Firefighter Training S-130 Unit 1 Safety Orientation

Objectives Define Safety Identify potential hazards and explain the proper safety procedures to follow Explain what the LCES (Lookouts, Communications, Escape Routes, and Safety Zones) system is and why it is important You have been thru the 10 Fire Orders & 18 Situations that Shout Watch Out

Safety Defined as 1: The condition of being safe from undergoing or causing hurt, injury, or loss. 2b; a device on a piece of equipment to reduce hazard Also the freedom from exposure to danger, exemption from injury, and to protect from injury

Firefighters’ Requirements Knowledge and skill in methods of avoiding accidents, injury and exposure to danger An ability and attitude that grows with experience and training Firefighter personnel must use the knowledge and skills gained through training and experience in all situations

Types of Hazards & Proper Safety Procedures Remember where ever you are working you will be exposed to many hazardous conditions. Two Types of Hazards Subjective hazard, one has a direct control over it. Objective hazard, you have not control over it. Environment Hazards

Environmental Hazards Lightning Fire Weakened Timber Rolling rocks, logs Entrapment by fires

Other Environmental Hazards Heat Stress Hypothermia Darkness Carbon Monoxide Dust Smoke Inversions

Biological Hazards Snakes - Different Types/Different Areas Insects - KILLER BEES/Ticks Animals - Bears/Lions/Pack Rats Plants - Poison Oak, Ivy Microorganisms (giardia) Viral Infections (colds, influenza, etc.

Equipment Hazards Cuts (saws / hand tools) Burns from mufflers Noise (hearing impairment levels) Hand Tools Dozers, Tractors/Plows

Vehicle Hazards Operating around personnel Mechanical failure (breaks) Shifting Cargo Unskilled/inattentive operator

Aircraft Rotor & Fixed-Wing Retardant Drops Bucket Drops Sling loads Helicopter rotor wash breaking trees and snags Transport of personnel Special Use Missions

Fire Environment Hazards The actual fire running smoldering creeping Burns Smoke Unexpected or erratic winds Darkness Falling snags

Human Related Hazards Attitude (poor morale, fear, machismo) Physical condition Experience level Training Level Fatigue Critical stress

Base/Camp Hazards Sleeping areas Sanitation. Maintaining personal hygiene helps prevent gastrointestinal disorders Food

Hazards of Trees & Snags These are hazards are only surpassed by aviation accidents 1986 - 1992 14 fatal or debilitating snag accident occurred Crew boss/Firefighter to National Management Many occurred during non-threatening, uneventful situations during all phases of fire suppression

Three Categories or Conditions of Trees Living Dying ( still alive, but with little or no chance of recovery) Dead ( Snags - Critter Trees )

Living Tree Hazards Felling Operations Aircraft working above Strong Winds over 30 mph Mechanized equipment Cat faces/fire scars Branches, limbs (widow-makers) Heavy Lean Overhangs and hang ups Ground disturbance Shallow or exposed roots

Dying Tree Same hazards as live but to a greater degree Mechanical defect (poor root system) Evidence of insect activity, disease & decay

Dead Snags Critter Trees Same Hazards as both living & dying greater degree Snags may fall without warning or external disturbance Burned out are extremely dangerous

Safety procedures in hazardous areas Any hazard or potential hazard should be reported to your supervisor Flag areas so that others are aware of dangers Two options for working in an unsafe area Do not enter till safe Make the area safe to work in provided you receive approval from your supervisor

LCES LOOKOUTS COMMUNICATIONS ESCAPE ROUTES SAFETY ZONES

LCES Looks at the WATCHOUT Situations to evaluate the assignment Identifies the Hazard Analyze the risks Implements steps to ensure Firefighter Safety

Fire Entrapment LOOKOUTS must be posted with COMMUNICATIONS to each firefighter to have 2 ESCAPE ROUTES from work location to SAFETY ZONE

Lookouts When should they be posted? Fire not scouted & sized up In country not seen in daylight Unfamiliar with weather & local factors Uniformed on strategy, tactics or hazards Constructing line without a safe anchor point Building line downhill with fire below Unburned fuel between you and the fire On a hillside where rolling material can ignite full below Weather is getting hotter & drier Taking a nap near the fireline

Lookouts Back off if the situation is too complex Re-asses your tactics Two Tradition situations Downhill Line Construction Indirect Fireline Operations

Downhill Has area been scouted for fire perimeter, fire behavior, chimney and gullies? Have you got adequate safety zones & escape routes Post Lookouts with good communication to observe the fire below Anchor point must be establish Burn out fireline if possible as you proceed down the hill

Indirect Unable to see the fire Safety zone and anchor point needed BASE ALL ACTIONS ON CURRENT & EXPECTED FIRE BEHAVIOR Terrain favorable to hold fire Lookout needs to the hazard and crew Trained to observe & recognize the dangers Number will be determined by the size of the fire and the terrain it covers

Communications Under what conditions would you need? In country you have not seen in daylight | Safety Zones and escape routes not identified Unfamiliar w/weather & local factors Uninformed on strategy, tactics, or hazards

Communications Under what conditions would you need? Instructions & assignments not clear. No communications link with crew, supervisors, forces. Construct line without safe anchor point. Build line downhill with fire below. Attempting a frontal assault on a fire. Unburned fuel between you and the fire.

Communications Under what conditions would you need? Cannot see the main fire, not in contact with anyone who can. On a hillside where rolling material can ignite fuel below. Wind increase or changes direction. Getting frequent spot fires across the line. Terrain & Fuels make escape to safety zones difficult.

Communication Devices Radios Phones Word-of-Mouth Flagging If you have doubts about your ability to communicate, back off. Take the time to get it right

Escape Routes The path you take from a location exposed to danger to an area free from danger Effectiveness changes continuously, therefore constant re-evaluation & re-establishment must be done Escape routes shall be established at all times.

ESCAPE ROUTES What situations call for re-evaluations In country not seen in daylight Safety zones & escape routes not identified Unfamiliar with weather & local factors Uninformed on strategy, tactics, hazards Instruction & assignments not clear Constructing line without a safe anchor point Building fireline downhill with fire below

ESCAPE ROUTES What situations call for re-evaluations Attempting a frontal assault on a fire Unburned fuel between you and the fire Cannot see the main fire, not in contact with anyone who can On a hillside where rolling material can ignite fuel below Weather is getting hotter and drier Wind increases or changes direction

Escape Routes You need more then one In front of you To the rear of you The only safe line is the black line, leaving fuel between you and the fire will compound your problems Common is the fireline, but remember that fatigue & distance increase time to reach your safety zone Discard equipment

Safety Zones Find refuge from danger FIRE SHELTER IS NOT NEEDED 4 x the flame height Established at all times

SAFETY ZONES Needed when Fire not scouted and sized up In country not seen in daylight Unfamiliar with weather, local factors Uniformed on strategy, tactics, hazards Constructing line without a safe anchor point Building fire line downhill with fire below Attempting frontal assault on a fire

SAFETY ZONES Needed when Unburned fuel between you and the fire. Cannot see the main fire, not in contact with anyone who can. On a hillside where rolling mater can ignite fuel below. Weather is getting hotter and drier. Wind increases or changes direction. Getting frequent spot fires across the line.

SAFETY ZONES Remember that fireline intensity will determine the size, but bring into account topographic features Large enough for to accommodate all firefighters Stay alert to changing safety zones & escape routes, as you construct line Remember to re-examine your tactics PROVIDE FOR SAFETY FIRST

Wildland Firefighting is a dangerous job