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Fire Ground Safety

Priority of Protection

These priorities are taken from WestPlan Fire (pp. 18) and are extended by the SEMC Bulletin No.1

  1. Protection and Preservation of Life
    1. Own
    2. Crew
    3. Public
  2. Critical infrastructure and community assets
  3. Residential property
  4. Assets supporting individual livelihood and community financial sustainability
  5. Environment and heritage

LACES

  • Lookouts
    • “Eyes up, eyes behind”
  • Awareness
    • Be aware of changing conditions:
      • Weather;
      • Fuel;
      • Terrain;
      • Resources;
      • Personal health;
  • Communications
    • Up chain of command;
    • Down chain of command;
    • Across a team;
    • Emergency
  • Escape
    • Position vehicle for quick and easy escape;
    • Avoid getting stuck or bogged;
  • Safe Zone
    • Anchor Point;
    • Burn ground;
    • Cleared area;

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:

  • Area of un-burnt fuel between fire and personnel;
  • Change in conditions (weather, terrain, fuel load);
  • Sudden, unexpected and rapid increase in fire behaviour;

Work as close to the fire edge as possible. Be constantly vigilant for changing conditions; including weather, terrain and fuel.

Burn-Over Procedure

If a burn-over situation is imminent, employ the following procedure:

  1. Notify Commanders of Emergency Situation:
    1. Transmit Emergency Message;
    2. Activate beacons/emergency warning devices and siren;
    3. Notify Sector Commander/IMT of the location and situation;
    4. Request aerial assistance if available;
  2. Cease Operations:
    1. Close branches and place on ground. All crew return vehicle and head-count;
    2. Close and remove delivery lines at pump, except personal protection lines;
  3. Prepare and Protect the Appliance:
    1. 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);
    2. Leave the pump running, at a speed that allows protective sprays to operate;
    3. Close all doors, windows and air vents, and leave the engine running on fast idle. Turn air-conditioner to recirculate. Drop curtains;
    4. Turn on beacons and headlights;
  4. Prepare Crew:
    1. Conduct a head-count to ensure all crew are present;
    2. Take cover in the cabin;
    3. Crew are to crouch below window level;
    4. Dress in full PPE. Cover crew with blankets/protection. Do not hose down crew;
    5. Drink water to minimise the risk of dehydration;
    6. STAY INSIDE THE VEHICLE;
  5. Protect Crew;
    1. On imminent fire contact, operate protective sprays;
    2. 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.

SOP 3.5.11 - Entrapment at Bushfire

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

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:
    1. Call-sign;
    2. Location;
    3. Nature of emergency;
  • AVL Distress Button (Press button for 4 seoncds);

Mobile phone, to ComCen, 000 or any other receipient is a secondary emergency communications method.