Skip to main content

2018 WOR: Air-based Medevac

Ribbon symbol for survivor next to the Wildland Fire Leadership logoWeek of Remembrance June 30-July 6

This Week of Remembrance is dedicated to all those who have fallen in the line of duty and is intended to serve as an opportunity to renew our commitment to the health, wellness and safety of wildland firefighters.
 

As we approach the 10 year anniversary of the Dutch Creek Incident and the loss of firefighter Andy Palmer, we are called to remember the lessons learned from that incident and how extraction by helicopter can play a role in emerging medical incidents.

For the 2018 fire season, there are currently nine National Park Service and five Forest Service Short-Haul Programs in active status. The common mission of each program is the safe and efficient extraction of an injured patient. Increased interagency support and cross training has proven to enhance the awareness of best practices and most importantly provide for the safest environment not just for the patient, but for the rescue crews as well.

Below we address considerations and resources on how methods of helicopter extraction may affect your decision-making process when confronted with an emergency incident, while in the field.

 

Considerations for Fireline personnel:

“We honor and remember through learning”

Brit Rosso
Director, LLC

  • Have you reviewed the Incident Medical Plan (ICS 206) with your crew this shift? (NWCG-ICS Forms)
  • Is everyone on your crew familiar and practiced with the 2018 Incident Response Pocket Guide and its updates?
    • Medical Incident Report and how to use it? (pg. 118-119)
    • Helicopter Extraction Operations (pg. 116-117)
  • Do all members of your crew know the location and distance to medical equipment and fireline medical personnel? Consider risk management including the distance, time and number of personnel needed to perform a ground based rescue VS. a Short-Haul/Hoist mission.
  • Never assume that a helicopter will be available. Always have a solid plan for a ground-based extrication.
  • Keep all medical resources headed to the incident/patient until the patient is in higher level of care/on the way to the hospital. From the Dutch Creek Investigation Report: “USCG told TSO, “We were stood down by SOF because they would be hiking FC1 to a landing zone and a Forest Service helicopter would land and pick FC1 up.” TSO reported to USCG they had just spoken with a medic on scene and FC1 was now “in and out of consciousness” and “has got blood loss.” USCG stated they would call SOF back. At 1446, USCG called COM trying to confirm the helicopter cancellation and subsequently SOF retracted cancellation of USCG helicopter.”
  • Does your crew know where to find out where the closest extraction resources are to them? NWCG: https://www.nwcg.gov/committee/hshu-ehe
  • Does the local unit have an agreement in place with a local air ambulance service? Are the frequencies communicated to fire personnel? What are the aircraft’s capabilities/limitations?
  • Remember to ask questions if you are unsure of Short-Haul/Hoist aircraft capabilities and always strive to lookout for yourself and those around you.

Resources:

 

The topics, review, and resources for the NWCG “Wildland Firefighter Week of Remembrance” have been contributed by the Wildland Fire Lessons Learned Center, the Wildland Fire Leadership Subcommittee, the Interagency Helicopter Operations Subcommittee, interagency dispatchers, and many other field SMEs.

Have an idea or feedback?

Share it with the NWCG 6MFS Subcommittee.


Follow NWCG on Twitter and Facebook

NWCG Latest Announcements

NWCG Equipment Technology Committee Releases Safety Warning: 24-001 Stihl Chainsaw Toolless Fuel Cap Spill Prevention

Date: November 14, 2024
Contact: Equipment Technology Committee

The Equipment Technology Committee (ETC) has released Safety Warning: 24-001 Stihl Chainsaw Toolless Fuel Cap Spill Prevention. Misaligned toolless fuel caps on Stihl chainsaws have led to recurring fuel spillage, fuel ignition, and burn injuries during wildland fire management operations.

This Safety Warning is intended to highlight the details and recommended procedures for the installation of a Stihl chainsaw toolless fuel cap, as well as how to identify and correct a misaligned, damaged, or broken fuel cap to help prevent fuel spillage.

References:

NWCG Safety Warning: 24-001 Stihl Chainsaw Toolless Fuel Cap Spill Prevention

Advertencia de equipos 24-001: Prevención de derrames de la tapa de combustible sin herramientas de la motosierra Stihl

NWCG Alerts

The Incident Position Standards and Next Generation Position Task Book are now available for Equipment Time Recorder (EQTR)

Date: November 13, 2024
Contact: Incident Business Committee

NWCG is excited to announce that the NWCG Incident Position Standards for Equipment Time Recorder, PMS 350-51 and NWCG Position Task Book for Equipment Time Recorder (EQTR), PMS 311-51 are now available.

The Performance Support Package, which for EQTR, 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 Equipment Time Recorder Position Page

NWCG Incident Position Standards for Equipment Time Recorder, PMS 350-51

NWCG Position Task Book for Equipment Time Recorder (EQTR), PMS 311-51

The Incident Position Standards and Next Generation Position Task Book are now available for Personnel Time Recorder (PTRC)

Date: November 13, 2024
Contact: Incident Business Committee

NWCG is excited to announce that the NWCG Incident Position Standards for Personnel Time Recorder, PMS 350-53 and NWCG Position Task Book for Personnel Time Recorder (PTRC), PMS 311-53 are now available.

The Performance Support Package, which for PTRC, 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 Personnel Time Recorder Position Page

NWCG Incident Position Standards for Personnel Time Recorder, PMS 350-53

NWCG Position Task Book for Personnel Time Recorder (PTRC), PMS 311-53

NWCG Risk Management Committee Releases Safety Bulletin: 24-001 Use of Respirators on Wildland Fires

Date: November 7, 2024
Contact: Risk Management Committee

The Risk Management Committee (RMC) has released Safety Bulletin: 24-001 Use of Respirators on Wildland Fires. As wildland fire respirators are available through several established vendors, wildland fire personnel need to understand regulations and limitations of respirator use in the workplace.

Safety Bulletin 24-001 outlines the following topics regarding respirator use for wildland fires:

  • Requirements for Respirator Use
  • Voluntary Respirator Use
  • Current Respirator Options
  • Unknown Risks of Respirator Use

This bulletin also provides mitigation recommendations to help reduce smoke exposure for wildland firefighting efforts.

References:

NWCG Safety Bulletin: 24-001 Use of Respirators on Wildland Fires

NWCG Smoke Management Guide for Prescribed Fire, PMS 420-3

VIDEO: Protecting Wildfire Personnel from Smoke - How Incident Management Teams Address Smokes Risks

VIDEO: Smoke, Knowing the Risks