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Hypothermia

Hypothermia occurs when your core body temperature falls below normal. Hypothermia due to environmental exposure can occur during any season and in most climates. It can easily happen in cold winds or wetness. Hypothermia can also occur in moderately cool temperatures, particularly if coupled with dehydration. People tend to forget to drink on cool, wet days, and can get hypothermic even when the temperature stays well above freezing.

Symptoms of hypothermia include:

  • Slurred speech.
  • Weakness and loss of coordination.
  • Confusion.
  • Irrational behavior.
  • Uncontrollable shivering (although, at extremely low body temperatures, shivering may stop).
  • Pale and cold skin.
  • Drowsiness – especially in more severe stages.
  • Slowed breathing or heart rate.

Your body automatically begins to shiver to warm itself. As your energy is used up to keep warm, you may reach a point where your body will be unable to warm itself. If left untreated, your body will gradually shut down; and you can die.

You can avoid hypothermia with the following precautions:

  • Stay hydrated.
  • Avoid fatigue.
  • Avoid cold winds.
  • Change out of wet clothes.
  • Be aware of the symptoms and act immediately upon their onset.

If you recognize hypothermia, take the following steps:

  • Move the patient to shelter.
  • Remove wet clothes and replace them with warm, dry garments.
  • If the victim is alert, give them food and warm liquids to drink.
  • Insulation protects from heat loss. Insulating materials include extra clothing, blankets, quilts, sleeping bags, and insulated pads.
  • A sleeping bag should not be used like a blanket; rather the patient should be placed inside, and the enclosure should be completely zipped up. Multiple sleeping bags, if available, can be placed within each other to create a multilayered enclosure.
Image
Info graphic of a chart that explains how to assess a potentially hypothermic patient.

 

References:

Category
Firefighter Health and First Aid

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NEW! S-390, Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior Calculations (Blended) Available Now

Date: December 22, 2025
Questions about RT-130? 
Please contact: Fire Behavior Subcommittee

NWCG is excited to announce that the new S-390, Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior Calculations (Blended) training is now available on the Wildland Fire Learning Portal.

This third course in the series combines online and instructor-led training components aimed at individuals who are involved in planning, managing, and executing wildland fire and prescribed burn operations; who require a thorough understanding of fire behavior calculations to enhance effectiveness and safety. This includes students who require the knowledge and skill necessary to perform the duties of a Type 3 Incident Commander (ICT3), Division/Group Supervisor (DIVS), or Prescribed Fire Burn Boss Type 2 (RXB2).

Students are required to be qualified as any Single Resource Boss position and complete the prerequisite S-290, Intermediate Wildland Fire behavior (Blended) course, before enrolling in S-390.

References:

S-390, Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior Calculations (Blended)

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Date: December 18, 2025
Questions about RT-130? 
Please contact: Incident and Position Standards Committee

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References:

S-320, Introduction to Incident Management Teams (Blended)

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Date: December 16, 2025
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Please contact: NWCG Audiovisual Specialist

NWCG is excited to announce the release of the new Ransom Road Fire Module to RT-130, Wildland Fire Safety Training Annual Refresher (WFSTAR).

This module features a firsthand account from Rob Lee, official reports, and animated maps of the Ransom Road Fire which occurred on June 8, 1981, in Florida's Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge.

The module is available now in NWCG's RT-130, WFSTAR Catalog.

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Call for Nominations: Paul Gleason Lead by Example Award

Date: December 11, 2025
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Do you know someone working in wildland fire who strives to make positive change and is undeterred by obstacles or setbacks? Now is your chance to give that person the acknowledgment they deserve by nominating them for a Paul Gleason Lead by Example Award.

This award, is presented by the NWCG Leadership Committee to remember Paul Gleason's contributions to the wildland fire community and to recognize individuals or groups that exhibit the same spirit and dedication to leadership – those who lead by example.

Nominations can be submitted via email with an attached Lead by Example Form to BLM_FA_Leadership_Feedback@blm.gov or through the online form. 

Tips for successful nominations and more information can be found on the Lead by Example webpage. All nominations must be submitted by December 31, 2025.

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