Scratchline Archive

The second part of a two-part series spotlighting lessons from the 2003 Southern California fires features discussions on “Structure Triage”, “Strike Team Organization” and “Bump and Run Versus Anchor and Hold”. In a separate section, lessons learned interviews conducted with 10 veteran Type 2 Crew Bosses are featured. These Crew Bosses present their successes, challenges, training recommendations, and unresolved issues from recent fire seasons.

This issue launches a two-part series that features excerpts from a Lessons Learned Information Collection Team that travelled to Southern California at the end of October following the severe fire season there. The team interviewed 107 people representing 43 different fire and ICS positions. Also included in this issue are the successes, challenges, and training recommendations collected and shared from smokejumpers in Idaho, Alaska, and California.

Our Driving Responsibility Reprinted collection of articles on driving and some very useful tools for everyone related to driving safety.

This issue focuses on “AARs and AAR Rollups”—spotlighting Engine Crews. A blank survey form for supervisory wildland firefighters to fill out is also provided.

Lessons and “achieved successes” from numerous hotshot crew superintendents are featured, including how to demonstrate leadership under stress. The new “Wildland Fire Development Leadership Program” is introduced, including why hotshots and other personnel find it so valuable. “Vehicle Operations and Accident Response”, the last in a Scratchline series on encouraging best practices in vehicle operations, is also presented.