[This is the "Ground Truths" from the Spring 2020 Issue of Two More Chains.] Hot Water By Travis Dotson Recently, I was prompted to ask myself “Who do I want to be during this pandemic?” I immediately recalled one of many staff ride integrations I have been so fortunate to experience. (If you have yet … Continue reading Hot Water
Staff Ride
Honor The Fallen
By Travis Dotson How exactly do we Honor the Fallen? It's a tough question because it has a thousand right answers. One of the most important ways to honor is to learn. We are always in danger of squandering the bitter opportunity that tragedy affords us. This video is a glimpse of what so many of … Continue reading Honor The Fallen
Engrained into My Thoughts and Actions
Redding IHC Crewmember – 2016 The South Canyon Staff Ride was without a doubt one of the most influential experiences of my wildland fire career. It is one thing to sit in a classroom and learn about a tragedy fire from PowerPoints and write-ups. However, talking to the individuals involved, putting yourself in their shoes, … Continue reading Engrained into My Thoughts and Actions
Finest Learning Experience of My Life
Redding IHC Crewmember – 2016 There are a number of aspects I consider key in becoming a proficient, knowledgeable, and accomplished wildland firefighter. Some help with professionalism or presentation, others focus on safety or cohesion. The list is as long as it is diverse. Some of the more beneficial skills are those that directly relate … Continue reading Finest Learning Experience of My Life
Should Be Mandatory
Redding IHC Crewmember - 2015 The South Canyon Staff Ride, as well as any other staff ride, is a tool every firefighter can benefit from. I feel it’s a valuable experience that should be mandatory. What you get out of a staff ride is so much more than what you get from any book, case … Continue reading Should Be Mandatory
The Beating Heart Within Us
Redding IHC Crewmember – 2016 Being a Redding Hotshot is an incredible training opportunity. That is the priority reason that I endeavored to become one. I am now into July of the 2016 fire season. I have performed training now as a firing boss (t) and as a crew boss (t). I have received a … Continue reading The Beating Heart Within Us
This Has Been Me Before
Redding IHC Crewmember - 2013 Participating in the Redding IHC South Canyon Staff Ride was a definitive moment of my career both in fire and with the U.S. Forest Service. In spite of all that has changed after the South Canyon Fire and over the past two decades, firefighter fatalities continue to occur every year. … Continue reading This Has Been Me Before
An Overwhelming Emotional and Sobering Experience
Redding IHC Crewmember - 2015 Participating in the 2015 South Canyon Staff Ride was a truly rewarding opportunity and one that I am grateful to have been given. The lessons that I learned will carry further into my life, both professionally and personally. This staff ride really was unique in that the SMEs were people … Continue reading An Overwhelming Emotional and Sobering Experience
I Made a Key Flaw
Redding IHC Crewmember – 2017 In May I was honored to be allowed to go and participate in the staff ride with the Redding IHC for the South Canyon incident. After reading the books and all of the incident reports over numerous years I thought I would have an extensive grasp on the events and … Continue reading I Made a Key Flaw
Be the One
Redding IHC Crewmember – 2016 The South Canyon Staff Ride is one of the most valuable experiences of the Redding IHC program. This staff ride provides a powerful and meaningful way to learn from the tragedy of Storm King Mountain. Another advantage of this event is the diversity of participants, ranging from first year forestry … Continue reading Be the One