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After Deployment

What You Can Expect

After a fire shelter deployment, a learning review is conducted. The US Forest Service utilizes the Facilitated Learning Analysis (FLA) or the Coordinated Response Protocol (CRP) while the Department of Interior uses the Serious Accident Investigation (SAI). Many times, the teams are comprised of specialists from multiple agencies. Review teams are often quickly mobilized following a deployment. The teams consist of agency personnel trained to conduct interviews and gather information to tell your story so other firefighters can learn from your experience. The team will be interested in the events leading up to the deployment, your assigned tasks, and how you experienced the event. As part of the review team, equipment specialists will inquire about the performance of your equipment, specifically the performance of your fire shelter. Questions focus on how the shelter performed, if there were any difficulties during the deployment, and the conditions inside the shelter during the burnover. If you deploy your shelter and safety allows, leave your shelter in the spot you deployed. Place a rock or something heavy on your shelter to keep it from blowing away or into the surrounding brush or trees. If you cannot safely leave your shelter in place, mark the location as best you can. By marking the location where you deployed your shelter, you will help the review team better assess the deployment site and conditions during the burnover.

Why Are Deployed Fire Shelters Reviewed?

Two recent fire shelter advancements that came from shelter deployment reviews:

 

Valuable information can be gathered from inspecting your fire shelter and the location where it was deployed. Equipment Specialists from the National Technology and Development Program (NTDP) can evaluate the deployment site and the fire shelter to gather information about what type of heat and how much of it a shelter was exposed to. The inspection helps NTDP equipment specialists evaluate the effectiveness of the fire shelter, the shelter components (PVC bag, tear strip, carry case, etc.), and the fire shelter training. Many fire shelter advancements have come from shelter deployment reviews.

For additional information on Learning Reviews, go to Chapter 18 of the Interagency Standards for Fire and Aviation Operations (the Redbook).

The Mental Toll

“I went home and for two weeks every night I'd wake up in the middle of the night, cold sweats, nightmares, what could I have done differently? How could this have been avoided? What was going on? I put that down in writing and it helped me kinda work through that.”

Experiencing a burnover can have serious and long-lasting effects on a person’s mental health. The emotional strain can linger for months to years. Firefighters may experience triggering events on the fireline or feel they are being judged or scrutinized following a deployment. If you or someone you know has gone through a deployment, a close call, or are having mental health struggles for any reason, there are options available. You can access your agency’s employee assistance programs, utilize your support network, or reach out to someone who has experienced something similar.

Back to Duty

After going through a shelter deployment some firefighters have decided to go right back to work and others have taken some time away. Others never returned. The decision to return to the fireline is your decision, do what is right for you.

“People off the team called. Folks that I figured doubted my capabilities for what had occurred, called me just to check on me, to reassure me, to let me know it was all right, and that was very powerful.”

If you choose to return, you may experience hesitation, increased caution on the fireline, apprehension to engage the fire, even self-doubt about your abilities. There is nothing wrong with these reactions. Don’t expect to jump right back into things on your next fire like nothing ever happened. The shelter deployment you have been through may very well impact you for a while. Some firefighter have found it helps to use their deployment experience as an opportunity to educate others, and help other firefighters understand that it can happen to them.

Resources Available

 

Mental Health Professionals (MHP) are available through your agency’s employee assistance programs. They are free to use and available 24/7 to permanent and temporary employees.

Find out what benefits your agency’s program offers, some services extend to your immediate family.

“There is no guarantee when you go into the shelter that you will come out alive.”

Don’t struggle in silence, reach out for help and take advantage of your support network. Whether it is utilizing your agency’s employee assistance program, talking to family or friends, or reaching out to someone who has experienced something similar, these resources can help you navigate complex feelings and improve your mental health.

“I thought about my wife and kids and knew with some certainty that I was dead.”

Be proactive. Don’t keep avoiding what your mind and body are telling you, address them. Mental health challenges are something many firefighters experience and is nothing to be ashamed of. Getting the assistance you need will enhance your life, your relationships, and your resilience.

Once guy called, he said, “I wasn't gonna call cause I don't know what to say, so I decided to call and say I don't know what to say.” And that was enough, ya know, just the call, and it made a difference.

If one of your friends and/or coworkers has experienced or witnessed a traumatic event, watch for signs of mental health struggles. Make yourself available, help when and where you can, and be present. If you have concerns for their safety, do not leave them alone and seek guidance to get them the help they need.

Remember, it is OK to not be OK, especially after experiencing, or witnessing a traumatic event. Reach out for help and be proactive because your mental health is just as important as your physical health.

“Got home around 11 o'clock in the morning. I didn't sleep that day. I didn't sleep that night. I didn't sleep the next day. It took some time. It takes some time to get over - just the shock and then keep going.”

 

 

 

NWCG Latest Announcements

The Incident Position Standards and Next Generation Position Task Book are now available for Equipment Time Recorder (EQTR)

Date: November 13, 2024
Contact: Incident Business Committee

NWCG is excited to announce that the NWCG Incident Position Standards for Equipment Time Recorder, PMS 350-51 and NWCG Position Task Book for Equipment Time Recorder (EQTR), PMS 311-51 are now available.

The Performance Support Package, which for EQTR, includes the Incident Position Standards and Next Generation Position Task Book were developed through the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) effort. The Performance Support Package will support trainees, those qualified in the position, and evaluators.

References:

NWCG Equipment Time Recorder Position Page

NWCG Incident Position Standards for Equipment Time Recorder, PMS 350-51

NWCG Position Task Book for Equipment Time Recorder (EQTR), PMS 311-51

The Incident Position Standards and Next Generation Position Task Book are now available for Personnel Time Recorder (PTRC)

Date: November 13, 2024
Contact: Incident Business Committee

NWCG is excited to announce that the NWCG Incident Position Standards for Personnel Time Recorder, PMS 350-53 and NWCG Position Task Book for Personnel Time Recorder (PTRC), PMS 311-53 are now available.

The Performance Support Package, which for PTRC, includes the Incident Position Standards and Next Generation Position Task Book were developed through the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) effort. The Performance Support Package will support trainees, those qualified in the position, and evaluators.

References:

NWCG Personnel Time Recorder Position Page

NWCG Incident Position Standards for Personnel Time Recorder, PMS 350-53

NWCG Position Task Book for Personnel Time Recorder (PTRC), PMS 311-53

NWCG Risk Management Committee Releases Safety Bulletin: 24-001 Use of Respirators on Wildland Fires

Date: November 7, 2024
Contact: Risk Management Committee

The Risk Management Committee (RMC) has released Safety Bulletin: 24-001 Use of Respirators on Wildland Fires. As wildland fire respirators are available through several established vendors, wildland fire personnel need to understand regulations and limitations of respirator use in the workplace.

Safety Bulletin 24-001 outlines the following topics regarding respirator use for wildland fires:

  • Requirements for Respirator Use
  • Voluntary Respirator Use
  • Current Respirator Options
  • Unknown Risks of Respirator Use

This bulletin also provides mitigation recommendations to help reduce smoke exposure for wildland firefighting efforts.

References:

NWCG Safety Bulletin: 24-001 Use of Respirators on Wildland Fires

NWCG Smoke Management Guide for Prescribed Fire, PMS 420-3

VIDEO: Protecting Wildfire Personnel from Smoke - How Incident Management Teams Address Smokes Risks

VIDEO: Smoke, Knowing the Risks

The Incident Position Standards and Next Generation Position Task Book are now available for Medical Unit Leader (MEDL)

Date: October 16, 2024
Contact: Incident Medical Subcommittee

NWCG is excited to announce that the NWCG Incident Position Standards for Medical Unit Leader, PMS 350-39 and NWCG Position Task Book for Medical Unit Leader (MEDL), PMS 311-39 are now available.

The Performance Support Package, which for MEDL includes the Incident Position Standards and Next Generation Position Task Book, were developed through the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) effort. The Performance Support Package will support trainees, those qualified in the position, and evaluators.

References:

NWCG Medical Unit Leader Position Page

NWCG Incident Position Standards for Medical Unit Leader, PMS 350-39

NWCG Position Task Book for Medical Unit Leader (MEDL), PMS 311-39