What I learned from two weeks at the Great Basin Cache By Erik Apland, Field Operations Specialist (Acting), Wildland Fire Lessons Learned Center I recently mobilized to a 14-day assignment that was completely outside of my previous experience—working for the Great Basin Support Cache in Boise, Idaho. The Great Basin Cache (GBK is its identifier) … Continue reading Where Does Your Incident Repeater Come From?
Equipment
Who Studies Fire Shelters? This Guy
This is an interview with Tony Petrilli, who has served on more than 35 fire entrapment safety review/investigation team assignments.
Rethinking When, Where, and Why We Carry Fire Shelters
While I am not an advocate for eliminating the use of fire shelters, when we understand and train for their proper application and importance, we will be able to move beyond our reliance on shelters when their presence is either unnecessary or dangerous.
Tighten Your Chaps & Talk About Rocks
Lessons from 2020 incidents about chainsaw cuts and heavy equipment rollovers.
Blowing Up Hazards
“This use of blasting as an available tool proved critical to meeting incident objectives and successfully reduced risk exposure to firefighters.”
2020 Mid-Year Analysis
Here are some numbers and a few lessons from incidents that occurred during the first half of 2020 (January - June).
The Coronavirus Pandemic and Fuel Geysering
Be Aware: Gasoline being used during the warming months—May, June, July—may be more susceptible to geysering than in previous years.
Rocking a Different Helmet
This wildland firefighter got smashed head first into a boulder. He is certain his unique helmet saved his life.
Improvements and Updates on Our Medical Kits
This article is about options for improving wildland fire medical kits.
He’s Spreading the Word on ‘Stop the Bleed’
This article includes insights and information for wildland firefighters related to preparing to manage a major bleed on the fireline.