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Emergency Medical Technician Basic (not fireline qualified)

Position Description

Introduction

The Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) provides emergency medical services (EMS) and assists at the medical unit and/or other incident locations as approved by the Incident Commander or representative.

Duties

  • Performs non-invasive lifesaving procedures focused on the initial management of injured and sick persons. 
  • EMTs are not independent practitioners and therefore must be supervised by a physician medical director.  Although many of the procedures that an EMT is allowed to perform do not require real-time oversight by the supervising medical director, the EMT makes destination decisions in collaboration with medical oversight.
  • While all EMTs receive essentially the same training, the specific procedures that each individual EMT is authorized to perform vary depending on the EMT’s scope of practice.  An EMT’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 EMT will vary by individual.

Position Knowledge and/or Requirements

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

  • Airway and Breathing:
    • Insertion of airway adjuncts intended to go into the oropharynx or nasopharynx.
    • Use of positive pressure ventilation devices such as manually triggered ventilators and automatic transport ventilators.
  • Pharmacological Interventions:
    • Assists patients in taking their own prescribed medications.
    • Administration of the following over-the-counter medications with appropriate medical. oversight:
      • Oral glucose for suspected hypoglycemia
      • Aspirin for chest pain of suspected ischemic origin
  • Use of 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

  • Current EMT license (must be issued by the EMTs home-state EMS licensing authority)
  • Introduction to ICS (I-100)
  • NIMS:  An Introduction (IS-700)
  • No physical fitness required for this position

Other Training Supporting Development of Knowledge and Skills

  • Firefighter Training (S-130)
  • Annual Fireline Safety Refresher (RT-130)
  • Introduction to Wildland Fire (S-190)
  • Human Factors in the Wildland Fire Service (L-180)
  • Intermediate Wildland Fire Behavior (S-290)
  • Basic Air Operations (S-270)
  • Helicopter Crewmember (S-271)
  • Intermediate Wildland Fire Behavior (S-290)
  • Wilderness Emergency Medical Technician

NWCG Latest Announcements

National Wildland Firefighter Day

Date: July 2, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
National Interagency Fire Center

The National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) recognizes July 2, 2025, as National Wildland Firefighter Day (NWFFD). Established in 2022, NWFFD honors the dedication of wildland firefighters and support personnel. This day falls within the 2025 Week of Remembrance (June 30 - July 6), providing an opportunity to renew our commitment to wildland firefighter safety while remembering those who have fallen in the line of duty.

NWCG provides leadership to enable interoperable wildland fire operations among federal, state, local, Tribal, and territorial partners. NWCG standards and training establish common practices to contribute to safe, effective, and coordinated interagency wildland fire operations nationwide.

References:

Week of Remembrance

National Wildland Firefighter Day

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