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RT-130, Wildland Fire Safety Training Annual Refresher (WFSTAR)

RT-130 Decorative banner. Group of photos depicting wildland firefighters performing various duties.

Short-haul Capabilities and Limitations

Understanding the capabilities and limitations of Short-haul operations will help you utilize a Short-haul resource effectively. Whether you’re a Duty Officer responsible for deciding what type of resource to send to a new incident in a remote area, or you are a first-year crewmember awaiting your first fire assignment, this module will help you make informed decisions in the field by providing insight into Short-haul operations relevant to all wildland firefighters.
Category: Aviation
Core Component(s):
Fire and Aviation Operational Safety, Human Factors, Communication and Decision Making
Estimated Delivery Time: 45 minutes
Video Length: 12:41

Intent

Understanding the capabilities and limitations of short-haul operations will help you utilize a short-haul resource effectively. Whether you’re a Duty Officer responsible for deciding what type of resource to send to a new incident in a remote area, or you are a first-year crewmember awaiting your first fire assignment, this module will help you make informed decisions in the field by providing insight into short-haul operations relevant to all wildland firefighters.

Facilitator Preparation

  • Review the video and module tools prior to presenting.
  • Review Planning for Medical Emergencies in the IRPG and rehearse procedures unique to your module such as medical equipment, capabilities, and limitations.
  • Print or display the module tools for students to reference during the activity and discussion.
  • Design a medical scenario in a remote area you’re familiar with (consider Duvall Creek RLS for ideas).
  • Utilize applications such as Google Earth and/or navigation applications such as Gaia or Avenza to present visual references.
  • Research the response time for a ground ambulance to your scenario area.
  • Identify a potential road or heli-spot where a ground medivac, or short-haul medivac can rendezvous with definitive care for patient hand-off.
  • Review the necessary touch-down pad specifications for type 3 helicopters.

Facilitating the Discussion

  • Show the video.
  • Facilitate a discussion to include the medical scenario in a remote area.
    • How does your module plan for a medical incident prior to engaging in daily operations?
    • What kinds of tools and medical equipment is your module equipped with to respond to a medical incident?
    • If you’re the Incident Commander of the medical incident, what factors are you considering when developing your medevac plan?
    • Based on your assessment, what will you order to assist with the mission?
  • Have the group come up with a medivac plan based on the scenario.
    • How will the patient be transported to definitive care and where will the transfer of care take place?
    • What are your contingency plans?

Questions / Scenario / Directions

  • If you are performing a role as a Taskforce Leader, Division Group Supervisor, or an Operations Section Chief on an extended attack incident, how would you utilize a short-haul capable platform assigned to the incident for fire support missions? If you’re in fire management, and performing a Duty Officer role, what missions would you consider utilizing a short-haul resource for versus employing other aerial delivered resources such as smokejumpers or heli-rappellers?
  • What factors are you considering and why? What are approximate site specifications of a short-haul site? How does a short-haul site compare to a helispot or a sling site?
  • As a wildland firefighter, why is understanding the capabilities and limitations of short-haul operations important to you?

Resources

Additional Video Information

The video is also available as a download (zip file, size 1.72 GB) with .srt file for closed captioning (you may need to right click and Save As). For information on how to add closed captioning to a video, see this how to page.

Note: For Chrome, Firefox, and Edge, right click the word download and select Save Link As; for IE, right click and select Save Target As.

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NWCG Latest Announcements

2024 Wildland Fire Emergency Medical Service Awards

Date: May 22, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
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
Questions?  Please contact:
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

Updated NWCG Guide for Wildland Fire Modules, PMS 431

Date: May 14, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Fire Use Subcommittee

The updated NWCG Guide for Wildland Fire Modules, PMS 431 serves as a supplemental resource for wildland fire module operations, providing information frequently used in the field.

PMS 431 defines the organizational structure, staffing, and qualifications for Type 1 and Type 2 Wildland Fire Modules, outlining their roles in wildland fire suppression, prescribed fire, and resource management. The NWCG Guide for Wildland Fire Modules, PMS 431, should be used in conjunction with the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Module Operations, PMS 430.

References:

NWCG Guide for Wildland Fire Modules, PMS 431

NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Module Operations, PMS 430

Updated NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Resource Typing, PMS 200 Now Includes Off-Highway Vehicle Typing Standards

Date: May 13, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Mobile Fire Equipment Subcommittee 

The NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Resource Typing, PMS 200 has been updated to include newly developed Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) typing standards. These standards organize OHV information into logical categories and outline key safety requirements for occupants.

NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Resource Typing, PMS 200 establishes minimum typing standards for aircraft, crews, and equipment used in national mobilization to wildland fire incidents. Typing designations are assigned based on measurable capability and performance criteria.

References:

NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Resource Typing, PMS 200