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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.

Wildland Fire Mental Health

Highlights the importance of mental health in wildland fire. The video also emphasizes the importance of work-life balance and highlights the resources available to help those in need.
Category: Medical
Core Component(s):
Human Factors, Communication and Decision Making
Estimated Delivery Time: 45 minutes
Video Length: 18:31

Intent

Provide tools to build resilience to face adversity, improve mental preparedness, recognize the importance of self-care, and recognize the effects from cumulative stress, critical incident stress, and other mental health related issues, including suicide. Emphasize the importance of asking for help and offering information about mental health care resources.

Facilitator Preparation

Facilitating the Discussion

  • Show the video.
  • Facilitate a small or large group discussion using the activity and discussion questions:
    • In small groups, discuss how longer, more complex fire seasons have impacted you both physically and mentally. How have they impacted friends and loved ones? Have each group list them on a chart. Share each list with the full group.
    • In the same small groups, identify signs that you are stressed. List those on a chart as a group. Then list what activities you engage in to reduce stress, to feel better. Perhaps it is to go fishing, catch up with friends, go to a football game, walk your dog, or read a book. Have each group share the signs that they are stressed and the mechanisms they use to decompress. 
    • Finally, conduct a conversation on what factors contribute to deaths by suicide in the wildland fire community. Do a search for current articles for factors that are impacting the wildland fire community currently (for example: Time to Understand and Act on Wildland Firefighter Suicides). Visit the Wildland Firefighter Foundation, the NIFC CISM page, and other valid sources to review information currently available regarding numbers of deaths by suicide to date. Is there a rise? Why or why not?

Conduct Activity #1 (Optional)

  • In the same small groups, discuss the following questions, then share responses with the whole group:
    • Discuss positive and unhealthy coping mechanisms. How do these look different? How can you move away from the unhealthy coping mechanisms and practice the positive ones?
    • Discuss what positive coping mechanisms enhance resilience and help you to cope with the impacts of cumulative and chronic stress, both during the season and the off-season. Share with the group.
    • Have each group capture a list of things they do to maintain their resilience throughout the fire season. What keeps them going? For example, activities on their off days such as cooking their favorite meals at home, catching up with friends, going fishing etc. Capture these lists on large sheets of paper to display for the room to see and discuss.

Conduct Activity #2 (Optional)

  • Move participants into new small groups.
  • Watch the video COVID-19: Psychological Transition and Balance.
  • Have individuals complete the burnout worksheet.
  • Discuss with the groups and ask if anyone is surprised by where they fall on the scale. Have a large group discussion on the factors contributing to burnout and keep a running list on a flip chart of the responses. Encourage people to submit one to three work answers for what contributes to their burnout. Lead a discussion on these factors, how can they be mitigated, and what the roadblocks to mitigating them are, etc.

Resources

When working with the EAP, the following tips can create a better experience for individuals:

  • Ask for a clinician that has experience working with first responders and in trauma.
  • If a co-worker or friend is experiencing a crisis, you can reach out to the EAP and start the conversations to help find them a clinician that is the right fit. You don’t have to let someone in crisis navigate the EAP alone.
  • If the counselor you get isn’t a good fit, you can ask for a new counselor.
  • Investigate what other resources are available from your agency EAP. Support in financial planning, adult and childcare services, and other resources may be an option, and it is good to share these out during your refresher.

Additional Video Information

  • This video is also available as a download (zip file, size 2.8 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.

Last Modified / Reviewed:

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NWCG Latest Announcements

Updated NWCG Single Resource Casual Hire Information, PMS 934

Date: September 19, 2024
Contact: Incident Business Committee

The Incident Business Committee has updated the NWCG Single Resource Casual Hire Information, PMS 934. This update expands the provisions for hiring emergency personnel.

References:

NWCG Single Resource Casual Hire Information, PMS 934

IBC Memorandum 24-03

NWCG 2024 Spring/Summer Highlights

Date: September 13, 2024

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National Park Service Logo
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U.S. Fire Administration
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International Association of Fire Chiefs
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Welcome to our latest highlights from the National Wildfire Coordinating Group, where we explore the latest updates, insights, and efforts that develop interoperable wildland fire operations among federal, state, local, Tribal, and territorial partners.

The Performance Support Package, which for ABRO 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.
 

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NASA JOINS NWCG!

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is officially an associate member of NWCG. As such, NASA is beginning to collaborate with wildland fire management agencies with the goal of increasing collaboration across agencies and leveraging NASA data, technology, and innovation for nation-wide efforts in wildland fire management. NASA has a rich history of research, development, and technology transfer in the areas of Earth science, space technologies, and aeronautics that support the NWCG mission.

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NWCG new website look.

WWW.NWCG.GOV HAS A NEW LOOK AND DESIGN

The NWCG web team dedicated the past two years to making a significant upgrade to the www.nwcg.gov site. This upgrade involved a comprehensive redesign of over 7,700 web pages.

The modernization of NWCG’s website involved migrating to Drupal 10, a cutting—edge content management system, and leveraging Amazon Web Service GovCloud for secure and efficient hosting. These upgrades help ensure that the NWCG website remains current in content management practices, offering enhanced customization, improved performance, and an overall superior user experience.

NWCG Leadership Committee

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WFLDP Professional Reading Program logo
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WFLDP PRP book covers

The Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program announced the Professional Reading Program’s 2024 list!

The years books include:

  • Young Men and Fire by Norman Maclean
  • The Wisdom of the Bullfrog by William H. McRaven
  • The Art of Clear Thinking by Hasard Lee
  • Emotional Agility by Susan David
  • Writing to Persuade by Trish Hall

Learn more at the NWCG Leadership Committee

INCIDENT PERFORMANCE AND TRAINING MODERNIZATION

In 2023, NWCG kicked off the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) effort. A training system overhaul focused on developing a performance-based training system designed to shift training to on-the-job when appropriate.

Over the next five years, NWCG intends to analyze all positions within the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1. To date we are currently working on 30 incident positions, and planning for 20+ in calendar year 2025.

Subject Matter Experts from a variety of geographical areas and agencies recently completed the position analysis for 16 positions. From this analysis, Incident Positions Standards and a Next Generation Position Task Book will be developed for each position.

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Incident Performance and Training Modernization

NEXT GENERATION POSITION TASK BOOK

In April 2024, NWCG launched the new Next Generation Position Task Book (Next Gen PTB) which is a key component of the IPTM effort. This revised evaluation tool is designed to work in conjunction with the newly developed Incident Position Standards.

Major Next Gen PTB changes:

  • Structured to improve constructive conversations between evaluators and trainees.
  • Reference new Incident Position Standards.
  • Include only tasks required to be evaluated for successful performance.
  • Trainees will be rated on their performance vs. initialing whether a task was completed.
  • Must include written feedback when trainee does not meet the standard.
  • Will be position specific (no combined PTBs).
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Screen shot of the Next Gen Position Task Book
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NWCG’s training course catalog is now available on the Wildland Fire Learning Portal (WFLP).

To access the training course catalog, visit WFLP and either set up an account or login as a guest.

 

 

The Incident Position Standards and Next Generation Position Task Book are now available for Aircraft Base Radio Operator (ABRO)

Date: September 12, 2024
Contact: Interagency Helicopter Operations Subcommittee

NWCG is excited to announce that the NWCG Incident Position Standards for Aircraft Base Radio Operator, PMS 350-87 and NWCG Position Task Book for Aircraft Base Radio Operator (ABRO), PMS 311-87 are now available.

The Performance Support Package, which for ABRO 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 Aircraft Base Radio Operator Position Page

NWCG Incident Position Standards for Aircraft Base Radio Operator, PMS 350-87

NWCG Position Task Book for Aircraft Base Radio Operator, PMS 311-87

NWCG Mental Health Subcommittee Recognizes September as Suicide Prevention Month

Date: September 9, 2024
Contact: Mental Health Subcommittee 

The NWCG Mental Health Subcommittee (MHSC) is dedicated to raising awareness about mental health within our wildland fire community. This year’s Suicide Prevention Month theme, “Stronger Together,” underscores the importance of unity and support in every facet of our lives — at work, with family, and among friends.

As we recognize Suicide Prevention Month, including Suicide Prevention Week (September 8 – September 14, 2024) and World Suicide Prevention Day (September 10, 2024), we encourage you to share resources and engage in meaningful conversations within your teams.

Remember: We are Stronger Together, and help is always available. Let’s continue to support one another and foster an environment where mental health is a priority.

References:

NWCG Mental Health Subcommittee

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline