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

RT-130 Decorative banner. Group of photos depicting wildland firefighters performing various duties.

Fire Danger Rating: More Than Just A Number

Fire danger rating systems utilize a complex mixture of science, technology, and local observations to generate outputs which support wildland fire suppression decisions. These outputs are used by various functions to increase situational awareness and to support decision-making at all levels of the fire management organization.
Category: Fire-Environment
Core Component(s):
Local Topics, Fire and Aviation Operational Safety
Estimated Delivery Time: 20 minutes
Video Length: 9:17

Intent

Introduce the fire danger rating concept. Describe the uses of the National Fire Danger Rating System (NFDRS). Demonstrate the relationship between NFDRS outputs and firefighter safety through examination of PocketCards.

Facilitator Preparation

  • Review the video and module tools.
  • Print or display a PocketCard.
  • Print or display the Six Minutes for Safety document linked below.
  • Display the Wildland Fire Assessment System, and familiarize yourself with the web-based fire danger forecast products it provides.

Facilitating the Discussion

  • Show the video.
  • Facilitate a small or large group discussion using the discussion questions.

Discussion Questions

  1. What is a fire danger rating system? Why is it necessary?
  2. What is the National Fire Danger Rating System? What are the four outputs of the NFDRS?
  3. How are the outputs of the NFDRS related to firefighter safety?
    • (Hint: The numbers relate to conditions of the fire environment.)
  4. Why is only knowing the number not enough? What will you use to interpret these outputs?
  5. Where can you find a PocketCard for your area?

Resources

Additional Video Information

  • This video is also available as a download. (Size 1.1 GB) with the .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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NWCG Latest Announcements

2024 Week of Remembrance

Date: June 27, 2024
Contact: 6 Minutes for Safety Subcommittee 

As we approach the 2024 Week of Remembrance (WOR), June 30 to July 6, we dedicate this time to thoughtfully reviewing and recognizing the events of the 2018 Mendocino Complex. As such, this year’s theme of “Learning From the Mendocino Complex” embodies a longstanding hallmark of WOR, honoring through learning.

Throughout the week, our energy will be directed toward fostering generative conversations in briefing rooms and at tailgates.

References:

6 Minutes for Safety - 2024 Week of Remembrance

Wildland Fire Lessons Learned Center

Updated NWCG Wildland Fire Risk and Complexity Assessment, PMS 236

Date: June 24, 2024
Contact: Incident and Position Standards Committee 

The June 2024 update of the NWCG Wildland Fire Risk and Complexity Assessment, PMS 236, is now available to meet the current needs for incident management typing.

The NWCG Wildland Fire Risk and Complexity Assessment should be used to evaluate firefighter safety issues, assess risk, and identify the appropriate incident management organization based on incident complexity. Assessing risk, determining incident complexity, and identifying an appropriate incident management organization is a subjective process based on examining a combination of indicators or factors, which can change over time.

References:

NWCG Wildland Fire Risk and Complexity Assessment, PMS 236

Operations Branch Director (OPBD) Next Gen PTB Available

Date: June 10, 2024
Contact: NWCG Feedback 

The NWCG Position Task Book for Operations Branch Director (OPBD), PMS 311-109 is now available for use within the OPBD position qualification pathway. As part of the transition to Complex Incident Management (CIM), the OPBD Next Gen PTB was developed and the position qualification pathway updated.

More information about the Next Gen PTB format can be found on the NWCG Position Task Book webpage.

References:

Operations Branch Director Position Page

Operations Branch Director Next Gen PTB

NWCG Position Task Books

Updated NWCG Standards for Interagency Incident Business Management, PMS 902

Date: June 5, 2024
Contact: NWCG Incident Business Committee 

The 2024 revision of the NWCG Standards for Interagency Incident Business Management, PMS 902 is now available. The uniform application of interagency incident business management standards is critical to interagency fire operations. PMS 902 assists NWCG agencies in constructively working together to provide effective execution of each agency's incident business management program.

References:

PMS 902