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2018 WOR: Air-based Medevac

Ribbon symbol for survivor next to the Wildland Fire Leadership logoWeek of Remembrance June 30-July 6

This Week of Remembrance is dedicated to all those who have fallen in the line of duty and is intended to serve as an opportunity to renew our commitment to the health, wellness and safety of wildland firefighters.
 

As we approach the 10 year anniversary of the Dutch Creek Incident and the loss of firefighter Andy Palmer, we are called to remember the lessons learned from that incident and how extraction by helicopter can play a role in emerging medical incidents.

For the 2018 fire season, there are currently nine National Park Service and five Forest Service Short-Haul Programs in active status. The common mission of each program is the safe and efficient extraction of an injured patient. Increased interagency support and cross training has proven to enhance the awareness of best practices and most importantly provide for the safest environment not just for the patient, but for the rescue crews as well.

Below we address considerations and resources on how methods of helicopter extraction may affect your decision-making process when confronted with an emergency incident, while in the field.

 

Considerations for Fireline personnel:

“We honor and remember through learning”

Brit Rosso
Director, LLC

  • Have you reviewed the Incident Medical Plan (ICS 206) with your crew this shift? (NWCG-ICS Forms)
  • Is everyone on your crew familiar and practiced with the NWCG Incident Response Pocket Guide (IRPG), PMS 461 and its updates?
    • Medical Incident Report and how to use it? (pg. 118-119)
    • Helicopter Extraction Operations (pg. 116-117)
  • Do all members of your crew know the location and distance to medical equipment and fireline medical personnel? Consider risk management including the distance, time and number of personnel needed to perform a ground based rescue VS. a Short-Haul/Hoist mission.
  • Never assume that a helicopter will be available. Always have a solid plan for a ground-based extrication.
  • Keep all medical resources headed to the incident/patient until the patient is in higher level of care/on the way to the hospital. From the Dutch Creek Investigation Report: “USCG told TSO, “We were stood down by SOF because they would be hiking FC1 to a landing zone and a Forest Service helicopter would land and pick FC1 up.” TSO reported to USCG they had just spoken with a medic on scene and FC1 was now “in and out of consciousness” and “has got blood loss.” USCG stated they would call SOF back. At 1446, USCG called COM trying to confirm the helicopter cancellation and subsequently SOF retracted cancellation of USCG helicopter.”
  • Does your crew know where to find out where the closest extraction resources are to them? See the Interagency Emergency Helicopter Extraction Source List, PMS 512.
  • Does the local unit have an agreement in place with a local air ambulance service? Are the frequencies communicated to fire personnel? What are the aircraft’s capabilities/limitations?
  • Remember to ask questions if you are unsure of Short-Haul/Hoist aircraft capabilities and always strive to lookout for yourself and those around you.

The topics, review, and resources for the NWCG “Wildland Firefighter Week of Remembrance” have been contributed by the Wildland Fire Lessons Learned Center, the Wildland Fire Leadership Subcommittee, the Interagency Helicopter Operations Subcommittee, interagency dispatchers, and many other field SMEs.

Resources:

6MFS Suggestion Form


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NWCG Latest Announcements

Updated! L-280, Followership to Leadership (Instructor-led) Course

Date: October 3, 2024
Questions? Please contact:
Leadership Committee

NWCG is pleased to announce the updated L-280, Followership to Leadership (Instructor-led) course is now available. L-280 is intended for operational personnel at the Firefighter Type 1 level, and for individuals pursuing Leadership Level 2, New Leader. 

This instructor-led course is a primer on leadership and the second formal course in the Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program. It helps emerging leaders build the confidence, skills, and mindset needed to lead effectively in high-risk environments. 

For more information about leadership development and available courses, visit the Leadership Committee Web Portal.

References:

L-280, Followership to Leadership (Instructor-led)

Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program

Wildland Fire Learning Portal

Equipment Advisory 25-01: Pre-2006 Fire Shelter Degradation and Discontinuation of Use

Date: Sept 26, 2025
Questions? Please contact:
Equipment Technology Committee 

The Equipment Technology Committee (ETC) has released Equipment Advisory 25-01: Pre-2006 Fire Shelter Degradation and Discontinuation of Use. This advisory recommends all pre-2006 fire shelters should be removed from service by January 1, 2026.

This advisory recommends firefighters and fire managers to:

  • Inspect fire shelters immediately
  • Replace and destroy any pre-2006 shelters (identified by white or pink insert label)
  • Order replacements as needed

For further details, please refer to the complete advisory. 

References:

Equipment Advisory 25-01: Pre-2006 Fire Shelter Degradation and Discontinuation of Use

NWCG Fire Inspection Flowchart, PMS 411-1

NWCG Alerts

NEW! S-219, Firing Operations (Blended) Now Available

Date: Sept 11, 2025
Questions? Please contact:
Fuels Management Committee 

The S-219, Firing Operations (Blended) course is now available on the Wildland Fire Learning Portal. Developed through the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) effort, this training supports individuals working towards Firing Boss, Single Resource (FIRB) incident qualifications.

This blended course combines online and instructor-led training to provide students with the knowledge and skills required to perform the duties of the FIRB, as described in the NWCG Incident Position Standards for Firing Boss, Single Resource, PMS 350-105.

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-219, Firing Operations (Blended)

NWCG Firing Boss, Single Resource Position Page

Wildland Fire Learning Portal

NWCG Committees Observe Suicide Prevention Awareness Week: September 7-13, 2025

Date: Sep 5, 2025
Questions? Please contact:
Mental Health Subcommittee

The NWCG Mental Health Subcommittee (MHSC) and Risk Management Committee (RMC) recognize the unique challenges and demands faced by the wildland fire community. The MHSC and RMC know that we are all stronger together and believe in fostering a culture of support, understanding, and resilience.

Suicide Prevention Awareness encourages us to actively connect with and support each other. For more information that could make a difference for yourself or someone else please review the materials and resources provided for the 2025 Suicide Prevention Awareness Week.

References:

2025 Suicide Prevention Awareness Week Materials and Resources