TOPIC: CHARACTERISTICS AND FUNCTIONS OF FIRE SHELTERS TIME FRAME: 1:00 LEVEL OF INSTRUCTION: Level I AUTHORITY: 1997 NFPA 1001 3-3.18 BEHAVIORAL OBJECTIVE: Condition: Behavior: Standard: A written test The student will confirm a knowledge of the Characteristics and functions of fire shelters by completing the written test With a minimum 80% accuracy according to the information contained in the PMS-416 Instructor's Guide, NWCG (NFES 2086), 1987 Edition MATERIALS NEEDED: Writing board with markers/erasers Appropriate audiovisual equipment Appropriate audiovisual materials Your Fire Shelter (pamphlet), NWCG (NFES 1570), 1995 Edition REFERENCES: 4300 Handbook, CDF, Current Edition PMS-416 Instructor's Guide, NWCG (NFES 2086), 1987 Edition S-130 Instructor's Guide, NWCG (NFES 1510), 1995 Edition, Unit 11 PREPARATION: Over the past few years, it has been recognized that the fire shelter is a valuable tool for saving fire fighters' lives. Fire shelters were designed to provide personal protection in an emergency where fire fighters may be trapped. However, fire shelters should never be considered a substitute for good tactics or proven safety practices. People have died in properly deployed shelters. In order for the shelter to be effective, the user must be well-trained and trained to use the shelter within seconds when a fire flare-up situation occurs threatening to overrun the fire fighter's position. Page 1
I. INTRODUCTION II. A. The fire shelter is an effective lifesaving device 1. On one fire alone it was credited with saving 73 lives B. The fire shelter is not a means to take chances and is not a substitute for following the Standard Fire Orders C. In the South Canyon Fire in 1994, people died even though they were in properly deployed shelters FIRE SHELTER A. Two most important functions of the fire shelter 1. To provide cooler, breathable air to protect your lungs and airways a) You can survive third-degree burns b) You cannot survive scorched lungs and airways 2. To minimize radiant heat B. Mandatory carrying 1. Shelters shall be worn during all fire fighting operations C. Deployment 1. There are instructions for proper deployment inside the shelter's carrying case a) Don't rely on them in an actual entrapment situation b) There may not be time to read the instructions 2. Select a deployment site in a natural firebreak a) Wide dozer line What are the two most important functions of the fire shelter? Page 2
b) An area already burned over c) An area containing only a light fuel 3. Scrape or burn out a 4 feet x 8 feet or larger spot a) If time permits 4. Avoid areas with heavy brush, trees with low branches, logs, snags, and flammable supplies 5. Keep away from narrow draws, chutes, and chimneys a) Tends to funnel smoke, flames, and hot gases 6. If there is no pull tab, or if it breaks off in your hand, use a knife or something sharp to open the vinyl bag a) Use care not to damage the shelter 7. Place the shelter so your feet are toward the oncoming flame front a) The foot end will become the hottest spot in the shelter and it is easier to hold it down with your feet D. Items to wear and take into the fire shelter 1. Gloves a) Without gloves on, it is very difficult to hold down the shelter while in the entrapment 2. Fieldpack and hardhat a) The fieldpack and hardhat will help keep the shelter away from your body b) Remove any hazardous item(s) from the fieldpack and toss them away from the deployment area What should you take into the shelter? Page 3
3. Radio a) Maintain communications with other trapped fire fighters by radio if you have one or by shouting back and forth 4. Water a) Drink water so you continue to sweat, which aides body cooling b) Never wet clothing or wear moistened face or respiratory protection like a wet bandana E. Other items of concern 1. Smoke a) Smoke is frequently not a problem in actual shelter deployments, because the wind sucks the smoke out of the shelter 1) However, holes and tears may allow additional smoke to enter b) Usually, the greatest amount of smoke will be present when you first get under the shelter 2. Inhalation of heat and smoke a) Keep you nose pressed to the ground, as much as possible b) Digging a shallow hole for your face and breathing through a dry bandana will help reduce the inhalation of heat and smoke 3. Pinholes and tears a) Pinholes and small tears in the shelter will not reduce your protection How can you reduce the inhalation of heat and smoke? Page 4
III. b) No matter how big the hole or tear the shelter may have, you are still better off inside it 4. Length of stay a) There is no fixed time to stay under the shelter b) Leaving too soon can expose your lungs to super-heated air or excessive smoke c) The best strategy is to stay under the shelter until you notice temperatures have significantly cooled or a supervisor tells you it is safe to come out 5. Double occupancy a) Never plan to share a shelter b) In actual entrapments, two people have used one shelter, but the risk of injury increases dramatically by sharing c) The shelter is designed for one person and the extra space is needed for insulation 6. Entrapment without a fire shelter a) Look for an indentation in the ground b) Do not use a chute, chimney, drainage etc. c) The number one priority is to protect your lungs and airways INSPECTION A. Inspection interval 1. Inspections should be made at the beginning and end of each fire season and whenever a shelter is carried on a person or in a vehicle for more than 14 days When can you come out? Page 5
IV. 2. Abrasion is the most common damage a) Remove the shelter from service if 1) The vinyl bag is gray and you cannot see the shelter 2) Aluminum particles are in the bottom of the bag 3. Look for tears along folded edges a) If tears in the foil exceed 1 inch long, remove the shelter from service 4. If dents or punctures in the foil are over 1 inch wide or if ½ inch or more of foil is missing, remove the shelter from service 5. A shelter deployed for inspection or demonstration should not be used on the fire line CARE AND HANDLING A. Keep the shelter away from sharp objects that may puncture it B. Don't load heavy objects on top of the shelter C. Avoid as much rough handling as possible D. Don't lean against objects when wearing the shelter E. Don't sit on the shelter or use it as a pillow What is the most common type of damage? Page 6
SUMMARY: A fire shelter is an aluminized, heat reflective, personal protective pup tent. It is required when performing fire line work. It is simple to use. It has been proven to work in actual field conditions and is an accepted life-saving device. It is not a justification for slighting quality training in fire behavior, or a reason to ignore erratic and extreme fire behavior indicators. It is not a substitute for the Standard Fire Orders or a replacement for the "Watch Out Situations." It is not a reason to forget to use common sense or an excuse for mediocre performance. It is a fire fighters last-ditch attempt to avoid the consequences of fire fighting mistakes! It is intended as YOUR LAST RESORT! EVALUATION: The student will complete the written test at a time determined by the instructor. ASSIGNMENT: Review your notes and read PMS-416 Instructor's Guide, NWCG, (NFES 2086), 1987 Edition in order to prepare yourself for the upcoming test. Study for our next session. Page 7