NWCG Glossary of Wildland Fire, PMS 205

The alphanumeric characters assigned to an apparatus.

The external alphanumeric value painted on the side of the equipment.

In fire service terminology, that which is inspected and listed by recognized fire-testing agencies. The term as used in National Fire Protection Association standards means approval by the authority having jurisdiction, such as the fire chief, insurance inspection department, or other agency that enforces standards or regulations. 

The generic name for a high-strength, flame-resistant, synthetic fabric used in the shirts and jeans of firefighters. Nomex ® , a brand name for aramid fabric, is the term commonly used by firefighters.

Arduous duty field work requires above-average endurance and superior conditioning.  Duties may include an occasional demand for extraordinarily strenuous activity in emergency situations under adverse environmental conditions over extended periods. The pace of work typically is set by the emergency condition.  Essential functions include, but are not limited to: running, walking or hiking, climbing, jumping, twisting, bending, lifting more than 50 pounds, and carrying 45 pounds or more for extended periods over difficult terrain. 

An organization that oversees the management of multiple incidents or oversees the management of a very large or evolving situation with multiple ICS organizations.

A facility which serves as a central point for one or more agencies to use in processing information and resource requests. It may also serve as a dispatch center for one of the agencies.

Ignition of several individual fires throughout an area, either simultaneously or in rapid succession, and so spaced that they add to and influence the main body of the fire to produce a hot, fast-spreading fire condition.

Delineated area surrounding a base which can be reached first by the ground or air attack units assigned to the base.

A source category of air pollution that generally extends over a large area. Prescribed burning, field burning, home heating, and open burning are examples of area sources.

A term used to indicate that the airtanker dropping mechanism is set to allow a programmed release of part or all of the load of fire retardant.

The taking or keeping of a person in custody by legal authority, especially in response to a criminal charge.

At common law, the malicious and willful burning of another's dwelling, outhouse or parcel; by most modern statutes, the intentional and wrongful burning of someone else's, or one's own, property. Frequently requires proof of malicious or wrongful intent.

A fire that is intentional and wrongfully set to burn one's own or someone else's property.

Group of individuals convened to analyze, investigate and solve arson problems in a particular region.

One who commits arson.

Cardinal direction toward which a slope faces.

To draw in gases (or other substances); nozzle aspirating systems draw air into the nozzle to mix with the foam solution.

The evaluation and interpretation of measurements, intelligence, and other information to provide a basis for decision-making.

A fire weather fire danger product based on a thorough evaluation of all pertinent sources of meteorological, fire danger and resource information.

Resources checked in and assigned work tasks on an incident.

A task given to a person or team to perform based on operational objectives defined in the IAP.

A title for subordinates of principal Command Staff and EOC director’s staff positions. The title indicates a level of technical capability, qualification, and responsibility subordinate to the primary positions. Assistants may also be assigned to unit leaders.

An agency or organization providing personnel, services, or other resources to the agency with direct responsibility for incident management.

Acceptance of information as true without proof or demonstration.

Training where the students and/or instructors are not interacting with each other in real time. Typically, the students are accessing learning resources at a time of their choosing.

The resource is committed and at the assigned incident.

An instrument that provides an approximate measure of evapotranspiration by measuring the water loss from an artificial evaporating surface.

According to the American Meteorological Society, a departure from the usual decrease or increase with altitude of the value of an atmospheric property; also, the layer through which this departure occurs (the "inversion layer"), or the lowest altitude at which the departure is found ("the base of the inversion"). In fire management usage, nearly always refers to an increase in temperature with increasing height.

According to the American Meteorological Society, the net force per unit area exerted by the atmosphere as a consequence of gravitational attraction exerted upon the column of air lying directly above the point in question.  Atmospheric pressure is independent of the orientation of the surface on which it acts.

According to the American Meteorological Society, the ability of the atmosphere at rest to become turbulent or laminar due to the effects of buoyancy. Air tending to become or remain turbulent is said to be statically unstable; one tending to become or remain laminar is statically stable; and one on the borderline between the two (which might remain laminar or turbulent depending on its history) is statically neutral.

Limit the spread of fire by any appropriate means.

A line of hose, preconnected to the pump of a fire apparatus and ready for immediate use in attacking a fire. Contrasted to supply lines connecting a water supply with a pump or to feeder lines extended from a pump to various points around the perimeter of a fire. 

The starting date, hour, and minute of the first suppression work on a fire.

Single vehicle or aircraft and its associated personnel and material provided for the purpose of responding to and abating a fire or other emergency.

The response of one attack unit to a fire or other emergency with no regard for the number of return trips to that same fire or emergency.

An area considered to have air quality as good as, or better than, the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) as defined in the Clean Air Act. An area may be in attainment for one or more pollutants but be in nonattainment for one or more other pollutants. 

An organization, office, or individual responsible for enforcing the requirements of a code or standard, or for approving equipment, materials, an installation, or a procedure.

Passengers may be transported in government aircraft only if they meet definition of an Official or an Unofficial Passenger.

A non-GOES telemetered weather station that provides hourly observations to a local database.

A proportioning method or device that readily adjusts to changes in water flow and or pressure to maintain a desired mix ratio.

A helicopter flight condition in which the lifting rotor is driven entirely by action of air when the helicopter is in motion.

A secondary pump on an engine in addition to the main pump. Usually of small capacity.

The resource can be used to fill a request. Resources on preposition incidents qualify as available.

That portion of the total fuel that would actually burn under various environmental conditions.

Resources assigned to an incident and available for assignment.

The expected amount of annual rainfall. Average annual precipitation is an important component to determining the Keech-Bryam Drought Index (KBDI).

The mathematical average of the maximum and minimum relative humidities measured at a fire weather station from one basic observation time to the next.

According to the American Meteorological Society, the average temperature of the air as indicated by a properly exposed thermometer during a given time period, usually a day, a month, or a year.