RT-130, Wildland Fire Safety Training Annual Refresher (WFSTAR)
Point Fire Immersive
Explore the Point Fire module for a unique perspective of the 1995 Point Fire, located near Kuna, Idaho. Immerse yourself in expert interviews supplemented by aerial footage and 360-degree video for an experience second only to physically attending the Point Fire staff ride.
Category: Case Studies
Core Component(s): Incident Reviews and Lessons Learned;
Fire and Aviation Operational Safety;
Human Factors, Communication and Decision Making
Estimated Delivery Time: 30 minutes per stand; Video Length: n/a
Category: Case Studies
Core Component(s): Incident Reviews and Lessons Learned;
Fire and Aviation Operational Safety;
Human Factors, Communication and Decision Making
Estimated Delivery Time: 30 minutes per stand; Video Length: n/a
Intent
Explore the Point Fire module for a unique perspective of the 1995 Point Fire, located near Kuna, Idaho. Immerse yourself in expert interviews supplemented by aerial footage and 360-degree video for an experience second only to physically attending the Point Fire staff ride.
Facilitator Preparation
- Review the Intent, Site Navigation, and Background Information sections.
- Consider delivering one stand each day as part of a morning briefing.
- Consider additional activities and discussion questions pertinent to your location and agency.
Facilitating the Discussion
- Show the videos.
- Facilitate a small or large group discussion using discussion questions and points posed in the videos.
Discussion Questions
-
Stand 1 – Discussion Questions
-
At the time of the Point Fire, coordination between agency resources and cooperators during wildfire response was inconsistent.
- How has the relationship between agency resources and cooperators evolved since this incident?
- What actions do you take to enhance cooperation and coordination with your adjacent resources? Where can you improve?
-
The Point Fire was initially contained at 120 acres but blew up during mop up operations when a cold front passed over the area.
- How do you maintain and communicate situational awareness through all stages of fire suppression efforts?
- How do you combat complacency during mop up operations?
-
At the time of the Point Fire, coordination between agency resources and cooperators during wildfire response was inconsistent.
-
Stand 2 – Discussion Questions
-
The wildland fire environment is dynamic and unforgiving. Often, we are inundated by time constraints and unanticipated factors requiring immediate action.
- How do you recognize the need to take a tactical pause when you find yourself challenged by compounding factors?
- How do you regain your situational awareness and re-engage?
-
Communication is a two-way dialogue between sender and receiver. The Red Flag Warning was not heard or acknowledged by all resources on scene.
- How can you ensure your crew members communicate critical information or listen to and acknowledge the message?
- As a leader on the fireline, how do you ensure all resources on your division or incident listen to and acknowledge critical information?
-
The wildland fire environment is dynamic and unforgiving. Often, we are inundated by time constraints and unanticipated factors requiring immediate action.
-
Stand 3 – Discussion Questions
-
Fire suppression knowledge and skills are learned through experience.
- How can less experienced crew members be given learning opportunities where they can be safe and successful?
- How can more experienced firefighters provide practical mentorship to newer crew members throughout the fire season?
-
Subject matter expert interviews note that even as second-year firefighters, they recognized key weather observations and understood potential fire behavior impact.
- Identify specific weather indicators every firefighter must monitor using the Look Up, Down and Around reference in your Incident Response Pocket Guide (IRPG), PMS 461.
- Discuss three additional indicators which will help you maintain awareness of fire environment factors Using the Look Up, Down and Around.
-
Fire suppression knowledge and skills are learned through experience.
-
Stand 4 – Discussion Questions
-
The culture of wildland firefighting includes stigmas that may impact individual decision-making. Examples include taking undue risks to protect equipment for fear of reprimand or hesitation to deploy a shelter due to pursuant investigations.
- Describe additional examples that you have encountered.
- How can we promote growth and foster acceptance rather than advance stigmas?
-
Firefighters may experience long term fatigue differently throughout the fire season. Individuals may experience physical, mental, and emotional responses.
- What can you do to be prepared for the next shift, individually and as a crew?
- How can you maintain morale, physical and mental health, and personal relationships, etc.?
-
The culture of wildland firefighting includes stigmas that may impact individual decision-making. Examples include taking undue risks to protect equipment for fear of reprimand or hesitation to deploy a shelter due to pursuant investigations.
-
Stand 5 – Discussion Questions
-
Current firefighting culture promotes empowering employees with the concept of "see it, say it" regarding hazards.
- How do you ensure all crew members are able to speak up?
- How can you respectfully call out hazards as a new crew member?
- How can you, as a leader, respectfully respond to crew members speaking up?
-
Current firefighting culture promotes empowering employees with the concept of "see it, say it" regarding hazards.
-
Lessons Learned – Discussion Questions
-
The many lessons learned from the Point Fire came at the cost of human life.
- What was your biggest take-away from the Point Fire module?
-
The many lessons learned from the Point Fire came at the cost of human life.
- What is one practical change you will implement starting now based on this training?
Resources
- Website: RT-130, WFSTAR – Point Fire Revisited
- Publication: Incident Response Pocket Guide (IRPG), PMS 461
- Document: 6 Minutes for Safety – Point Fire (Idaho) - July 28, 1995
- Document: Point Fire Accident Investigation
- Website: Colorado Firecamp - Point Fire Case Study
- Website: Wildland Fire Leadership: Remembering the Point Fire – 20 Years Later
- Website: Human Factors Analysis and Classification System (HFACS) Framework
- Document: Human Factors Analysis and Classification System (HFACS) Final Report
- Document: Swiss Cheese Model Presentation
Additional Viewing Information
This module must be viewed online on the ESRI StoryMaps platform. Downloading is not an option.
Page Last Modified / Reviewed:
2022-04-01