The care of the sick and injured on wildland fire incidents has expanded over the last 30 years. The mission of Medical Units on wildland fire incidents has evolved into a complex service which provides: (1) stabilization and emergency medical treatment of incident personnel, and (2) occupational health and preventative measures for incident personnel to remain safe and healthy. Wildland firefighting operations require a unique array of services due to the remoteness, terrain, and complexity of utilizing multiple agencies. Medical support is essential because of the inherent risks and exposures associated with these events. The issues of standard of care and legal licensure of providers come into play when emergency medical providers from other jurisdictions cross state lines or other geopolitical boundaries to provide medical care. These situations are further complicated in areas where medical control is sometimes nonexistent or the capabilities of nearby medical facilities may be limited, including the variability of local emergency medical services agency capacities. This document introduces stakeholders to the minimum standards developed by the Incident Emergency Medical Task Group (IEMTG) when a Medical Unit has been established by a National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) member agency. This document is intended to provide direction regarding medical personnel and equipment assigned to the Medical Unit. The IEMTG recognizes the National EMS Scope of Practice Model as the baseline standard for emergency medical service providers. Therefore, a key component of the minimum standards addresses the recognition of local, state, federal, and tribal jurisdictional authorities and the integration of medical services. Overall, the minimum standards seek to ensure that incident personnel receive quality, timely medical care on wildland fire incidents, which often occur in remote areas.

In 2010, the Incident Emergency Medical Subcommittee (IEMS), operating under the authority of the National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) - Risk Management Committee, completed the document, Interim Minimum Standards for Medical Units Managed By NWCG Member Agencies. The document was the first of several to be developed that will address the need for uniform standards and safe delivery of medical care provided by Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel at wildland fire. It focused on recognizing current practices and recommending standards to medical units for; promoting the use of licensed personnel within their scope of practice, state EMS office notification, applicable rules and jurisdictions, medical direction, communications, patient transportation and medical equipment, medication and supplies used. The IEMS also committed to developing wildland fire specific protocols and this document, Clinical Treatment Guidelines for Wildland Fire Medical Units, PMS 551, is the finished product. A task group of physicians with diverse backgrounds in wildland fire medicine, wilderness medicine and emergency/ clinical backgrounds reviewed this document and provided valuable input. These guidelines where developed with the expectation that the typical appropriate Basic Life Support (BLS) or Advanced Life Support (ALS) EMS interventions will be provided as needed so we did not include detailed protocols for EMS medical or trauma patient care, which already exists. Rather, we focused on guidance for the unique differences and challenges associated with remote sites and expanded evaluation skills needed for patient care issues such as: 1) assisting a patient with first aid and self-care health management; 2) triaging conditions for recognition of appropriate self-care assistance vs. need for transport to clinical medical care; and 3) initiating urgent/EMS care using appropriate and predetermined transport modes.

The Wildland Fire Incident Management Field Guide is a revision of what used to be called the Fireline Handbook, PMS 410-1. This guide has been renamed because, over time, the original purpose of the Fireline Handbook had been replaced by the Incident Response Pocket Guide, PMS 461. As a result, this new guide is aimed at a different audience, and it was felt a new name was in order.

Managing wildland fire in the U.S. is a challenge increasing in complexity & magnitude. The goals & actions presented in this report encourage a proactive approach to wildland fire to reduce its threat. Five major topic areas on the subject are addressed: the role of wildland fire in resource management; the use of wildland fire; preparedness & suppression; wildland/urban interface protection; & coordinated program management. Also presented are the guiding principle that are fundamental to wildland fire management & recommendations for fire management policies. Photos, graphs, & references.

This two-in one resource includes the Tactical Commanders and Staff Toolkit plus the Liaison Officer Toolkit. Defense Support of Civil Authorities (DSCA)) enables tactical level Commanders and their Staffs to properly plan and execute assigned DSCA missions for all hazard operations, excluding Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, high yield Explosives (CBRNE) or acts of terrorism. Applies to all United States military forces, including Department of Defense (DOD) components (Active and Reserve forces and National Guard when in Federal Status). This hand-on resource also may be useful information for local and state first responders. Chapter 1 contains background information relative to Defense Support of Civil Authorities (DSCA) including legal, doctinal, and policy issues. Chapter 2 provides an overview of the incident management processes including National Response Framework (NRF), National Incident Management Systems (NIMS), and Incident Command System (ICS) as well as Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Chapter 3 discuses the civilian and military responses to natural disaster. Chapter 4 provides a brief overview of Joint Operation Planning Process and mission analyis. Chapter 5 covers Defense Support of Civilian Authorities (DSCA) planning factors for response to all hazard events. Chapter 6 is review of safety and operational composite risk management processes Chapters 7-11 contain Concepts of Operation (CONOPS) and details five natrual hazards/disasters and the pertinent planning factors for each within the scope of DSCA.