Skip to main content

6MFS

6MFS Committee

All 6MFS Topics

6MFS Calendar

Aviation

Airtankers

Felling Safety

Fire Communication

Firefighter Health & First Aid

Leadership

Misc Fireline Hazards

Operational Engagement

This Day in History

Vehicles - Roads

Weather - Fire Behavior

Week of Remembrance

2020 WOR: Lessons Used Dutch Creek Big Meadows

 

“On the morning of June 16, 2013, while en route to their assigned area of the fire, Luther Larkin, a member of the Horseshoe Meadows Hotshot Crew collapsed and quickly became unresponsive. Another crew member immediately assessed Luther and confirmed his breathing and heartbeat had stopped. Emergency medical technicians (EMTs) from two IHC crews began cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and one of the IHC Superintendents initiated a medical emergency response via radio. Paramedics from the spike camp were deployed to the scene. An automated external defibrillator (AED) was successfully utilized to reestablish a pulse in the patient. After medically stabilizing the patient, he was carried by stokes litter approximately ¼ mile to Helispot 1 and transported by air ambulance to St. Anthony’s Hospital in Lakewood, Colorado.” (Big Meadow Medevac 2013)

"June 16 is my new birthday"
Luther Larkin

Luther was 6 miles into the backcountry, far from any medical services. Yet after suffering sudden cardiac arrest, EMTs were with him immediately and kept him alive with CPR.  Within 10 minutes, a paramedic with an AED arrived on the scene and successfully revived Luther.  Sudden cardiac arrest has a survival rate of less than 10% (American Heart Association) in a major city.  There are no official rates of survival when this happens in the backcountry, but it is presumed to be much less.

Having medically trained people and the AED available 6 miles in the backcountry enabled them to respond so quickly, which is directly linked with Luther’s survival.  How and why were these vital resources so close and readily available so far into the backcountry? 

The answer lies in the Lessons Used from the Dutch Creek Tree Felling Fatality (2008) Serious Accident Investigation and subsequent Safety Action Plan.  (Dutch Creek Tree Felling Fatality LLC)  On July 22, 2008, while assigned to the Iron Complex in Northern California, 18-year-old Andy Palmer was on his very first fire assignment.  While his engine crew was dropping a hazard tree, a large section of a nearby tree fell and struck Andy, shattering his femur, and severing large blood vessels.  For a variety of reasons, (detailed in the report) it was 3 hours 26 minutes from the time of the accident to the time he was pronounced dead due to loss of blood from a shattered femur and severed blood vessels.

Subsequent reviews and recommendations from the Dutch Creek incident have foundationally changed the way we plan for medical emergencies.  These reviews gave us “Incident within an Incident” and standardized Medical Incident Reports.  Before the Dutch Creek incident, there most likely would not have been a paramedic and certainly, there would not have been an AED staged miles into the backcountry at a spike camp, as was the case on the Big Meadows fire.  If these lessons were not used in preparing the medical plan on the Big Meadows fire, Luther Larkin would not be with us today. 

It is very difficult to even consider saying that something good can come from anyone’s death, especially an 18 year old just starting his adult life. But the lessons learned from Andy saved Luther’s life, and have probably prevented other accidents.

A purple ribbon symbolizing remembrance of those who have passed away. Discussion Questions:

  • There are hundreds of FLA/LLRs. How can we make sure valuable lessons are learned and not lost?
  • What other major incidents have provided lessons that have made a real difference?

 

Category
Week of Remembrance

6MFS Suggestion Form


Have an idea or feedback?

Share it with the NWCG 6MFS Subcommittee
 


Follow NWCG on X and Facebook
 


 

Last Modified / Reviewed:

Print PDF

NWCG Latest Announcements

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

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