10 – 18 – laces improve your wildland safety

www.FullyInvolvedFire.com 1

10 – 18 – LACESImprove Your Wildland Safety

7/2/2013


Presentation Training Objectives

•Review wildland firefighter fatalities•Understand 10 wildland firefighting standing orders•Understand 18 wildland watchout situations•Review L.A.C.E.S. principle

7/2/2013


19 Firefighters Killed – June 30th, 2013

Nineteen members of the Granite Mountain Hotshots lost their lives

battling the Yarnell Fire

Images used under Fair Use Commons – Public Safety Training

7/2/2013


Images used under Fair Use Commons – Public Safety Training


7/2/2013



Granite Mountain Hot Shot TeamAndrew Ashcraft, 29 Robert Caldwell, 23 Travis Carter, 31

Dustin Deford, 24 Christopher MacKenzie, 30

Eric Marsh, 43

Grant McKee, 21 Sean Misner, 26 Scott Norris, 28

Wade Parker, 22 John Percin, 24 Anthony Rose, 23

Jesse Steed, 36 Joe Thurston, 32 Travis Turbyfill, 27

William Warneke, 25 Clayton Whitted, 28 Kevin Woyjeck, 21

Garret Zuppiger, 27

7/2/2013


The 19 members of the Granite

Mountain Hotshots lost on June 30th

were also structural firefighters. These

19 men were members of the Prescott AZ Fire

Department. These 19 men

represented over 20% of the PFD.


7/2/2013


Other Fatal Wildfires

7/2/2013

FIRE: YEAR: DEATHS:South Fork Fire - Idaho

2003 8 Firefighters

Hayman Fire – Colorado

2002 5 Firefighters

Storm King Mountain – CO

1994 14 Firefighters

Loop Fire – California


Inaja Fire – California


These are just a few examples of large loss fires for firefighters.

There are many more examples. Each underscores the importance of our training.


Addressing Dangerous Mindsets:

The large dangerous fires only happen out West. I’m an East Coast firefighter. That can’t happen

to me.

Those were all wildland firefighters. I am a structural firefighter. That can’t happen to me.

7/2/2013


Firefighter Fatalities at Wildfires:

7/2/2013

NIOSH Report Number: F2011-09

Volunteer fire fighter dies

and 5 volunteer fire fighters are

injured during wildland

urban interface fire

in Texas.

Attack 5 was overrun by the fire crossing CR323 from

east to west..(Photo courtesy of the Texas

Forest Service.)

April 15th, 2011

http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/fire/reports/face201109.html




7/2/2013


On March 1, 2006, a volunteer fire fighter

(the victim) was critically injured and

another volunteer fire fighter was seriously

injured while fighting a wildland/urban interface fire in

Oklahoma.

The fire burned over their position, destroying the grass

truck, critically injuring the victim, and seriously injuring the

fire fighter

March 1, 2006





7/2/2013


On October 29, 2003, a 38-year-old male career fire fighter (the

victim) was killed and a 48-year-old

male career Captain was

severely injured when fire overran

their position.

The incident occurred during the protection of a

residential structure during a wildland fire operation

October 29, 2003





7/2/2013

NIOSH Report Number:99-F14

Two Volunteer Fire Fighters

Die While Fighting a

Wildland Fire – Kentucky.

The firefighters

died trying to outrun the

fire.

As the fire grew in intensity and spot fires continued to break over the fire line, the

two victims became separated from the rest of

the crew.

April 06, 1999





Operating in the Urban Interface presents other unique challenges that can kill or injure firefighters.

7/2/2013



7/2/2013


Volunteer Fire Chief Killed

When Rubber-Tracked Vehicle

Overturns at Brush Fire – Washington

The vehicle rolled at least 3 times before coming to rest on the driver’s side, facing west, pinning the Fire Chief

beneath the vehicle’s canopy.

June 23, 2010





7/2/2013


Volunteer Fire Chief and Fire Fighter Killed

when their Engine

plummeted from a Fire-Damaged Wooden Bridge Into a Dry Creek Bed – Colorado

Key contributing factors identified in this

investigation include: excessive speed for reduced visibility/smoke conditions

April 15, 2008





7/2/2013


A volunteer fire fighter died and a second was

seriously injured after

fuel tank explosion in

Iowa.

The incident occurred at a grass fire that spread to

structures.

April 07, 2000





7/2/2013

NIOSH Report Number:99-F46

Fire fighter dies after

coming into contact with a downed power

line at a wildfire - Arkansas.

The victim was stomping out embers in the smoldering

brush when he was electrocuted by a downed

power line.

November 3, 1999





Dangers to structural firefighters responding to and battling wildfires are real!

These dangers include far more than the threat of burnover:

Power Lines, Structural Collapse, Vehicle Accidents and more…

7/2/2013



In Florida and other areas of high heat, heat stroke and heat exhaustion are very real threats.

Especially if firefighters are wearing structural gear at wildland incidents.

There are numerous LODD events involving heat stroke of firefighters at various types of incidents.

This threat is very real for wildfires.

7/2/2013



It can happen to structural firefighters!

It can happen in any part of the country!

It can happen to any of us!

7/2/2013


Protecting Ourselves and Being Safe

10 Standard Fire Orders18 Watchout Situations

L.A.C.E.S.

7/2/2013


10 Standard Fire Orders

The original ten Standard Firefighting Orders were developed in 1957 by a task force. The Standard Firefighting Orders were based in part on the successful "General Orders" used by the United States Armed Forces. The Standard Firefighting Orders are organized in a deliberate and sequential way to be implemented systematically and applied to ALL fire situations.-US Forest Service

7/2/2013



1)Keep informed on fire weather conditions and forecasts.

During your initial briefing fire weather should be addressed. If it is not, ASK! Remain alert of weather conditions and changes in forecast during fire operations.

7/2/2013



2) Know what your fire is doing at all times. Be aware of fire conditions. Remain alert to how

the fire is burning and where it is burning.

7/2/2013



3) Base all actions on current and expected behavior of the fire. Recognize fuels and anticipate fire changes. Be

prepared for weather changes that may change fire behavior.

7/2/2013



4) Identify escape routes and safety zones and make them known. During your crew briefing safe zones and escape

routes should be identified. In the urban interface this could include previously burnt areas, large parking lots, bodies of water, and even swimming pools. If safe zones and escape routes are not identified, ASK!

7/2/2013



5) Post lookouts when there is possible danger.Lookouts can help recognize fire changes and

alert crews. For structural crews operating in the urban interface buildings and other obstructions often prevent firefighters from seeing the fire. In addition, lookouts can help firefighters be alert for other hazards such as power lines.

7/2/2013



6) Be alert. Keep calm. Think clearly. Act decisively. It is critical to remain calm, identify threats, and

respond accordingly. We must be thinking firefighters not heroes that blindly charge in.

7/2/2013



7) Maintain prompt communications with your forces, your supervisor, and adjoining forces. Communication is critical. Respond immediately

to messages, speak clearly, and report changes or hazards you observe.

7/2/2013



8) Give clear instructions and insure they are understood. Ensure all messages are understood. When

receiving messages, briefly repeat your orders back to confirm you correctly understood.

7/2/2013



9) Maintain control of your forces at all times. In structural firefighting we would not separate a

two person crew to search two floors of a building. In wildfires, follow the same crew integrity rules. We leave the asphalt together. We return to the asphalt together.

7/2/2013



10) Fight fire aggressively, having provided for safety first. Remember to evaluate the risk vs. gain.

PROVIDE FOR SAFETY ABOVE ALL ELSE!!!

7/2/2013


18 Watchouts Situations

Shortly after the Standard Firefighting Orders were incorporated into firefighter training, the 18 Situations That Shout “Watch Out!” were developed. These 18 situations are more specific and cautionary than the Standard Fire Orders and describe situations that expand the 10 points of the Fire Orders.

If firefighters follow the Standard Firefighting Orders and are alerted to the 18 Watch Out Situations, much of the risk of firefighting can be reduced.-US Forest Service

7/2/2013


1 - Fire not scouted and sized up. 2 - In country not seen in daylight. 3 - Safety zones and escape routes not identified.

7/2/2013



4 - Unfamiliar with weather and local factors influencing fire behavior. 5- Uninformed on strategy, tactics, and hazards. 6 - Instructions and assignments not clear.

7/2/2013



7 - No communication link with crewmembers/supervisors. 8 - Constructing line without safe anchor point. 9 - Building fireline downhill with fire below.

7/2/2013



10 - Attempting frontal assault on fire. 11 - Unburned fuel between you and the fire. 12 - Cannot see main fire, not in contact with anyone who can.

7/2/2013



13 - On a hillside where rolling material can ignite fuel below. 14 - Weather is getting hotter and drier. 15 - Wind increases and/or changes direction.

7/2/2013



16 - Getting frequent spot fires across line. 17 - Terrain and fuels make escape to safety zones difficult. 18 - Taking a nap near the fire line.

7/2/2013



If firefighters follow the Standard Firefighting Orders and are alerted to the 18 Watch Out Situations, much of the risk of firefighting can be reduced.

7/2/2013

Together these are the 10 & 18


It is not easy to remember the 10 & 18.

The 10 & 18 should be reviewed often.

To help condense the 10 & 18 use LACES.

7/2/2013



LACES was established to consolidate down to five. The

theory was the belief that under stressful circumstances human

beings could only remember four to six key fundamental learned

behaviors.7/2/2013

L.A.C.E.S.


L - LOOKOUTSA - ANCHOR POINTS

C – COMMUNICATIONSE – ESCAPE ROUTESS – SAFETY ZONES

7/2/2013

L.A.C.E.S.

www.FullyInvolvedFire.com 447/2/2013

L.A.C.E.S.

L) LOOKOUTS:A competent and trusted person located in an

advantageous position who has the responsibility of watching for potential fire problems and then relating the situation to the their supervisor. In mountain terrain, that could be one person situated on an opposite slope and watching for an uphill run. Other lookout sources that can be used are: aircraft pilots, fire tower operators or possibly one person on a crew assigned the job of watching a specific hazard.


L.A.C.E.S.

A) ANCHOR POINTSAn advantageous location, usually a barrier to fire spread,

from which to start building a fire break or line. If done properly this will prohibit fire from establishing itself on the other side of an unsuspecting crew who could end up being surrounded with little chance for escape. An example of an anchor point could be a river, road, location without fuels or using a second crew to produce line in the opposite direction.


L.A.C.E.S.

C) CommunicationsCan be provided in several forms: Face to Face, written

Incident Action Plan, Briefing sessions, use of a Radio or Cell phone (if available). Crews are dependent on a variety of people to help ensure their safety because they will be concentrating on their job and may not be able to spot fire problems until too late. Information must be communicated to everyone concerned with the intent that it is known before an incident can occur.


L.A.C.E.S.

E) Escape RoutesA pre-determined route that can be used by anyone in the

event that fire begins an unexpected run that will jeopardize the safety of crews or anyone else on the fire line. The escape route will take everyone to another pre-determined location (safety zone). Some consideration when establishing the escape route: should be able to walk it, should be marked (flagging tape), should be timed, should be away from the head of the fire, should be known to all, should be scouted.


L.A.C.E.S.

S) Safety ZonesSafety zones where a firefighter may find refuge from

danger. Clean sites that are clear of vegetation (natural or man-made). Considerations when establishing a site are: How long will it take to get there? Is it large enough for everyone? Will fire behavior (intensity) adversely effect occupants? Are there any other hazards (snags, rolling rocks)? Does everyone know where they are?


L - LOOKOUTSA - ANCHOR POINTS

C – COMMUNICATIONSE – ESCAPE ROUTESS – SAFETY ZONES

7/2/2013

L.A.C.E.S.


Remember LACES

on every fire!

7/2/2013

L.A.C.E.S.


LACES should be committed to memory and used at all fires.

In addition the 10 & 18 should be reviewed often.

7/2/2013



This presentation was brought to you by:

Fully Involved Fire, LLC

www.FullyInvolvedFire.com

Professional Training for Fire Professionals

7/2/2013

Stay Safe

http://www.fullyinvolvedfire.com/

http://www.fullyinvolvedfire.com/

10 – 18 – laces improve your wildland safety

Documents

wildland firefighters

wildland safety

structural firefighters

wildland firefighting

wildland urban interface

granite mountain hotshots

report number

east coast firefighter