PMS 449-2

NWCG NFES Catalog Part 2 Publications PMS 449 2. The National Fire Equipment System (NFES) was created to provide standards for fire supplies and equipment as well as an organized method for ordering and stocking those items. The NWCG National Fire Equipment System Catalog, national in scope, reflects the items admitted to the NFES and the cache locations where they are stocked.

PMS 437

The Fire Behavior Field Reference Guide (FBFRG) describes a range of practices by which fire behavior assessments are conducted for fireline leadership in the field, and by Fire Behavior Analysts (FBANs) and Long Term Fire Analysts (LTANs) in support of more sophisticated analysis. It is a hands-on publication for use in the field, in fire behavior training, and as a learning reference.

Executive Board

The NWCG executive board member is comprised of appointed representatives from the member entities. The Executive Board provides leadership, strategic direction, and managerial oversight of all aspects of NWCG management and operations. The Executive Board members work in a collective, collaborative, and consensus-seeking manner to accomplish the NWCG mission.

RT-130, Wildland Fire Safety Training Annual Refresher (WFSTAR)

Romero Fire

The Ransom Rd Fire occurred on June 8th 1981 on the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge in Florida. The events of the Ransom Road Fire led to the creation of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s professional fire program. Rob Lee, who was second on site at the deployment site, provides a firsthand account of that day. This video uses interview content, reports, and animated maps to provide viewers with an understanding of the event.

Category: Case Studies

Core Component(s):

Fire and Aviation Operational Safety, Human Factors, Communication and Decision Making

Estimated Delivery Time: 40 minutes

Video Length: 21:30

Revisit significant events and statistics from the 2024 fire season. Identify lessons learned to prepare for the future. Explore intelligence sources to independently enhance big picture situational awareness.

Category: Operations

Core Component(s):

Local Topics, Incident Reviews and Lessons Learned, Fire and Aviation Operational Safety

Estimated Delivery Time: 45 minutes

Video Length: 18:27

Agency operated Unmanned Aircraft Systems are becoming more prevalent and more capable every year. This video is designed to provide all firefighters with a baseline understanding of UAS capabilities and limitations. Through that lens the video covers typing, communications, integration in the Fire Traffic Area, decision making when ordering, and updates in the NWCG Incident Response Pocket Guide (IRPG), PMS 461.

Category: Aviation

Core Component(s):

Fire and Aviation Operational Safety, Human Factors, Communication and Decision Making

Estimated Delivery Time: 30 Minutes

Video Length: 9:24

Understanding the capabilities and limitations of Short-haul operations will help you utilize a Short-haul resource effectively. Whether you’re a Duty Officer responsible for deciding what type of resource to send to a new incident in a remote area, or you are a first-year crewmember awaiting your first fire assignment, this module will help you make informed decisions in the field by providing insight into Short-haul operations relevant to all wildland firefighters.

Category: Aviation

Core Component(s):

Fire and Aviation Operational Safety, Human Factors, Communication and Decision Making

Estimated Delivery Time: 45 minutes

Video Length: 12:41

A case study involving a medical extrication on a wildfire in western Oregon. The person in charge of the extrication had to decide the best method to get the patient to definitive medical care. This case study examines their decision and the factors they had to consider.

Category: Case Studies

Core Component(s):

Local Topics, Incident Reviews and Lessons Learned

Estimated Delivery Time: 50 minutes

Video Length: 9:21

Intent

Review the sequence of events that led to the Romero Fire tragedy, and discuss significant lessons learned.

Facilitator Preparation

Review the video, module tools, and additional resources linked below.
Consider additional activities, and discussion questions, pertinent to your location and agency.
Guide discussion based on the Risk Management Process in the NWCG Incident Response Pocket Guide (IRPG), PMS 461. Provide copies of the IRPG for students to utilize and answer questions.

Facilitating the Discussion

Show the video.
Facilitate a discussion using the discussion questions below.
Optional: Conduct additional activities pertinent to your location.
Discuss group responses.

Discussion Questions - Part 1

Identify Hazards (Situation Awareness)

When did the involved personnel obtain the basic critical information?
1. Objectives, communication, who’s in charge, previous fire behavior, weather forecast, and local factors.
Was the assignment scouted?

Assess Hazards

Were potential fire behavior hazards estimated?
Which tactical hazards or Watch Out Situations were present?
What other warnings or indicators were present prior to the entrapment?

Develop Controls and Make Risk Decisions

Where was the fireline anchor point?
Was there an established lookout?
What communication links were in place between the involved personnel, their fireline supervisor, or adjoining forces?
What was the pre-identified escape route(s)?
What was the pre-identified safety zone(s)?
Was a medical plan in place?

Implement Controls

Were the necessary hazard controls in place for this situation? If not, what was lacking?
Were the strategies and tactics based on expected fire behavior? If not, why?
Did all involved resources have an opportunity to provide feedback during the decision-making process? If not, why?

Supervise and Evaluate

What individual or human factors existed that increased the potential for decision errors?
What organizational factors existed that increased the potential for decision errors?
As the fire and situation evolved, did the strategy and tactics continue to work? Did the hazard controls evolve as the fire and situation evolved?

Discussion Questions - Part 2

Consider the causal factors identified in Part 1, then summarize the significant lessons to be learned from this case study.

Resources

Document: Romero Fire Accident Investigation Report
Publication: NWCG Incident Response Pocket Guide (IRPG), PMS 461
Publication: 10 Standard Firefighting Orders, PMS 110
Publication: 18 Watch Out Situations, PMS 118
Publication: 10 and 18 Poster, PMS 110-18
Document: Romero Fire IC Interview – historical newspaper article

Additional Video Information

This video is also available as a download (zip file, size 1.2 GB) with .srt file for closed captioning (you may need to right click and Save As). For information on how to add closed captioning to a video, see this how to page.
Note: For Chrome, Firefox, and Edge, right click the word download and select Save Link As; For IE, right click and select Save Target As.

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Last Modified / Reviewed: October 22, 2025

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NWCG Latest Announcements

NEW! S-390, Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior Calculations (Blended) Available Now

Date: December 22, 2025
Questions about RT-130?
Please contact: Fire Behavior Subcommittee

NWCG is excited to announce that the new S-390, Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior Calculations (Blended) training is now available on the Wildland Fire Learning Portal.

This third course in the series combines online and instructor-led training components aimed at individuals who are involved in planning, managing, and executing wildland fire and prescribed burn operations; who require a thorough understanding of fire behavior calculations to enhance effectiveness and safety. This includes students who require the knowledge and skill necessary to perform the duties of a Type 3 Incident Commander (ICT3), Division/Group Supervisor (DIVS), or Prescribed Fire Burn Boss Type 2 (RXB2).

Students are required to be qualified as any Single Resource Boss position and complete the prerequisite S-290, Intermediate Wildland Fire behavior (Blended) course, before enrolling in S-390.

References:

S-390, Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior Calculations (Blended)

Wildland Fire Learning Portal

NEW! S-320, Introduction to Incident Management Teams (Blended) Available Now

Date: December 18, 2025
Questions about RT-130?
Please contact: Incident and Position Standards Committee

NWCG is excited to announce that S-320, Introduction to Incident Management Teams (Blended) is now available on the Wildland Fire Learning Portal!

This blended course combines online learning with instructor-led training, designed for individuals seeking to build leadership skills and gain experience in incident management.

Students are required to complete the prerequisite trainings ICS-100, Introduction to Incident Command System (ICS), ICS-200, Basic ICS for Initial Response, and ICS-700, An Introduction to the National Incident Management System (NIMS) prior to attending S-320.

References:

S-320, Introduction to Incident Management Teams (Blended)

Wildland Fire Learning Portal

New! Ransom Road WFSTAR Module

Date: December 16, 2025
Questions about RT-130?
Please contact: NWCG Audiovisual Specialist

NWCG is excited to announce the release of the new Ransom Road Fire Module to RT-130, Wildland Fire Safety Training Annual Refresher (WFSTAR).

This module features a firsthand account from Rob Lee, official reports, and animated maps of the Ransom Road Fire which occurred on June 8, 1981, in Florida's Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge.

The module is available now in NWCG's RT-130, WFSTAR Catalog.

References:

WFSTAR Catalog

Wildland Fire Lessons Learned Center

Call for Nominations: Paul Gleason Lead by Example Award

Date: December 11, 2025
Questions? Please contact:
Leadership Committee

Do you know someone working in wildland fire who strives to make positive change and is undeterred by obstacles or setbacks? Now is your chance to give that person the acknowledgment they deserve by nominating them for a Paul Gleason Lead by Example Award.

This award, is presented by the NWCG Leadership Committee to remember Paul Gleason's contributions to the wildland fire community and to recognize individuals or groups that exhibit the same spirit and dedication to leadership – those who lead by example.

Nominations can be submitted via email with an attached Lead by Example Form to BLM_FA_Leadership_Feedback@blm.gov or through the online form.

Tips for successful nominations and more information can be found on the Lead by Example webpage. All nominations must be submitted by December 31, 2025.

References:

Paul Gleason Lead By Example Award

Paul Gleason Lead by Example Award Nomination Form 2025

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