WILDLAND FIREFIGHTING Flashcards
Due to the uncertainties associated with fire behavior forecasting, firefighters must anticipate the unexpected and build agility into their tactical plan through contingency planning. The lexicon for this is
P.A.C.E.
Primary plan
Alternative plan
Contingency plan
Emergency plan
A total focus on individual firefighter survival
When threatened with potential injury, firefighters should get into their fire shelter
Emergency Plan (Defensive)
A plan totally focused on the firefighter’s safety Examples:
Move to a temporary refuge area (an area that provides short term relief)
Withdraw along the escape route
Move into a safety zone.
Contingency plan
A fall back plan that closely supports the Primary Plan. The results may be less desirable but still supports the Primary Plan (Example: retreating into or behind the structure until fire intensity diminishes)
Alternate Plan [Offense]
The preferred plan that is intended to yield the best results
Is focused on mission objectives and firefighter safety
(Example: manning hose lines to suppress the fire around a structure)
Primary Plan
Modified safety zone rule of thumb.
8 X (variable of wind-slope-fire intensity) X Hveg = SSD (safe separation distance for 20 firefighters)
Levels Of Engagement
“There are only five things we can do in firefighting”
DRAW-D
Defend Reinforce Advance Withdrawal Delay
Tactical actions for structure defense
Check and go Prep and go Prep and defend Fire front following Tactical patrol Bump and run Anchor and hold
FAT PCP BUMP
Structure Triage Decision Process
SFACTS
Survival Fire Environment Access Construction/Clearance Time Constraints Stay or go
SFACTS-
SURVIVAL
• Initial Assessment: can you survive here? If not, LEAVE NOW!
• Is there a Safety Zone nearby? If not, LEAVE NOW! (IRPG)
• Do you have a viable Escape Route?
• What is the decision point at which you will leave based on fire behavior and rate of
spread?
• Is there a Temporary Refuge Area (TRA) on site? If not, LEAVE NOW!
- Preplanned area for immediate, temporary refuge – Use of fire shelter should not be necessary
- Is there a viable Escape Route to the TRA or Safety Zone?
• Is “Prep and Go” tactic an option?
• Do you have communications with your supervisor and adjoining forces?
• If safety issues cannot be mitigated, LEAVE NOW!
SFACTS -
TIME CONSTRAINTS
- Is there time for an adequate size up of the structure defense problem?
- Is there time to mitigate safety concerns?
- Is there time and adequate resources to properly prepare and defend the structure?
- Is there time to escape, utilizing Escape Routes, to a Safety Zone? If not, LEAVE NOW!
SFACTS -
STAY OR GO
• Tactical decision based on the S-FACTS
• Is it safe to stay? If no, utilize “Check and Go” tactic
• Is there time to prepare the structure for defense and what will the fire behavior be
when the fire gets here?
• “Prep and Go” or “Fire Front Following” tactics should be used when it is not safe to
“Prep and Defend”
SFACTS-
FIRE ENVIRONMENT
• Can you survive based on current and expected fire behavior?
• Look up, Look Down, Look Around Indicators:
- Fuels (characteristics, moisture, temperature)
– What will the intensity of the fire be when it arrives? – How long will it take to consume the fuels?
- Wind
– Current speed/direction – Expect changing winds
If not, LEAVE NOW!
- Terrain
– Are you in a chute, chimney, or saddle?
– Is wind in alignment with topography?
– What is your position relative to topography? – Are you mid slope or on top of a ridge?
- Atmospheric Stability
- Fire Behavior (requires constant monitoring)
– Spotting, crowning, sheeting, rate of spread?
– Flame length and height?
• Other weather considerations:
- What is the current relative humidity? – Is there an expected change?
- Are thunderstorms forecasted?
SFACTS-
ACCESS
• Is access compatible with time and distance factors necessary to utilize as an Escape Route to a Safety Zone?
- Road surface adequate for speed necessary?
- Adequate width?
- Turnaround/turnouts?
- Bridges within limits for fire apparatus?
- Drainage ditches/culverts?
- Steep grades?
- Is there a safe place to spot apparatus?
STRUCTURE DEFENSE FUNDAMENTALS
- Back equipment in for tactical mobility
- Shield apparatus from radiant heat – be aware of structure ignition potential
- Park in a cleared area (watch for power lines, trees)
- Have an engine/crew protection line identified
- Determine if residents are home. Determine best course of action – evacuate if safe to do so or shelter in place at safe location
- Maintain communications with all crew members
- Maintain at least 100 gallons of water reserve in your tank
- Top off your tank at every opportunity (use garden hose)
- For roof access, place owner’s ladder at a corner of the structure on the side with the least fire threat and away from power drop
- Keep fire out of heavier fuels (suppress in lighter fuels)
- Clear area around above-ground fuel tank, shutting off tank
- Close windows and doors, including garage, leaving doors unlocked
- Place combustible outside furniture inside the structure
- Charge and place garden hoses strategically around structure for immediate use
- Move wood piles away from structures
- Consider applying foam/gel to the structure (roof and siding) and/or fuels
