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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.

Emergency Medical Care Guidelines

Wildland firefighters perform dangerous work in remote locations. At a minimum, all are trained in basic first aid. Regardless of level of medical training, all firefighters must be equipped to respond to a medical emergency. Review Emergency Medical Care Guidelines and other useful references in the IRPG Emergency Medical Care pages to better prepare yourself for a potential medical incident.
Category: Medical
Core Component(s):
Fire and Aviation Operational Safety
Estimated Delivery Time: 30 minutes
Video Length: 11:54

Intent

Wildland firefighters perform dangerous work in remote locations. At a minimum, all are trained in basic first aid. Regardless of level of medical training, all firefighters must be equipped to respond to a medical emergency. Review the Emergency Medical Care Guidelines and other useful references in the Incident Response Pocket Guide (IRPG), PMS 461, in the Emergency Medical Care section (red) to better prepare yourself for a potential medical incident.

Facilitator Preparation

  • Review the video and module tools.
  • Reference the Incident Response Pocket Guide (IRPG), PMS 461. Provide copies of the IRPG for students to utilize and answer questions.
  • Consider additional activities and discussion questions pertinent to the location and agency.

Facilitating the Discussion

  • Share the intent of the module with the class.
  • Show the video.
  • Facilitate a small or large group discussion using discussion questions and the IRPG.

Discussion Questions

  1. Locate and review the Emergency Medical Care Guidelines in the IRPG. Identify one take-away message from each section (Legality, Blood-Borne Pathogens, Treatment Principles, and Medical Response Procedures).
  2. Locate and review additional IRPG references that may be applicable during a medical incident. Identify how the following resources in the Emergency Medical Care section may be used:
    1. Patient Assessment, Specific Treatments, CPR, and Medical Incident Report (MIR)
    2. Refer to 6 Minutes for Safety’s Serious Injuries Procedures to support discussion.
  3. How does your module deal with emergency medical situations? 
    1. Discuss how this plan may differ during project work, wildfire response, or physical training?
    2. What critical roles may be needed during an incident within an incident (medical incident commander, primary medical personnel, scribe, radio communicator, etc.)?
    3. What transport options are available in your area (i.e., agency vehicle, ground ambulance, agency ship, hoist ship, short-haul extraction, etc.)?
    4. Refer to related WFSTAR modules (Incident within an Incident, Preparing for Wildfire Medevac, and Short-Haul Medevac Exercise) to support discussion.
  4. Review how your module communicates using handheld and mobile radios. 
    1. What specific channels should be used during a medical incident (dispatch, ICP command, air-to-ground, etc.)?
    2. Reference the Medical Plan (ICS 206 WF) and discuss how to communicate critical medical information.
  5. What medical gear do you have on your module? 
    1. Where is it located? 
    2. How does your crew practice use of medical equipment throughout the fire season?
    3. How does your module ensure maintenance of medical equipment and medications (AED batteries, oxygen tanks, expiration dates for medications, etc.)?

Resources

Additional Video Information

  • This video is also available as a download (Size 1.3 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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Equipment Bulletin 25-002: Chaps, Chain Saw, M-2020, Nonconformities Affecting Use, Appearance, and Serviceability

Date: June 2, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
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.

References:

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ETC Equipment Bulletin: 25-002

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