BRANCH ORGANIZATION :~:~:;.;: INCIDENT COMMAND SAFETY LIAISON INFORMATION T 1 OPERATIONS SECTION PLANNING SECTION LOGISTICS SECTION FINANCE/ADMIN SECTION r I FIRE SUPPRESSION BRANCH US&R BRANCH MULTI-CASUALTY BRANCH AIR OPERATIONS BRANCH RESCUE GROUP MEDICAL GROUP SEARCH GROUP MEDICAL GROUP SEARCH GROUP MEDICAL GROUP SEARCH GROUP PATIENT '"----I TRANSPORTATION GROUP
NATIONAL WILDFIRE COORDINATING GROUP c/o Bureau of Indian Affairs National Interagency Fire Center 3833 South Development Avenue Boise, Idaho 83705 June 1, 2002 To: From: Subject: Memorandum NWCG Members, Working Team Chairs, GACG Chairs, NMAC Chair Chair Crew Standards During the May 2002 meeting, NWCG reviewed and discussed the recommendations from the Incident Operations Standards Working Team (IOSWT) for fire crew typing. This project has had considerable field input and comments that we have added into this final format. These standards include both short-term (2002) and longer-term implementation (2003 and beyond). For fire season 2002, crew standards providing for Type I IHC, Type II, la, Type II, and Type Ill proposed by the IOSWT at the May 2002 NWCG meeting are adopted, with the following changes: 1. The standard shall be titled Minimum Crew Standards for Mobilization. 2. Fireline capability of Type Ill crews will include fireline construction. 3. Leadership qualification for Type Ill crews will require one crew boss and two FFT1. 4. Communications requirements for Type Ill crews will require three programmable radios. The only exceptions to the NWCG crew standard will be for crews where contract bids were secured prior to the issuance of this standard. Beginning January 1, 2003, crew standards providing for the Type I IHC, Type I, Type II la, Type II, and Type Ill crews are adopted with the following changes: 1. Fireline capability of Type Ill crews will include fireline construction. 2. The standard shall be 1itled Minimum Crew Standards for Mobilization. I have attached the IOSWT tables that define all criteria used to identify each crew standard for the 2002 fire season and the January 1, 2003, standards listed above. Attachments
Minimum Standards Fireline Capability Crew Size Leadership Qualifications Experience Full-Time Organized Crew Communications Sawyers Training Fitness Logistics Maximum Weight Dispatch Availability Production Factor Transportation Tools& Equipment Personal Gear PPE MINIMUM CREW STANDARDS FOR MOBILIZATION Effective 2002 Fire Season Type I Type 2 with la Type2 Capability Initial attack/can be Initial attack/can be Initial attack, fireline broken up into squads, broken up into squads, construction, firing to fireline construction, fireline construction, indude burnout complex firing firing to include operations (backfire) burnout 18-20 18-20 18-20 Permanent CRWB and 3 ICT5 CRWB and 3 FFT1 Supervision Superintendent: TFLD, ICT4 Ass't. Supt.: STCR, ICT4 3 Squad Bosses: CRWB(T), ICT5 80% 1 season or more 60% 1 season or more 40% 1 season or more Yes No No 5 programmable radios 4 programmable radios 4 programmable radios 3 agency qualified 3 agency qualified 0 80 hours annual Basic firefighter Basic firefighter training training and/or annual training and/or annual firefighter safety firefighter safety refresher refresher Arduous Arduous Arduous Self-sufficient Not self-sufficient Not self-sufficient 5,100 lbs. 5,100 lbs. 5,100 lbs. 1 hour Variable Variable 1.0 0.8 0.8 Own transportation Transportation needed Transportation needed Fully equipped Not equipped Not equipped Arrives with: cr&n first Arrives with: cr&n first Arrives with: cr&n first aid kit, personal first aid kit, personal first aid kit, personal first aid kit, headlamp, 1 qt. aid kit, headlamp, 1 qt. aid kit, headlamp, 1 qt. canteen, web gear, canteen, web gear, canteen, web gear, sleeping bag sleeping bag sleeping bag Arrives with: hard hat, Arrives with: hard hat, Arrives with: hard hat, fire resistant shirt/ fire resistant shirt/ fire resistant shirt/ pants, 8@ leather pants, 8@ leather pants, 8@ leather boots, leather gloves, boots, leather gloves, boots, leather gloves, fire shelter, hearing/ fire shelter. hearing/ fire shelter, hearing/ eye protection eye protection eye protection Type 3 Fireline construction, fireline improvement, mop-up and rehab 18-20 CRWB and 2 FFT1 20% 1 season or more No 3 programmable radios 0 Basic firefighter training and/or annual firefighter safety refresher Arduous Not self-sufficient 5,100 lbs. Variable N/A Transportation needed Not equipped Arrives with: crew first aid kit, personal first aid kit, headlamp, 1 qt. canteen, web gear, sleeping bag Arrives with: hard hat, fire resistant shirt/ pants, 8@ leather boots, leather gloves, fire shelter, hearing/ eye protection Notes:
* Interagency Hotshot Crews (IHC) are Type I crews that exceed the Type I standards as required by the National IHC Operations Guide (2001) in the following categories: Permanent supervision with 7 career appointments (Superintendent, Assistant Superintendent, 3 Squad Bosses). IHCs work and train as a unit 40 hours per week. IHCs are a national resource.
Minimum Standards Fireline Capability Crew Size Leadership Qualifications Experience Full-Time Organized Crew Communications Sawyers Training Fitness Logistics Maximum Weight Dispatch Availability Production Factor Transportation Tools& Equipment Personal Gear PPE MINIMUM CREW STANDARDS FOR MOBILIZATION Effective January 1, 2003 Type I Type 2 with la Type2 Capability Initial attack/can be Initial attack/can be Initial attack, fireline broken up into squads, broken up into squads, construction, firing to fireline construction, fireline construction, indude burnout complex firing firing to include operations (backfire) burnout 18-20 18-20 18-20 Permanent CRWB and 3 ICT5 CRWB and 3 FFT1 Supervision Superintendent: TFLD, ICT4 Ass't. Supt.: STCR, ICT4 3 Squad Bosses: CRWB(T), ICT5 80% 1 season or more 60% 1 season or more 40% 1 season or more Yes No No 5 programmable radios 4 programmable radios 4 programmable radios 3 agency qualified 3 agency qualified 0 80 hours annual Basic firefighter Basic firefighter training training and/or annual training and/or annual firefighter safety firefighter safety refresher refresher Arduous Arduous Arduous Self-sufficient Not self-sufficient Not self-sufficient 5,100 lbs. 5,100 lbs. 5,100 lbs. 1 hour Variable Variable 1.0 0.8 0.8 Own transportation Transportation needed Transportation needed Fully equipped Not equipped Not equipped Arrives with: crew first Arrives with: crew first Arrives with: crew first aid kit, personal first aid kit, personal first aid kit, personal first aid kit, headlamp, 1 qt. aid kit, headlamp, 1 qt. aid kit, headlamp, 1 qt. canteen, web gear, canteen, web gear, canteen, web gear, sleeping bag sleeping bag sleeping bag Arrives with: hard hat, Arrives with: hard hat, Arrives with: hard hat, fire resistant shirt/ fire resistant shirt/ fire resistant shirt/ pants, 8@ leather pants, 8@ leather pants, 8 @ leather boots, leather gloves, boots, leather gloves, boots, leather gloves, fire shelter, hearing/ fire shelter, hearing/ fire shelter, hearing/ eye protection eye protection eye protection Type3 Fireline construction, Fireline improvement, mop-up and rehab 18-20 CRWB and 3 FFT1 20% 1 season or more No 4 programmable radios 0 Basic firefighter training and/or annual firefighter safety refresher Arduous Not self-sufficient 5,100 lbs. Variable N/A Transportation needed Not equipped Arrives with: crew first aid kit, personal first aid kit, headlamp, 1 qt. canteen, web gear, sleeping bag Arrives with: hard hat, fire resistant shirt/ pants, 8@ leather boots, leather gloves, fire shelter, hearing/ eye protection Notes: Interagency Hotshot Crews (IHC) are Type I crews that exceed the Type I standards as required by the National IHC Operations Guide (2001) in the following categories: Permanent supervision with 7 career appointments (Superintendent, Assistant Superintendent, Squad Bosses).
* IHCs work and train as a unit 40 hours per week. IHCs are a national resource.
Hand Crews Components Minimum Standards for Type 1 2 Production Factor 1.0 0.8 Dispatch to Arrival Time 12 hours No minimum time Fully Mobilized Required Not required Inter-crew Communications Yes Desirable Permanent Supervision Yes Desirable Experience 80% one season N/A Training: 80 hours annually National standards (classroom- not physical) Full Time Organized Crew Yes No standards Physical Requirement 45 or higher 45 or higher Crew Size 18-20 18-20 Maximum Crew Weight 5100 pounds 5100 pounds Note: 1. Crews moved on an inter-regional basis will meet NWCG standards for personal protective clothing. 2. Crew productivity factors are an arbitrary figure arrived at from the 1979 Fire Lab Study data as a base.
FIRELINE HANDBOOK CHAPTER #6 - URBAN INTERFACE Contents WILDLAND/URBAN INTERFACE "WATCH OUT" SITUATIONS.... STRUCTURE TRIAGE GUIDELINES.... STRUCTURE ASSESSMENT CHECKLIST.... STRUCTURE PROTECTION GUIDELINES.... Equipment Placement..... Water Use Guidelines.... Class A Foam Use Guidelines.... Preparing Structure.... SAFETY FIRST-NO EXCEPTION 1
WILDLAND!URBAN INTERFACE "WATCH OUT" SITUATIONS "REFERENCE FIRELINE HANDBOOK CHAPTER 1, PAGE_" STRUCTURE TRIAGE GUIDELINES Fire fighter safety is the primary consideration when evaluating whether a structure can be protected. There are three categories of structures: Those that are not threatened Those that are threatened and have the potential of being saved Those that are not able to be saved, too dangerous to protect Factors to consider during structure triage: FIRE FIGHTER SAFETY Safety Zone Availability (Is there time to prepare a safety zone) Proximity of the fuels and predicted flame length to structure (No defensible space) Position on slope relative to fire spread Fire behavior and intensity (Greater the intensity, the wider the defensible space need) Flammability of roof and siding (Wood roof and siding, vinyl siding, along with inadequate defensible space may make structure impossible to protect) Timing and available resources (Not having time to position resources or lack of resources to protect structure) Factors that may make an attempt to save a structure unsuccessful or too dangerous are: No safety zone and refuge available. No place to park engine safely. Fire is making a sustained run and there is little or no clearance. Fire behavior is extreme: spot fires are numerous and out pacing control. Water supply will not last as long as the threat. Fire's intensity dictates you leave the area NOW. Roof is more that 1/4 involved. Fire inside structure; windows broken; windy conditions. You can not safely remain at the structure and your escape route could become not longer safe to use. If a structure becomes well involved, leave it and move on to one that can be saved. 2
STRUCTURE ASSESSMENT CHECKLIST Address/Property Name: Numerical street address, ranch name, etc. Number of residents on site. Road Access Road surface (paved, gravel, unimproved, dirt). Adequate width, vegetation clearance, safety zones along road. Undercarriage problems ( 4x4 access only). Turnouts & turnarounds Bridges (load limits) Stream crossings (approach angle, crossing depth and surface) Terrain (road slope, location on slope-near chimrneys, saddles, canyon bottom) Grade (greater than 15 %) Structure/Building:. Single residence or multi complex, out building (barn, storage) Does building have unknown or hazardous materials? Exterior walls (stucco or other non-combustible, wood frame, wood shake) Large unprotected windows facing heat source. Proximity of any above-ground fuel tanks (LPG, propane, etc.) Roof material (wood shake, viny~ non-combustible) Eaves (covered with little overhang, exposed with large overhang) Other features (wood deck, wood patio cover and furniture, wood fencing) Clearances/Exposures/Defensible Space: Structure location (narrow ridge, canyon, mid-slope, chimney) Adequate clearance around structure-minimum of 100' (steeper the slope the more clearance required) Surrounding fuels (Larger, denser the fuels, the more clearance required) Flammable fuels (trees, ladder fuel, shrubs) adjacent to structure (Is there time for removing these fuels?). Other combustibles near structure (wood piles, furniture, fuel tanks) Is there adequate clearance around fuel tank? Power lines or transformers (DO NOT park under lines) Hazardous Materials: Chemicals (Look for DOT/NFPAIUN symbols) Pesticides and herbicides Petroleum products Paint products 3
Water Sources: Hydrant/standpipe (When connecting with hydrant, be aware of flow rate and gpm output, size and venting capability of engine or water tender may not be able to handle hydrants with high flow and gpm rates) Storage tank Swimming pool Hot tub Fish pond Irrigation ditch Evacuation: Is safe evacuation possible? (IdentifY safe refuge for those who can not be evacuated) Coordinate with on-scene law enforcement and emergency services personnel. Estimated Resources for Protection: Number(s) and type(s) of engines, water tenders, crews, dozers Rule of Thumb- One engine per structure, one additional engine for every 4 structures to be used as "back-up" and for patrol. For structures that are close together (50' or less),one engine may be adequate to protect 2 structures. Is aviation support available, what kind, type, and number? STRUCTURE PROTECTION GUIDELINES DO NOT enter a structure unless you are trained, equipped, and authorized. If safe, a structure can be used as refuge. Fire fighter safety and survival is the number one priority. Supervisors must keep in close communication with those you supervise and adjoining forces in the area. Equipment Placement: IDENTIFY ESCAPE ROUTES AND SAFETY ZONES and MAKE THEM KNOWN TO ALL CREW MEMBERS ALWAYS STAY MOBILE and wear all of your PPE. Back equipment in for quick escape. Mark entrance to long driveways to show that protection is in place (Very Important when structure can not be seen from road) - multiple ribbons at end of drive on street ribbon/flagging across drive entrance sign other pre-determined signal 4
Park in a cleared area (Watch for overhead hazards) Protect your equipment (Park behind structure, placing structure between equipment and fire front- Be aware of spot fires occurring behind you)) Watch for hazards ( drop-offs, pot holes, above-ground fuel storage, chemicals, septic tanks, etc.) Keep egress route clear park extra equipment on street keep hose off driveway Have a engine/crew protection line charged and readily available DO NOT make long hose lays. Try to keep sight contact with all crew members. Water Use Guidelines: Keep at least 100 gallons ofwater reserve in your tank. Top off tank at every opportunity, use garden hose. Draft from swimming pool, hot tub, fish pond. STAY MOBILE. Do not hook up to hydrant except to refill tank. (Hydrant may not always work if system is electric powered and power is lost in area.) CONSERVE WATER, avoid wetting down an area. Apply water only if it controls fire spread or significantly reduces heating of structure being protected. Keep fire out of the heavier fuels. Extinguish fire at its lowest intensity, not when it is flaring up. Knock down fire in the lighter fuels. Have enough water to last duration of main heat wave and to protect crew. Class A Foam Use Guidelines: Direct Attack - Apply to base of flame. Indirect Attack- Lay out wet line and burn out. Apply to structure (roof and siding) 10-15 minutes before fire arrives. Preparing Structure: Determine if residents are home (Legal responsibility for evacuation lies with law enforcement-if residents remain on-scene, advise them to use structure if it's safe to do so as refuge when fire arrives). For roof access, place owner's ladder at a corner of structure on side with least fire threat and away from power drop. Clean roof of leaves, needles, and any other combustible materials. Cover vents and air conditioning unit on roof. Remove and scatter away from structureover-hanging limbs 5
ground/ladder fuels to prevent fire from moving into the crowns wooden fences and wood piles near structure Clear area around above-ground fuel tank, shutting off tank. Place combustible outside furniture inside structure. Close windows and doors, including garage, leaving unlocked (YOU MAY NEED TO USE STRUCTURE AS REFUGE). Have garden hose(s) charged and place strategically around structure for immediate use. 6