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Advanced Firefighter TrainingS-131

Certified at Level I

National Wildfire Coordinating Group

National Interagency Fire Center

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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.

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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.

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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

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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.

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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.

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Unit 2 – Documenting Fireline Activities

Define Documentation:

Documentation is the process of recording written information for future reference.

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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.

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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.

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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

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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.

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Unit 3 – CommunicationsObjectives:

• 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.

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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.

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Unit 3 – CommunicationsDefine Communications:

Transfer of information in terms understood by both parties.

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Unit 3 – Communications

Give/Get Feedback:

By repeating pertinent information, it is more apt to be accurately understood.

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Unit 3 – Communications

Ensure Complete and Accurate Communication:

• Give/Get feedback• Write information down• Passing information• Follow-up• Debrief regularly

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Unit 3 – Communications

Write Information Down:• Document all pertinent information• Don’t rely on memory to relay

information

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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.

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Unit 3 – CommunicationsFollow 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.

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Unit 3 – Communications

Debriefings should occur when?• At the end of the operational period.• At the completion of an assigned task.

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Unit 3 – CommunicationsTactical Assignment/Briefing Information: Assignment – Crew/Individual Safety issues LCES Weather Environmental Issues Fire Behavior Fireline Communications

Frequency Methods of communication

Assignment Location/Access

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Unit 3 – CommunicationsVisual Communications – Hand Signals

Hand signals are often used for communication purposes:

Because of the inability to get nearer to the individual

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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.

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Unit 3 – Communications

Visual Communications – Flagging & Notes

Simple way of transferring information. Enhances information that was

discussed at some earlier point in time.

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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.

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Unit 3 – CommunicationsAs 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.

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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

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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!

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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.

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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.

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Unit 4 – Tactics and Safety

RISK MANAGEMENT PROCESS

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Unit 4 – Tactics and Safety

Obtain as much Information as possible: Tactical instructions Previous fire behavior Weather forecast Known hazards Local factors Communications

Step 1 – Situation Awareness

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Unit 4 – Tactics and Safety

Establish potential fire behavior hazards. Look Up, Look Down, Look Around Identify Tactical Hazards

Refer to 18 Watch Out SituationsUrban / Wildland Watch Outs (Fireline

Safety Reference) Identify other Safety Hazards in your

work area (snags, rolling debris, poison oak, etc.)

Step 2 – Hazard Identification

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Unit 4 – Tactics and Safety

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.

Step 3 – Risk Controls

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Unit 4 – Tactics and Safety

Can firefighters work safely in the fire environment?

No – Reassess situationYes – Next Question

Step 4 – Decision Point

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Unit 4 – Tactics and Safety

Do you understand the Strategy (overall plan of action) and Tactics (method

used to accomplish plan)?

No – Reassess situationYes – Next Question

Step 4 – Decision Point

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Unit 4 – Tactics and Safety

Has a briefing been given with feedback opportunity?

No – Reassess situationYes – Initiate action

Step 4 – Decision Point

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Unit 4 – Tactics and Safety

- This should be an ongoing process.

- Maintain feedback links and adjust actions as situation changes.

Step 5 – Evaluation

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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 HickmanNeosho Fire Department, Neosho, Missouri