TB 155 WILDLAND URBAN INTERFACE (WUI) STRUCTURE PROTECTION

Question 1

TB 155 WILDLAND URBAN INTERFACE

The first and foremost intent during structure protection is to keep firefighters and the public safe.

Secondly, once that safety can be ensured, then we can aggressively work towards keeping the wildland fire away from structures and communities.

Answer 1

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Question 2

TB 155 WILDLAND URBAN INTERFACE

There are two basic structure environments in the wildland.

Interface- a condition where structures abut the wild land.

–Usually identified as housing tracts or developments adjacent to a wildland area

–There is a greater potential for house to house ignition

Intermix- a condition where structures are scattered throughout a wildland area.

–There is no clear line of demarcation; the wildland fuels are continuous outside of and within the developed area.

–Each structure must be assessed independently

Answer 2

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Question 3

TB 155 WILDLAND URBAN INTERFACE

Safety Zone - A preplanned area of sufficient size and suitable location that is expected to protect fire personnel from known hazards without using fire shelters.

Temporary Refuge Area (TRA) - A preplanned area where firefighters can immediately take refuge for temporary shelter and short-term relief without using a fire shelter in the event that emergency egress to an established Safety Zone is compromised. Examples: lee side of structure,
inside of structure, large lawn or parking area, cab of apparatus.

Answer 3

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Question 4

TB 155 WILDLAND URBAN INTERFACE

Always have an exit strategy:

• Employ tactical maneuver to avoid heat injury, move away from the fire
• Move to a Temporary Refuge Area
• Withdraw along an Escape Route
• Move into a Safety Zone.

Answer 4

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Question 5

TB 155 WILDLAND URBAN INTERFACE

Select the appropriate structure triage category based on the forecasted fire behavior, the surrounding area terrain and any defensible space.

1. Not-Threatened: Safety Zone and TRA are present and construction features or defensible space make it unlikely that the structure will ignite during initial fire front contact.
2. Threatened Defensible: Safety Zone and TRA are present and construction features, lack of defensible space, or other challenges requires firefighters to implement structure protection tactics during fire front contact.
3. Threatened Non-Defensible: Either there is no Safety Zone or TRA present and/or the structure has challenges that do not allow firefighters to safely commit to stay and protect the structure during fire front contact.

Answer 5

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Question 6

TB 155 WILDLAND URBAN INTERFACE

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE):

• Structure protection tactics can be undertaken utilizing standard wildland PPE.
• If the structure becomes involved in fire, and a decision is made to extinguish the fire, utilize the appropriate Structure Fire PPE including SCBA’s as required.
• DO NOT base your decision to remain at a structure and/or the safety of your personnel on the use of SCBA’s.

Answer 6

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Question 7

TB 155 WILDLAND URBAN INTERFACE

Keep at least ___ gallons of water reserve in your tank

Answer 7

100

Question 8

TB 155 WILDLAND URBAN INTERFACE

The following are the seven tactical actions available to structure protection resources:

• CHECK AND GO
• PREP AND GO
• PREP AND DEFEND
• FIRE FRONT FOLLOWING
• BUMP AND RUN
• ANCHOR AND HOLD
• TACTICAL PATROL

Answer 8

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Question 9

TB 155 WILDLAND URBAN INTERFACE

CHECK AND GO

“Check and Go” is a rapid evaluation to check for occupants requiring removal or rescue.

Structure Triage Category - Threatened Non-Defensible

Answer 9

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Question 10

TB 155 WILDLAND URBAN INTERFACE

PREP AND GO

“Prep and Go” implies that some preparation of the structure may be safely completed prior to resources leaving the area.

Structure Triage Category - Threatened Non-Defensible

Answer 10

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Question 11

TB 155 WILDLAND URBAN INTERFACE

PREP AND DEFEND

“Prep and Defend” is a tactic used when a Safety Zone and TRA are present and adequate time exists to safely prepare a structure for defense prior to the arrival of the fire front.

Structure Triage Category - Threatened Defensible

Answer 11

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Question 12

TB 155 WILDLAND URBAN INTERFACE

FIRE FRONT FOLLOWING

“Fire Front Following” is a follow up tactic employed when Check and Go, Prep and Go, or Bump and Run tactics are initially used.

A tactic used to come in behind the fire front.

The goal of “Fire Front Following” is to search for victims, effect perimeter control, extinguish spot fires around structures, control hot spots and reduce ember production.

Answer 12

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Question 13

TB 155 WILDLAND URBAN INTERFACE

BUMP AND RUN

“Bump and Run” is a tactic where resources typically move ahead of the fire front in the spotting zone to extinguish spot fires and hot spots, and to defend as many structures as possible.

Answer 13

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Question 14

TB 155 WILDLAND URBAN INTERFACE

ANCHOR AND HOLD

“Anchor and Hold” is a tactic utilizing control lines and large water streams from fixed water supplies in an attempt to stop fire spread. The goal is to extinguish structure fires, protect exposures, and reduce ember production.

Anchor and hold tactics are more effective in urban neighborhoods where the fire is spreading from house to house.

Answer 14

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Question 15

TB 155 WILDLAND URBAN INTERFACE

TACTICAL PATROL

“Tactical Patrol” is a tactic where the key element is mobility and continuous monitoring of an assigned area:

Answer 15

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Question 16

TB 155 WILDLAND URBAN INTERFACE

P.A.C.E.

Primary plan (offense)
Alternate plan (offense)
Contingency plan (Defense)
Emergency plan (defense)

Answer 16

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Question 17

TB 155 WILDLAND URBAN INTERFACE

FIVE Levels of Engagement in firefighting - DRAW-D.

D- Defend-Holding actions, protecting :priority areas

R- Reinforce- Bring more resources to bear

A- Advance-Anchor and Flank

W- Withdraw-Cease current activities until conditions modify

D- Delay-Wait until the situation has modified sufficiently to allow a different level of engagement

Answer 17

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Question 18

TB 155 WILDLAND URBAN INTERFACE

Adequate clearance around structure-minimum of ___’ (steeper the slope the more clearance required)

Answer 18

100

Question 19

TB 155 WILDLAND URBAN INTERFACE

one engine per structure, one additional engine for every four structures to be used as “backup” and for patrol.

For structured that are close together (50’ or less), one engine may be adequate to protect two structures.)

Answer 19

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Question 20

TB 155 WILDLAND URBAN INTERFACE

Maintain a ___’ distance from transmission LINES

Spot fires or low ground fires can be fought with hose lines if heavy smoke or flame is not within ___’ of the power lines

Answer 20

Maintain a 35’ distance from transmission LINES

Spot fires or low ground fires can be fought with hose lines if heavy smoke or flame is not within 100’ of the power lines

TB 8
Maintain a safe distance from transmission TOWERS: a minimum of 35 feet should be adhered to.

Maintain clearance a minimum of 100 feet beyond the outermost WIRE of electrical transmission
lines.