By definition, you get one shot at a briefing. Preparation can ensure you nail it. By Peter M. Leschak You could smell rotting meat a quarter-mile away. When Hurricane Ivan’s tidal surge scoured the barrier island of Santa Rosa in September 2004, the damage was catastrophic. A small restaurant that catered to tourists at the … Continue reading The Art of the Briefing
Traumatic Transitions
[This article originally appeared in the fall 2018 issue of Two More Chains.] By Travis Dotson Brit Rosso is the Director of the Wildland Fire Lessons Learned Center—but not for long. Brit is retiring in January 2019, and not by choice. This winter Brit gets the old “golden boot”—the federal wildland fire mandatory retirement. This … Continue reading Traumatic Transitions
How Do We Take Care of Those Who Remain?
Ben wants to share all that he learned from this tragic experience with the wildland fire community—so that others might be better prepared for reacting and responding to critical incidents.
What We Are Learning About the Use of Unmanned Aircraft Systems on Wildfires
An Unmanned Aircraft System was used extensively at night for Plastic Sphere Dispenser (PSD) burning operations.
2020 NWCG Emergency Medical Service Award Recipients
Many of the lessons sent to the Wildland Fire Lessons Learned Center involve complex medical incidents that result in emergency medical treatment and/or medevac to higher levels of care. We would like to acknowledge the NWCG Emergency Medical Service Award Recipients for 2020. Thanks to the NWCG Emergency Medical Committee for recognizing these dedicated practitioners! … Continue reading 2020 NWCG Emergency Medical Service Award Recipients
Transitions, Demob, and Reassignment
As the seasons change, so does the job of a wildland firefighter. How do you manage transitions, reassignment, or demob?
Tree on Truck…Tac-Pause
The innovative application of the tactical pause recounted here is the 'mental health' tac-pause for the person who just experienced a seriously close call. The mental health version is just a bit of time, space, and support to assure we have our 'head back in the game'.
Stories: Why We Need Them and Why They are Never Over
[This article was originally featured in the 2021 Summer Issue of Two More Chains.] By Erik Apland, Field Operations Specialist (Acting), Wildland Fire Lessons Learned Center Mark Twain supposedly said: “History doesn’t repeat itself, but it often rhymes.” Whether he said this or not, it nevertheless seems absolutely true. I’ve been working on a special … Continue reading Stories: Why We Need Them and Why They are Never Over
He’d Rather You Call Him a ‘Learner’ Not a ‘Survivor’
[This article originally appeared as the “One of Our Own” feature in the 2021 Summer Issue of Two More Chains.] As you’re about to discover, Kip Gray has an important story—and insights and learning—to share with us. This man’s unique perspective helps enrich his stories, his learnings. In 1999, after working on engines on Oregon’s … Continue reading He’d Rather You Call Him a ‘Learner’ Not a ‘Survivor’
Reading, Reflecting, and Changing Behavior
https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-edbwu-10e02ec Kelly Woods talks with Erik Apland about his assignment to read all of the entrapment reports housed in the LLC Incident Review Database. Erik provides perspective on the evolution of reports spanning over a century. He highlights how old reports contain modern topics and he also provides some unique thoughts on PPE. In addition, … Continue reading Reading, Reflecting, and Changing Behavior