Finding a mentor, both on the job and in your life, is a great way to make your plan for a healthy work/life balance as you move through both life and career.
Health/Medical
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
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?
Heatstroke Lesson Sharing from the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests
[This blog post enlightens you to how we might best reflect and learn from the experience of others—avoiding the “Us and Them” pitfalls. It also shares vital information about concepts and practices that might be new to you—including “capacity sponges” and the “TACO” method for saving someone’s life. Pertinent topics here include “Three Dangerous Myths … Continue reading Heatstroke Lesson Sharing from the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests
To Vaccinate or Not to Vaccinate?
A Personal Decision on the Fireline - Are You Willing to Roll the Dice? By Dr. Jennifer Symonds Fire and Aviation Management Medical Officer U.S. Forest Service The decision on whether or not to get your COVID-19 vaccine is a personal one; we must all make our own choice. Clearly, we all have different motivators … Continue reading To Vaccinate or Not to Vaccinate?
Masks or No Masks?
Two firefighters wearing their masks during an assignment in 2020. By Dr. Jennifer Symonds Fire and Aviation Management Medical Officer U.S. Forest Service It’s 2021. You are vaccinated. Should you still wear a mask on assignments? How about those of you who have not been vaccinated. What are the rules on wearing masks for the … Continue reading Masks or No Masks?
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?
It’s Not Just You: Burnout and Stress in the Practitioner Community
Burnout sneaks up on a lot of us in the wildfire profession, whether we are digging line, holding hoses or fostering resilience actions with our conversations and our keyboards.
CAUTION – The Pack Test Involves Risk
These incidents remind us that this annual endeavor may in fact be a walk in the park -- but that does not mean it is free from danger.