Wildland Fire Lessons Learned Center

Kelly Woods talks with Sarah Fisher and Chad Fisher about what learning in the wildland fire service means to them. Sarah and Chad describe their different experiences landing them both near the top of their respective organizations. They each discuss their path and the lessons they learned along the way. Throughout the conversation, Sarah and Chad highlight their perspectives on learning and legacy. They also provide a glance into their world balancing careers and family time.

Travis Dotson talks with Brian Crowley about his experience during the entrapment and fire shelter deployment on the Bridger Foothills Fire in Montana in 2020. Brian offers some perspective, not only on surviving as options disappear, but also on supporting each other during the tough times. To read the Bridger Foothills Facilitated Learning Analysis visit: https://www.wildfirelessons.net/viewdocument/bridger-foothills-fire-entrapment-a

Kelly Woods talks with Travis Dotson about lessons gathered from wildland fire incidents occurring in the 2021 fire year. This conversation centers around the Annual Incident Review Summary, a yearly publication based on an in-depth review and analysis of accident reports from the previous fire year. Tune in for some wild stories and a few handy lessons from real-life events.   Follow along or plan your next training day with the 2021 Incident Review Summary - download it here: https://www.wildfirelessons.net/viewdocument/annual-incident-review-summaries

Kelly Woods talks with Beth Lund and her daughter Allison Lund about the dynamics of two generations of the same family forging careers in wildland Fire. They highlight how even though things have changed across the years, that which grounds them remains the same. Beth and Allison also offer insights on leadership, identity, difficult decisions, and family.

Kelly Woods talks with Erik Apland about his assignment to read all of the entrapment reports housed in the LLC Incident Review Database. Erik provides perspective on the evolution of reports spanning over a century. He highlights how old reports contain modern topics and he also provides some unique thoughts on PPE. In addition, Erik discusses how reading the reports has changed him and will affect his future actions.

In a conversation with Travis Dotson, Chris Fry shares the powerful story of his entrapment and shelter deployment on the 2006 Mudd Fire. We learn several key details about what happened that day. Chris discusses the lessons he has gained during his healing process and how the post-deployment mental health aspects of his experience are what truly motivates Chris to share his story.   To see more documentation on the 2006 Mudd Fire: https://www.wildfirelessons.net/viewdocument/mudd-fire-engine-ent

Travis Dotson and Alex Viktora discuss the Tree Felling Accident Analysis – a report comparing 53 different tree felling accidents.  Topics covered include: Predicting Tree ReactionsHung-Up TreesHelmetsTwo People at the BaseArea ControlEscape RoutesAccidents During Training If you have anything to do with chainsaws on the fireline…tune in. Download the report at:  https://www.wildfirelessons.net/viewdocument/tree-felling-accident-analysis

A conversation with Monica Morrison on Command Presence.  What is it? What does it look and sound like?  How do you get it?

Travis Dotson and Brit Rosso have a great discussion about transitions, both on and off the fireline. For more on this topic, check out the Fall 2018 issue of Two More Chains: https://www.wildfirelessons.net/viewdocument/two-more-chains-fall-2018

Andrew Addey is currently a Forest Training Officer, a position he landed after ten years on the Sawtooth Interagency Hotshot Crew. Travis and Andrew chatted about a ton of important topics, including: Growing our perspective on the job of a Line Officer.Expanding our training beyond the "traditional" courses.The San Antonio Fire Hit by Tree and Medical Extraction.Preparing more than just radio drivers for emergency command roles.Learning from Military Crew Advisor assignments.

Why Talk About Entrapments? In January 2018, as part of work on the 2017 Annual Incident Review Summary, LLC staffers Travis and Alex recorded this discussion about entrapments. Listen to their wide-ranging conversation to find out more about entrapments, what they really are, why we're reluctant to use the term “Entrapment”—and why we should use this term more often. To read more about entrapments in 2017, check out the 2017 Annual Incident Review Summary (Download Now). Curious to know more about the Wagon Box incident that is discussed in this podcast? Check it out here.

In this podcast, Travis Dotson and Brit Rosso introduce the concept of the "Bad Apple" as it applies to the business of wildland fire. To do so, we take a close look at one of our heroes, Paul Gleason, and some decisions Paul made back in 2000 on a fire some of you may have never heard of. For more on the topics of Bad Apples, Paul Gleason, and this mystery fire, be sure to check out the Spring 2018 Issue of Two More Chains.

In this podcast, we hear from Travis Dotson--a regular on the podcast--and Brit Rosso, the Director of the Wildland Fire Lessons Learned Center and podcast newcomer. In the discussion, we try to make sense of the super complex and convoluted topic of "Identity."  Travis and Brit tackle a wide range of topics, including: What does it mean to be "All-In?"What are all the ways your identity can get "smashed"?What do we struggle with when we leave the fireline?Do you "throw rocks" at folks struggling with retirement? For even more on the topic of Identity, be sure to check out the Fall 2017 Issue of Two More Chains.

For the 2017 Week of Remembrance, the Wildland Fire Lessons Learned Center is focusing on a single shift on a single fire from July 2004, the Nuttall Fire, which burned on the Coronado National Forest in southeastern Arizona.   In the final episode of the Nuttall Fire podcast, we hear from Thomas Taylor.  Thomas has had a remarkable fire career. He was at H-4 when the Nuttall Fire came to life.  Thomas takes us through July 2, 2004 and beyond in this podcast. Check out the Nuttall Fire video series on our YouTube channel!   Read about the Nuttall Fire on our Blog: www.wildfirelessons.wordpress.com Be sure to also listen to the entire Nuttall Fire Series of Podcasts!

For the 2017 Week of Remembrance, the Wildland Fire Lessons Learned Center is focusing on a single shift on a single fire from July 2004, the Nuttall Fire, which burned on the Coronado National Forest in southeastern Arizona.   In this episode, we hear from a firefighter who was assigned to the Nuttall Fire as a helicopter crewmember, Jason Virtue.  Jason shares his perspective from Helibase and H-6, and provides us with a few key lessons from July 2, 2004 Check out the Nuttall Fire video series on our YouTube channel!   Read about the Nuttall Fire on our Blog: www.wildfirelessons.wordpress.com Be sure to also listen to the entire Nuttall Fire Series of Podcasts!

For the 2017 Week of Remembrance, the Wildland Fire Lessons Learned Center is focusing on a single shift on a single fire from July 2004, the Nuttall Fire, which burned on the Coronado National Forest in southeastern Arizona.   In this episode, we hear from two former Squad Leaders from the Flagstaff Interagency Hotshot Crew, Dan Martin and Corey Robinson.  Dan and Corey share their experiences and lessons from July 2, 2004 on the Nuttall Fire.  Check out the Nuttall Fire video series on our YouTube channel!   Read about the Nuttall Fire on our Blog: www.wildfirelessons.wordpress.com Be sure to also listen to the entire Nuttall Fire Series of Podcasts!

For the 2017 Week of Remembrance, the Wildland Fire Lessons Learned Center is focusing on a single shift on a single fire from 2004- the Nuttall Fire, which burned on the Coronado National Forest in southeastern Arizona.   Why?   Listen in to found out! Stay tuned here for more on the 2017 Week of Remembrance and the Nuttall Fire:  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/WildlandFireLLC  Blog:www.wildfirelessons.wordpress.com   Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wildfirelessonslearned

What if your UTV caught on fire? Yeah - it happens. In this mini-episode we get right to the point - why you need to take a real close look at the underside of your UTV. Listen to this 5-minute episode - then go inspect that UTV! Related Blog Post: This Has Happened Before…UTV Floorboard Fire.

In this episode Alex and Travis chat about wildland firefighter burn injuries.  Why are they a bigger deal than we might think? What can we do to make sure we get the treatment we need? What are the lessons from past incidents?  Get the answers by listening! On the Blog: Burn Injuries - Wrong Hurts! Socks Matter Other Related Materials: NWCG Memo on Drip Torch Burn Injuries Video: Drip Torch Fuel on Pants

Unfortunately, when it comes to fuel geysers, there are many popular misconceptions. True or False: "Fuel geysers only happen when it's hot.” “Fuel geysers only happen with chainsaws.” “The recent chainsaw recall will fix the fuel geyser issue." In this Podcast—that features the latest insights from Ralph Gonzales, an engineer with the U.S. Forest Service—we focus on separating fact from fiction. Listen to this conversation. Take the Quiz! More resources: The National Fuel Geyser Awareness Campaign Website Fuel Geyser Reporting Form Read about one fuel geyser event mentioned in this podcast: Willow Peak Fire Burn Injury