Wildfire Emergency Medical Services

1. Wildfire Emergency Medical Services

2. Ojectives • EMS roles during wildland incidents • Types of injuries • Wildland Terminology • Fire Shelters

3. Well known fires where firefighters sustained injuries

4. EMS Roles During Wildland Incidents • Provide non-emergent care • Band aids • Splinting • Heat exposure • Obtain vital signs • Rehab

5. EMS Roles During Wildland Incidents • Provide emergency care • Burns • Fractures • Respiratory/Cardiacarrest • Chest Pain • Difficulty breathing/SOB

7. Wildfire! • Terminology • Wildland Fire • Term used for forest fire incidents • Head • Top of the fire • Flank • Sides of the ire • Point of Origin • Where the fire started

8. Wildfire! • Terminology • Heel • Bottom of the fire • Anchor Point • Place to start constructing fireline • Fireline • Used to control the edges of the fire

9. Wildfire! • Terminology • Mop Up • Digging up all the hot spots • Retardant/Foam • Used to put out fire-Wet heavy thick liquid • Tanker • Aircraft that carries retardant or water • Lookouts • Person(s) that watches fire and weather conditions

10. Wildfire! • Terminology • Communications • Communicating between crew and other personnel • Escape Routes • The fastest safest route to you safety zone • Safety Zones • An area to retreat and escape the fire • Wildland Urban Interface • Buildings built in amongst the woods and wilderness • Spot Fire • Fire that has started as a result of the main fire.

11. Wildfire! • Terminology • 10 standard firefighting orders • 18 Watch Out Situations • Many others……………………

12. L C E S

13. Lookouts

14. Communications

15. Escape Routes

16. Safety Zones

17. 10 Standard Firefighting Orders • Keep informed on fire weather conditions and forecasts. • Know what your fire is doing at all times. • Base all conditions on current and expected behavior of the fire. • Identify escape routes and safety zones, and make them known.

18. 10 Standard Firefighting Orders • Post lookouts when there is possible danger. • Be alert. Keep calm. Think clearly. Act decisively. • Maintain prompt communications with your forces, your supervisor and adjoining forces. • Give clear instructions and ensure they are understood.

19. 10 Standard Firefighting Orders • Maintain control of your forces. • Fight fire aggressively, having provided for safety first.

20. 18 Watch Out Situations • Fire not scouted and sized up. • In country not seen in daylight. • Safety zones and escape routes not identified. • Unfamiliar with weather and local factors influencing fire behavior. • Uninformed on strategy, tactics, and hazards.

21. 18 Watch Out Situations • Instructions and assignments not clear. • No communication link with crew members/supervisor. • Constructing fireline without safe anchor point. • Building fireline downhill with fire below. • Attempting frontal assault on a fire. • Unburned fuel between you and the fire.

22. 18 Watch Out Situations • Cannot see main fire, not in contact with anyone who can. • On a hillside where rolling material can ignite fuel below. • Weather is hotter and drier. • Wind increases and/or changes direction. • Getting frequent spot fires across line.

23. 18 Watch Out Situations • Terrain and fuels make escape to safety zones difficult. • Taking a nap near the fireline.

24. Fire Shelters • A personal protection item carried by firefighters which forms a tent-like shelter of heat reflective material. • Looks like a tin foil tent • Although not optimal, you can have more than one person inside. • Must wear all PPE when using.

29. Only provide care for the skills you are licensed and trained to perform Remember-You are not a firefighter yet. DO NOT go into situations where you have to be one.

30. Questions?