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2019 WOR Day 1: A Focus on Normal Work

June 30-July 6, 2019

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.

 

Last known group photo taken of the Granite Mountain Hotshot Crew. (Eric Marsh and Chris MacKenzie not pictured.)

Last known group photo taken of the Granite Mountain Hotshot Crew. (Eric Marsh and Chris MacKenzie not pictured.)

On June 30, 2013 nineteen members of the Granite Mountain Hotshot crew lost their lives on the Yarnell Hill fire. Today we mark the anniversary of this tragedy and honor through learning. Anniversaries of such events provide an opportunity for all of us to reflect on our mission and seek improvement. Every year wildland firefighters die in the line of duty. In 2013 our community suffered the loss of 34 fellow firefighters – 56 percent of them on one fire. They were just out doing normal work.

This year the Week of Remembrance focuses on normal work, not the exception events like Yarnell or South Canyon.  We remember these days – but how many of you remember the events of July 21, 2009?  Unless you knew TJ or were a rappeller you might not remember that day at all.  At the Willow Helibase Thomas (TJ) Marovich Jr. and his crew were undergoing their biweekly proficiency rappels.  Rappelling from a helicopter is a high risk/low frequency event and keeping skills polished in these events is important.  That day was a normal day.  The crew had finished up a full roll on the Backbone Fire, went home for 2 days of R&R, and then came back to the Backbone Fire for another round.  Before the crew could get back to work, they had to complete their proficiency rappel. TJ didn’t survive.

As we gain experience we face a challenge.  As we grow in familiarity with a task we naturally and inevitably focus less attention to that task while doing it.  Whether it’s hose lay drills, buddy checks, or 6 Minutes for Safety – we do lots of things over and over and they become normal work.

In the coming days we will dig into the events of that day and the normal human limitations that we all face.  TJ died rappelling from a helicopter but this is not a rappeller’s story…it’s a human one. 

Tomorrow we will start with an overview of the Willow Helibase Fatality. Remember that we honor through learning. Learning often involves change. As a crew and an individual, look critically at the tasks you've become familiar with and do naturally and identify areas where you can grow.

Action:

Begin today with a general discussion using these questions:

  • Identify an activity that required your undivided attention at first but now you can do it without thinking.
  • When is your mind most likely to wander?(Did you really hear today’s fire weather forecast?)
  • What do you do when you realize you’ve missed something?

Purple ribbon symbol

How can YOU Honor through Learning?

The topics, review, and resources for the NWCG “Wildland Firefighter Week of Remembrance” have been contributed by the Wildland Fire Lessons Learned Center, the NWCG Leadership Committee, and many other field subject matter experts.

 

Last Modified / Reviewed:

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NWCG Latest Announcements

NWCG Risk Management Committee Releases Safety Bulletin: 24-001 Use of Respirators on Wildland Fires

Date: November 7, 2024
Contact: Risk Management Committee

The Risk Management Committee (RMC) has released Safety Bulletin: 24-001 Use of Respirators on Wildland Fires. As wildland fire respirators are available through several established vendors, wildland fire personnel need to understand regulations and limitations of respirator use in the workplace.

Safety Bulletin 24-001 outlines the following topics regarding respirator use for wildland fires:

  • Requirements for Respirator Use
  • Voluntary Respirator Use
  • Current Respirator Options
  • Unknown Risks of Respirator Use

This bulletin also provides mitigation recommendations to help reduce smoke exposure for wildland firefighting efforts.

References:

NWCG Safety Bulletin: 24-001 Use of Respirators on Wildland Fires

NWCG Smoke Management Guide for Prescribed Fire, PMS 420-3

VIDEO: Protecting Wildfire Personnel from Smoke - How Incident Management Teams Address Smokes Risks

VIDEO: Smoke, Knowing the Risks

The Incident Position Standards and Next Generation Position Task Book are now available for Medical Unit Leader (MEDL)

Date: October 16, 2024
Contact: Incident Medical Subcommittee

NWCG is excited to announce that the NWCG Incident Position Standards for Medical Unit Leader, PMS 350-39 and NWCG Position Task Book for Medical Unit Leader (MEDL), PMS 311-39 are now available.

The Performance Support Package, which for MEDL includes the Incident Position Standards and Next Generation Position Task Book, were developed through the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) effort. The Performance Support Package will support trainees, those qualified in the position, and evaluators.

References:

NWCG Medical Unit Leader Position Page

NWCG Incident Position Standards for Medical Unit Leader, PMS 350-39

NWCG Position Task Book for Medical Unit Leader (MEDL), PMS 311-39

The Wildland Fire Learning Portal is Now Available

Date: October 9, 2024
Contact: Wildland Fire Learning Portal

The Wildland Fire Learning Portal (WFLP) is back online following a migration to a new learning management system (LMS) application. The WFLP team is actively addressing any issues that may arise as a result of the update, and appreciates your patience as the team works to enhance your experience. NWCG will share information from the WFLP as it is available.

Should you have any issues with accessing or using the WFLP, please use the link below to submit a ticket through the Help Center.

References:

Wildland Fire Learning Portal

Wildland Fire Learning Portal Help Center

NWCG Equipment Technology Committee Releases New Equipment Bulletins

Date: September 27, 2024
Contact: Equipment Technology Committee

The Equipment Technology Committee (ETC) has released three new Equipment Bulletins:

  • ETC-EB-24-003 Diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) in fuel containers.
  • ETC-EB-24-004 Two-compartment fuel and oil container (Dolmar) unavailable in the United States (US) and reminders for upkeeping current inventories.
  • ETC-EB-24-005 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Inspection, Care, and Maintenance.

These bulletins remind field going personnel of important issues related to equipment for wildland firefighting efforts.

References:

NWCG Alerts

ETC-EB-24-003 Diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) in fuel containers

ETC-EB-24-004 Two-compartment fuel and oil container (Dolmar) unavailable in the United States (US) and reminders for upkeeping current inventories

ETC-EB-24-005 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Inspection, Care, and Maintenance