Wildfire Wildfire Emergency Emergency

Medical ServicesMedical Services

Ojectives• EMS roles during wildland incidents

• Types of injuries

• Wildland Terminology

• Fire Shelters

Well known fires where firefighters sustained injuries

EMS Roles During Wildland Incidents

• Provide non-emergent care– Band aids– Splinting– Heat exposure– Obtain vital signs– Rehab

EMS Roles During Wildland Incidents

• Provide emergency care– Burns

– Fractures

– Respiratory/Cardiac arrest

– Chest Pain

– Difficulty breathing/SOB

Wildfire!Wildfire!• Terminology

– Wildland Fire• Term used for forest fire incidents

– Head• Top of the fire

– Flank• Sides of the ire

– Point of Origin• Where the fire started

Wildfire!Wildfire!• Terminology

– Heel• Bottom of the fire

– Anchor Point• Place to start constructing fireline

– Fireline• Used to control the edges of the fire

Wildfire!Wildfire!• Terminology

– Mop Up• Digging up all the hot spots

– Retardant/Foam• Used to put out fire-Wet heavy thick liquid

– Tanker• Aircraft that carries retardant or water

– Lookouts• Person(s) that watches fire and weather

conditions

Wildfire!Wildfire!• Terminology

– Communications• Communicating between crew and other personnel

– Escape Routes• The fastest safest route to you safety zone

– Safety Zones• An area to retreat and escape the fire

– Wildland Urban Interface• Buildings built in amongst the woods and wilderness

– Spot Fire• Fire that has started as a result of the main fire.

Wildfire!Wildfire!• Terminology

– 10 standard firefighting orders– 18 Watch Out Situations– Many others……………………

•LL C C E E S S

Lookouts

Communications

Escape Routes

Safety Zones

10 Standard Firefighting Orders10 Standard Firefighting Orders

• Keep informed on fire weather conditions and forecasts.

• Know what your fire is doing at all times.• Base all conditions on current and expected

behavior of the fire.• Identify escape routes and safety zones, and make

them known.

10 Standard Firefighting Orders10 Standard Firefighting Orders

• Post lookouts when there is possible danger.• Be alert. Keep calm. Think clearly. Act

decisively.• Maintain prompt communications with your

forces, your supervisor and adjoining forces.• Give clear instructions and ensure they are

understood.

10 Standard Firefighting Orders10 Standard Firefighting Orders

• Maintain control of your forces.• Fight fire aggressively, having provided for

safety first.

18 Watch Out Situations18 Watch Out Situations• Fire not scouted and sized up.

• In country not seen in daylight.

• Safety zones and escape routes not identified.

• Unfamiliar with weather and local factors influencing fire behavior.

• Uninformed on strategy, tactics, and hazards.

18 Watch Out Situations18 Watch Out Situations• Instructions and assignments not clear.

• No communication link with crew members/supervisor.

• Constructing fireline without safe anchor point.

• Building fireline downhill with fire below.

• Attempting frontal assault on a fire.

• Unburned fuel between you and the fire.

18 Watch Out Situations18 Watch Out Situations• Cannot see main fire, not in contact with

anyone who can.

• On a hillside where rolling material can ignite fuel below.

• Weather is hotter and drier.

• Wind increases and/or changes direction.

• Getting frequent spot fires across line.

18 Watch Out Situations18 Watch Out Situations• Terrain and fuels make escape to safety

zones difficult.

• Taking a nap near the fireline.

Fire SheltersFire Shelters• A personal protection item carried by

firefighters which forms a tent-like shelter of heat reflective material.

• Looks like a tin foil tent

• Although not optimal, you can have more than one person inside.

• Must wear all PPE when using.