Skip to main content

6MFS

6MFS Committee

6MFS Calendar

Topics Categories

All 6MFS Topics

Aviation

Airtankers

Felling Safety

Fire Communication

Firefighter Health and First Aid

Leadership

Miscellaneous Fireline Hazards

Operational Engagement

This Day in History

Vehicles - Roads

Weather - Fire Behavior

Week of Remembrance

Search All 6MFS Topics by Keyword

Medical Incident Report

 

The Medical Incident Report (MIR) can be found in the following documents: in the NWCG Incident Response Pocket Guide (IRPG), PMS 461, under Emergency Medical Care (pink); in the Medical Plan ICS-206 WF; and in many Incident Action Plans (IAPs). The MIR evolved from and has replaced the 9 Line Form and Pink sticker.

The MIR is not always tasked to the Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) or Paramedic in Patient Care. The intent of the form is to:

  1. establish control of the incident, whether routine or life-threatening, by initiating a new Incident Command System,
  2. standardize a systematic process for reporting medical incidents/injuries, similar to a fire size-up for initial attack, and
  3. enable any firefighter, with prior training and direction, to fill it out and transmit the information.
  • Treat it like any incident. If the incident is overwhelming, ask for a more qualified Incident Commander (IC) to assume command. Expand/contract the organization’s size depending on the needs of the incident.
  • Fill this report out completely prior to transmitting to dispatch/communications. If the incident is life threatening, do not let documentation delay patient care.
  • When transmitting the report, state the number and title of each section, and say “break” and pause between the sections (e.g., “Dispatch, Task Force Leader (TFLD) Jones. Standby for Priority Medical Incident Report. 1. All other radio traffic please hold, break” (pause/wait for response). “2. Incident Status: Nature of Illness is chest pain. Incident Name is Tank Medical. IC will be TFLD Jones. Patient Care will be Paramedic Smith. Break (pause again). 3. Initial Patient Assessment is…”).
  • When using the MIR during a Multi-Casualty Incident (MCI), state the number injured and their severity (Section 3: e.g., “3. Initial Patient Assessment, I have five patients. three Reds, one Yellow, and one Green. Mechanism of Injury is...”).
  • Use the terms Paramedic or EMT with the provider’s last name in “Patient Care.” Do not use EMT to describe a Paramedic or the ambiguous term Medic. All those roles need to be clearly identified to understand the level of care and treatment the patient(s) will receive.
  • Enact more than one transport plan and clear more than one frequency if needed for Sections 5 and 6.
  • Always be ready for the first plan to fail and be flexible enough to move into an alternate plan. Use the acronym PACE (Primary, Alternate, Contingency, and Emergency) for planning purposes.

Action Items:

  • Consider developing medical emergency tabletop scenarios as part of morning briefings or field scenarios on project work to be become familiar with the process. The more comfortable with the MIR you are, the more it will be second nature under stress.
  • Ensure dispatchers and radio operators are aware of their roles and responsibilities pertaining to the MIR.
  • Review your local unit emergency plans.

 

This topic was submitted by Assistant Fire Management Officer (AFMO) Miles Ellis and Asst. State Fire Management Officer (FMO) Paul Hohn with Wyoming Bureau of Land Management (BLM), and expanded upon by Eric Graff, of Grand Canyon Helitack.

References:

Category
Fire Communication

6MFS Suggestion Form


Have an idea or feedback?

Share it with the NWCG 6MFS Subcommittee
 


Follow NWCG on X and Facebook
 


 

Last Modified / Reviewed:

Print PDF

NWCG Latest Announcements

2025 Wildland Fire EMS Awards

Date:  June 12, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Emergency Medical Committee

The NWCG Emergency Medical Committee (EMC) announces the recipients of the 2025 Wildland Fire Emergency Medical Service (EMS) Awards. EMC annually recognizes individuals and groups who have demonstrated outstanding actions or accomplishments that are above and beyond the expectation of one’s normal mission or job duties.

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

References:

2025 Wildland Fire EMS Awards

Emergency Medical Committee

Incident Position Standards and the Next Generation Position Task Book Now Available for RAMP

Date:  June 12, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Airtanker Base Operations Unit

NWCG is excited to announce that Incident Position Standards and the Next Generation Position Task Book are now available for Ramp Manager (RAMP).

The Performance Support Package for this position was developed as part of the Incident Performance and Training Modernization effort. These resources support trainees, qualified personnel, and evaluators in their respective roles.

Any changes to qualification pathways will take effect with the next update of the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1, scheduled for release in January 2027.

References:

NWCG Ramp Manager Position Page

National Interagency Aviation Committee

Make an Impact: Serve the Wildland Fire Community as an IPTM SME!

Date:  June 11, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: NWCG SME Specialist

Note: Positions with an * will last approximately 6 months.
Positions with ** will last 12 - 18 months.

NWCG is seeking experienced wildland firefighters and support personnel to serve as Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) for the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) initiative. IPTM aims to transition NWCG’s training and qualification system to a performance-based model by updating position descriptions, Incident Position Standards, Next Generation Position Task Books (Next Gen PTBs), and training where needed.

NWCG is currently recruiting SMEs for the Fall 2026 positions listed below:

  • Equipment Manager (EQPM)*
  • Fixed Wing Parking Tender (FWPT)**
  • Mixmaster (MXMS)*
  • Public Information Officer Complex (PIOC)*
  • Retardant Crewmember (RTCM)*
  • Strike Team Leader Crew (STCR)*
  • Strike Team Leader Engine (STEN)*
  • Strike Team Leader Heavy Equipment (STEQ)*
  • Task Force Leader (TFLD)**
  • Wildland Fire Investigator (INVF)** 

Projects begin October 2026. Sign up by July 10, 2026, at the link below and review the attached document for additional details. 

References:

NWCG SME Interest Sign-up

IPTM Subject Matter Expert Duties and Expectations Document

Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM)

RMC Safety Bulletin 26-001: Rhabdomyolysis in Wildland Firefighters

Date:  May 28, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Risk Management Committee

The Risk Management Committee (RMC) has issued Safety Bulletin 26-001: Rhabdomyolysis in Wildland Firefighters. Research from 2016 to 2025 shows that 88 cases of rhabdomyolysis (rhabdo) were reported. Analysis of reports from eSafety, the Safety Management Information System (SMIS), and the Wildland Fire Lessons Learned Center (LLC) indicates that rhabdo is common during this time of year due to Work Capacity Tests and contributing factors such as weather, hydration, nutrition, and medication or supplement use.

RMC issued this safety bulletin to raise awareness in the Wildland Fire Community, and to provide research findings and educational resources that support reducing future cases of rhabdo.

References:

NWCG Alerts

RMC Safety Bulletin 26-001: Rhabdomyolysis in Wildland Firefighters