McLeod – 11” Wide w/Plastic Sheath

NFES #

000296

Initial Inspection/Disposal Criteria

Inspect for obvious damage to cutting edge, rake fingers, and handle. Inspect for broken blades, loose heads, missing or severely bent fingers, short or nonstandard handles.
1. Head
  - Blade to be at least 10 to 14 inches wide from handle base. USE TEMPLATE.
  - Handle base not tilted, bent, or distorted.
  - Blade ends have not been rounded or severely tapered so that they cannot be ground to specifications.
  - Proper angle of cutting edge as per tool sharpening gauge NFES #000510.
2. Handle
  - Handle must be straight.
  - Inspect for cracks, chips, or open grain.
  - Head loose on handle (loose or missing rivets).
  - Inspect for tape residue, or other residue (tar, sap, etc.).
Return to stock if item does not show signs of use and passes visual inspection.
Refurbish if damage is detected in the inspection process and is repairable or handle is replaceable
Dispose of item if cutting edge is severely damaged, rake fingers are cracked or missing, or handle base is cracked or damaged.

Refurbishing Procedures

A. Cleaning and Repair

Head
1. Remove dirt, rust and grime from head with wire brush or hose.
2. Square up blade if necessary.
3. Sharpen cutting edge 1/8-inch wide at 50° angle. Ensure that blade corners are square.
4. Check large nut on head and tighten or replace as needed. Sharply strike rivet to tighten head to handle as needed.
5. Apply rust inhibitor to tool head. Local cache option for painting tool head. Black paint only.
6. Replace as necessary.
Handle
1. Sand handle if it is chipped, dinged, rough or has tape residue.
2. Wipe handle with linseed oil after sanding.

B. Test for Performance

Ensure tool is properly sharpened with no deficiency to materials or craftsmanship.
Ensure head and handle are properly attached with no play caused by a loose head or handle.

C. Repackaging

Install plastic sheath NFES #001854.
Package 10 each in NFES #000305 carton (56” x 20” x 11”).

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NWCG Latest Announcements

NEW! NWCG Wildland Urban Interface Mitigation Field Guide, PMS 053

Date: March 12, 2025
Contact: Wildland Urban Interface Mitigation Committee

The NWCG Wildland Urban Interface Mitigation Field Guide, PMS 053 provides mitigation practitioners at all experience levels with recommendations on the most effective and efficient ways to accomplish mitigation work in communities at risk to wildfire damage or destruction. The content in this guide was written in coordination with the NWCG Standards for Mitigation in the Wildland Urban Interface, PMS 052.

References:

NWCG Wildland Urban Interface Mitigation Field Guide, PMS 053

Updated, NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Module Operations, PMS 430

Date: March 11, 2025
Contact: Fire Use Subcommittee
Wildland Fire Module Unit

The NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Module Operations, PMS 430 standardizes procedures and expectations for Wildland Fire Modules (WFMs). These standards are to be used by staff, supervisors, specialists, and technicians for planning, administering, and conducting WFM operations. These standards will also be used as a measure of WFM qualifications, capabilities, and expected performance, for both Type 1 and Type 2 WFMs.

References:

NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Module Operations, PMS 430

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Date: March 7, 2025
Contact: National Interagency Aviation Committee

The NWCG Standards for Airtanker Operations, PMS 514 establishes the standards for dispatching, utilizing, and coordinating airtankers on interagency wildland fires. These standards should be used in conjunction with the NWCG Standards for Aerial Supervision (SAS), PMS 505, NWCG Standards for Airtanker Base Operations (SABO), PMS 508, and any applicable agency plans.

References:

NWCG Standards for Airtanker Operations, PMS 514

Incident Position Standards and Next Gen Position Task Books Now Available for Dispatch Incident Positions

Date: March 5, 2025
Contact: National Coordination System Committee

NWCG is excited to announce that Incident Position Standards and Next Generation Position Task Books are now available for all six Dispatch positions:

Aircraft Dispatcher
Expanded Dispatch Coordinator
Expanded Dispatch Recorder
Expanded Dispatch Supervisory Dispatcher
Expanded Dispatch Support Dispatcher
Initial Attack Dispatcher

The Performance Support Packages for these positions, including the Expanded Dispatch Job Aid, J-601 and the Initial Attack and Aircraft Dispatcher Job Aid, J-602, were developed as part of the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) effort. These resources support trainees, qualified personnel, and evaluators in their roles.

Any changes to qualification pathways will take effect with the next update of the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1.