Here are some numbers and a few lessons from incidents that occurred during the first half of 2020 (January - June).
Fitness
The Ins and Outs of Hydration
Hydration specific to wildland firefighters.
Heat Stress: It’s Not Just about Drinking Water
Content Provided by National Technology and Development Program (NTDP) Heat Stress. Heat Cramps. Heat Exhaustion. Heatstroke... Heat-Related Injury (HRI). More than likely, you’ve heard these terms or possibly experienced symptoms yourself? At some point, we’ve all probably been on a hillside somewhere (listening to or) assisting with a medevac for a possible heat-related injury. If … Continue reading Heat Stress: It’s Not Just about Drinking Water
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.”
How One Grassroots Effort Aims to Improve Sleep for Wildland Firefighters
This article is about hotshots improving their sleep habits through the use of a real-time tactic to positively influence fatigue management.
The Student of Fire Era
[Over the next several weeks we will feature content related to "Growth in the Wildland Fire Service." The content published here will also be featured in the Spring 2019 Issue of Two More Chains.] By Paul Keller For four seasons, from 1986-1989, I was a member of the Zigzag Hotshot Crew, based on the Mount … Continue reading The Student of Fire Era
Most of Firefighting Sucks
You should go read this piece by Amanda Monthei. She knows what's up. This is an excerpt: "This night was pretty fun until it wasn’t, and then it straight up sucked. Not only did our line not hold—requiring three more days of work to contain it on the other side of the road—but many of … Continue reading Most of Firefighting Sucks
What is YOUR Job?
By Megan Martinez Can you work in fire and also take care of your non-work life and self? I started fighting fire for the federal government in 1998, when I was 19. I spent nine years as a temporary firefighter, and I’ve been permanent since 2010. For a long time there was nothing I wanted … Continue reading What is YOUR Job?
Suicide: Behavioral Health Advisory
The following is an advisory circulating in the wildland fire community. Fire and Aviation Management Behavioral Health Advisory Subject: Caring for our own: Suicide Prevention and Behavioral Health Distribution: Fire & Aviation personnel, Nationwide Discussion: Suicide rates are increasing in this country, and while we do not have specific numbers, tragically, suicide affects our … Continue reading Suicide: Behavioral Health Advisory
When You Have to Run
By Travis Dotson You should read this one. It's straight up scary. We've talked about this before, how normal ops can get sketchy in a second. Here it is. Real-deal run for your life type stuff. First fire of the season. First shift. Just scouting a road. Just serving as Lookout. Normal ops. Watch this: … Continue reading When You Have to Run