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RT-130 (WFSTAR)

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Historical Modules (Archived)

 

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

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

Emergency Medical Short-Haul

An introduction to a new Forest Service Program Supporting Employees.
Category: Aviation
Core Component(s):
Local Topics, Incident Reviews and Lessons Learned
Estimated Delivery Time: 1 hour
Video Length: Video 1: 13:35; Video 2: 8:56

Part 1

Part 2

 

Intent

Review the use and procedures of Emergency Medical Short-Haul.

            Objective

            Describe how to medivac a patient using Emergency Medical Short-Haul.

            Develop and provide rationale for a medivac plan.

Facilitator Preparation

  • Review the module and videos
  • Write a unique set of Parameters (see list below) for each group.

Facilitating the Discussion

  • Watch the video
  • Facilitate a discussion using the activity and discussion questions.

Conduct Activity

  • Divide the class into small groups and distribute parameters to each group.
  • Advise participants that each group will:
    • Create a unique scenario using the provided parameters.
    • Develop a medivac response plan.
    • Provide a rationale for the plan.
    • *Note: Use your IRPGs. Other extraction techniques besides short-haul can be used depending on patient stability and the scenario.
  • Play the activity Medevac Exercise video
  • Have the groups present their proposed plans.

Activity Parameters

  • Nature of Injury/Illness
  • Location (on Google Earth map)
  • Medical resources on scene
  • Time of day
  • Fire behavior/stage
  • Weather

Resources

WFSTAR guides are currently being updated and will be added to each module page as they are completed.  In the interim, please use the following guide for this module.  This guide is not completely Section 508 compliant.  If you need an accessible version, please contact Mathew J. Schindel at mschindel@blm.gov

The Forest Service is standing up programs to increase the number of emergency medical short-haul capabilities

Additional Video Information

  • These videos are also available as a download (zip file, size 325MB) 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 and Firefox, right click the word download and select Save Link As; For IE, right click and select Save Target As.

Last Modified / Reviewed:

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NWCG Latest Announcements

NWCG Equipment Technology Committee Releases Safety Warning: 25-001 Non-specification fire shelters

Date: January 15, 2025
Contact: Equipment Technology Committee

The Equipment Technology Committee (ETC) has released Safety Warning: 25-001 Non-specification fire shelters. Non-specification fire shelters claiming to meet Forest Service (FS) fire shelter specification 5100-606 were first found in February of 2023. As of September 2024, non-specification shelters are again being advertised and sold on the open market.

This Safety Warning outlines details and recommended procedures to purchase FS specification shelters made with materials and components that meet performance criteria and toxicity testing requirements outlined in FS Specification 5100-606. 

For additional information on identifying non-specification shelters, please view ETC Safety Warning 23-01.

References:

ETC Safety Warning 25-001: Non-specification fire shelters

NWCG Equipment Technology Committee

ETC Safety Warning 23-01

Paul Gleason Lead by Example Awards

Date: January 14, 2025
Contact: Leadership Committee

The NWCG Leadership Committee has awarded the 2023 Paul Gleason “Lead By Example” awards to individuals in the categories of Initiative and Innovation, Mentoring and Teamwork, and Motivation and Vision, as well as a Lifetime Achievement Award.

Congratulations to the awardees:

  • Sam Bowen, Superintendent of the Mark Twain Veteran Crew with the U.S. Forest Service.
  • Greg Titus, Zone Fire Management Officer for the St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
  • Renae Crippen, Manager of the Blue Mountain Interagency Dispatch Center with the U.S. Forest Service.
  • Eric Carlson, Instructor with OMNA International.

References:

Paul Gleason Lead by Example Award

Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program

Interview with Paul Gleason

Updated NWCG Standards for Water Scooping Operations, PMS 518

Date: December 19, 2024
Contact: Water Scooper Operations Unit

The NWCG Standards for Water Scooping Operations, PMS 518 establishes the standards for dispatching, utilizing, and coordinating water scooping aircraft on interagency wildland fires. These standards should be used in conjunction with the NWCG Standards for Aerial Supervision (SAS), PMS 505, and any local, state, or geographic/regional water scooping plans.

References:

NWCG Standards for Water Scooping Operations, PMS 518

Updated NWCG Standards for Aerial Supervision, PMS 505

Date: December 19, 2024
Contact: Interagency Aerial Supervision Subcommittee

The Interagency Aerial Supervision Subcommittee has updated the NWCG Standards for Aerial Supervision, PMS 505. PMS 505 establishes standards for aerial supervision operations for national interagency wildland fire operations. 

References:

NWCG Standards for Aerial Supervision, PMS 505