Advanced Firefighter Training S-131 Certified at Level I

2. Advanced Firefighter Training S-131Certified at Level I National Wildfire Coordinating Group National Interagency Fire Center

3. Unit 0 – Introduction Course Objectives • Properly document the appropriate information during fire suppression activities. • Describe how to incorporate and maintain open lines of communication with all appropriate fire suppression personnel. • Demonstrate the ability to make informed decisions.

4. Unit 0 – IntroductionCourse Objectives • Apply LCES (Lookouts, Communications, Escape Routes & Safety Zones) to fire line tactics. • Demonstrate the steps required to properly size up a fire situation and determine appropriate tactics.

5. Unit 1 –Fireline Reference Materials OBJECTIVES: • Discuss the Fireline Handbook and how it is used as a fireline reference. • Demonstrate the ability to apply the information and guidelines in a Fireline Handbook given fire situations. • Identify 6 types of fire reference materials

6. Unit 1 –Fireline Reference Materials Available Fireline Reference Materials: -Fireline Handbook (FLHB). The fireline handbook is intended to serve as a field guide for wildland agencies using the Incident Command System (ICS) in the control of wildland forest and range fires. The objective of the handbook is to provide an Interagency ‘nuts and bolts’ pocket field guide for wildland fire suppression personnel.

7. Unit 2 – Documenting Fireline Activities OBJECTIVES: • Describe why it is important to document fire related activities. • Identify information which should be documented. • Identify various methods for documentation.

8. Unit 2 – Documenting Fireline Activities Define Documentation: Documentation is the process of recording written information for future reference.

9. Unit 2 – Documenting Fireline Activities Importance of Documentation: • The importance of documentation cannot be underestimated. • Your records will be all that you can fall back on in many situations.

10. Unit 2 – Documenting Fireline Activities Types of Documentation: • Mental: • Easy and relatively good for the short term • Usually limited to 5 items • Not very effective for the long term or complex information. • Written: • Either in a Notebook or in an Agency provided form. • Provides the best method for documentation.

11. Unit 2 – Documenting Fireline Activities Document Fireline Situations: • Changes in fire behavior • Weather observations • Change in assignment or location • Injuries • Adjacent resources and call numbers • Time of day when any of the above occurs • Spot fires - flagging

12. Unit 2 – Documenting Fireline Activities Document Any Action Where There May Be Legal Liabilities: • Cutting fences for access into a fire. • Property modifications during structure protection. • Investigation of a point of origin or fire cause. • Involvement with search and rescues, vehicle accidents, injuries, or law enforcement.

13. Unit 3 – Communications Objectives: • Define Communications and list ways to ensure that complete and accurate communication has taken place. • Identify 6 essential pieces of information you should receive and pass on to subordinates prior to your tactical assignment.

14. Unit 3 – Communications Objectives: • List 3 ways to communicate during tactical assignment. • Identify the communications responsibilities of supervisory personnel, single resources and the Squad Boss during a tactical assignment.

15. Unit 3 – Communications Define Communications: Transfer of information in terms understood by both parties.

16. Unit 3 – Communications Give/Get Feedback: By repeating pertinent information, it is more apt to be accurately understood.

17. Unit 3 – Communications Ensure Complete and Accurate Communication: • Give/Get feedback • Write information down • Passing information • Follow-up • Debrief regularly

18. Unit 3 – Communications Write Information Down: • Document all pertinent information • Don’t rely on memory to relay information

19. Unit 3 – Communications Passing Information: • Pass on all information you know as fact to all assigned personnel. • Don’t Pass On Rumors: There are already enough to go around.

20. Unit 3 – Communications Follow Up: • Quiz individuals throughout the operational period. • Informal / one on one (for observed hazards) • Escape Routes • Safety Zones • Clarification of the tactical assignment • Planned mitigation of existing hazards • Ensure information on specific assignments has been understood.

21. Unit 3 – Communications Debriefings should occur when? • At the end of the operational period. • At the completion of an assigned task.

22. Unit 3 – Communications Tactical Assignment/Briefing Information: • Assignment – Crew/Individual • Safety issues • LCES • Weather • Environmental Issues • Fire Behavior • Fireline Communications • Frequency • Methods of communication • Assignment Location/Access

23. Unit 3 – Communications Visual Communications – Hand Signals Hand signals are often used for communication purposes: • Because of the inability to get nearer to the individual

24. Unit 3 – Communications Visual Communications – Hand Signals • Because of the high level of noise that we so often are surrounded by in the fire environment.

25. Unit 3 – Communications Visual Communications – Flagging & Notes • Simple way of transferring information. • Enhances information that was discussed at some earlier point in time.

26. Unit 3 – Communications Visual Communications – Mirrors • A great tool of communication for those who work in remote areas. • Can be used to locate individuals. • Can be used for signaling to aid in air operations.

27. Unit 3 – Communications As a Squad Boss within a crew, your communications involve: • The passing of information between you, and other squad bosses, and the crew boss. • The information transfer between the members of your squad. • Remember, good communication is created when information flows easily from top to bottom and back up. • You are the key player in the communication transfer.

28. Unit 3 – Communications Communications for Initial Attack / Single Resource Responsibilities could include: • Dispatch • I.C. • Assigned resources (personnel and equipment) • Adjoining forces • Air operations personnel • Public • Cooperators

29. Unit 3 – Communications As a Squad Boss or an Initial Attack Incident Commander you are responsible for the safety of others. GOOD COMMUNICATIONS ARE CRITICAL!

30. Unit 4 – Tactics and Safety Objectives: (Given a fire Scenario). • Describe the steps required to properly size up the fire situation upon arrival and throughout a fire assignment. • Develop the appropriate tactics to safely complete an assignment. • Demonstrate the ability to implement LCES and describe the potential consequences of failing to do so.

31. Unit 4 – Tactics and Safety • List 5 responsibilities of a Lookout. • Identify a changing situation in the fire environment, and demonstrate the ability to modify tactics and LCES to safely accomplish an assignment. • Describe the differences between a safety zone and a deployment zone. • Identify deteriorating conditions in the fire environment and explain why an assignment cannot be safely completed.

32. Unit 4 – Tactics and Safety RISK MANAGEMENT PROCESS

33. Unit 4 – Tactics and Safety Step 1 – Situation Awareness Obtain as much Information as possible: • Tactical instructions • Previous fire behavior • Weather forecast • Known hazards • Local factors • Communications

34. Unit 4 – Tactics and Safety Step 2 – Hazard Identification Establish potential fire behavior hazards. • Look Up, Look Down, Look Around • Identify Tactical Hazards • Refer to 18 Watch Out Situations • Urban / Wildland Watch Outs (Fireline Safety Reference) • Identify other Safety Hazards in your work area (snags, rolling debris, poison oak, etc.)

35. Unit 4 – Tactics and Safety Step 3 – Risk Controls • Establish anchor points and LCES • Use LCES checklist in Fireline Safety Reference. This is mandatory before committing to any action. • Determine risk controls for identified hazards, such as downhill line construction checklist.

36. Unit 4 – Tactics and Safety Step 4 – Decision Point Can firefighters work safely in the fire environment? • No – Reassess situation • Yes – Next Question

37. Unit 4 – Tactics and Safety Step 4 – Decision Point Do you understand the Strategy (overall plan of action) and Tactics (method used to accomplish plan)? • No – Reassess situation • Yes – Next Question

38. Unit 4 – Tactics and Safety Step 4 – Decision Point Has a briefing been given with feedback opportunity? • No – Reassess situation • Yes – Initiate action

39. Unit 4 – Tactics and Safety Step 5 – Evaluation - This should be an ongoing process. - Maintain feedback links and adjust actions as situation changes.

40. Information for this presentation was provided by: National Wildfire Coordinating Group & National Interagency Fire Center Pictures obtained through: Thrown together by: Assistant Fire Chief Greg Hickman Neosho Fire Department, Neosho, Missouri