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

RT-130 Decorative banner. Group of photos depicting wildland firefighters performing various duties.

Chainsaw Operational Complexity and Tree Size-Up - When Complexity Changes

Identify common themes from the Wildland Fire Lessons Learned Center “2004-2019 Tree Felling Accident Analysis” to promote discussion between new and experienced sawyers about ongoing procedural size-up and complexity analysis, human factors affecting the cutting process, and complexity changing throughout a chainsaw operation.
Category: Hazards
Core Component(s):
Local Topics, Incident Reviews and Lessons Learned, Fire and Aviation Operational Safety, Human Factors, Communication and Decision Making
Estimated Delivery Time: 45 minutes
Video Length: 20:26

Intent

Identify common themes from the Wildland Fire Lessons Learned Center 2004-2019 Tree Felling Accident Analysis to promote discussion between new and experienced sawyers about ongoing procedural size-up and complexity analysis, human factors affecting the cutting process, and complexity changing throughout a chainsaw operation.

Facilitator Preparation

  • Review the video, module tools, and additional resources linked below.
  • Consider additional discussion questions pertinent to your location and agency.
  • Guide discussion based on the topics and guidance provided below from the NWCG Hazard Tree and Tree Felling Subcommittee.

Facilitating the Discussion

  • Show the video.
  • Pause video as questions appear on screen to facilitate discussion.
  • Optional: Conduct additional activities pertinent to your location and agency.

Discussion Questions

  1. What size-up process(es) have you used or seen?
  2. What factors affect which is the good side vs. bad side of the tree?
  3. What does cutting area control mean to you?
  4. What other human factors might influence the size-up process, complexity analysis, or overall cutting operation?
  5. What experiences have caused you to reevaluate your felling operation? How do you maintain your cutting area control?

Resources

Video Information

  • This video is also available as a download (zip file, size 1.2 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 Internet Explorer (IE), right click and select Save Target As.

Last Modified / Reviewed:

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NWCG Latest Announcements

The Incident Position Standards and Next Generation Position Task Book are now available for Medical Unit Leader (MEDL)

Date: October 16, 2024
Contact: Incident Medical Subcommittee

NWCG is excited to announce that the NWCG Incident Position Standards for Medical Unit Leader, PMS 350-39 and NWCG Position Task Book for Medical Unit Leader (MEDL), PMS 311-39 are now available.

The Performance Support Package, which for MEDL includes the Incident Position Standards and Next Generation Position Task Book, were developed through the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) effort. The Performance Support Package will support trainees, those qualified in the position, and evaluators.

References:

NWCG Medical Unit Leader Position Page

NWCG Incident Position Standards for Medical Unit Leader, PMS 350-39

NWCG Position Task Book for Medical Unit Leader (MEDL), PMS 311-39

The Wildland Fire Learning Portal is Now Available

Date: October 9, 2024
Contact: Wildland Fire Learning Portal

The Wildland Fire Learning Portal (WFLP) is back online following a migration to a new learning management system (LMS) application. The WFLP team is actively addressing any issues that may arise as a result of the update, and appreciates your patience as the team works to enhance your experience. NWCG will share information from the WFLP as it is available.

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Wildland Fire Learning Portal

Wildland Fire Learning Portal Help Center

NWCG Equipment Technology Committee Releases New Equipment Bulletins

Date: September 27, 2024
Contact: Equipment Technology Committee

The Equipment Technology Committee (ETC) has released three new Equipment Bulletins:

  • ETC-EB-24-003 Diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) in fuel containers.
  • ETC-EB-24-004 Two-compartment fuel and oil container (Dolmar) unavailable in the United States (US) and reminders for upkeeping current inventories.
  • ETC-EB-24-005 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Inspection, Care, and Maintenance.

These bulletins remind field going personnel of important issues related to equipment for wildland firefighting efforts.

References:

NWCG Alerts

ETC-EB-24-003 Diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) in fuel containers

ETC-EB-24-004 Two-compartment fuel and oil container (Dolmar) unavailable in the United States (US) and reminders for upkeeping current inventories

ETC-EB-24-005 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Inspection, Care, and Maintenance

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Contact: Ashleigh D'Antonio and George Risko, Leadership Committee

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