Wildland Fire Lessons Learned Center

Latest Episodes:

Episode 7 - Drip Torch Leg Burns Feb 15, 2017

Show notes

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? Dec 13, 2016

Show notes

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 Oct 25, 2016

Show notes

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 Oct 13, 2016

Show notes

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 Oct 06, 2016

Show notes

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 Sep 23, 2016

Show notes

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 Aug 12, 2016

Show notes

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.

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Wildland Fire Lessons Learned Center

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected