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Burn Protocols

 

Burn injuries range from minor burns that can be taken care of with basic first aid on the fireline to life-threatening injuries that require complex treatment and surgical teams at regional burn centers. Due to recent changes in both technology and the American Burn Association referral guidelines, NWCG has updated their burn protocol recommendations which can be found on the NWCG website and in the current Interagency Standards for Fire & Fire Aviation Operations (Red Book). Firefighters should familiarize themselves with these new protocols.

A burn injury that is beyond basic first aid treatment should be sent to the nearest emergency department for evaluation. Any life-threatening issues such as airway, pain control, and fluid resuscitation can, and should, be treated at a local emergency department. Bypassing local emergency departments to go directly to regional burn centers can put the patient at risk, delay initial treatment, and result in unnecessary travel and risk to both the patient and others. Of note, if a local EMS/aeromedical resource responds and transports the patient, they will follow their destination protocols.

In the emergency department, a licensed independent provider will determine what care should be initiated. This may include any of the below:

  • Immediate transfer to a burn center after stabilization
  • Remote (tele) consultation with a burn center
  • Treatment and referral to local primary care or wound care

The NWCG burn protocol has a flow sheet that addresses the processes in the emergency department as well as a handout that can be provided to the physician to help guide treatment for our firefighters.

When a patient does not need emergent transfer to a burn center it is common for burns to continue to evolve and develop over the course of days to weeks. This means that treatment does not end after the initial emergency department visit. It is imperative to follow the directions from the emergency department and attend all follow-up appointments. All burn patients being discharged from an emergency department should receive/request a follow-up referral.

Discussion Items:

  • What does a minor burn that could be taken care of with first aid look like?
  • What would your crew do if they had a member sustain a large burn on the hand? Consider initial treatment by your crew.
  • When would you activate EMS/IWI? Which Emergency Room would they go to?

Resources:

 

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Firefighter Health & First Aid

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ETC Equipment Bulletin: 25-003 Flame-Resistant Shirt Survey

Date: June 12, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Equipment Technology Committee

The U.S. Forest Service National Technology and Development Program (NTDP) is seeking input on the Forest Service-designed flame-resistant (FR) shirt, currently available through the National Interagency Support Cache system and FedMall.

NTDP is conducting a product review to improve future FR shirt designs. As part of this effort, a short survey is now open for federal employees who have worn any of three recent FR shirt models. Feedback will guide design improvements to better meet the needs of wildland firefighters.

To comply with the Paperwork Reduction Act, responses are limited to federal employees. The survey is open through September 12, 2025. 

References:

NWCG Alerts

ETC Equipment Bulletin: 25-003

NEW! S-130, Firefighter Training (Blended) Now Available

Date: June 10, 2025
If you have questions, please visit our FAQ page. 
If your question is not answered there, you can 
submit your question using our Contact Us form. 
 

The S-130, Firefighter Training (Blended), equips new wildland firefighters with essential skills through a mix of online learning and hands-on training. The course features a required online component and an instructor-led exercise, reinforcing online concepts with practical performance-based training.

The course builds competencies in wildland fire operations, safety, and equipment use, applicable across various operational environments. Both the online component and instructor-led field exercise must be completed to receive a certificate of completion. Students are required to finish the prerequisite S-190, Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior, before enrolling in S-130, Firefighter Training (Blended).

References:

S-130, Firefighter Training (Blended)

S-190, Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior

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EMC Memo 25-001: Interim Rapid Extraction Module (REMS) Training and Qualification Requirements

Date: June 3, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Emergency Medical Committee

The Emergency Medical Committee has issued interim guidance for Rapid Extraction Module Support (REMS) teams. Until further notice, Type I and II REMS teams must designate a team leader qualified at Firefighter Type 1 Squad Boss (FFT1) or higher. This temporary change replaces the Single Resource Boss (SRB) requirement, which is currently not feasible due to administrative barriers.

This memorandum does not include any other changes to the NWCG Standards for Rapid Extraction Module Support, PMS 552. This interim change takes effect immediately and will remain in place until further notice.

References:

EMC Memo 25-001: Interim Rapid Extraction Module (REMS) Training and Qualification Requirements

NWCG Standards for Rapid Extraction Module Support, PMS 552

Equipment Bulletin 25-002: Chaps, Chain Saw, M-2020, Nonconformities Affecting Use, Appearance, and Serviceability

Date: June 2, 2025
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Equipment Technology Committee

The Equipment Technology Committee issued Equipment Bulletin: 25-002 to address a manufacturing nonconformity affecting Forest Service specification, 6170-4K Chain Saw Chaps. The issue applies to chaps manufactured in 2024 and 2025 and distributed through FedMall. These chaps may have incorrectly bound edges that expose inner protective layers.

Independent purchasers should inspect all chain saw chaps received from FedMall beginning in 2024, prior to use. Review the full Equipment Bulletin: 25-002 for inspection criteria and recommended actions.

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ETC Equipment Bulletin: 25-002