081S215EP

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Unit 8
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Unit 8 Objectives

• 1. Describe three safety hazards commonly
  encountered on interface fires.
• 2. Describe in order of priority three actions
  that can be taken if a defensive position is
  threatened by the fire and becomes unsafe.
• 3. List three indications of potential hazardous
  material combustion.

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Interface Safety Considerations

• Risks are taken to protect homes beyond what
  would be acceptable in most wildland fire
  situations.
• Extreme fire behavior can cut off escape routes
  to safety zones.
• Mass ignition of structures creates extreme
  radiant heat.
• Hazardous chemicals, power lines, and numerous
  other risks require continual evaluation and
  situational awareness for firefighter safety.

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Preparation for Interface Fires

• Make sure all personnel have PPE and wear it on
  the way to the fire.
• Access to and extra fire shelters in the cab is
  critical.
• Shelters have been successfully deployed in the
  cab of trapped engines.
• Gloves are critical for shelter deployment.

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Driver Safety Awareness

• Driving accidents are a leading cause of injuries
  and fatalities to firefighters.
• Interface fires increase the risk of vehicle
  accidents.
• Drive with extra caution.
• Speed is a leading cause of accidents involving
  emergency vehicles.

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Driving Watch Outs!

• If you cant see what is ahead, stop.
• Anticipate road hazards send someone ahead on
  foot to scout if necessary.
• Poor visibility Use headlights and emergency
  flashers even when stationary.
• Leave keys in the vehicle.
• Dont bunch up engines on roadway.

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Driving Watch Outs!

• Be aware of fire potential on mid-slope roads.
• Watch for weak bridges and sub-standard
  roads.
• Obtain good road maps.

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Size-up For Safety

• Conduct a size-up for safety in your structure
  triage decision process.
• Consider Escape Routes and Safety Zones in all
  tactical decisions.

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Interface Watch-Out Situations

• Poor access and narrow one-way roads
• Bridge load limits
• Wooden construction and wood shake roofs
• Inadequate water supply
• Natural fuels 30 feet or closer to structures
• Structures in chimneys, box canyons, or on steep
  slopes (30 or greater)
• Extreme fire behavior
• Strong winds
• Evacuation of public (panic)

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Escape Routes and Safety Zones

• Distance to Safety Zone If possible collocate
  Safety Zone with defensive position.
• Avoid using Safety Zones that are more than two
  minutes driving time.
• Safety Zone not available Pre-treat and leave.
• Avoid escape routes on steep, narrow or
  substandard roads.

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Escape Routes and Safety Zones

• Escape routes can become traps in heavy fuels.
• Identify and communicate location to all
  personnel.
• Get positive feedback from crews so youre sure
  they understand location.

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Identify Unique Hazards

• Power lines, transformers, electrical boxes
• Use fog spray when working near electrical
  power.
• Use caution when crossing barbed wire or
  opening metal gates.

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Power Line Safety Rules

• Downed conductor on vehicle stay in vehicle
  until power company arrives. If vehicle is on
  fire or fire is near, jump clear, but dont hang
  on. Keep feet together and bunny hop away.
• Smoke, water, and retardant are all good
  conductors and can cause power line to ground
  arcing.
• Dont operate heavy equipment under power lines.
• Dont use rights-of-way as a jump zone, cargo
  drop spot, staging area, or Safety Zone.

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Power Line Safety Rules

• Dont drive with long antennas under power lines.
• Dont fuel vehicles under power lines.
• Dont stand near power lines during retardant or
  bucket drops.
• Dont park under power lines
• Dont apply straight stream to power lines.

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Hazardous Material Awareness

• Farms and ranches often have their own fuel and
  chemical storage facilities.
• Burning structures contain hazardous materials
  that emit toxic gases.
• Remain at a safe distance exposure may not
  have an immediate effect on your health.

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Sources of Hazardous Material

• Residential structures have chemicals, paint,
  cleaning fluids, pesticides or herbicides,
  plastics and gunpowder or ammunition.
• Ranches often have large quantities of
  pesticides, herbicides, fuel, explosives and
  ammonia nitrate fertilizers.

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Smoke Color Indicators

• Watch for smoke that is unusual in density or
  volume.
• Watch for smoke that is unusual in color.
• Black smoke hydrocarbons, fuel or oil.
• Colored smoke red, green or yellow are
  indicators of toxic materials such as acids,
  corrosives or poison.

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Hazmat Watch Outs

• Invisible vapors can extend beyond the limit of
  visible smoke and can be inhaled or absorbed
  through the skin.
• Watch for environmental warning signs dead birds
  or livestock. Personnel exhibiting convulsions,
  dizziness or disorientation.

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Hazmat Response

• Evacuate all personnel and deny access to others.
• Report location of suspected hazardous materials,
  request Hazmat specialists.
• Dont evacuate downwind or downhill if possible.
• Rule of Thumb If you cant cover the incident
  scene with your outstretched thumbnail, youre
  too close!

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Defensive Tactics

• Back engine into working position, leave engine
  running with lights and flashers on.
• Upon reaching position immediately check
  operation of pump motor.
• Dont block escape routes for other equipment.
• Dont park near heavy fuel loads.
• Look for green lawns or gravel surfaces to park
  your engine.
• Keep doors and windows closed, maintain engine
  protection line and keep at least 100 gallons in
  your tank.

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Burnover Shelter from the Storm

• Use escape routes and safety zones as first
  choice, anticipate fire behavior.
• Take refuge in the structure.
• Take shelter in your engine. Make sure you have
  your fire shelter and gloves.
• Maintain control of personnel at all times.

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Aftermath

• Extreme danger is still present after the fire
  passes.
• Conduct post-fire size-up for safety.
• Burned snags and power poles
• Limit exposure to toxic smoldering materials.
• Limit mopup to natural fuels if possible.

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Conclusion

• Nearly all wildland fires involve some aspects of
  interface hazards.
• Multiple hazards exist simultaneously in the
  interface environment.
• Firefighter safety is primary objective, not
  saving structures.
• Homes will rebuild, like a forest after the fire.

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Unit 8 Objectives

• 1. Describe three safety hazards commonly
  encountered on interface fires.
• 2. Describe in order of priority three actions
  that can be taken if a defensive position is
  threatened by the fire and becomes unsafe.
• 3. List three indications of potential hazardous
  material combustion.