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The New Generation Fire Shelter

Deployment (continued)

Figure 15—Burned-out areas can be effective
deployment sites if there is no fuel left to reburn.

Deployment Procedures

It is important to carry the fire shelter properly. The case should be vertical if it is worn on your side or horizontal if it is worn in the small of your back under your pack. The shelter may be carried in the fire shelter pouch that is a feature of some field packs. A chest harness is available that allows persons operating machinery to carry the shelter on their chest (figure 16). Never carry your shelter inside the main body of your field pack.

If you are part of a crew, your supervisor will decide where and when to deploy fire shelters. Follow orders. If you are not in a crew or have become separated from your crew, you must rely on your own judgment.

Figure 16—The chest harness is preferred by
some operators of engines and heavy equipment.

After removing your shelter from its case (figure 17), throw your pack and any flammable objects, such as fusees or gasoline, far from the deployment area. Don’t throw them near others who are deploying their shelters.

Figure 17—Use the pull strap to remove
the shelter from its case.

Scrape away ground fuels if time permits. Clear an area 4 by 8 feet (larger if you have time) down to mineral soil. An area cleared of fuels minimizes flame contact with the shelter. Never deploy your shelter immediately downwind or uphill from a large concentration of fuel. The heavier the fuel loading, the larger the fuel break needs to be. Although the new shelter offers better protection from direct flame, you will be more likely to survive if flames do not contact it.

-Continued-

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