Wildland Firefighter First Aid

Program Benefits:

A 16 to 24 hour first aid course designed specifically for the challenges of wildland firefighting.  The course emphasizes the wildland fire environment and the risks and hazards faced by firefighters on its front lines.  Focus on wildland firefighting epidemiology, prevention of injuries, emergency communications, patient movement, head and spine issues, musculoskeletal injuries, wounds, burns, major trauma, environmental issues, and evacuation.  Emphasis is on practical, hands-on skills with lectures, case studies, demos, skill practices, and scenarios.  Competency evaluated through participation, skill demonstration, and a final exam.  Taught by University of Colorado School of Medicine faculty.

 

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This 16 hour course focuses on prevention, assessment, and treatment of both common and life threatening injuries to wildland firefighters in their unique austere environment.  Recommended course for any Type 1 or Type 2 crew member.  Includes powerpoint lectures, video instruction, practicing of hands-on skills, case studies, practice quizzes, and a required final exam. Designed for those with little or dated first aid training.

This 16 hour course focuses on prevention, assessment, and treatment of both common and life threatening injuries to wildland firefighters in their unique austere environment.  Recommended course for any Type 1 or Type 2 crew member.  Includes powerpoint lectures, video instruction, practicing of hands-on skills, case studies, practice quizzes, and a required final exam. Designed for those with little or dated first aid training.

WFFASample – PDF Document Sample Syllabus

  1. Patient has hopped off small boulder, about 2 feet high, and they landed awkwardly, with ankle rolling and collapsing on them. They are found on their side, on the ground, clutching their ankle and moaning in pain.  The ankle has a softball sized swelling – it looks bad.

It is cool out and the ground is wet from hose spray.  The scene is safe, there is one patient, and once there is communication with the patient, the MOI is known.

Patient briefing – It is only your ankle that hurts, nothing else.  Be real, your ankle REALLY hurts!  If they do physical on other body parts complain – it’s just your ankle that hurts.  “Why are you looking in my @#$%^& mouth!!!?”  If and when they splint it, if they are good and gentle, just moan as they administer.  If they are not gentle, then COMPLAIN!  Once it is splinted, it feels much better and you can limp on it.

Facilitators — What to look for:

  • Scene assessment (safety, MOI, numbers)
  • Communication – team introduces itself, gets permission to treat, asks for and uses patient’s name
  • Do they get patient off the ground – letting patient move themselves
  • Good and 100% physical exam
  • Complete SAMPLE history
  • At least 2 sets of vitals (HR, RR, and mental status)
  • Did they do a good splint – check CSM before and after? Does it prevent excess movement?

For more scenarios, please click here.

WFFA Best Bibliography – PDF Copy, selected notations below:

Asher-Schapiro, A. & Sherfinski, D.  (2021). INSIGHT – U.S. firefighters on climate frontline face ‘broken’ health system. Thomson Reuters Foundation. November 10, 2021.

Backer H.D., Wright C., Dong J., Baba N., McFadden H., & Rosen B. (2021). Medical care at California wildfire incident base camps. Disaster Med Public Health Prep. doi: https://doi.org/10.1017/dmp.2021.321.

Britton, C., Lynch, C.F., Ramierz, M., Torner, J., Buresh, C., & Peek-Asa, C. (2013). Epidemiology of injuries to wildland firefighters. American Journal of Emergency Medicine 31, 339-345.

Britton, C., Ramirez, M., Lynch, C.F., Torner, J., & Peek-Asa, C. (2013). Risk of injury by job assignment among federal wildland firefighters, United States, 2003–2007. International Journal of Occupational and Environmental Health, 19:2, 77-84, DOI: 10.1179/2049396713Y.0000000019.

Gabbet, B. (2017). Suicide rate among wildland firefighters is “astronomical.” Wildfire Today.  November 4, 2017.

It is far more practical and useful that a traditional first aid/emt course, as it takes into account our remote work location and lack of resources.
This class is incredibly helpful for anyone who ventures out into the wilderness, but is especially crucial for wildland firefighters. The wilderness is our work place.
This is definitely the most I have learned from a first aid class and what we learned is highly applicable to situations we could encounter.
It is a very informative class. Especially to my wildland folks. This can really assist with keeping the scene calm and safe during a medical event. Would really help you prepare and take the appropriate steps needed to provide the patient with immediate care.
Wildland Firefighter First Aid is a good course to take. As an EMT, the course was a good review of my initial EMT class. The benefit of Wildland Firefighter First Aid is teaching practical skills such as spinal immobilization or wound cleaning, but utilizing items that are immediately available to crew on a wildland fire. All wildland firefighters should take this class, from new personnel on up to experienced module leaders as the skills learned here may end up saving a fellow crewmembers life. Wildland Firefighter First Aid can be taught both pre-season or as a mid-season training, prior to heading west. –
Jacob MUSFS Firefighter and EMT
10/10 recommend. This was very important and highly valuable information. I would feel safer out on the fire line if I knew more people had taken this course.
Alabama '22 Class Firefighter
I really appreciated this being a part of the academy. No matter how many seasons of experience someone has, the medical aspect of our job will always be a crucial part of our training and how to make the world of firefighting a safer place for everyone
Alabama 22'Firefighter
John DoeCEO
The medical scenarios were very beneficial, as we as a crew saw that we did better with each scenario- we addressed our downfalls in the first scenario and we and we were able to improve with the additional scenarios. They were applicable to wildland firefighting, also.
Alabama '22Firefighter
Acknowledging the remoteness of the job and having practical solutions/wildfire related solutions was great because that is not common in first aid refreshers that I have taken in the past. Many times they will recommend treatment we don't have access to
Alabama '22Firefighter
Field day was super helpful. The practice quizzes were helpful too. Overall one of the top 3 medical trainings/practices I have had over my 9-year Forest Service career
Alabama '22Firefighter
It was a very beneficial course and I would take this every year if I could, its a lot better than a regular cpr/ first aid class. It applies to our job in the most realistic.
Alabama '22Firefighter
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