Elevating Care on the Fireline: Salt Lake Helitack’s Leadership in Wildland Fire EMS

Jun 10, 2025

When emergencies happen on the fireline, seconds matter—and that’s exactly why the BLM’s Operational Medical Support Program exists. Designed to bridge the critical gap between injury and evacuation in remote environments, the OMSP trains wildland firefighters to respond swiftly, stabilize injuries, and initiate evacuation in situations where traditional EMS may be hours away.

Austin Blackett, left, is handed a plague from Matt Preston, right. Austin is a slimmer, middle aged male with a dark mustache wearing blue jeans. Matt is a slim, middle aged male standing slightly shorter than Austin. Matt is wearing a gray suit jacket with blue jeans. — Salt Lake Helitack crew supervisor Austin Blackett, left, being presented the Outstanding Wildland Fire EMS Distinguished Service Award by acting BLM Utah State Director Matt Preston.

One of the program’s strongest champions is Austin Blackett, supervisor of the Salt Lake Helitack crew and recipient of the National Wildfire Coordinating Group’s Outstanding Wildland Fire EMS Distinguished Service Award. This national-level award is not presented annually—it’s reserved for individuals whose contributions to wildland fire EMS are truly extraordinary.

Austin’s leadership in the OMSP has been nothing short of transformative. In addition to managing the high operational tempo of a helitack crew, he’s built one of the strongest OMSP training programs in the country. From high-stress simulations to scenario-based field exercises, Austin ensures his team is ready for anything—whether it’s a vehicle accident, fireline evacuation, or backcountry rescue. His program’s effectiveness has been proven time and again, including one notable tree-strike injury where the swift response of OMSP-trained personnel helped save a firefighter’s life.

Dr. Drew stands in front of members of the Salt Lake Helitack Crew while out checking a fire. They're all wearing sunglasses, hardhats, and fire retardant shirts. — Dr. Drew snaps a quick selfie while out on a fire with Salt Lake Helitack. From left to right, Dr. Drew, Austin Blackett, Landon Carter, and Trevor Hollenbeck.

Last summer, BLM’s Chief Medical Officer and OMSP National Medical Director Dr. Andrew Southard—better known as Dr. Drew—joined the Salt Lake Helitack crew for a week to evaluate the program firsthand. He ran trails with the crew, flew missions, worked the line, and delivered targeted medical training tailored to the types of injuries wildland firefighters are most likely to encounter. He also reviewed real incidents and helped refine post-incident protocols.

Reflecting on his experience, Dr. Drew said: “This team has shown me a lot of their Initial Attack operations. Everyone here operates at such a high level, without any egos. Each person knows their role but can step in for others when needed, like a well-oiled machine.”

Austin and Dr. Drew carefully calculate weight, fuel load, and environmental factors to confirm the helicopter is mission-ready for current weather conditions and flight plans.

During his visit, Dr. Drew pointed to one incident as a clear example of the OMSP’s impact: a firefighter who was injured by a falling tree was stabilized and arrived at a hospital within 61 minutes of the incident—despite being in rugged terrain. “This highlights the effectiveness of the OMSP program and what it can do for our firefighters on the line,” he said.

Through Austin’s leadership and the dedication of the Salt Lake Helitack crew, BLM Utah continues to set a national standard in wildland fire EMS. Their commitment to excellence ensures our firefighters are not only ready to face fire—but prepared to protect each other when it matters most.