HomeMy WebLinkAboutSOG 202.05 NEW 8-2014_WUIFF202.05 — Wildland/Urban Interface Firefighting
Effective. 8/5/2014
Revised:
Replaces:
I. Guiding PhilosophX
Wildland and wildland/urban interface fire emergencies require specialized knowledge,
skills and expertise to be safely mitigated. We strive to achieve and maintain the capabilities
necessary to effectively and safely control, contain, and extinguish wildland/urban interface
incidents.
II. Purpose
The purpose of this policy is to provide safety and operational guidelines to be followed
during wildland/urban interface firefighting operations.
III. Goals
The goals of this policy are to:
A. Provide firefighter safety considerations relative to brush, wildland and/or
wildland/urban interface fires.
B. Provide fire behavior considerations relative to brush, wildland and/or
wildland/urban interface fires.
C. Provide strategic and tactical considerations relative to brush, wildland and/or
wildland/urban interface fires.
IV. Definitions
A. Combination Attack — The fire is large and or complex enough to use both direct
and indirect attack modes simultaneously.
B. Direct Attack— Fire control efforts are focused on or immediately adjacent to the
edge of the fire.
C. Indirect Attack — Fire control line is located along favorable breaks in the
topography or man-made barriers such as roads.
D. LCES — Acronym for Lookout, Communication, Escape Routes, Safety Zones.
E. Red Flat Warning — Weather announcement made by the National Weather
Service when fire danger is very high or extreme. Conditions may include, but are
not limited to, the following:
1. Sustained winds greater than or equal to 20 mph,
SOG 202.05 — Wildland/Urban Interface Firefighting Page 1 of 8
2. Relative humidity less than or equal to 20%,
3. Scattered thunderstorms, or increased thunderstorm activity after a
prolonged dry period,
4. Abrupt change in wind speed and direction that may affect the area.
F. Structure Triage — The sorting and prioritizing of structures requiring protection
from wildland fires. The goal of triage is to do the most good with resources
available.
G. Type 6 Engine — Normally an initial fire attack pumper on a medium -duty
chassis. The 2014 TFSBFR brush truck is a Type 6 Engine that includes a 200
gallon water tank, 50 g.p.m. pump (with pump and roll capability), and 4 -wheel
drive for off—road use.
H. Wildland Fire — An uncontrolled fire in a large area of combustible vegetation.
Depending on the type of vegetation burning, other names such as brush
fire, bushfire, forest fire, or grass fire may be used to describe the same
phenomenon. A wildfire differs from other fires by its extensive size, the speed at
which it can spread out from its original source, its potential to change direction
unexpectedly, and its ability to jump gaps such as roads, rivers and fire breaks.
I. Wildland/Urban Interface (W/UD — The line, area, or zone where structures and
other human development meet or intermingle with land that is undeveloped
and/or vegetative fuels. According to the National Fire Protection Association
(NFPA), assessment of W/UI conditions include, but are not limited to, the:
1. Amount, type, and distribution of vegetation,
2. Flammability of the structures (homes, businesses, outbuildings, decks,
fences) in the area,
3. Structures proximity to fire -prone vegetation and to other combustible
structures,
4. Weather patterns and general climate conditions,
5. Topography & hydrology,
6. Average lot size,
7. Road construction.
V. Firefiahter Safetv Considerations
A. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
1. The structural firefighting PPE ensemble is not designed for extended
wildland fire suppression operations; however, parts of the structural
ensemble can be used by First Responders on smaller brush or
wildland/urban interface fires. For larger or extended wildland firefighting
operations, wildland-specific PPE is designed to provide better
functionality while reducing firefighter fatigue and heat -related injuries.
2. PPE for BFR personnel deployed as First Responders to brush and/or
wildland/urban interface fires should consist of:
a. Nomex long sleeve uniform shirt and pants
b. Leather structural firefighting boots
c. Leather structural firefighting gloves
SOG 202.05 — Wildland/Urban Interface Firefighting Page 2 of 8
d. Structural firefighting helmet with eye protection
e. Hood (optional, at the discretion of the Officer in charge)
3. A limited number of wildland-specific coveralls in various sizes will be
carried on the department's brush truck to be available for BFR responders
when the unit is deployed.
4. Active status members of the Wildland/Urban Interface Firefighting Team
(W/UIFT) will be issued the following wildland-specific PPE:
a. Leather boots
b. Long -sleeve shirt & pants
c. Work gloves
d. Face/neck shroud
e. Goggles
f Helmet
g. Strike team gear bag
B. Crew Safety
1. Safe and effective mitigation of wildland and wildland/urban interface
fires requires ongoing situational awareness and efficient incident
organization. All personnel will adhere to SOG 201.01 Local ICS &
NIMS and SOG 301.01 Personnel Accountability.
2. Crew leaders must maintain,�:� °" and control over crews to ensure a
safe operation.
✓ i. R����u'rs — Post lookouts in potentially hazardous situations.
✓ d^�tir�Ra����� �e°����— Maintain communications with supervisor,
crew members and adjoining forces. Communications should be
prompt and clear.
✓ fk" (,,�-IPEffioums — Establish escape routes, make sure everyone
knows where they are.
✓ SW EASl^„A":!!"d,NVES, — Establish safety zones large enough for all users.
All personnel must be aware of the zone location.
3. Wild land firefighting operations will employ the buddy system
(minimum 2 members working together at all times).
C. Heat & Hydration
1. Heat is a major safety problem. Maintain an awareness of heat -related
stress in yourself and your fellow crew members and act accordingly to
prevent heat -related injury.
2. Personnel should have access to drinking water at all times during
wildland firefighting operations.
SOG 202.05 — Wildland/Urban Interface Firefighting Page 3 of 8
VI. Fire Behavior Considerations
A. Weather
B. Fuel
Command must be aware of constantly changing weather conditions and
their forecasted effect on fire spread.
a. Fire spread usually and increases from midmorning through the
afternoon as the humidity decreases, and begins to slow down
in the evening as humidity increases.
b. Hot and dry conditions produce extremely rapid fire spread. A
slight decrease in relative humidity will cause a significant
increase in fire intensity.
c. During days with extreme temperatures, surface -wetted fuels
will dry in a just few minutes.
2. Maintain awareness of Red Flag Warnings issued by the National
Weather Service.
a. Communicate warnings and the forecasted effect to responders.
b. Crews should give special consideration to any fire incident
occurring under these conditions.
1. Most vegetative fuel is relatively light and burns quickly.
2. Exception: River bottom fires.
C. Topography
1. Fire burns uphill more rapidly than downhill.
2. On an uphill slope, a fire will tend to crown over the top and start spot
fires a considerable distance down the receding slope.
3. A large free -burning fire will tend to create its own convection currents
and spot fires may be started.
4. Access is the most serious issue related to topography. Particular
attention should be paid to access roads and accessible areas where
apparatus may travel. Natural fire breaks and potential exposure
problems should be noted on the area maps.
VII. Strateaic and Tactical Considerations
A. Command Responsibilities
1. The first -arriving Officer will assume Command per SOG 201.01
Local ICS & NIMS and initiate accountability per SOG 301.01
Personnel Accountability.
2. Perform a deliberate and thorough initial size up, gathering pertinent
information on the fire's location, spread rate and direction, identified
hazards, any threats to improvements (structures, power lines, etc.) and
anticipate needed resources. Size -up considerations include:
a. Location of fire head(s)
b. Pertinent burning conditions (weather, time of day, etc.)
c. Size of fire and speed of movement
d. Type of fuel (light or heavy) and fuel continuity
SOG 202.05 — Wildland/Urban Interface Firefighting Page 4 of 8
e. Exposures
f. Access into fire area
g. Water supply resources (hydrants, tankers, streams, ponds, etc.)
h. Personnel needed for fire containment/control
i. Lines of retreat (How can we escape?)
LCES must be in place and communicated to firefighters prior to
initiating direct fire suppression activities.
a. Lookouts (Safety Officers) must be in place for all working
divisions/groups. Lookouts monitor and report changing
conditions to Division/Group Supervisors and Command to
stay ahead of potential dangers.
b. Communications — All firefighters have a working portable
radio set to the proper tactical channel.
c. Escape Routes and Safety Zones should be easily accessible
and large enough to prevent radiant heat injuries or direct flame
impingement. Divisions/groups can establish internal escape
routes and safety zones depending on need or location.
4. On large scale incidents establish a stationary Command Post and
Divisions/Groups as soon as possible. Command should insure
monitoring and plotting of exposures, access and progress.
5. Consider filling Operations and Logistics Section Chiefs positions early
in the incident.
6. Command should focus on continual evaluation of the chosen strategy.
Allow Division/Group Supervisors to determine tactics within their
assigned area/function. Strategy considerations include:
a. Direct Attack (Offensive)
1. Flames may be knocked down with water/foam.
2. The fire edge is generally treated by a follow up fire
line.
3. A fire line may be constructed from a safe anchor point,
flanking the fire with any fuel between the line and the
fire burned out as the line is constructed.
4. Direct attack works well on low intensity fires (flame
lengths less than four feet) which enable firefighters to
work close to the fire.
5. A major advantage of a direct attack is firefighter
safety. Firefighters can usually escape back into the
burned area for a safety zone. This is known as
"keeping one foot in the black."
b. Indirect Attack (Defensive)
1. The line may be some distance from the fire and is
generally used on hot fires with high rates of spread
where direct attack is not possible.
2. Preparing structures to withstand a fire attack is an
example of indirect attack.
SOG 202.05 — Wildland/Urban Interface Firefighting Page 5 of 8
c. Combination Attack (Large and/or complex fires)
7. Resource Considerations
a. Forecast fire spread. Call for brush truck and/or W/UIFT
deployment when necessary.
b. Consider heavy equipment resources (bulldozers, etc.)
available from other City departments. Request when
necessary.
c. Request Sabine -Neches Chiefs Association activation when
necessary.
8. Insure rehab and medical monitoring is established.
9. If wildland fires begin to threaten homes, Command must be prepared
to:
a. Make adjustments and effectively communicate,
b. Develop a defensive strategy and action plan that protects
exposures,
c. Allow the fire to burn to a location better suited for control.
B. Structure Triage
1. Should be performed when a wildfire has the potential to threaten many
structures at the same time.
2. The three categories of structure triage are:
a. Structures needing little or no attention, for now
b. Structures needing protection, but savable
c. Structures which are indefensible.
3. There are no absolute answers, but five factors to help make the triage
decision are:
a. Firefighter safety
b. The structure itself
c. Surrounding fuels (a ,slr Oyu(,"h' a' r fid' a (0 /fbot Z01,1i2
i's,
d. Fire behavior
e. Available resources and water supply.
C. Structure Protection/Interface Operations
1. Units assigned to protect a structure or improvement should first
thoroughly size -up the site to ensure fire fighter safety can be
maintained.
2. The Company Officer should walk the driveway or access road to ensure
apparatus have good access and clearance and that the site is deemed
safe to protect.
3. Apparatus should back -in to allow for quick egress is necessary.
SOG 202.05 — Wildland/Urban Interface Firefighting Page 6 of 8
4. During structure protection, crews should plan to remain as mobile as
possible in case escape is necessary.
5. Hose lays should be as short as possible and limited to one or two at
most.
6. When water is in short supply, it is usually most effective when applied
to burning material instead of wetting fuel in advance.
7. Seriously exposed structures should be kept wet.
8. Tactical challenges and hazards for structure protection:
1. Narrow roads, unknown bridge limits, and septic tank
locations.
2. Ornamental plants and combustible debris next to structure.
3. Wooden siding and/or wooden roof materials
4. Open roof vents, eaves, decks, and other ember traps.
5. Fuel tanks and hazardous materials.
6. Power lines
7. Limited water sources.
8. Property owners remaining onsite.
Appendix A: Ten Standard Fire Orders
Wildland fires are fast moving and extremely dangerous. These incidents require
all personnel to understand and adhere to the following basic wildland
firefighting orders:
1. Keep informed on fire weather conditions and forecasts.
2. Know what the fire is doing at all times.
3. Base all actions on current and expected behavior of the fire.
4. Identify escape routes and safety zones and make them known.
5. Post lookouts when there is possible danger.
6. Be alert. Keep Calm. Act decisively.
7. Maintain prompt communications with your forces, supervisor, and
adjoining forces.
8. Give clear instructions and insure they are understood.
9. Maintain control of crews at all times.
10. Having provided for firefighter and citizen safety first, fight fire
aggressively.
SOG 202.05 — Wildland/Urban Interface Firefighting Page 7 of 8
Appendix B: Eighteen Watch Out Situations
Several situations have been found to increase the chance of injuries or fatalities
on wild land fires. These include:
1. Fire not scouted or properly sized—up.
2. Terrain not seen at daylight.
3. Safety zones and escape routes not identified.
4. Unfamiliar with weather and local factors influencing fire behavior.
5. Uniformed on strategy, tactics, and hazards.
6. Instructions and assignments not clear.
7. No communications link with members.
8. Constructing line without safe anchor point.
9. Building fire line downhill with fire below.
10. Attempting frontal attack on the fire.
11. Unburned fuel between you and the fire.
12. Cannot see the main fire or not in contact with anyone who can.
13. You are on a hillside where rolling material can ignite fuel below.
14. Weather is getting hotter and drier.
15. Wind increases and or changes direction.
16. Getting frequent spot fires across the line.
17. Terrain and fuels make escape to safety zones difficult.
18. Resting/sleeping on the fire line.
1111 persot'i i"el ;"rehoi1ild 1,,w a"Evare of atid take appropriate ac,t'lRot'i;"re
to 1Rt"isi,tt,P' ° theitR °pet Oreo ial atid ct,' ,�,, ",,,,,re ;"refill tyr!
SOG 202.05 — Wildland/Urban Interface Firefighting Page 8 of 8