North Central Regional Support Crew Training 2022

Today we have some information about a joint training event that seems to be gathering steam enough to become an annual event. There are even some photos included in this lovely write-up submitted by Brian Plume, Forest Fire Specialist Supervisor with the Tioga State Forest.

A few years ago, pre-COVID, the Cedar Mountain Wildfire Crew had a few folks needing an S-130 Field Exercise. After a bit of discussion, we decided to make it a crew training as well. The idea was for folks to complete their S-130 training and build on crew cohesion. After the exercise crew members toured the Goodall Fire Tower Cabin, built a campfire, and had a cookout. It was a picture-perfect day.

 

Last year during a Cedar Mountain Crew meeting they asked about doing a similar exercise with COVID restrictions easing. Originally, we hoped to hold an exercise in mid to late spring. Well, time kind of slipped away and spring was coming to an end quickly. Once again there was a need for an S-130 Field Exercise. This time mostly for a handful of Volunteer Firefighters. Logistically it made sense to combine events once again. That’s when “ideas” began to fly.

 

The first idea was a voluntary camping trip for Cedar Mountain in conjunction with the exercise. Several crew members liked the idea, so we began to run with it. A couple of weeks before the event I had the idea to invite the Endless Mountains Wildfire Crew and Tiadaghton Forest Fire Fighters Association. Even though there wasn’t much notice Jim Mechling (Endless Mountains) thought it was a good idea. We held the exercise with positive feedback.

 

Fast forward to this year. I reached out to all three crews in late spring to develop a planning committee for what I have dubbed the North Central Support Crew Training. The committee selected September 10^th to hold the training this year. Members from all 3 crews participated. They completed Stop the Bleed training and worked through two scenarios (Initial Attack / Chainsaw Accident). Both scenarios were designed to focus on processes and actions while facilitators injected several challenges.

 

During the After Action Review folks overwhelmingly like the concept of the multi-crew training and would like to continue as an annual event. 

Fake blood for a training scenario.

I would like to thank everyone that participated directly or behind the scenes in planning the event. Without support from the Tioga State Forest, Loyalsock State Forest, Tiadaghton State Forest, the Division of Forest Fire Protection and most importantly each of the Wildfire Support Crews this event would not have been possible.

The morning focused on Stop the Bleed training. The afternoon focus was “hands-on”. Firefighters worked through two scenarios (Initial Attack / Chainsaw Accident). Both scenarios were designed to focus on processes and actions while facilitators injected several challenges. One of the injected challenges was a simulated fire shelter deployment requiring firefighters to locate a shelter deployment site, prep the site, and deploy practice fire shelters.

It was a good day of training!

It was a pleasure to hear from someone within the forest districts about notable events, and we welcome the idea of more like this! Just reach out to Katalynn Dildine, Forest Technician, Division of Forest Fire Protection!

Crew Photos

 This just in! Photos from the Independence Crew's assignment.

Wildland Fire Crew Update (9/7/2022)

Good morning! 

Time for a quick update regarding our crews:

Keystone and Independence are both home from their assignments.

Anthracite is on its last shift today (9/7/2022) and plans for its return are currently in the works as we wait to hear when they will be heading out.

Yesterday (9/6/2022) the Avery Forest District in Idaho requested a suppression module in their place, and thankfully we have enough people to help with that. The Nittany Suppression Module is currently on the way to Avery, ID (9/7/2022) to replace the Anthracite Crew. For those who are unfamiliar with the term, a suppression module is simply a smaller crew, whose positions are generally negotiable between the sending and receiving units. This module has 10 personnel and is made up of pretty much all of our remaining available crew resources.

E-603 is still on the Six Rivers National Forest and is making a crew swap today. The returning engine crew will travel tomorrow, arriving in Harrisburg late, and making the last leg home Friday morning.