Avoid the Flames
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Do I need to make any changes in my firefighting tactics?
No. You should already be selecting your firefighting tactics to ensure firefighter safety. You should avoid all potential entrapment situations. The fire shelter was never intended to allow firefighters to make risky decisions. However, this is an excellent time for all firefighters to consider their own commitment to safety. Follow the Ten Standard Fire Orders. Be aware of the 18 Situations that Shout Watch Out. Continually reevaluate the effectiveness of your Lookouts, Communication, Escape routes and Safety zones (LCES).
YOU must take responsibility for your own safety. You have an obligation to speak up if you see something that is wrong, and you have the right to be heard without criticism. Remember, the fire shelter does not guarantee your safety. It is used only as a last resort.If something goes wrong and I have to use my shelter, where should I deploy it?
Deploy as far from fuels as possible. DO NOT DEPLOY NEXT TO GRASS, SMALL TREES, BRUSH (Figure 2), PILES OF SLASH, OR FIREFIGHTING EQUIPMENT. Firefighters who have deployed their fire shelters in sites that were otherwise adequate have been burned because they deployed too close to such fuels.
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Figure 2: Deploy fire shelters well away from thick vegetation. |