People died fighting fire last year. Quite a few. Each one of them matter. Each one of them count. Whether those individual human lives are reflected in the final figure after the excruciating task of tallying up the "numbers" is done, the living are the one’s left to create meaning out of tragedy.
Refresher
Important Numbers From 2019
These are some numbers related to wildland fire accidents in 2019. How will you put these important numbers to use?
Do the Exercises
Each year the Wildland Fire Lessons Learned Center analyzes and summarizes reported incidents to create an Incident Review Summary. Each summary includes exercises to aid crew leaders and instructors with facilitation. (Pro-tip: Do the exercises.)
Fuel Geyser Awareness Project Updates
By Paul Keller There’s updated news on the “Fuel Geyser Project” front. The U.S. Forest Service National Technology and Development Program’s National Fuel Geyser Project’s ongoing efforts to minimize injury to employees from fuel geysering recently posted a range of insightful information on their activities. The “National Fuel Geyser Awareness” program is a function of … Continue reading Fuel Geyser Awareness Project Updates
How We Roll
Here is more from our forthcoming 2018 Incident Review Summary. By Travis Dotson In 2018 we collected 17 reported Rollover Incidents. Mostly Water Tenders and Dozers (5 each). The others were chase vehicles, an Engine, a UTV and an ATV. Almost all of the rollovers involved slipping off the road shoulder. We move big heavy … Continue reading How We Roll
Tree Trauma
By Travis Dotson "Hit by Tree" events are a difficult topic. We have had a series of tragedies in recent years. We’ve endured eight fatalities in the last four years. We’ve had one hotshot die in "Hit by Tree" incidents each summer for the past three years. Each instance is heartbreaking. These events are sometimes … Continue reading Tree Trauma
Chainsaws and Drip Torches
We are working on the 2018 Annual Incident Review Summary. As we compile the summary we’ve got some highlights to share with you. Read this. Do the Exercise. (Maybe include it in your Refresher Training.) Give us feedback. The final version of the 2018 Annual Incident Review Summary will be out soon! By Travis Dotson The … Continue reading Chainsaws and Drip Torches
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
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
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