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2018 WOR: Leadership in Medevac Situations

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.
 

It’s July 5th and you just attended morning briefing and received your crew’s assignment for the day. In your division breakout they mentioned that you would be operating in some “pretty gnarly terrain” filled with loose rocks and steep slopes. You brief the crew on the day’s mission, get them going and then start to scout out what’s ahead. All of a sudden you get a call from one of sawyers saying their saw partner has been hit by a rolling rock and is unconscious. WHAT DO YOU DO????

“Fire is a complex, dynamic, and often unpredictable phenomenon. Fire operations require mobilizing a complex organization that includes management, command, support, and firefighting personnel, as well as aircraft, vehicles, machinery, and communications equipment. While the magnitude and complexity of the fire itself and of the human response to it will vary, the fact that fire operations are inherently dangerous will never change. A firefighter utilizing the best available science, equipment, training, and working within the scope of agency doctrine and policy, can still suffer serious injury or death.”  Interagency Standards for Fire and Fire Aviation Operations (Red Book), chapter 1, page 8.

“We honor and remember through learning”

Brit Rosso
Director, LLC

 

The guiding doctrine for fire operations clearly states that the environment that we work in is filled with many unknown variables. As leaders it’s our responsibility to adequately prepare ourselves and team members for the inevitable situations we will be faced with. Medevac situations add another level of complexity within our environment and usually tend to be chaotic in nature. Emotions run high, fog of war rolls in and often times it’s a situation a lot of people haven’t been involved with. During these situations it is imperative to be cognizant of your operational tempo and ensure you give clear leaders intent.

Operational tempo: is the speed and intensity of our actions relative to the speed and intensity of unfolding events in the operational environment. When life is threatened there is an obvious sense of urgency.  Remember the 6th Standard Firefighting Order: Be alert. Keep calm. Think clearly. Act decisively.

Clear leader’s intent: is the foundation to bringing order to chaos. It allows you to effectively give a clear task, purpose and end state. When the situation presents itself you may find yourself as the Incident within an Incident commander whether or not you’re the Division, Crew Boss, or Squad Leader. You must rapidly evaluate the situation and build an organization to assist in patient care, transportation and communication.

Action: Watch this video (WFSTAR preparing for wildfire medevac) then answer the following questions

  1. What are you doing preseason to train for medevac situations? Do you incorporate medevac scenarios into your sandtable exercises?
     
  2. Does everyone understand the Medical Incident Report and the process involved? Is everyone prepared to act as the Incident Commander for a medical situation? What are some considerations when establishing a command structure to handle the situation?
     
  3. What are some considerations to consider post medevac? How is the crew handling the situation? Is there a need for peer support or CISM?

 

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.

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NWCG Latest Announcements

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

NEW! Incident Performance and Training Modernization Story Map Now Available

Date: Aug 26, 2025
Questions? Please contact:
National Wildfire Coordinating Group

NWCG is excited to announce the launch of the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) Story Map, a new interactive resource that showcases how NWCG is transforming wildland fire training and qualifications through a performance-based system.

Since its launch in 2023, IPTM has made major strides in updating how we manage incident positions:

  • 36 incident positions now have new Incident Position Standards and Next Generation Position Task Books available for field use
  • 6 more incident positions are nearing completion
  • 111 total incident positions are being analyzed through the IPTM initiative

The Story Map guides you through the IPTM process, highlights key accomplishments, and outlines what’s ahead. Whether you are a trainer or a trainee, this tool offers valuable insight into the modernization effort shaping the future of wildland fire training and qualifications.

This effort would not be possible without the contributions of NWCG staff, NWCG committees, and hundreds of subject matter experts across the wildland fire community.

References:

IPTM Story Map

Incident Performance and Training Modernization Webpage

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