[This is Travis Dotson's “Ground Truths” column that appeared in the 2021 Spring Issue of Two More Chains.] By Travis Dotson Have you recently been part of a who’s gonna get that job discussion? It amazes me how much we love this particular prattle. We spend many minutes gaming out the probable outcome of various … Continue reading Dirt Currency
Month: June 2021
COMMAND PRESENCE — Looking the Part and Playing the Part
By Peter M. Leschak Part 1 A decade ago I was dispatched as a Division Supervisor to a fire complex in Georgia. As I walked into a bustling ICP to check in, a deep male voice boomed over the hubbub: “Hey, y’all! There walks a Div Supt. I can spot ‘em a mile away.” He … Continue reading COMMAND PRESENCE — Looking the Part and Playing the Part
An Entrapment Survival Story: Before, During and After
https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-rb7n3-1066242 In a conversation with Travis Dotson, Chris Fry shares the powerful story of his entrapment and shelter deployment on the 2006 Mudd Fire. We learn several key details about what happened that day. Chris discusses the lessons he has gained during his healing process and how the post-deployment mental health aspects of his experience … Continue reading An Entrapment Survival Story: Before, During and After
What Does “Module as One” Mean in 2021?
Vaccines have been administered, infection rates are down, fire activity is picking up. Are we sticking with the practices that were established last year?
Siberian Smoke — the Power of Zooming Out
[This was the featured article in the 2021 Spring Issue of Two More Chains.] By Erik Apland, Field Operations Specialist (Acting), Wildland Fire Lessons Learned Center As the 2021 western fire season begins, have you had the chance zoom out and put 2020 into its full context? Have you been able to revisit what happened, … Continue reading Siberian Smoke — the Power of Zooming Out
AARs: Why Do We Do Them?
Photo by Kari Greer. [This article by the Wildland Fire Lessons Learned Center's (LLC) Analyst Travis Dotson was originally featured in the Fall 2013 issue of Two More Chains.] By Travis Dotson Have you ever been through an After Action Review that was a waste of time? Have you been to the AAR where you … Continue reading AARs: Why Do We Do Them?