Skip to main content

6MFS

6MFS Committee

All 6MFS Topics

6MFS Calendar

Aviation

Airtankers

Felling Safety

Fire Communication

Firefighter Health & First Aid

Leadership

Misc Fireline Hazards

Operational Engagement

This Day in History

Vehicles - Roads

Weather - Fire Behavior

Week of Remembrance

Dozer/Plow Operations

Dozers and tractor plows provide suppression and support capability for fire operations. When working on or around dozers on the fireline, it is important to respect the following guidelines:

  • Load/unload equipment from the transport in a safe manner on a level, stable surface.
  • Park transport in an area free of vegetative fuel. Clear an area if needed to protect parked equipment.
  • Do not sit or bed down near equipment. Walk around the equipment before starting or moving it.
  • Lower the dozer blade and/or fire plow to the ground when the equipment is idling or stopped.
  • When working around a dozer or tractor plow, stay at least 100 feet in front or 50 feet behind the equipment.
  • Allow no one but the operator to ride on the equipment.
  • Never get on or off equipment while it is moving.
  • Provide front and rear lights for equipment working at night or in heavy smoke.
  • Provide lights and fluorescent vests to personnel working with dozer/tractor plow units.
  • Use hand signals for direction and safety.
  • Do not use a dozer or tractor plow without a canopy or brush guard and radio communications.
  • Operators will wear required personal protective equipment (PPE) and carry a fire shelter.
  • Be aware of different fuel types, rates of spread, and flammability.
  • Watch for wetlands, steep slopes, rocks, ditches, and other obstacles that might stop the equipment.
  • Do not get too far ahead of a firing crew during firing operations.
  • Anchor the line to a secure firebreak and create a black line (burn out) until the fire is completely enclosed.
  • Tractor plow operators should wear headgear protection for head, face, eyes, and ears while also providing radio reception and ventilation capabilities.
  • Tractor plow crews should consist of a minimum of two people.
  • When the dozer or tractor plow is equipped with a hand-clutch lever, always take equipment out of gear when mounting and dismounting.

 

Category
Vehicles Roads
References
Safety and Occupational Health Manual Handbook, BLM-1112-1


Last Modified / Reviewed:

Have an idea or feedback?

Share it with the NWCG 6MFS Subcommittee.


Follow NWCG on Twitter and Facebook

Print PDF

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