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Burn Protocols

 

Burn injuries range from minor burns that can be taken care of with basic first aid on the fireline to life-threatening injuries that require complex treatment and surgical teams at regional burn centers. Due to recent changes in both technology and the American Burn Association referral guidelines, NWCG has updated their burn protocol recommendations which can be found on the NWCG website and in the current Interagency Standards for Fire & Fire Aviation Operations (Red Book). Firefighters should familiarize themselves with these new protocols.

A burn injury that is beyond basic first aid treatment should be sent to the nearest emergency department for evaluation. Any life-threatening issues such as airway, pain control, and fluid resuscitation can, and should, be treated at a local emergency department. Bypassing local emergency departments to go directly to regional burn centers can put the patient at risk, delay initial treatment, and result in unnecessary travel and risk to both the patient and others. Of note, if a local EMS/aeromedical resource responds and transports the patient, they will follow their destination protocols.

In the emergency department, a licensed independent provider will determine what care should be initiated. This may include any of the below:

  • Immediate transfer to a burn center after stabilization
  • Remote (tele) consultation with a burn center
  • Treatment and referral to local primary care or wound care

The NWCG burn protocol has a flow sheet that addresses the processes in the emergency department as well as a handout that can be provided to the physician to help guide treatment for our firefighters.

When a patient does not need emergent transfer to a burn center it is common for burns to continue to evolve and develop over the course of days to weeks. This means that treatment does not end after the initial emergency department visit. It is imperative to follow the directions from the emergency department and attend all follow-up appointments. All burn patients being discharged from an emergency department should receive/request a follow-up referral.

Discussion Items:

  • What does a minor burn that could be taken care of with first aid look like?
  • What would your crew do if they had a member sustain a large burn on the hand? Consider initial treatment by your crew.
  • When would you activate EMS/IWI? Which Emergency Room would they go to?

Resources:

 

Category
Firefighter Health & First Aid

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NWCG Latest Announcements

NEW! S-290, Intermediate Wildland Fire Behavior (Blended) Available Now

Date: Aug 15, 2025
Questions? Please contact:
Fire Behavior Subcommittee

NWCG is excited to announce that the S-290, Intermediate Wildland Fire Behavior (Blended) training is now available on the Wildland Fire Learning Portal. S-290 (Blended) training combines online training and instructor-led training components that support individuals working towards any Single Resource Boss or Fire Effects Monitor incident qualifications.

This second course in the series collectively serves to develop fire behavior prediction knowledge and skills, and provides more detailed information on fuels, weather, and topography that affect wildland fire behavior for safety purposes.

Students are required to finish the prerequisite S-190, Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior, before enrolling in S-290, Intermediate Wildland Fire Behavior (Blended).

References:

S-290, Intermediate Wildland Fire Behavior (Blended)

S-190, Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior

Wildland Fire Learning Portal

NEW! S-271, Helicopter Crewmember (Blended) Now Available

Date: Aug 14, 2025
Questions? Please contact:
Interagency Helicopter Operations Subcommittee

The S-271, Helicopter Crewmember (Blended) is now available. Developed through the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) effort, this training supports individuals working towards Helicopter Crewmember (HECM) incident qualifications. 

S-271, Helicopter Crewmember (Blended) training combines online training and instructor-led training components. This course is designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary to perform the duties of the HECM position, as described in the NWCG Incident Position Standards for Helicopter Crewmember, PMS 350-22.

Any changes to qualification pathways will take effect with the next update of the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1, scheduled for January 2026.

References:

S-271, Helicopter Crewmember (Blended)

NWCG Helicopter Crewmember (HECM) Position Page

Wildland Fire Learning Portal

Incident Position Standards and Next Generation Position Task Books Now Available for FBAN and LTAN

Date: Aug 13, 2025
Questions? Please contact:
Fire Behavior Subcommittee

NWCG is excited to announce that Incident Position Standards and Next Generation Position Task Books are now available for Fire Behavior Analyst (FBAN) and Long Term Fire Analyst (LTAN).

The Performance Support Packages for these positions were developed as part of the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) effort. These resources support trainees, qualified personnel, and evaluators in their respective roles.

Any changes to qualification pathways will take effect with the next update of the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1, scheduled for January 2026.

References:

NWCG Fire Behavior Analyst Position Page

NWCG Long Term Fire Analyst Page

ETC/RMC Safety Bulletin: 25-001 New Guidance on Laundering Wildland Fire Clothing to Reduce Contamination

Date: Aug 8, 2025
Questions? Please contact:
Equipment Technology Committee
 Risk Management Committee

The Equipment Technology Committee (ETC) and the Risk Management Committee (RMC) have issued Safety Bulletin 25-001: Laundering to Decontaminate Wildland Fire Clothing. Recent research revealed that wildland fire flame-resistant pants and shirts can be contaminated with chemicals from combustion byproducts, including carcinogens, and that common laundering practices can effectively remove these harmful contaminants from wildland firefighter clothing more effectively than previously understood. It is recommended to decontaminate wildland fire clothing as frequently as possible. 

Frequently Asked Questions about this new information and how to implement recommendations can be found on the NWCG Alerts page. Read the complete ETC/RMC Safety Bulletin: 25-001 to learn more. 

References:

NWCG Alerts

ETC Safety Bulletin: 25-001

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) on Laundering to Decontaminate Wildland Fire Clothing

Equipment Technology Committee

Risk Management Committee