Wildland Fire Lessons Learned Center

Episode 7 - Drip Torch Leg Burns

2016 marked the eighth year in a row that the Wildland Fire Lessons Learned Center has received at least one report of a serious burn injury on the leg related to drip torch use.  This podcast is just 7 minutes long - a little booster shot of awareness on this topic with a couple of pointers to consider.  

Put fire on the ground...not on your calf.

Torch Leg Burns

2015 Burn Injuries

Episode 6 - Scouting...High Risk?

Do you like scouting?  Do you acknowledge the risk involved?  Chances are you take on more exposure than you realize whenever you "go take a look".  Some super dialed-in folks have died scouting:

Sawtooth Rx Entrapment (2003)

Devils Den Fatality (2006)

Frog Fire Entrapment Fatality (2015)

Episode 5 - The Bull Fire Entrapment

What is it actually like to "Wag Dodge" it?  What does it feel like to realize you are in a bad spot? What are some things you can do to prepare for that moment?  In this episode we hear it all directly from the survivor of an entrapment on the Bull Fire in Arizona.  Don't just listen - use this story, the lessons shared, and the material linked below to learn something...it could save your skin.

Bull Fire Entrapment FLA

 

Would You Hesitate To Use Your Fire Shelter? 

 

Episode 4 - Lessons and Data

Where do the lessons live?  In this episode we discuss the relationship between lessons and data and why it matters.  Along the way we wander through the following topics:

• Clocks & Clouds
• Knowing where the Medical Incident Report lives
• The need for humility
• Communication with Medivac Helicopters
• The responsibility for relevance

Data from past years: Annual Incident Review Summaries

Episode 3 - The Contractor’s Dilemma

In this episode we tackle the "Contractor's Dilemma" - the idea that contract fire resources face different pressures that make some conversations about assignment risk more difficult.  Is this an issue?  Is it not?  Take a listen and share your experiences with us.  Tune in to get dialed!

 

2014 Incident Review Summary (pg. 9) (has a general description of the "dilemma")

Episode 2 - Emerging Lessons - 2016

Alex Viktora and Travis Dotson discuss emerging numbers and lessons from the year so far.  Topics discussed include early season physical training medical emergencies, equipment burning up (including lessons about parking in the black), and tire failures.  Tune in to get dialed!

2016 Incident Review Summary

Episode 1 - Chainsaws and Fire Season 2016: A Chat with Travis Dotson

Travis Dotson, Wildland Fire Lessons Learned Center Analyst, has been crunching the numbers on chainsaw incidents during the 2016 fire season.  Listen in to hear his thoughts on chainsaws, and what sawyers and crew leaders might do differently based on what he's seen so far this season.