Brush Fire Tools

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Brush Fire Tools Tactics

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SOP
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SOP Details

• Clothing
• Steel toed boots, gloves, eye protection and head
  protection, turnout coat recommended in cool/cold
  weather NOT in summer (OIC discretion)
• Vehicles
• Brush 3 and Tanker will position in vicinity of
  brush (upwind if possible) and maintain a means
  for egress should conditions deteriorate. All
  other units stage until given assignments. E4
  CAFs or Gator at OIC discretion.

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• Accountability
• NEVER enter wooded areas alone or without
  notifying an Officer or Engineer.
• All firefighters entering the woods or brush MUST
  have tagged in and left their Accountability ID
  tags with lead Engine/Command post! PARs will be
  conducted every 25 minutes.

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• Overhaul
• Check all hot spots, clear and/or soak perimeter.
  Utilize Thermal Imager (TIC) as appropriate.
• Precautions
• Watch for, and avoid heat exhaustion with proper
  hydration.
• Be aware of wind direction and velocity
• Be aware of direction fire is traveling to avoid
  getting stranded.
• Be careful in rough terrain.

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• Tactics Strategy
• Brush fires may present a large area of rapidly
  spreading fire. The critical decision is where to
  attack the fire
• The basic brush fire philosophy is to
  aggressively stop the forward progress of fire
  whenever possible. Protection of exposures is the
  primary goal when immediate control is not
  possible.
• Command must be prepared to readjust and develop
  a defensive strategy to protect exposures while
  allowing the fire to burn to a location better
  suited for control.

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• Tactics Strategy (cont.)
• When water is in short supply, it is usually most
  effective when applied to burning material
  instead of wetting fuel in advance
• The following is a list of size-up considerations
  that greatly affect tactics and strategy
• Location of fire head or heads-- The fast moving
  part of the fire
• Pertinent burning conditions--weather, time of
  day, etc.
• Type of fuel--light, heavy fuel
• Exposures--improvements, buildings, crops, etc.
• Size of fire and rate of speed
• Line of retreat
• Power Lines!

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• Method of Attack
• Operations Officer will make decisions relative
  to hand lines, attack direction, teams, etc.
• Two Teams will advance on the Left and Right
  Flank of the fire. Teams will work towards the
  head or point to cut off fire advancement.
• Each team should consist of 5 firefighters
  utilizing 2 brooms, 1 Indian Tank, and 2
  utensils (axes, brush hooks, shovels)
• If a hose Line is advanced, all firefighters
  assist in positioning hose.
• OIC has discretion to utilize CAFs provided
  Engine 4 can achieve an appropriate position with
  means for egress should conditions deteriorate.

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Fire Attack

• Two Teams will advance on Left and Right Flank of
  the fire. Teams will work towards the head or
  point to cut off fire advancement.
• The head of a small brush fire can be approached
  safely from either the burned-out blackened area
  or from the flanks of the fire.
• Positioning firefighters on a road or
  firebreak area in front of fast-moving brush
  fire can be extremely dangerous

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Fire Attack
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Tools Brush Broom

• Sweep embers and fuel into burn area
• Start the sweep at least 1 foot into unburned
  area
• If suddenly working alone, be alert and use
  effective communications.

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Tools Brush Hook (aka Fire Rake)

• Scrape down to dirt
• Cut through roots
• Create a control line

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Tools Indian Tank

• Backpack design
• 5 gallons typical
• Filled by B3, Gator
• Manual Operation

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1. Heat Exhaustion

• Those most prone to heat exhaustion are elderly
  people, people with high blood pressure, and
  people working or exercising in a hot
  environment.
• Warning signs of heat exhaustion include
• heavy sweating paleness
• Muscle cramps tiredness
• Dizziness headache
• Nausea/vomiting fainting
• The skin may be cool and moist. The victim's
  pulse rate will be fast and weak, and breathing
  will be fast and shallow.

2. Heat Stroke -gtfatal
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• Questions?