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1.9 Fractions

FRACTIONS: BITS AND PIECES

Fractions are used often, for instance when adding leftover pails of foam or mixing gas and oil for chain saw fuel. Fractions allow the use of parts of a number or combinations of parts and whole numbers, such as  half, two and a half, or two eights. The remainder found in long division can be changed to a fraction. Like whole numbers, fractions can be added, subtracted, divided, and multiplied. Fractions can also be represented as decimals (see Section 1.6).

A fraction consists of a numerator (top number) and a denominator (bottom number).

The numerator represents the number of parts available.

The denominator represents the number of parts in a whole.

Example 1 - What fraction of the box in the figure below is shaded? What fraction is not shaded?

fraction example

The box is divided into five parts. Two of those five parts are shaded. The shaded fraction represents two fifths. In this case, two fifths of the figure is shaded.
Three of the five parts are not shaded. The unshaded fraction represents three fifths. In this case, three fifths of the figure is not shaded.

WHOLE NUMBERS AS FRACTIONS

Fractions can also describe whole numbers or a whole number with a remainder expressed as a fraction. For example, a whole number can be written as: 

four over two, eight over four, or thirty-two over sixteen

 

The whole number 1 can be written as:

one over one, three over three, seven over seven, etc.

Fractions larger than 1 have a larger number in the numerator or top part of the fraction.

four thirds, eight fifths, and three seconds are all larger than 1.

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NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Chainsaw Operations, PMS 212, and Next Generation Position Task Book for Basic Faller Are Now Available

Date: April 14, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Hazard Tree and Tree Felling Subcommittee

The updated NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Chainsaw Operations, PMS 212, and NWCG Position Task Book for Basic Faller (FAL3), PMS 311-19 are now available.

The NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Chainsaw Operations, PMS 212 includes position standards designed to be used in conjunction with the Next Generation Position Task Book (Next Gen PTB). The Next Gen PTB for Basic Faller (FAL3) includes an evaluation guide with suggested rating elements to consider when assessing trainees.

References:

NWCG Standards For Wildland Fire Chainsaw Operations, PMS 212

NWCG Position Task Book for Basic Faller (FAL3), PMS 311-119

NWCG Basic Faller (FAL3)

RMC Memo 25-01: Summary of Updates to Safety Officer Positions

Date: April 9, 2025
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RMC Member Eric Fransted

The Risk Management Committee (RMC) serves as the position steward for all Safety Officer incident positions and continues to improve position standards, training, and naming conventions. The implementation of Complex Incident Management (CIM) required changes to position titles. RMC collaborated with the NWCG Incident Position Standards Committee (IPSC) to propose and implement these updates. 

References:

RMC Memo 25-01: Summary of Updates to Safety Officer Positions 

NWCG Position Catalog

Updated, NWCG Guide to Wildland Fire Origin and Cause Determination, PMS 412

Date: April 8, 2025
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Wildland Fire Investigation Subcommittee

PMS 412 provides guidance for wildland fire investigations. This guide outlines recommended procedures, practices, techniques, and methods to promote a systematic approach. The last update to this publication was in 2016.

References:

NWCG Guide to Wildland Fire Origin and Cause Determination PMS 412

Updated NWCG Standards for Airtanker Base Operations, PMS 508

Date: March 31, 2025
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The updated NWCG Standards for Airtanker Base Operations (SABO), PMS 508 standardizes operations and procedures at interagency airtanker bases to ensure safe, efficient, and effective operations in support of interagency goals and objectives.

References:

NWCG Standards for Airtanker Base Operations, PMS 508