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Week of Remembrance

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2019 WOR: 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.

 

References:

Category
Week of Remembrance

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NWCG Latest Announcements

RMC Memorandum 26-02: SAFENET Modernization and SafeNetX Launch

Date:  June 25, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Risk Management Committee

The Risk Management Committee (RMC) is pleased to announce the launch of SafeNetX, the modernized safety reporting system now available to the wildland fire community. Effective June 15, 2026, SafeNetX enables reporting of unsafe, unhealthy, near-miss, and high-risk operations across wildland fire, all-hazard incidents, training, and related work environments.

SafeNetX is the result of a multi-agency modernization effort led by RMC, which began evaluating improvements to the legacy SAFENET system in 2021. To learn more, read the full RMC memorandum in the links provided.

References:

SafeNetX

RMC Safety Memorandum 26-02: SAFENET Modernization and SafeNet X Launch

2025 Wildland Fire EMS Awards

Date:  June 12, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Emergency Medical Committee

The NWCG Emergency Medical Committee (EMC) announces the recipients of the 2025 Wildland Fire Emergency Medical Service (EMS) Awards. EMC annually recognizes individuals and groups who have demonstrated outstanding actions or accomplishments that are above and beyond the expectation of one’s normal mission or job duties.

Congratulations to all the awardees and nominees. Through leadership and initiative, they have made significant contributions to the safety of the wildland fire community. These awards are well deserved.

References:

2025 Wildland Fire EMS Awards

Emergency Medical Committee

Incident Position Standards and the Next Generation Position Task Book Now Available for RAMP

Date:  June 12, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Airtanker Base Operations Unit

NWCG is excited to announce that Incident Position Standards and the Next Generation Position Task Book are now available for Ramp Manager (RAMP).

The Performance Support Package for this position was developed as part of the Incident Performance and Training Modernization effort. These resources support trainees, qualified personnel, and evaluators in their respective roles.

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 release in January 2027.

References:

NWCG Ramp Manager Position Page

National Interagency Aviation Committee

Make an Impact: Serve the Wildland Fire Community as an IPTM SME!

Date:  June 11, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: NWCG SME Specialist

Note: Positions with an * will last approximately 6 months.
Positions with ** will last 12 - 18 months.

NWCG is seeking experienced wildland firefighters and support personnel to serve as Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) for the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) initiative. IPTM aims to transition NWCG’s training and qualification system to a performance-based model by updating position descriptions, Incident Position Standards, Next Generation Position Task Books (Next Gen PTBs), and training where needed.

NWCG is currently recruiting SMEs for the Fall 2026 positions listed below:

  • Equipment Manager (EQPM)*
  • Fixed Wing Parking Tender (FWPT)**
  • Mixmaster (MXMS)*
  • Public Information Officer Complex (PIOC)*
  • Retardant Crewmember (RTCM)*
  • Strike Team Leader Crew (STCR)*
  • Strike Team Leader Engine (STEN)*
  • Strike Team Leader Heavy Equipment (STEQ)*
  • Task Force Leader (TFLD)**
  • Wildland Fire Investigator (INVF)** 

Projects begin October 2026. Sign up by July 10, 2026, at the link below and review the attached document for additional details. 

References:

NWCG SME Interest Sign-up

IPTM Subject Matter Expert Duties and Expectations Document

Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM)