[This article is featured in the Spring 2020 Issue of Two More Chains.] By Bre Orcasitas The Era Before COVID-19 If you stop and think about it, normal annual preparation and implementation of wildland fire resources is akin to a well-rehearsed orchestra whose members all know their part and come in on cue. An orchestra … Continue reading Throwing Us a Monkey Wrench of Historic Proportions
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.
The Northern Rockies Training Center’s Tree Hazard Identification Simulation
Tree Hazard Identification Simulation: It is a tool that may allow you to retain some “slides”, increase your margin, or just flat out practice in an environment that is “safe to fail”.
A Conversation with Annie Schmidt of the Fire Adapted Communities Learning Network
In February, Annie Schmidt, Program Specialist with the Fire Adapted Communities Learning Network (FAC Net), featured a conversation she had with Travis Dotson, Analyst with the Wildland Fire Lessons Learned Center (LCC), on FAC Net’s blog. A few days later, we shared that conversation on this LLC blog site: https://wildfirelessons.wordpress.com/2020/02/18/understanding-complexity-and-risk-in-the-wildland-fire-environment-an-interview-with-travis-dotson. In her conversation with Travis, … Continue reading A Conversation with Annie Schmidt of the Fire Adapted Communities Learning Network
Revisiting the Strep Throat Outbreak on the Frye Fire
This article revisits a Strep Throat Outbreak on the Frye Fire in 2017. Some of the lessons might help us imagine what we may soon face.
Are You a Practicing EMT? Maybe Not
This article is about Wildland Fire EMTs. When you inquire “Are you an EMT?” do you really know what you’re asking for?
Thinking Outside the Stratosphere
On any given day we have contingency plans for our contingency plans and this current pandemic although unprecedented in scale, is exactly the sort of thing that our community has the capacity to navigate. The trick is recognizing and accepting that we cannot continue moving forward as if all things are normal, things are most certainly not normal. The term “think outside the box” might need to be expanded to “think outside the stratosphere.”
Moving the Needle
[This is the "Ground Truths" column from the Winter 2020 Issue of Two More Chains.] Moving the Needle By Travis Dotson When I introduce myself at meetings or training, I often say: “I’m just like everyone else here. My career path was Ops, Ops, Ops, Desk.” A few folks chuckle, others frown. Some of us … Continue reading Moving the Needle
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.