[This article originally appeared as the “One of Our Own” feature in the 2021 Spring Issue of Two More Chains.] --------------------------------------------- For this ten-year anniversary issue of Two More Chains, we thought it would be beneficial to get the perspective and insights from a wildland firefighter who’s been in the wildland fire service business for … Continue reading Insights on Resiliency and Innovation with Advice for New and Older Firefighters
7,305 Days Ago, I Learned How to Fight Fire
We had opportunities to make better decisions and we didn’t. How do we process and transfer these lessons? By Thomas R. Taylor Seven thousand three hundred and five days ago I learned how to fight fire. It occurred on one shift and it also took the lives of four young people, one who was a … Continue reading 7,305 Days Ago, I Learned How to Fight Fire
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?
Dirt Currency
[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
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?
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.