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RT-130 (WFSTAR)

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RT-130, Wildland Fire Safety Training Annual Refresher (WFSTAR)

RT-130 Decorative banner. Group of wildland firefighters hiking down a valley to a fire. Black topo map and WFSTAR logo on left.

Emergency Medical Care Guidelines

Wildland firefighters perform dangerous work in remote locations. At a minimum, all are trained in basic first aid. Regardless of level of medical training, all firefighters must be equipped to respond to a medical emergency. Review Emergency Medical Care Guidelines and other useful references in the IRPG Emergency Medical Care pages to better prepare yourself for a potential medical incident.
Category: Medical
Core Component(s):
Fire and Aviation Operational Safety
Estimated Delivery Time: 30 minutes
Video Length: 11:54

Remote Video

Intent

Wildland firefighters perform dangerous work in remote locations. At a minimum, all are trained in basic first aid. Regardless of level of medical training, all firefighters must be equipped to respond to a medical emergency. Review the Emergency Medical Care Guidelines and other useful references in the Incident Response Pocket Guide (IRPG), PMS 461, in the Emergency Medical Care section (red) to better prepare yourself for a potential medical incident.

Facilitator Preparation

  • Review the video and module tools.
  • Reference the NWCG Incident Response Pocket Guide (IRPG), PMS 461. Provide copies of the IRPG for students to utilize and answer questions.
  • Consider additional activities and discussion questions pertinent to the location and agency.

Facilitating the Discussion

  • Share the intent of the module with the class.
  • Show the video.
  • Facilitate a small or large group discussion using discussion questions and the IRPG.

Discussion Questions

  1. Locate and review the Emergency Medical Care Guidelines in the IRPG. Identify one take-away message from each section (Legality, Blood-Borne Pathogens, Treatment Principles, and Medical Response Procedures).
  2. Locate and review additional IRPG references that may be applicable during a medical incident. Identify how the following resources in the Emergency Medical Care section may be used:
    1. Patient Assessment, Specific Treatments, CPR, and Medical Incident Report (MIR)
    2. Refer to 6 Minutes for Safety’s Serious Injuries Procedures to support discussion.
  3. How does your module deal with emergency medical situations?
    1. Discuss how this plan may differ during project work, wildfire response, or physical training?
    2. What critical roles may be needed during an incident within an incident (medical incident commander, primary medical personnel, scribe, radio communicator, etc.)?
    3. What transport options are available in your area (i.e., agency vehicle, ground ambulance, agency ship, hoist ship, short-haul extraction, etc.)?
    4. Refer to related WFSTAR modules (Incident within an Incident, Preparing for Wildfire Medevac, and Short-Haul Medevac Exercise) to support discussion.
  4. Review how your module communicates using handheld and mobile radios.
    1. What specific channels should be used during a medical incident (dispatch, ICP command, air-to-ground, etc.)?
    2. Reference the Medical Plan (ICS 206 WF) and discuss how to communicate critical medical information.
  5. What medical gear do you have on your module?
    1. Where is it located?
    2. How does your crew practice use of medical equipment throughout the fire season?
    3. How does your module ensure maintenance of medical equipment and medications (AED batteries, oxygen tanks, expiration dates for medications, etc.)?

Resources

Additional Video Information

  • This video is also available as a download (Size 1.3 GB) with .srt file for closed captioning (you may need to right click and Save As). For information on how to add closed captioning to a video, see this how to page.
  • Note: For Chrome, Firefox, and Edge, right click the word download and select Save Link As; for IE, right click and select Save Target As.

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NWCG Latest Announcements

2025/2026 Leadership Campaign Quarter 2 Now Available!

Date: February 13, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Leadership Committee

NWCG is excited to announce that the Quarter Two materials for the 2025/2026 Wildland Fire Leadership Campaign are now available! This annual initiative invites all leadership and wildland fire management students to engage with essential skills and knowledge needed to lead effectively in dynamic environments.

This quarter focuses on Leadership Level 2: New Leader (Conveying Intent). Conveying intent is a crucial leadership competency in the high-risk, dynamic environment of wildland firefighting. Months 4 - 6 will concentrate on how successfully conveying intent enhances situational awareness, promotes shared understanding, and empowers firefighters to exercise initiative and adapt to changing conditions.

References:

2025/2026 NWCG Leadership Campaign - Leadership Levels

Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program

Leadership Committee

Opportunity to Serve the Wildland Fire Community as an IPTM SME!

Date: February 10, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: NWCG SME Specialist

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. The intent of IPTM is to transition NWCG’s training and qualification system to a performance-based model through updated position descriptions, Incident Position Standards, Next Generation Position Task Books (Next Gen PTBs), and updates to training where needed.

NWCG is currently recruiting SMEs for the following positions:

  • Aircraft Timekeeper (ATIM)
  • Compensation/Claims Unit Leader (COMP)
  • Cost Unit Leader (COST)
  • Crew Representative (CREP)
  • Deck Coordinator (DECK)
  • Fire Effects Monitor (FEMO)
  • Field Observer (FOBS)
  • Geographic Information System Specialist (GISS)
  • Ordering Manager (ORDM)
  • Receiving/Distribution Manager (RCDM)
  • Staging Area Manager (STAM)

Projects begin April/May 2026 and require 15–20 hours per month for 6–8 months, including a five-day workshop in Boise, Idaho this May. Apply by February 27, 2026, at the link below and review the attached document for details.

References:

NWCG SME Interest Sign-up

IPTM Subject Matter Expert Duties and Expectations Document

Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM)

NEW! M-280, Resource Advisor, Fireline (Instructor-Led) Course Available Now

Date: January 29, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Resource Advisor Subcommittee

NWCG is pleased to announce the new M-280, Resource Advisor, Fireline (Instructor-Led) course is now available. This training supports individuals working towards Resource Advisor, Fireline (REAF) incident qualifications.

M-280, Resource Advisor, Fireline (Instructor-Led) training prepares students to serve as a Resource Advisor, Fireline (REAF) as defined in NWCG Incident Position Standards for Resource Advisor, Fireline, PMS 350-112. This course presents scenarios that reflect the diverse challenges a REAF may encounter during an incident. Through these scenarios, participants gain hands-on experience and an understanding of REAF responsibilities in a controlled learning environment.

References:

Resource Advisor, Fireline Position Page

NWCG Position Standards for Resource Advisor, Fireline, PMS 350-112

M-280, Resource Advisor, Fireline (Instructor-Led)

Wildland Fire Learning Portal

2026 Updates to the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1

Date: January 23, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Incident and Position Standards Committee

The Incident and Position Standards Committee has updated the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1.

These updates address changes to incident position names and requirements for qualification, training, and experience. Updates related to the implementation of Complex Incident Management (CIM) and Incident Performance Training Modernization (IPTM) are also included.

The NWCG Wildland Fire Position Qualification Flowchart, PMS 308 has also been updated to reflect the recent changes.

References:

NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1

NWCG Wildland Fire Position Qualification Flowchart, PMS 308

IPSC Memo 26-01: January 2026 Updates to the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Positions Qualifications, PMS 310-1