Introduction

The fire shelter is a mandatory item of personal protective equipment for all Federal wildland firefighters and must be carried on the fireline by everyone on Federal wildland fires. State, local, and rural fire departments may have different policies regarding the fire shelter’s use. However, no one who is required to carry a fire shelter should go on the fireline without reading, understanding, and practicing the recommendations in this booklet.

The fire shelter has been required equipment for wildland firefighters since 1977. Since that time, shelters have saved the lives of more than 300 firefighters and have prevented hundreds of serious injuries. A new generation of fire shelter now offers improved protection from both radiant and convective heat. Even so, the shelter will not protect firefighters under all fire situations.

The fire shelter should be used as a last resort if planned escape routes or safety zones become inadequate and entrapment is imminent. Carrying a fire shelter should never be considered an alternative to safe firefighting. If you are considering or are asked to take on a risky assignment because you have a fire shelter, it is your obligation to insist that the plans be changed. Though the new generation fire shelter offers improved protection, it is still a last resort and cannot guarantee your survival.

I'm sure we would not have survived without them.

Entrapment survivor

This booklet will help you learn how to use the new fire shelter. It:

Explains how the fire shelter protects you
Explains the importance of training and knowing when and where to deploy the shelter
Tells you what to expect during an entrapment
Describes inspection procedures that will keep worn shelters off the fireline

What you see in this booklet may be familiar to you because much of the guidance for using shelters is unchanged. Stories related by firefighters who survived entrapments using the old shelter can still help firefighters learn how to use the new shelter.

Carrying a fire shelter should never be considered an alternative to safe firefighting.

This booklet is the reference document for fire shelters. It is not intended to stand alone. New and experienced firefighters should use the booklet as part of a comprehensive fire shelter training program that includes facilitated discussion and hands-on training.

During training, be sure you understand the following key points:

Carrying a fire shelter is not an excuse to take risks on the fireline.
Your highest priority is to avoid entrapment. If entrapment is imminent, escape if you can.
During an escape or entrapment, protect your lungs and airways at all costs.
Drop your gear as soon as you realize your escape may be compromised. Take your fire shelter and your tool, but drop all dangerous flammable objects and drop any items that may slow your escape.
If you are entrapped, get on the ground before the fire arrives.
Deploy your shelter where flames will be least likely to contact it.
Once you are inside your shelter, stay there. Conditions outside the shelter will be far worse than those inside.
Train with your fire shelter as though survival is at stake.

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