S-330 Task Force Leader

1. S-330 Task Force Leader Pre- Engagement

2. Unit 2 Objectives • Understanding Delegated Objectives • Various planning functions • Significance of time frames • Leaders intent • Communications • Heavy Equipment considerations • Safety

3. Planning Dig the well before you are thirsty

4. Focus planning on achieving delegated objectives • What does this mean for a TFL? • Objectives directed from supervisor (IC, DivSup, ZWCO, FC) • Eg. ensure 100ft wet line along dozer guard • Eg. ensure fire is 100% extinguished • Eg. contain fire then turnover to landowner • The overall “delegated objective,” should influence the planning process in an attempt to achieve that objective.

5. PlanningObjective: to be able to describe key operational and logistical factors associated with TFL level planning A large part of being a TFL is looking ahead and planning for the next operational periods The planning process involves considering needs from the following ICS sections: Operations Plans Logistics Air Finance

6. Operational PlanningDescribe key operational and logistical factors associated with TFL level planning • Objectives • Specific (clearly explained and understood) • Measurable (what does the end result look like?) • Attainable (can they be done with the resources available?) • Realistic (are they/you asking too much?) • Time (when should they be achieved?) • Strategy - a plan of action or policy designed to achieve a major or overall aim • Tactics • What strategies will you implement to ensure these objectives are met? • OSWS – what specific safety considerations are there? (hazards, fire behaviour, terrain etc)

7. What essential pieces of information should be observed and conveyed through a recon flight? • LACES • Resources • natural – water, fuel breaks • heavy equipment • air support • crews • Control lines • Objectives • Projected time frames • Pick up location(s) • Contingency pick up • Hazards

8. Initial Assessment of Strike Team/Task Force • Physical/mental condition • Contract Inspection • Qualifications and experience level • Identify trainees • Ensure each resource has assigned order and request number. • Obtain manifests for assigned resources. • Record names and numbers of single resource bosses and all personnel, unit designators

9. Logistical PlanningDescribe key operational and logistical factors associated with TFL level planning • meals (for night ops/) • portable toilets • lodging, fuel • drinking water • warehouse needs • FA coverage • Contract Crews • Heavy Equipment • What else?

10. Identify and correct potential logistical issues • What potential problems can a TFL face in regards to logistics? • What can you do to mitigate or prevent these problems from occurring?

11. Plans Section Specific Functions • Resources • Availability (what do you have access to?) • Adequacy (what is going to do the best job?) • Allocation (where are you going to place resources?) • Longevity (How long will you need resources?) • Future considerations (What are you going to need?)

12. Understand the importance of identifying and communicating time frames Time may be the single most important element in the planning process. It may be easy to know when objectives need to be completed The difficult part is determining how long specific tasks are going to take to complete those objectives

13. How can you determine timeframes for tasks when planning? • Experience - What have you learned from other fires? • Fuel types • Terrain • Fire behaviour • Weather • Resource capabilities • Observations • Do you know your crews and operators? • Have you seen them work before?

14. Once you have an idea of how long it will take, how will you communicate this ? • Briefings • Objectives with timeframes • Ask for affirmation on tasks and times • Updates • Monitor progress and adapt if needed • DON’T like communication piece • Will be covered in Communications?

15. Clear objectives = Well executed tactics Leaders Intent: At the heart of every briefing conducted for a group or individual is the purpose or objectives of the assignment. This is called "Leader's Intent."  Leaders must communicate the purpose of a chosen action or direction so those being briefed have a clear understanding of the desired end state of an assignment. Clear and concise, the leader's intent includes a mission's overall purpose and expected results. With clearly communicated purpose and direction, followers can understand what they must do and why.

16. Leaders Intent • Task: • What it is to be done, or the ‘objectives’ • Purpose: • Why it is to be done, or ‘sense-making’ • End State: • What it does success look like, or ‘goal’

17. What information should you consider when choosing a tactic? • Resources available • Logistical concerns • Safety is it worth protecting/ risk analysis? • Feasibility • Anticipated Fire Behaviour • Weather forecast (even extended forecast) • Terrain and fuel types • Special Values

18. What are the Planning differences between: Contained vs Uncontained Fire • Uncontained • Establish Objectives • Recce – assessment • Strategy (in/direct) • Hazard assess/mitigate • Containment • Suppression • Mop-up • Patrol • Demob • Rehab • Contained • Establish Objectives • Mop-up • Patrol • Demob • Rehab

19. Ensure Clear Objective(s) • Direct or parallel attack • Frequency and size of safety zones • Escape routes • Start and stop points/times

20. Identify key factors that influence control line construction and placement • Intent • Hazards • Expected Fire Behaviour • Suitable Terrain/Fuel type • Personnel and Resources • Ability to Support the Guard • Chance of Success • Safety (LACES) • Others?

21. Communication If you consider yourself to be a poor communicator, at the very least........ BE ORGANIZED !! • Have a plan • Create clear objectives • Have deadlines/timeframes • Think about what the finished product should look like

22. CommunicationIdentify and describe important information in all sections of the IAP

23. IAP Continued • Safety protocols • Hazards • Communications • Med Ops Plan • Daily Objectives • Weather updates • Fire behaviour • Maps • Org Chart(s) • Contacts/Call Signs • Resources • Important Co-ordinates • Demob plans

24. Communication Who has conducted briefings?

25. As a TFL, what types of briefings/ debriefings will you be delivering?

26. How do you measure a briefing’s success? How can you ensure a briefing will be successful?

27. Factors to consider when utilizing Heavy Equipment on the Fire Line

28. Heavy Equipment Determine heavy equipment quality by evaluating important components • In most cases this is not the responsibility of the TFL HOWEVER • TFLs should be aware of unsafe components on Heavy Equipment

29. Common Indicators of Poor Maintenance • Excessive wear or bad cuts in tires. • Cracked welds • FOPS/ROPS certificate missing • Non-functioning gauges • Excavator that is unable to perform more than one function simultaneously (I.E. swing and extended) • Chokers and mainline should be in good conditions and generally free of frays. • “Jerry rigged” temporary repairs • Missing or loose bolts • Worn Corner Bits • Badly worn or broken cutting edges • Frayed cables • Oil or water leaks • Damaged or leaking hydraulic hoses or rams • Track grousers badly worn, bent or missing track shoes • Too much slack in tracks • Badly worn rails, rollers, idlers, and sprockets • Excessive “knocking” of boom and other attachments • Missing/broken “teeth” on buckets or other attachments • Too much smoke in exhaust • Damaged sheet metal or glass • Loose or missing guards

30. Determine operator suitability How do you know if an operator is suitable for the job? Quality check prior to hire Observing his/her work Asking the comfort level of the operator If you know who the more experienced and qualified operators are, use them to their full potential

31. Safety Describe safety procedures associated with BCWS’s chainsaw operations

32. Chainsaw Safety continued • Identify qualified site supervisor • Ensure proper PPE • Record keeping up-to-date • Logbooks • Field Learning Plans • Certification • 47 page evaluation (old ESC) • Faller and Bucker inspections • Establish check in procedures • Daily briefings • Address hazards • Ensure consistency for site marking protocols for DTA/DTF • DTA • Completed/Re-assessed • Documented and submitted

33. TFL opportunity Sitkum Creek Fire