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Event attendees gather for a morning debriefing on the days activities.
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Dr. Michelle Curry
CEs: 1h Operations
Description: An overview of EMS in fire history, current state and future dreams
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Brent Ruby, Director, Montana Center for Work Physiology and Exercise Metabolism
Comprehensive Physiology of the Wildland Firefighter: A 30 Year Assignment
Dr. Brent Ruby
CEs: 1.5h Medical (TBD)
Description: [The unique pathophysiology behind wildland firefighters and how to care for them before, during, and after the season.]
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Critical Care without Boundaries: The Convergence of Flight and Fireline Medicine
Matt Spicer, FPC
CEs: 1h Medical
Description: Critical care medicine is the application of critical thinking to medicine – this can happen in a helicopter with the highest end equipment, or on the side of the fireline with a trauma pack and your two hands. Matt Spicer breaks down hot topics such as:
Patient assessment without a cardiac monitor
Burn care and crush injury management made simple
Managing battery consumption, limited communications, and other challenges in the wild
Vehicle Anchors: Myths and Facts
Andy Bebeau
CEs: 0.5h Operations
Description: Explore load cell testing on a variety of common vehicle anchors. Does chocking matter? How does road surface effect anchor integrity? Can I safely use a UTV as an anchor??
Training Beyond the Classroom: Managing Risk and Reward in Decision Making
Matt Adams
CEs: 0.5h Operations
Description: You’ve taken your class…now what? How to continue to train to progress as a rope rescuer on and off the line. Discuss risk management and decision making for rope rescue in the field.
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Too Hot to Handle: Heat Illness in Remote Environments:
Bryan Fleischman, PA-C
CEs: 1h Medical
Description: Heat-related emergencies in remote environments escalate fast—and without rapid recognition and aggressive intervention, they can be fatal. This session delivers a practical, field-ready approach to managing heat illness when distance, terrain, weather, and limited equipment challenge standard EMS care. Participants will learn to differentiate early heat exhaustion from life-threatening exertional heat stroke, implement effective cooling strategies using both conventional and improvised methods, and manage patients when evacuation is delayed or resources are minimal.
The session also highlights two critical complications frequently missed in the field: heat-associated rhabdomyolysis, a dangerous result of muscle breakdown during exertion and dehydration, and heat-related sodium abnormalities, including exertional hyponatremia and hypernatremia—conditions that can mimic heat illness but require completely different treatment strategies. Practical decision tools will guide learners in identifying red flags, initiating on-scene treatment, and determining when evacuation is essential for patient survival.
Designed for EMTs, paramedics, SAR personnel, wilderness responders, and anyone operating in extreme environments, this session equips participants with the knowledge and real-world strategies needed to manage heat emergencies confidently and safely—even when help is hours away.
Situational Awareness for Wildland REMS: Decision Making:
Mark Rickbeil, EMT-B, Tech Rescue Instructor
CEs: 1h Operations
Description:
Situational Awareness-Decision making for wildland fire rescues -determining the most appropriate approach to rapid extraction in the ever changing fire environment.
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Vendor Walk (atrium)
SKEDCO Demo with Marcel Rodriguez (Room 221)
MED-L Panel with Mandi Childers, Jeff Childers, Rick Gobel, and Joel Simonson (Main lecture hall)
UTV Maintenance (outside)
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Up the Hill: Crew Communication Strategies
Adam Thomas, NRP
CEs: 1h Operations
Description: Adam Thomas, paramedic and former Hotshot, discusses the best ways to navigate the relationship between medical personnel and wildland firefighters. He focuses on the best ways to integrate and communicate with crews, highlighting way to be proactive and bridge operational gaps.
Ace the Airway: Intubation in the Field
Jeff Simons, FP-C
CEs: 1h Airway
Room 221
Learn techniques and tactics to control an airway in the most challenging of austere, backcountry environments with flight medic and clinical educator, Jeff Simons.
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Case Reviews with Dr. Peeples (starting at 1830)
Dr. Woody Peeples, MD
CEs: 2h
Description: Dr. Woody Peeples is back for another night of case reviews! He’ll explore challenging and interesting real-life cases from the last wildland season and offer his feedback, interpretation, and key teaching moments to elevate your care. Learn what happens after the patient arrives at the hospital and how you can set them up for their best outcome in the field.
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