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The New Generation Fire Shelter
Another reason to drop your pack is to make it easier to get into your shelter. The pack can snag on the shelter as you are getting into it. If you will be deploying your shelter nearby, make sure that you toss the pack far enough that it will not ignite and burn a shelter.
Face and neck shrouds offer additional protection against radiant heat during escape. Shrouds should not be used to work in areas that are so hot you could not work there without them. If shrouds are worn, they should be attached to the hardhat for quick deployment when they are needed. Do not rely on shrouds to protect your airway from hot gases.
When you are escaping an entrapment, stay alert and be prepared to act. If the fire is closing in behind you, get your shelter out and partially unfold it. Use the shelter to shield you from the heat if necessary. Don’t drop the shelter, allow it to blow away, or snag it on the brush. Be ready to grab the shelter by an edge and get into it.
Be alert for signs of hot gases. These gases may not be smoky or dark. Your only warning may be air movement, an increase in temperature, and embers blowing past. If gases get hot enough to burn you, it is time to get under your fire shelter.
As you move along your escape route, stay alert and talk to other crewmembers. Talking helps relieve stress and ensures that hazards are communicated quickly. Be alert for deployment areas as you move. If it becomes apparent that you are not going to reach a safety zone, keep in mind that it takes 15 to 20 seconds to deploy a shelter under ideal conditions, longer in turbulent winds or while wearing a pack (another reason to toss the pack). Leave enough time to get on the ground and under your shelter before the heat arrives. Firefighters have died or been injured because they waited too long to deploy their shelters.
While the fire shelter is considered a last resort, it can also protect you from falling embers or thick smoke. You should not hesitate to use your shelter to protect yourself. Do not worry about the cost of the fire shelter—your safety is always the highest priority.
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