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2023 WOR: South Canyon Fire (Colorado) – July 6, 1994

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It Takes All of Us to Get Through the Tough Days.
South Canyon Fire (Colorado) – July 6, 1994

Today’s topic is dedicated to all fallen firefighters.
May we never stop learning.

 

It has been 29 years since the South Canyon Fire. Remembering the Fallen 14 today impacts survivors, family, and friends. As we honor the fallen, we also grieve their loss. Today is dedicated to helping us navigate the ‘anniversary effect’ and to provide techniques to assist with the reactions we feel. After a loss or highly stressful event, it is common to experience heightened emotions and memories associated with the anniversary date. While anniversaries during the first years after a loss can be particularly difficult, it is normal for anniversary reactions to occur years after an event. If you think an anniversary may be challenging. A few suggestions follow for making plans to help navigate this time of year.

Learn about Grief:

Grief is a normal and healthy response to loss. Grief is not a single emotion; rather a range of emotions that might include sadness, anxiety, irritability, or longing. It is a myth that grief happens in a set of defined stages, and that we “get over” grief with time. Moving forward after loss often involves an evolving experience of grief and a process of integrating a loss into our lives.

Create an anniversary tradition:

Create a tradition to honor the fallen that is personally meaningful. Hike to a significant place each year, donate to a charity, host a gathering, or write a letter to the person you lost.

Connect with others:

Make plans to be around others if you expect it will be difficult to be alone. Reach out to friends and family of the fallen to remember those you have lost and to offer support.

Seek Help:

At times, grief can feel overwhelming. Reach out for support to help get through hard times from trusted peers or mental health professionals.

Action/Challenge:

Discussion items:

  • How can you support others who may be struggling after loss?
  • What are some ways we can remember or honor our fallen brothers and sisters?

Resources:

Last Modified / Reviewed:


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Incident Position Standards and Next Generation Position Task Book Available for Helicopter Crewmember

Date: April 28, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
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NWCG is excited to announce that the NWCG Incident Position Standards for Helicopter Crewmember, PMS 350-22, and the NWCG Position Task Book for Helicopter Crewmember (HECM), PMS 311-22, are now available.

These resources, part of the Performance Support Package developed through the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) effort, support trainees, qualified personnel, and evaluators.

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

References:

NWCG Incident Position Standards for Helicopter Crewmember, PMS 350-22

NWCG Incident Position Standards for Helicopter Crewmember, PMS 350-22

NWCG Position Task Book for Helicopter Crewmember (HECM), PMS 311-22

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The NWCG Standards for Fire Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operations, PMS 515 standardizes processes and procedures for the interagency use of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), including pilot inspections and approvals. This updated publication provides the aviation community with standards to ensure UAS are used safely, effectively, and efficiently in support of fire management goals and objectives.

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NWCG Standards for Fire Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operations, PMS 515

NWCG National Interagency Aviation Committee

ETC Bulletin 25-001: Retrofitted Hot/Cold Beverage Kits - 2025 Field Season

Date: April 16, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Equipment Technology Committee

Due to spout failures and the associated risk of burn injuries, manufacturers have retrofitted the Hot/Cold Beverage Kits using a heat-shrinking band to secure the black spout at the insertion site. The updated kits feature a fluorescent label on each full kit assembly for easy identification. Catering units are encouraged to confirm the clear heat-shrinking bands are intact around each spout before filling.

ETC Bulletin 24-001 regarding Hot/Cold Beverage Kits has been archived and replaced by ETC Bulletin 25-001 for the 2025 season.

References:

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NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Chainsaw Operations, PMS 212, and Next Generation Position Task Book for Basic Faller Are Now Available

Date: April 14, 2025
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The updated NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Chainsaw Operations, PMS 212, and NWCG Position Task Book for Basic Faller (FAL3), PMS 311-19 are now available.

The NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Chainsaw Operations, PMS 212 includes position standards designed to be used in conjunction with the Next Generation Position Task Book (Next Gen PTB). The Next Gen PTB for Basic Faller (FAL3) includes an evaluation guide with suggested rating elements to consider when assessing trainees.

References:

NWCG Standards For Wildland Fire Chainsaw Operations, PMS 212

NWCG Position Task Book for Basic Faller (FAL3), PMS 311-119

NWCG Basic Faller (FAL3)