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Week of Remembrance

2018 WOR Day 3: Getting the Right Information to Dispatch

Ribbon symbol for survivor next to the Wildland Fire Leadership logoWeek of Remembrance June 30-July 6

This Week of Remembrance is dedicated to all those who have fallen in the line of duty and is intended to serve as an opportunity to renew our commitment to the health, wellness and safety of wildland firefighters.

From the 9-line to the Pink Sticker to the Medical Incident Report, it is all about getting the right information to dispatch. The following are some helpful hints from wildland fire dispatchers:

Fireline personnel:

“We honor and remember through learning”

Brit Rosso
Director, LLC

Location information. Most cellular phones have the ability to plot GPS locations. Give the dispatcher your lat/long from your cell phone. Dispatch can convert the coordinates into useable format for air or ground resources.

Be clear and concise in giving initial information… remember that you are painting a picture of your scene for all those listening.

Follow the Medical Incident Report. Take as many radio “breaks” as needed while giving information.

Be prepared to answer additional questions from the Dispatcher or repeat information that may have been previously given. Know there is a process and try not to get frustrated with the amount of information needed.

Request status checks from the dispatcher if you think that may be necessary. You can set any length of time and do a short check in of status at that time with each other.

Don’t be afraid to ask for estimated arrival times of responding units.

Remain calm and in control, knowing help is on the way and coming as quickly as possible.

Dispatchers:

  • Be prepared before you need to use the information/form etc.  Have all guides/contacts and flow charts updated annually and practice with dispatchers pre-season.
  • Get help if needed from the Center Manager/Floor supervisor for instance to make phone calls and get the process started on the right track.
  • Don't forget to have a backup plan (or a couple) in place (ground ambulance, pack out etc.)
  • Be flexible. Things may change a lot as the incident progresses. Be patient.  Also, be prepared for the request to be handled differently in different areas/counties/states.
  • Include the new Medical Incident Report form - dispatcher's need to familiarize themselves with it and replace old forms with this one.
  • Recommend reviewing the Gregg Creek incident  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TnbVUWcvz-Q&feature=youtu.be

Action: Use the Medical Incident Report in your IRPG (pg 118-119) to practice calling in a medical emergency.

 

The topics, review, and resources for the NWCG “Wildland Firefighter Week of Remembrance” have been contributed by the Wildland Fire Lessons Learned Center, the Wildland Fire Leadership Subcommittee, the Interagency Helicopter Operations Subcommittee, interagency dispatchers, and many other field SMEs.

 

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Week of Remembrance


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Updated NWCG Standards for Course Delivery, PMS 901-1 and NWCG Training Course Completion Certificate, PMS 921-1

Date: July 17, 2024
Contact: Training Delivery Committee 

The Training Delivery Committee (TDC) has updated the NWCG Standards for Course Delivery, PMS 901-1 to reflect changes in the standards for course management and delivery. These changes have been reviewed and approved by the members of TDC over the past year. Significant updates include additional delivery methods, updated definitions, and instructions for the use of digital signatures on training certificates. The NWCG Training Course Completion Certificate, PMS 921-1 has been updated to lock after an electronic signature has been applied.

References:

NWCG Standards for Course Delivery, PMS 901-1

NWCG Training Course Completion Certificate, PMS 921-1

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Contact: Incident Business Committee 

The NWCG Incident Business Committee (IBC) has recently released two memorandums. The first provides direction on the use of the Emergency Equipment Shift Ticket, OF 297 for the 2024 fire season. Due to delays in hard copy printing, both the 2024 revision and the older version of the Emergency Equipment Shift Ticket, OF 297 are acceptable for use during the 2024 fire season.

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References:

IBC Memorandum 24-01: OF 297 Signature Order and 2024 Fire Season Use

IBC Memorandum 24-02: Summary of Changes for the NWCG Standards of Interagency Incident Business Management, PMS 902

IBC Memorandum 24-02 Attachment: Summary of Changes

NWCG Standards for Rapid Extraction Module Support, PMS 552

Date: July 10, 2024
Contact: Incident Medical Unit Subcommittee 

A new publication from the Incident Medical Unit Subcommittee is now available. The NWCG Standards for Rapid Extraction Module Support, PMS 552 will be used as a guide and as an opportunity to begin to build out Rapid Extraction Module Support (REMS) modules for the remainder of Fire Year 2024. These standards will be fully implemented as the minimum standard starting in January 2025.

NWCG Standards for Rapid Extraction Module Support outlines the roles, duties, qualifications, and equipment pertinent to REMS. A REMS team, strategically stationed at wildland fires, plays a pivotal role in prioritizing swift access and medical treatment to injured or ill firefighters for safe and efficient egress off the fireline. This ensures their rapid transport to definitive medical care in cases of emergency during firefighting operations, highlighting the invaluable contribution of the REMS team to firefighter safety and well-being.

References:

NWCG Standards for Rapid Extraction Module Support, PMS 552

National Wildland Firefighter Day

Date: July 2, 2024
Contact: National Interagency Fire Center 

The National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) would like to recognize July 2, 2024, as National Wildland Firefighter Day (NWFFD). Established in 2022, NWFFD honors the dedication of wildland firefighters and support personnel. This day falls within the 2024 Week of Remembrance (June 30 - July 6), providing an opportunity to renew our commitment to wildland firefighter safety while remembering those who have fallen in the line of duty.

NWCG continues to provide leadership to enable interoperable wildland fire operations among federal, state, local, Tribal, and territorial partners. NWCG standards and training establish common practices to contribute to safe, effective, and coordinated national interagency wildland fire operations.

References:

NWCG.gov

Week of Remembrance

National Wildland Firefighter Day