instructor, ProHealth Net, Inc. — Motivation and Vision
  • Pam McDonald, Writer-Editor for the National Interagency Fire Center — Lifetime Achievement Award

References:

Paul Gleason Lead By Example Award

Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program (WFLDP)

Leadership Committee