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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.

Patient Assessment

This video features subject matter experts guiding you through the process of patient assessment with the help of the Incident Response Pocket Guide (IRPG).
Category: Medical
Core Component(s):
Fire and Aviation Operational Safety
Estimated Delivery Time: 20 minutes
Video Length: 8:07

Remote Video

Intent

This module shows firefighters how to use standardized checklists from the NWCG Incident Response Pocket Guide (IRPG), PMS 461, during emergency responses. These tools improve communication and guide you through medical procedures. Firefighters with minimal medical experience can utilize the Patient Assessment and Medical Incident Response (MIR) checklists in the IRPG.

Facilitator Preparation

  • Review the video and module tools.
  • Consider additional activities and discussion questions relevant to the geographic location and your respective agency.

Facilitating the Discussion

  • Show the video.
  • Facilitate a small or large group discussion using the activity and discussion questions.
  • Present the scenario below and guide students through the exercise.

Scenario

You are on a single resource assignment as a heavy equipment boss on the Wolf Jaw Fire. In preparation for a burnout operation, you have been working with a skid steer operator for three days to move deadfall from a fireline.

At 10:00 AM on the third day, you watch as the skid steer operator grabs one end of a tree with the grapple and begins pushing it into the planned burn area. The tree meets resistance against a standing tree, slips off the grapple and smashes through the skid steer’s front glass. The operator reverses, stops, and then yells to you for help. You assist the operator out of the skid steer and have them sit on the ground. You notice blood seeping through the operator’s pants but cannot immediately see the extent of the wound. The operator says they feel dizzy and nauseous.

What do you do now? Discuss as a class

The top of the tree (in blue circle) smashed through the skid steer glass and hit the operator.
Image 1: The top of the tree (in blue circle) smashed through the skid steer glass and hit the operator. 
The skid steer glass was smashed by the tree.
Image 2: The skid steer glass was smashed by the tree.

Conduct Activity (Optional) 

  • Divide the class.
  • Give each group the Activity Questions below.
  • Discuss group responses. 

Activity Questions 

  1. Find the Patient Assessment page in your IRPG.
  2. Find the Medical Incident Report in your IRPG.
  3. What is the ABC (Airway, Breathing, Circulation) check used for? What are additional considerations to ABC?
  4. Go to Wildland Fire Lessons Learned Center and search for “Schenk” or “Schenk Prescribed Fire Hit by Tree 2024.” Read the Rapid Lesson Sharing report (RLS). Discuss how your responses to the activity compare to this real life success story.

Resources

Table of Abbreviations:

  • ABC: Airway, Breathing, Circulation. The most important considerations of life threats in addition to blood loss.
  • IRPG: Incident Response Pocket Guide
  • MIR: Medical Incident Report, often referred to as a MIR report.
  • RLS: Rapid Lesson Sharing

Additional Video Information

  • The video is also available as a download (Size 1.23GB); with the .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 and Firefox, 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 Wildland Fire EMS Awards

Date:  June 12, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Emergency Medical Committee

The NWCG Emergency Medical Committee (EMC) announces the recipients of the 2025 Wildland Fire Emergency Medical Service (EMS) Awards. EMC annually recognizes individuals and groups who have demonstrated outstanding actions or accomplishments that are above and beyond the expectation of one’s normal mission or job duties.

Congratulations to all the awardees and nominees. Through leadership and initiative, they have made significant contributions to the safety of the wildland fire community. These awards are well deserved.

References:

2025 Wildland Fire EMS Awards

Emergency Medical Committee

Incident Position Standards and the Next Generation Position Task Book Now Available for RAMP

Date:  June 12, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Airtanker Base Operations Unit

NWCG is excited to announce that Incident Position Standards and the Next Generation Position Task Book are now available for Ramp Manager (RAMP).

The Performance Support Package for this position was developed as part of the Incident Performance and Training Modernization effort. These resources support trainees, qualified personnel, and evaluators in their respective roles.

Any changes to qualification pathways will take effect with the next update of the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1, scheduled for release in January 2027.

References:

NWCG Ramp Manager Position Page

National Interagency Aviation Committee

Make an Impact: Serve the Wildland Fire Community as an IPTM SME!

Date:  June 11, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: NWCG SME Specialist

Note: Positions with an * will last approximately 6 months.
Positions with ** will last 12 - 18 months.

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. IPTM aims to transition NWCG’s training and qualification system to a performance-based model by updating position descriptions, Incident Position Standards, Next Generation Position Task Books (Next Gen PTBs), and training where needed.

NWCG is currently recruiting SMEs for the Fall 2026 positions listed below:

  • Equipment Manager (EQPM)*
  • Fixed Wing Parking Tender (FWPT)**
  • Mixmaster (MXMS)*
  • Public Information Officer Complex (PIOC)*
  • Retardant Crewmember (RTCM)*
  • Strike Team Leader Crew (STCR)*
  • Strike Team Leader Engine (STEN)*
  • Strike Team Leader Heavy Equipment (STEQ)*
  • Task Force Leader (TFLD)**
  • Wildland Fire Investigator (INVF)** 

Projects begin October 2026. Sign up by July 10, 2026, at the link below and review the attached document for additional details. 

References:

NWCG SME Interest Sign-up

IPTM Subject Matter Expert Duties and Expectations Document

Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM)

RMC Safety Bulletin 26-001: Rhabdomyolysis in Wildland Firefighters

Date:  May 28, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Risk Management Committee

The Risk Management Committee (RMC) has issued Safety Bulletin 26-001: Rhabdomyolysis in Wildland Firefighters. Research from 2016 to 2025 shows that 88 cases of rhabdomyolysis (rhabdo) were reported. Analysis of reports from eSafety, the Safety Management Information System (SMIS), and the Wildland Fire Lessons Learned Center (LLC) indicates that rhabdo is common during this time of year due to Work Capacity Tests and contributing factors such as weather, hydration, nutrition, and medication or supplement use.

RMC issued this safety bulletin to raise awareness in the Wildland Fire Community, and to provide research findings and educational resources that support reducing future cases of rhabdo.

References:

NWCG Alerts

RMC Safety Bulletin 26-001: Rhabdomyolysis in Wildland Firefighters