Safe Operations at Large Brush Fires

This is the second of a five part series on safety actions that can be taken at different incidents.

This week I will discuss large scale brush fires.

Please feel free to make this page information into an actual checksheet you can use on the fireground. Train all members what you expect and everyone will be involved in the safety process.

This is not a tactical worksheet to be used by an incident commander, but a secondary sheet to be used by a safety person after the fact.

The order of the activities can be adjusted or enhanced for your own departmental needs.

Large Scale Brush Fires

Establish staging area and operating area. ( Hot zone and cold zone) Determine wind direction, fire travel and potential spread so that safe operating area can be confirmed.

Establish on scene accountability.

Determine if adequate lighting is available.

Establish and EMS presence on scene for suppression crews.

Establish a REHAB area for operating crews.

Establish refreshments and re-hydration capabilities.

Determine if there is adequate manpower to support current operations.

Determine if there is adequate water supply for current operations.

Determine if heavy machinery will be needed and determine safe operating interface between heavy machinery and hand crews.

Determine the level of personal protection required and or available. Lightweight brush gear, helmets and gloves, and workboots as a minimum. Structural gear is generally in-appropriate unless you are doing immediate structural protection.

Continuously monitor local weather conditions.

 Conduct an accountability check at any and all points of these steps as necessary.