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2024 WOR: Human Factors – Honoring Through Learning

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Human Factors: Honoring Through Learning

Week of Remembrance 2024 has been spent in reflection of the 2018 Mendocino Complex. Today, on the 30th anniversary of the South Canyon Fire, we also remember the Fallen 14 who lost their lives on Storm King Mountain in 1994. After such devastating events it is natural to ask questions. Among the most difficult and essential questions we can ask are:

How do we honor these days and the people involved through learning? How can we better equip ourselves to recognize and navigate within similar events when they repeat?

The Mendocino Entrapment Facilitated Learning Analysis closing remarks observe that adaptability and planning led firefighters to make life-saving decisions in the face of extreme fire behavior and incredible urgency. Likewise, each fire season firefighters effectively maneuver through countless uncertain and high-risk situations. The same human factors we associate with an unintended or undesirable outcome in one instance, may also be our greatest asset in another situation. That is to say, the human factor is present in everything we do – independent of the outcome. To be honest students of fire, we, the fire community, must also be students of our own thinking. Through reflection, curiosity, humble inquiry and open dialogue, our greatest asset can flourish.

Physical fitness and technical knowledge of tactics or protocol are often the focus of fire training. Yet in our high-risk work, there is room to improve situational awareness of our own reasoning – call it our mental fitness. 

Many environmental factors are out of our control: falling rocks, weather, terrain, other drivers, the luck of timing, etc. But we have massive influence over the human factor. We can adjust our mindset to closer meet the complexity of our environment. We can invest in the work of mental fitness. And we can deeply honor the tragedies of the past by making the commitment to build awareness and understanding of the way we think. Explore these questions with your team:
 

Discussion Questions:

  • Beliefs – How do you respond when someone voices a value or belief contrary to your own? What role does curiosity play in maintaining a willingness to challenge your own beliefs or better understand someone else’s? 
  • Communication – How can we include quieter voices in all conversations? How do you know when you need to speak up?
  • Perspective – How do you systematically check for blind spots in your thinking? How do we keep our ears and minds open to new ideas?
  • Planning – How can reflection improve future planning? How could your planning become more robust if you were to pause and consider the above questions about beliefs, communication, and perspective before taking action?
  • Training – What would it look like to dedicate more time and effort to our mental fitness? Take a moment with your team and brainstorm some ideas for daily mental fitness “PT” (e.g., tactical decision games, sand tables, incident reviews, etc.).
     

References:

 

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NWCG Latest Announcements

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

2024 Wildland Fire Emergency Medical Service Awards

Date: May 22, 2025
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Emergency Medical Committee

The NWCG Emergency Medical Committee (EMC) is proud to announce the recipients of the 2024 Wildland Fire Emergency Medical Service Awards. Each year, EMC recognizes individuals and groups who have demonstrated exceptional actions or accomplishments that go above and beyond their normal mission or job duties.

Congratulations to all the awardees and nominees. Through leadership and initiative, they have made significant contributions to the safety and well-being of the wildland fire community. These honors are well deserved.

References:

2024 Wildland Fire EMS Awards

NWCG Emergency Medical Committee

NWCG Welcomes the Incident Management Teams Association as an Associate Member

Date: May 21, 2025
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https://www.nwcg.gov/contact-us

The NWCG Executive Board is honored to announce that the Incident Management Teams Association (IMTA) has joined the National Wildfire Coordinating Group as an associate member.

IMTA is a dedicated group of incident management professionals committed to enhancing the profession by promoting standards and fostering collaboration across federal, state, local, Tribal, and private sector partners throughout all phases of incident management.

“Joining NWCG aligns with our mission to elevate incident management professionals nationwide,” said Dr. Randal Collins, President of IMTA. “This is a proud moment for all of us committed to advancing public safety.”

References:

Incident Management Teams Association

National Wildfire Coordinating Group