Safety as a Value Presented by Steve Counts Assistant Fire Chief-Operations Virginia Department of Forestry

Presentation Goals n Safety as a personal goal n Importance of PPE n Physical Fitness & related issues n LCES n Leadership & safety n Final items

Definitions n Safety: Freedom from danger, harm, risk, or injury; security n Value: Intrinsically valuable or desirable; to regard highly

Personal Protective Equipment n Hardhat n Gloves n Goggles n Respirator n Leather Boots n Nomex n Fire Shelter n Portable Radio n Chainsaw chaps n Hearing Protection

PPE-continued n Wear ALL assigned PPE n Protect particularly airways & eyes n Cover face if entrapped n Fire Shelters even better n Supervisors set the example n “PPE is ugly but it works”

Auto Ignition Temps.(F) of Clothing Types n Cotton 750 n Cotton/poly(60/40) 900 n Polyester 940 n Nomex 1300

Clothing Types Versus % Burn Injury Nomex lllA 6.1 oz: 35% of Body Burned when 2 nd & 3 rd Degree Burn Injury Occurs Cotton (100%) 6.5 oz Shirt/8.5 oz Pants: 75% to 90% of Body Burned when 2 nd & 3 rd Degree Burn Injury Occurs Poly/cotton Blend 7.5 oz coverall: 75% to 90% of Body Burned when 2 nd & 3 rd Degree Burn Injury Occurs

Fire Shelter Issues n Make shelter easy to reach n Protect airways at all costs n Attempt escape where success likely n Hold shelter tight n Get in shelter; stay in shelter n No packs in shelters

Carbon Monoxide Effects n Alertness-dull senses n Vision-difficult to discern colors,brightness n Time perception-poor judgment of n Fatigue-increased for work done n Judgment-often contrary to training & safe practices n Muscular coordination-difficulty in doing basic tasks

Physical Fitness n Aerobic fitness-30 min.per day min n Strength conditioning n Flexibility conditioning n ACCLIMATION -exercise in heat conditions n Fitness is important ALL year long

Acclimation Benefits n Earlier onset of sweating with exposure to heat n Production of more sweat n Production of more dilute sweat, conserving salts and minerals n Benefits wane rapidly if not continued regularly

Hydration n Working hard in heat burns 1.0 quarts water per hour n Re-hydrate only 0.7 quarts per hour n Incur 0.3 quarts per hour deficit n Hydrate before, during, & after prescribed burning n Drink 1 quart water/sport drinks per hour n Use sport drinks for one-third to one-half fluid needs

Hydration-Continued n Hydrate with water &/or sport drinks-not caffeine drinks n Eat potassium-rich foods such as bananas and citrus fruits on a regular basis n Assess hydration by observing volume, color, and concentration of urine n Other signs are rapid heart rate, weakness, fatigue, dizziness, weight loss

Heat Disorders n Heat Cramps: heavy sweating; painful spasms n Heat Exhaustion: Heavy sweating; weakness; weak pulse; skin cold, pale, and clammy; fainting; vomiting n Heat Stroke: HIGH body temp.; hot, dry skin; rapid pulse; possible unconsciousness; MEDICAL EMERGENCY!!!

What is LCES? n LOOKOUTS; COMMUNICATION; ESCAPE ROUTES; SAFETY ZONES n Key to safe procedures n Put in place Before needed n Functions sequentially n Self-triggering n Refocuses 10 Standard Fire- fighting orders

Lookouts n Must be able to see hazards n Must be able to communicate with personnel n Knows, observes, & anticipates fire behavior n Critically positioned n Relays observations n Each person is lookout!! n As risk increases, increase dedicated lookouts

Communication n Method for delivering messages n Prompt & clear warning needed n Radio, voice or both n Communications continually passed down to everyone n Determine communication plan Before start of prescribe burn

Escape Routes n Path for personnel to reach danger free area n Escape routes must be identified n TWO or more escape routes best n Most elusive of LCES n Reestablish escape routes as need arises n Fireline most common escape route n Closely tied to SAFETY ZONES

Fire Orders n Keep informed on fire weather conditions & forecasts n Know what your fire is doing at all times n Base all actions on current & expected behavior of the fire. n Identify escape routes & safety zones, and make them known n Post lookouts when there is possible danger

Fire Orders-con’t n Be alert. Keep calm. Think clearly. Act decisively, n Maintain prompt communication with your forces, your supervisor, and adjoining forces. n Give clear instruction and insure they are understood. n Maintain control of your forces at all times. n Fight fire aggressively, having provided for safety first.

Leadership n Set example for safety n Good Smoke Management Plan n Hold briefing before p. burning n Clear communication plan n Emphasize LCES n Establish what is acceptable n Clearly communicate Safety is #1 Priority

Final Safety Items n P.burn in early AM when weather dictates n Divide larger tracts into smaller parcels n Don’t burn when CSI over 500!! n Burn small tracts early in PB season to become physically acclimated n Allow for regular rest breaks n Burn with adequate personnel n Patrol & mop-up!