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Proper Use of Trigger Points

 

A poster with individual line art drawings of the 10 Standard Firefighting Orders and 18 Watch Out Situations used to educate wildland firefighters of the dangers and situations to be aware of.

The 10 Standard Firefighting Orders and the 18 Watch Out Situations, as referenced in the Incident Response Pocket Guide (IRPG), PMS 461, provide wildland firefighters with a set of consistent best practices and a series of scenarios to be mindful of when responding to a wildland fire.

View the 10 and 18 Poster, PMS 110-18.

Accurate situation awareness (SA) requires a constant reassessment of conditions (existing and potential) that may impact the safety and effectiveness of tactics. Monitor for the 18 Watch Out Situations and establish trigger points (in the form of operational or environmental limits) ahead of time.

Remember, trigger points are not decision-makers but serve as predetermined cues to prompt you to re-evaluate the current and potential situation and its associated risks. They help you to determine and implement the proper course of action.

The following items are considerations in your planning and discussion.

  • Use trigger points for preplanning. Do not wait until you are in the wrong place at the wrong time – with no time.
  • Trigger points should be based on measurable factors such as: ​
    • Relative Humidity (RH).
    • Winds.
    • Fire behavior.
    • Topographical boundaries.
    • Time constraints/time of day.
    • Time/distance to safety zones.
    • Loss of suppression resources.
    • Other operational considerations (e.g., firefighter fatigue, loss of lookouts or communication, weather change).
  • As you approach predetermined trigger points, go through the Risk Management Process to help you decide if a change in tactics is required:
    • Identify hazards.
    • Assess hazards.
    • Develop controls and make risk decisions.
    • Implement controls.
    • Supervise and evaluate. ​
  • Consider the following command/leadership responsibilities when changing tactics:
    • Communicate the changes to your subordinates, as well as to adjacent forces and up the chain of command.
    • Account for all your people.
    • Make sure everyone knows and follows the new plan. ​

 

 

References
10 and 18 Poster, PMS 110-18
10 Standard Firefighting Orders, PMS 110
18 Watch Out Situations, PMS 118
Incident Response Pocket Guide (IRPG), PMS 461, Risk Management Process, Operat…


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The Incident Position Standards and Next Generation Position Task Book are now available for Status/Check-In Recorder (SCKN)

Date: August 27, 2024
Contact: Incident Planning Subcommittee 

NWCG is excited to announce that the NWCG Incident Position Standards for Status/Check-In Recorder, PMS 350-32, NWCG Position Task Book for Status/Check-In Recorder (SCKN), PMS 311-32, and Checking In Resources Customer Service Job Aid, J-111 are now available.

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NWCG Status/Check-In Recorder Position Page

NWCG Incident Position Standards for Status/Check-In Recorder, PMS 350-32

NWCG Position Task Book for Status/Check-In Recorder (SCKN), PMS 311-32

Checking In Resources Customer Service Job Aid, J-111

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Date: July 26, 2024
Contact: Risk Management Committee 

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NWCG Safety Officer, Field (SOFF) Position

NWCG Incident Position Standards for Safety Officer, Field, PMS 350-81

NWCG Position Task Book for Safety Officer, Field (SOFF), PMS 311-81

Updated NWCG Standards for Electronic Documentation (eDoc), PMS 277

Date: July 25, 2024
Contact: Incident Planning Subcommittee 

The Incident Planning Subcommittee has updated the NWCG Standards for Electronic Documentation (eDoc), PMS 277.

The NWCG Standards for Electronic Documentation (eDoc) establishes the standards for collection and retention of records on wildland fires. This July 2024 update will provide incident management teams the most current standards required to maintain incident records and submit them to host units at the close of an incident.

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NWCG Standards for Electronic Documentation (eDoc), PMS 277

eDoc Box Directory (zip file)

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Date: July 24, 2024
Contact: Mobile Fire Equipment Subcommittee 

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ETC-EB-2024-02: NWCG Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Typing Standard - Request for Comment

NWCG Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Typing Standard Comment Form