Hypothermia occurs when your core body temperature falls below normal. Hypothermia due to environmental exposure can occur during any season and in most climates. It can easily happen in cold winds or wetness. Hypothermia can also occur in moderately cool temperatures, particularly if coupled with dehydration. People tend to forget to drink on cool, wet days, and can get hypothermic even when the temperature stays well above freezing.

Hydrogen sulfide (also known as H²S, sewer gas, swamp gas, stink damp, and sour damp) is a colorless gas known for its pungent "rotten egg" odor at low concentrations. It is extremely flammable and highly toxic. Oil and gas production across the western United States has increased dramatically and can have an impact on fire suppression operations and expose fire personnel to health hazards. Naturally occurring coal seams can produce potentially toxic gases as well.
Hydrogen sulfide is used or produced in a number of industries, such as:

Dehydration can occur due to a variety of reasons such as vomiting, diarrhea, excessive sweating, and and even some medications. For Wildland Firefighters sweating is the primary way the body regulates its temperature. Maintaining body fluids is essential for sweating. You must hydrate before, during, and after work.

Heat disorders are caused by prolonged exposure to hot temperatures or excessive physical activity, restricted fluid intake, or failure of the body's ability to regulate its temperature. The general term used for heat disorders is hyperthermia.

Heat becomes a problem when humidity, air temperature, and radiant heat combine with hard work to raise body temperature beyond safe limits. Sweat is your main defense. Everyone on the fireline must understand the importance of drinking water often.

Creating hope through action

Our work as firefighters is not limited to wildfires but has expanded to all risk and hazards, which brings even more exposure to stressful situations. Hurricanes, longer assignments, busier seasons, devastating fires… sound familiar? More time away from home and experiencing more stress can take a toll.

Accumulated (chronic) Fatigue is defined as fatigue from which normal rest does not produce recovery. Accumulated fatigue is often caused by extended periods of stress with inadequate recovery periods, which results in decreased productivity, compromised immune function, and reduced alertness. Fatigued workers perform poorly, behave carelessly, tolerate greater errors, and become inattentive. Chronic fatigue often results in increased stress, which may present itself through certain behavioral and physiological indicators, such as those described below:

In general, bees sting to protect their hive and seldom sting when they are foraging unless they feel threatened (like being swatted at or stepped on). On the other hand, many bees or wasps foraging in one area may indicate a colony is nearby. If you intend to work or camp in the area, scout for bee or wasp nests first.

Colonies vary in behavior over time, especially with changes in season, becoming more aggressive and easily agitated in the late summer and fall. You may pass the same colony for weeks and then one day provoke them unexpectedly.

The 6MFS Subcommittee and the NWCG Risk Management Committee invite you and your crew to write your own 6 Minutes for Safety discussion!

Submit your topic and discussion points for selection using the contact information at bottom of page.