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Bugs We Hate Part 1 - Ticks

What are “vector-borne diseases”?

Ticks and mosquitoes are not only pesky and annoying, but they can carry some nasty diseases. Diseases that infect us from their bites are called “vector-borne diseases.” There are long lists of vector-borne diseases, but we will focus on just a few here.

Ticks

Many different ticks exist out there that used to be more geographically isolated but are expanding their territory and are no longer isolated to certain areas as much as before. This means that you can get Lyme Disease (first found in Lyme, Connecticut) from a tick in Colorado, and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever is most common in North Carolina, Tennessee and Arkansas!

  1. Lyme Disease bacteria are less likely to infect you if you remove the tick within 24 hours.
    • Symptoms depend on the stage of the disease (stage 1, 2, or 3) – early we can see rash, fever, headache, joint stiffness.
    • Not everyone gets the classic “target” rash.
  2. Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever symptoms are fever, headache, muscle aches, rash, and sometimes vomiting occurs.
  3. Alpha Gal Syndrome is a food allergy that can develop after certain tick bites. The allergy is typically to red meat and other mammal food products like gelatins and sometimes dairy.
    • Symptoms include redness, hives, itching, and swelling after eating red meat.
    • Symptoms are delayed 3-6 hours from eating.

The Best Medicine is Prevention!

  • Spray your outdoor clothing, shoes, tent, and other gear with a repellent that is 0.5% permethrin.
  • Use a repellent with DEET - 20% is recommended.
  • Shower as soon as possible to wash off any loose ticks. Check for ticks that may have burrowed.
  • Use a mirror to check your body well. Check your underarms, hair and hairline, your ears, waist, between your legs, behind your knees, and inside your belly button.
  • Check your gear. Before you wash your work clothes, put them in the dryer on hot for at least 10 minutes to kill ticks.

Removal of tick - do not use matches or lighters. Grasp at the point where the head is embedded with tweezers and gently pull out. Try to avoid squeezing the tick. Once tick is removed, wash the bite area with soap and water.

Note date, time, and area of body you were bitten, and if practical, save the tick in a resealable plastic bag and freeze it for later identification if needed. If you are in a highly endemic area, you can seek medical care and discuss if preventative antibiotics are indicated. Otherwise, monitor your symptoms.
 

Four steps on how to remove a tick from your skin.

For more detailed instructions, visit the CDC website.

Discussion Questions:

  • What can you do to prevent vector-borne diseases from ticks?
  • Do you have a plan each day to check yourself?
  • Can a buddy help? When and where?
  • What should you do if you find a tick?
  • What are the signs to be looking out for?

References:

Category
Firefighter Health & First Aid

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NWCG Latest Announcements

2025 Week of Remembrance

Date: June 27, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
6 Minutes for Safety Subcommittee

As we approach the 2025 Week of Remembrance (WOR), June 30–July 6, we dedicate this time to reflect on the past incidents from 2015 and honor the fallen through learning. Since its inception in 2014, WOR has honored wildland firefighters who made the ultimate sacrifice while encouraging critical discussions that reinforce lessons learned.

Throughout the week, we encourage thoughtful and generative conversations—whether in briefing rooms or at tailgates—that promote a culture of continuous learning and safety.

References:

2025 Week of Remembrance: Letter to Leadership

Wildland Fire Lessons Learned Center

ETC Equipment Bulletin: 25-003 Flame-Resistant Shirt Survey

Date: June 12, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Equipment Technology Committee

The U.S. Forest Service National Technology and Development Program (NTDP) is seeking input on the Forest Service-designed flame-resistant (FR) shirt, currently available through the National Interagency Support Cache system and FedMall.

NTDP is conducting a product review to improve future FR shirt designs. As part of this effort, a short survey is now open for federal employees who have worn any of three recent FR shirt models. Feedback will guide design improvements to better meet the needs of wildland firefighters.

To comply with the Paperwork Reduction Act, responses are limited to federal employees. The survey is open through September 12, 2025. 

References:

NWCG Alerts

ETC Equipment Bulletin: 25-003

NEW! S-130, Firefighter Training (Blended) Now Available

Date: June 10, 2025
If you have questions, please visit our FAQ page. 
If your question is not answered there, you can 
submit your question using our Contact Us form. 
 

The S-130, Firefighter Training (Blended), equips new wildland firefighters with essential skills through a mix of online learning and hands-on training. The course features a required online component and an instructor-led exercise, reinforcing online concepts with practical performance-based training.

The course builds competencies in wildland fire operations, safety, and equipment use, applicable across various operational environments. Both the online component and instructor-led field exercise must be completed to receive a certificate of completion. Students are required to finish the prerequisite S-190, Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior, before enrolling in S-130, Firefighter Training (Blended).

References:

S-130, Firefighter Training (Blended)

S-190, Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior

Wildland Fire Learning Portal

EMC Memo 25-001: Interim Rapid Extraction Module (REMS) Training and Qualification Requirements

Date: June 3, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Emergency Medical Committee

The Emergency Medical Committee has issued interim guidance for Rapid Extraction Module Support (REMS) teams. Until further notice, Type I and II REMS teams must designate a team leader qualified at Firefighter Type 1 Squad Boss (FFT1) or higher. This temporary change replaces the Single Resource Boss (SRB) requirement, which is currently not feasible due to administrative barriers.

This memorandum does not include any other changes to the NWCG Standards for Rapid Extraction Module Support, PMS 552. This interim change takes effect immediately and will remain in place until further notice.

References:

EMC Memo 25-001: Interim Rapid Extraction Module (REMS) Training and Qualification Requirements

NWCG Standards for Rapid Extraction Module Support, PMS 552