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training:firegroundsafety [2017/09/05 13:42] – Adrian Woodleytraining:firegroundsafety [2020/11/11 12:56] (current) – external edit 127.0.0.1
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 ====== Fire Ground Safety ====== ====== Fire Ground Safety ======
 +
 ===== Priority of Protection ===== ===== Priority of Protection =====
 +
 These priorities are taken from [[https://www.oem.wa.gov.au/Documents/Resources/LegislationPolicyPlansProcedureandGuidelines/Plans/Westplans2016/WestplanFireSEMCdec2016DraftBulletinreference.pdf|WestPlan Fire]] (pp. 18) and are extended by the [[https://www.oem.wa.gov.au/Documents/Publications/Bulletins/2016.10.10%20SEMC%20Bulletin%20No.%201%20-%20Strategic%20control%20priorities%20-%20FIRE%20-%20FINAL.pdf|SEMC Bulletin No.1]] These priorities are taken from [[https://www.oem.wa.gov.au/Documents/Resources/LegislationPolicyPlansProcedureandGuidelines/Plans/Westplans2016/WestplanFireSEMCdec2016DraftBulletinreference.pdf|WestPlan Fire]] (pp. 18) and are extended by the [[https://www.oem.wa.gov.au/Documents/Publications/Bulletins/2016.10.10%20SEMC%20Bulletin%20No.%201%20-%20Strategic%20control%20priorities%20-%20FIRE%20-%20FINAL.pdf|SEMC Bulletin No.1]]
 +
   - Protection and Preservation of Life   - Protection and Preservation of Life
-    - Own +      - Own 
-    - Crew +      - Crew 
-    - Public+      - Public
   - Critical infrastructure and community assets   - Critical infrastructure and community assets
   - Residential property   - Residential property
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 ===== LACES ===== ===== LACES =====
 +
   * Lookouts   * Lookouts
-    * "Eyes up, eyes behind"+      * "Eyes up, eyes behind"
   * Awareness   * Awareness
-    * Be aware of changing conditions: +      * Be aware of changing conditions: 
-      * Weather; +        * Weather; 
-      * Fuel; +        * Fuel; 
-      * Terrain; +        * Terrain; 
-      * Resources; +        * Resources; 
-      * Personal health;+        * Personal health;
   * Communications   * Communications
-    * Up chain of command; +      * Up chain of command; 
-    * Down chain of command; +      * Down chain of command; 
-    * Across a team; +      * Across a team; 
-    * Emergency+      * Emergency
   * Escape   * Escape
-    * Position vehicle for quick and easy escape; +      * Position vehicle for quick and easy escape; 
-    * Avoid getting stuck or bogged;+      * Avoid getting stuck or bogged;
   * Safe Zone   * Safe Zone
-    * Anchor Point; +      * Anchor Point; 
-    * Burn ground; +      * Burn ground; 
-    * Cleared area;+      * Cleared area;
  
 ===== Dead Man Zone ===== ===== Dead Man Zone =====
-The Dead Man Zone describes an area of un-burnt fuel which exists between a fire and personnel. The greater the distance between the fire and the personnel, the greater the likelihood that the fire will encounter a change in conditions as it progresses. This change in conditions can produce a rapid and unexpected increase in fire behaviour, quickly overrunning the exposed personnel.+ 
 +[[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dead_man_zone|https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dead_man_zone]] 
 + 
 +The term //dead man zone// was coined by members of the CSIRO research team in Australia who were investigating the spread of bushfires (Project Vesta). 
 + 
 +The **dead man zone** is defined as the area directly around a bushfire that is likely to burn within five minutes given the current wind conditions or an (un)anticipated change in wind direction. The distance this zone extends from the firefront is highly dependent on terrain, windspeed, fuel type and composition, relative humidity and ambient temperature, and can range from under 100 m to well over 1 km.
  
 Summary: Summary:
 +
   * Area of un-burnt fuel between fire and personnel;   * Area of un-burnt fuel between fire and personnel;
   * Change in conditions (weather, terrain, fuel load);   * Change in conditions (weather, terrain, fuel load);
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 Work as close to the fire edge as possible. Be constantly vigilant for changing conditions; including weather, terrain and fuel. Work as close to the fire edge as possible. Be constantly vigilant for changing conditions; including weather, terrain and fuel.
 +
  
 ===== Burn-Over Procedure ===== ===== Burn-Over Procedure =====
 +
 If a burn-over situation is imminent, employ the following procedure: If a burn-over situation is imminent, employ the following procedure:
  
   - Notify Commanders of Emergency Situation:   - Notify Commanders of Emergency Situation:
-    - Transmit Emergency Message; +      - Transmit Emergency Message; 
-    - Activate beacons/emergency warning devices and siren; +      - Activate beacons/emergency warning devices and siren; 
-    - Notify Sector Commander/IMT of the location and situation; +      - Notify Sector Commander/IMT of the location and situation; 
-    - Request aerial assistance if available;+      - Request aerial assistance if available;
   - Cease Operations:   - Cease Operations:
-    - Close branches and place on ground. All crew return vehicle and head-count; +      - Close branches and place on ground. All crew return vehicle and head-count; 
-    - Close and remove delivery lines at pump, except personal protection lines;+      - Close and remove delivery lines at pump, except personal protection lines;
   - Prepare and Protect the Appliance:   - Prepare and Protect the Appliance:
-    - Park appliance on a burnt/cleared area, in a position that affords as much protection as possible for the crew (rear of vehicle to fire front); +      - Park appliance on a burnt/cleared area, in a position that affords as much protection as possible for the crew (rear of vehicle to fire front); 
-    - Leave the pump running, at a speed that allows protective sprays to operate; +      - Leave the pump running, at a speed that allows protective sprays to operate; 
-    - Close all doors, windows and air vents, and leave the engine running on fast idle. Turn air-conditioner to recirculate. Drop curtains; +      - Close all doors, windows and air vents, and leave the engine running on fast idle. Turn air-conditioner to recirculate. Drop curtains; 
-    - Turn on beacons and headlights;+      - Turn on beacons and headlights;
   - Prepare Crew:   - Prepare Crew:
-    - Conduct a head-count to ensure all crew are present; +      - Conduct a head-count to ensure all crew are present; 
-    - Take cover in the cabin; +      - Take cover in the cabin; 
-    - Crew are to crouch below window level; +      - Crew are to crouch below window level; 
-    - Dress in full PPE. Cover crew with blankets/protection. **Do not hose down crew**; +      - Dress in full PPE. Cover crew with blankets/protection. **Do not hose down crew**; 
-    - Drink water to minimise the risk of dehydration; +      - Drink water to minimise the risk of dehydration; 
-    - **STAY INSIDE THE VEHICLE**;+      - **STAY INSIDE THE VEHICLE**;
   - Protect Crew;   - Protect Crew;
-    - On imminent fire contact, operate protective sprays; +      - On imminent fire contact, operate protective sprays; 
-    - Wait for the fire front to pass. Immediately after the fire front has passed, account for all crew and check the vehicle for damage;+      - Wait for the fire front to pass. Immediately after the fire front has passed, account for all crew and check the vehicle for damage;
  
 Note: Do not hose down crew members with water prior to the fire front passing, as the conduction of heat through the clothing may induce steam burns. Note: Do not hose down crew members with water prior to the fire front passing, as the conduction of heat through the clothing may induce steam burns.
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 ===== Fatigue Management ===== ===== Fatigue Management =====
 +
 +==== Signs of Fatigue ====
 +
 +  * Drowsiness;
 +  * Headache;
 +  * Dizziness;
 +  * Muscle weakness;
 +  * Impared decision-making and judgement;
 +  * Irritability, intolerance;
 +
 +==== Contributing Factors ====
 +
 +  * Physical exertion;
 +  * Lack of sleep;
 +  * Nutrition;
 +  * Illness;
 +
 +==== Management ====
 +
 +  * Rest;
 +  * Eat;
 +  * Drink water;
 +  * Sleep;
 +
 +If you feel fatigued, or notice someone is fatigued, ask to be stood down.
 +
 +**DO NOT DRIVE TIRED**
 +
 ===== Emergency Communications ===== ===== Emergency Communications =====
 +
 +Communications is vital to safe and effective fire ground operations. In an emergenecy, being able to quickly and accurately relay information could be life saving.
 +
 +Within the appliances, there are two primary methods of communicating an emergency situation and requesting assistance:
 +
 +  * Radio - call "//Emergency Emergency Emergency//" and give the following information:
 +      - Call-sign;
 +      - Location;
 +      - Nature of emergency;
 +  * AVL Distress Button (//Press button for 4 seoncds//);
 +      * [[https://youtu.be/89wXSRevNDc?t=45s|Demonstration Video]]
 +
 +Mobile phone, to ComCen, 000 or any other receipient is a secondary emergency communications method.
 +