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Advanced Emergency Medical Technician ─ Fireline Qualified

Position Description

Introduction

The AEMF provides emergency medical services (EMS) at the medical unit and/or other incident location as requested by the Incident Commander or representative.

NOTE:  Some states may use the terminology for this position:  “EMT-Intermediate”.

Duties

  • Performs a combination of basic and limited advanced lifesaving procedures focused on the initial management of injured and sick persons.
  • This position has the knowledge associated with, and is expected to be competent in all the skills of the EMT.
  • AEMFs are not independent practitioners and therefore must be supervised by a physician medical director.  Although many of the procedures that an AEMF is allowed to perform do not require real-time oversight by the supervising medical director, more complex decision making (such as that concerning patient disposition) must be made with consultation from the medical director.
  • While all AEMFs receive essentially the same training, the specific procedures that each individual AEMF is authorized to perform vary depending on the AEMFs scope of practice.  An AEMF’s scope of practice contains only those procedures for which he or she is educated, certified (by passing an exam), credentialed (medical director grants “permission” to practice), and licensed by a state to perform.  Therefore, the scope of practice of an AEMF will vary by individual.
  • The AEMF will be required to work on the fireline or other remote areas of an incident.  The AEMF would be expected to participate in and/or lead the evacuation of a sick or injured person from this environment.  The AEMF would also be expected to perform these lifesaving skills with the equipment available to them on the fireline, which is significantly less than those AEMTs in the medical unit or typical urban EMS system.
  • The AEMF may be the only medical provider on scene for an extended period of time in less than ideal conditions.

Position Knowledge and Skills

The following is a list of the typical skills that an AEMF can perform:

  • Airway and Breathing
    • Using upper airway adjuncts, bag-valve-mask, manually triggered ventilators and automatic transportation ventilators for airway management.
    • Tracheobronchial suctioning of an already intubated patient.
  • Pharmacological Interventions
    • Providing lifesaving medications with an auto-injector.
    • Helping a patient take his or her own prescribed medications.
    • Giving specific over-the-counter medications (with appropriate medical oversight).
    • Administer sublingual nitroglycerine to a patient experiencing chest pain of suspected ischemic origin.
    • Administer subcutaneous or intramuscular epinephrine to a patient in anaphylaxis.
    • Administer glucagon to a hypoglycemic patient.
    • Administer intravenous D50 to a hypoglycemic patient.
    • Administer inhaled beta agonists to a patient experiencing difficulty breathing and wheezing.
    • Administer a narcotic antagonist to a patient suspected of narcotic overdose.
    • Administer nitrous oxide for pain relief.
    • Establishing intravenous (IV) or intraosseous (IO) access to deliver fluids or medications.
  • Using an automated external defibrillator.
  • Trauma Care
    • Stabilizing suspected spinal injuries and extremity fractures.
    • Controlling bleeding.
    • Evacuation of a sick or injured patient using purpose made and improvised litters.
    • Appropriate triage of sick or injured patients in order to assist with the formulation of an evacuation plan.
    • Application and inflation of the pneumatic anti-shock garment (PASG) for fracture stabilization.

Position Requirements

Other Training Supporting Development of Knowledge and Skills

NWCG Latest Announcements

2025 Week of Remembrance

Date: June 27, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
6 Minutes for Safety Subcommittee

As we approach the 2025 Week of Remembrance (WOR), June 30–July 6, we dedicate this time to reflect on the past incidents from 2015 and honor the fallen through learning. Since its inception in 2014, WOR has honored wildland firefighters who made the ultimate sacrifice while encouraging critical discussions that reinforce lessons learned.

Throughout the week, we encourage thoughtful and generative conversations—whether in briefing rooms or at tailgates—that promote a culture of continuous learning and safety.

References:

2025 Week of Remembrance: Letter to Leadership

Wildland Fire Lessons Learned Center

ETC Equipment Bulletin: 25-003 Flame-Resistant Shirt Survey

Date: June 12, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Equipment Technology Committee

The U.S. Forest Service National Technology and Development Program (NTDP) is seeking input on the Forest Service-designed flame-resistant (FR) shirt, currently available through the National Interagency Support Cache system and FedMall.

NTDP is conducting a product review to improve future FR shirt designs. As part of this effort, a short survey is now open for federal employees who have worn any of three recent FR shirt models. Feedback will guide design improvements to better meet the needs of wildland firefighters.

To comply with the Paperwork Reduction Act, responses are limited to federal employees. The survey is open through September 12, 2025. 

References:

NWCG Alerts

ETC Equipment Bulletin: 25-003

NEW! S-130, Firefighter Training (Blended) Now Available

Date: June 10, 2025
If you have questions, please visit our FAQ page. 
If your question is not answered there, you can 
submit your question using our Contact Us form. 
 

The S-130, Firefighter Training (Blended), equips new wildland firefighters with essential skills through a mix of online learning and hands-on training. The course features a required online component and an instructor-led exercise, reinforcing online concepts with practical performance-based training.

The course builds competencies in wildland fire operations, safety, and equipment use, applicable across various operational environments. Both the online component and instructor-led field exercise must be completed to receive a certificate of completion. Students are required to finish the prerequisite S-190, Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior, before enrolling in S-130, Firefighter Training (Blended).

References:

S-130, Firefighter Training (Blended)

S-190, Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior

Wildland Fire Learning Portal

EMC Memo 25-001: Interim Rapid Extraction Module (REMS) Training and Qualification Requirements

Date: June 3, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Emergency Medical Committee

The Emergency Medical Committee has issued interim guidance for Rapid Extraction Module Support (REMS) teams. Until further notice, Type I and II REMS teams must designate a team leader qualified at Firefighter Type 1 Squad Boss (FFT1) or higher. This temporary change replaces the Single Resource Boss (SRB) requirement, which is currently not feasible due to administrative barriers.

This memorandum does not include any other changes to the NWCG Standards for Rapid Extraction Module Support, PMS 552. This interim change takes effect immediately and will remain in place until further notice.

References:

EMC Memo 25-001: Interim Rapid Extraction Module (REMS) Training and Qualification Requirements

NWCG Standards for Rapid Extraction Module Support, PMS 552