If we agree that our goal is to bring folks home unharmed, but we work in an inherently hazardous environment, what is the most effective messaging to ensure intent is understood and achievable?
Accidents
The Illusion of Control — Ready to tip some sacred cows?
We are not in control of the elements influencing fire, we are not in control of the other humans influencing our situation, and we are not even in control of our own perception of what the situation is. In spite of all this uncertainty, as we step into this dynamic and complex environment, we convince ourselves we are in control of our own safety.
2021 Incident Review Summary
This post is about the 2021 Incident Review Summary - all of the past year's wildland fire incidents summarized in 10 pages.
Protect Yourself
Nobody is expecting the bad thing when it actually happens and it often happens very quickly. This means you are only going to have what you have on when the surprise shows up.
2021 Year End Infographic
This simple 2 pager is just a few quickly compiled tallies and a handful of lessons.
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.
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
After the Dust Settles, What Have We Learned?
By Nick Bohnstedt, Field Operations Specialist (Acting), Wildland Fire Lessons Learned Center “All personnel should continually evaluate the need to use aircraft versus other transportation modes in the accomplishment of any mission. In this case, the AOBD and fire staff received information that the road to the repeater site was blocked by trees and was … Continue reading After the Dust Settles, What Have We Learned?