United States Forest Service

[Aaronw]

Technically any non-wildland fire response is mutual aid, even when the incident is on forest land. Some forests actively support these responses entering into auto aid agreements, provide engines with basic equipment, encourage employees to complete EMT training etc, other forests require a specific request for each incident, and captains have to be creative to get the needed equipment and training (usually begging the local structure guys for surplus equipment and taking training on their own). The role of USFS personnel on these incidents is basically stabilizing the incident until the responders from the responsible jurisdiction arrive. Most engines try to have at least 1 EMT on the crew and carry a BLS medical kit.





It is Region 5 (California) policy that all engines carry at least 3 SCBA, none of the other regions have this policy, and as far as I know no forests outside California have decided to do so on their own.



In California only, SCBA and turnouts are carried on all engines, at least 3 sets and as many as 5 (staffing is 5) depending on the forest. It is intended for use only on outdoor fires (vehicle fires, dumpster fires etc) threatening the wildland. Policy allows for exterior attack on structure fires, but what that actually allows is a very grey area.