National Interagency Fire CenterAll Social Media
Contact Us
Toggle Font Size
      Toggle OpenDyslexic
      Toggle Dyslexia-friendly black-on-creme color scheme
      Contact Us
KeywordsFire InformationNational Wildland Firefighter DayNational Fire NewsNICCInternational SupportFor MediaFire PreventionHot TopicsWildfire PreventionWildfire Prevention VideosWildfire MitigationWildfire EducationWildfire InvestigationFor PAOsAdditional ResourcesPIO Bulletin BoardAgency InformationHot TopicsIncident Resources for PIOsInciWeb InformationPIO ContactsSocial Media for PIOsTraining and Qualifications for PIOsWorking with Media and PublicProducer’s Guide to FilmingMilitary Support HistoryInciWebMapsNews ReleasesMilitary aircraft equipped with MAFFS mobilized to assist with wildfire suppressionUS firefighters continue to support Canada during record-breaking wildfiresNIFC celebrates second annual National Wildland Firefighter DayU.S. supports Canada with aviation resourcesU.S. fire resources continue to support CanadaU.S. resources support Canadian wildfiresSituation ReportNICC ReportsArchivesStatisticsSuppression CostsHuman-caused wildfiresLightning-caused wildfiresUAS IncursionsWildfires and acresOur ResourcesFirefightersCrewsOverheadSmokejumpersIncident Management TeamsAircraftAirtankersHelicoptersTactical AircraftSmokejumper AircraftEquipmentDozersEnginesWater TendersCaterersShowersNational Interagency Incident Communications DivisionHotsheet NewsNIICD ContactsNIICD DocumentsAvionicsCommunication Duty OfficerEngineering and DevelopmentP25 Digital RadiosInfrared BranchPhoenix Capabilities and ProductsMaintenanceCommunications OperationsRework and SupplyTechnical TrainingSuppliesGreat Basin CacheAccountabilityCache DemobilizationCache VansContactsEmergency HiringFormsOrderingReturnsMobilizationNICCNational Mobilization GuideTaking Care of Our OwnEmployee Assistance ProgramCritical Incident Stress ManagementManager’s ToolkitPeer Support RecruitmentRequest SupportSuicide PreventionStandardsRed BookBIA Preparedness ReviewsBLM Preparedness ReviewsFWS Preparedness ReviewsNPS Preparedness ReviewsUSFS Preparedness ReviewsProgramsCasual Payment CenterPublicationsProceduresCPC FormsAD Pay PlansAgency MemosHiring DocumentsCPC LinksDo What's Right TrainingAll SectionsPOSH ModuleCourse MaterialsHow to Report Harassment and PoliciesDownloadsEqual Employment OpportunityInformation TechnologyInteragency Fire Program ManagementIFPM StandardHuman ResourcesFire ManagementAgency SpecificBIABLMFSFWSNPSArchivesContactsJoint Fire Science ProgramMedical StandardsNational Incident Management OrganizationNational Wildfire Coordinating GroupNICCPost Fire RecoveryRAWSSafetySmoke ManagementTrainingVeteransCareersHuman ResourcesHuman Resources ContactsBenefitseOPFEmployee RelationsEthicsFormsPermanent EmployeesTemporary EmployeesTransfer Employees (within BLM)Transfer Employees (within DOI)Transfer Employees (outside DOI)Jobs and Human ResourcesTeleworkOWCPPerformance ManagementRating ManagementRetirementSecurityManager’s CornerDOI Wildland Fire JobsUSAJOBSBLM Fire Jobs PortalWorking in Wildland Fire with NPSUSDA Forest Service Job OpportunitiesAbout UsWhat is NIFC?Great Basin CacheGreat Basin SmokejumpersNICCRadio CacheRAWSReturns WarehouseWildland Firefighters MonumentNIFC CampusCampus TourHow Do I?Our PartnersBIABLMRecruitment ToolkitPodcastsBLM Aviation ProgramAdministrationAerial SupervisionAirspaceHelicoptersLibrarySafetySEATsSecuritySmokejumper AircraftTrainingUASBLM Aviation Support PositionsBLM CrewsBonneville HotshotsChena HotshotsCraig HotshotsDiamond Mountain HotshotsJackson HotshotsKern Valley HotshotsLakeview HotshotsMidnight Sun HotshotsRuby Mountain HotshotsSnake River HotshotsVale HotshotsBillings Veterans CrewDevil's Canyon Veterans CrewFolsom Lake Veterans CrewMedford Crew 10Spokane Veterans CrewVegas Valley Veterans CrewBLM Engine CrewsBLM Fire ManagementBLM Fire Prevention and EducationBLM Fire SupportBLM Fire TrainingATV Drip TorchFire Vehicle TrainingFitness ChallengeHigh Reliability Organizing (HRO)Improving Radio DisciplineLeadership Self-Development and IDPsBLM DispatchersBLM Fire InvestigationBLM Fuels CrewsBLM Fuels Management ProgramBLM Fuels TreatmentsCommunity AssistanceBLM Helitack CrewsBLM Alaska SmokejumpersGreat Basin SmokejumpersInformationOperationsTrainingRecruitmentHistoryOperational Medical Support ProgramNPSNWSFWSUSFSUSFANASFDODNIFC HistoryWorking with  UsWildland Fire JobsPublic ParticipationSubmit New Innovative IdeasVolunteerContractingDonationsNIFC Help DeskTelephonesWirelessIQCS Help DeskHelp Desk LinksSocial MediaMedia SubmissionFirefightersAircraftEquipmentNational Interagency Incident Communications DivisionSuppliesMobilizationTaking Care of Our Own Home
                        Our Resources
                        Firefighters
  Crews
Engine Crews

Wildland firefighting agencies use engine crews as a primary initial attack resource on public lands across the United States. Engine crews are cohesive teams of employees that uphold a tradition of excellence and have solid reputations as multi-skilled professional firefighters.

Engine crews of up to 10 people are used for initial attack, suppression of large fires, support of management-ignited fires, patrolling, and working with the public to promote fire prevention and education.

Crewmembers are in extremely good shape and adhere to a strict physical fitness program. They are trained to work with specialized firefighting equipment and perform many strenuous activities, including construction of fireline with hand tools, hose lays, burnout operations, and mopping up hotspots near the fire's edge.

Engine crews use many tools for their jobs. Their main tools are fire hoses and water. They are skilled in hoselays, fitting identification and use, portable pump setup, use of foam, hosepack construction and deployment, and engine operations. They are also well-trained in using firefighting hand tools, chainsaws, drip torches, portable pumps and radios.
      Helitack Crew

Helitack crews provide land managers with a safe, highly skilled, and productive aerial firefighting resource. Crew members are specially trained in the tactical and logistical use of helicopters for fire suppression. These crews are a primary initial attack resource transported to wildfires by helicopter. Often, they are first on-scene and assess the wildfire.

A day on a helitack crew consists of preparing and positioning fire gear on the helicopter or chase vehicle, a morning briefing consisting of weather, situation report and safety, training and post-fire discussions, daily projects such as vehicle and facilities maintenance, and a fitness workout that includes weight training, push-ups, pull-ups and sit-ups.

When a helitack crew is sent to a wildfire, they can work up to 14 hours a day. Their duties consist of fireline construction with hand tools and chainsaws, directing helicopter water drops, building safe helicopter landing zones, transporting firefighters and cargo to helispots, and managing multiple helicopters assigned to a wildfire.
      Interagency Hotshot Crews

The primary mission of Interagency Hotshot Crews (IHCs) is to provide a safe, organized, mobile, and highly skilled hand crew for all phases of wildland fire operations. The arduous duties and specialized assignments given to IHC personnel require staffing, certification, training, equipment, communications, transportation, organization, and qualifications that are uniform and adhered to by all IHCs.

IHCs consist of 20 firefighters that are specially trained in wildland fire suppression tactics. They provide an organized, mobile, and skilled workforce for all phases of wildland fire management. Hotshots are considered elite among wildland firefighters due to their extensive training, high physical standards, and ability to undertake difficult assignments.

To effectively perform their duties, each firefighter must maintain a high level of physical fitness. The daily and season-long physical rigors can be extremely exhausting and demanding. Line gear can weigh in excess of 65 pounds, daily hikes to and from the fireline can surpass four miles, elevation gains can exceed 2,500 vertical feet, and shifts can last for more than 14 hours. These firefighters are highly mobile and trained to be self-sufficient with the necessary vehicles, gear, and tools. Hotshots crews experience and training qualifies them to conduct complex fire operations.

There are 90 IHCs representing the five federal firefighting agencies. The U.S. Forest Service has 68 crews and the Department of the Interior has 22 crews.
      Hand Crews

Hand crews normally consist of 18-20 crewmembers and are used for a variety of operations on wildland fires. Hand crews are assigned duties on wildland and prescribed fires that primarily consist of constructing firelines with hand tools and chainsaws, burning out areas using drip torches and other firing devices, mop-up or clean-up, and rehabilitation of burned areas.
      Fuels Crews

A fuels crew specializes in vegetation management related to wildland fire hazards and risks. Fuels crews generally have 10 members who focus on implementing fuel treatments in forest and rangeland fuel types.

Fuels crews help reduce fuel availability and promote healthy landscapes by thinning/clearing vegetation and conducting prescribed fires. Depending on the vegetation type and need, treatments may include mechanical removal of fuel to create fuel breaks, chemical applications to treat invasives, and introducing fire into a controlled environment for ecological benefits.

These crews have the skills and qualifications to assist in wildland fire suppression operations when needed.
      Veterans Crews

Veteran crews are specifically comprised of all military veterans. These hand crews provide job and career avenues for returning veterans, allowing them to find post-military careers that will ideally help in the transition back to civilian life.

Veteran crews are used for a variety of operations on wildland fires. Primary duties consist of constructing firelines with hand tools and chainsaws, burning out areas using drip torches and other firing devices, and mop-up or clean-up and rehabilitation of burned areas.
                              Firefighters
  

        
              Crews
                Overhead
                Smokejumpers
                Incident Management Teams
 Footer Logo
www.nifc.gov
National Interagency Fire Center
3833 S. Development Avenue
Boise, ID 83705-5354(208) 387-5512
              Features
  

        
              NIFC Campus
                NIFC History
                Fire Photos
                Contact Us
              Information
  

        
              Fire Information
                Mobilization Guide
                PIO Bulletin Board
                Red Book
              Social
  

        
              Facebook
                Twitter
                Flickr
                YouTube
                LinkedIn
              About
  

        
              About NIFC
                FAQ
                Map and Directions
                Phone Directory nifc.gov
An official website of the Department of the Interior
      
      About DOI.gov
	Accessibility statement
	FOIA requests
      No FEAR Act data
	Office of the Inspector General
	Budget & performance reports
      Agency financial reports
	Disclaimer
	Privacy policy
      Vulnerability disclosure policy
	Cummings Act notices
      Looking for U.S. government information and services? Visit USA.gov

The National Interagency Fire Center is committed to making its information and communication technologies accessible to individuals with disabilities by meeting or exceeding the requirements of Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended. To meet this commitment, we continue to monitor and update our content to make sure our documents meet these standards.