Unit 2 Firefighter Preparedness

Unit 2.A - Personal Preparedness Lesson A – Personal preparedness: (FH P76) –Develop a list of personal gear needed for an extended period away from your home station –Explain why it is necessary to have personal protective gear available –Explain the firefighter’s accountability for personal and agency property –Explain the importance of keeping personal gear and assigned area clean and orderly

Personal Protective Equipment Nomex shirt and pants (or cotton pants) Helmet with shroud goggles 8” high boots (no steel toes) Web gear with FIRE SHELTER!

The Incident Command System Commonly called ICS, it is the standard organizational format for running incidents Can be used on small and large incidents Used nationally

Incident Command System All incidents must have an Incident Commander (or “IC”) The system allows for flexible “components” that can be added or taken out of the structure as needed

Organization for Small Incidents

Organization for Larger Incidents

Four General Functions of ICS Operations Planning Logistics Finance/Administration

Operations Section Takes charge of all activities directly involved with resolving the incident The Operations Section Chief can be looked at as the field commander for the IC

Planning Section Is responsible for figuring out; –How the incident is going –What will happen next in terms of the incident –What resources will be needed next –Who is on the incident now

Logistics Section Takes charge of getting the necessary resources to take care of who is working the incident –Food –Fuel & mechanics –Facilities –Medical care –Supply –Communications

Finance/Administration Section In charge of tracking costs Rental and special contractor agreements Claims and compensation

Incident types Type 5 incident –Usually one or two units, small fires Type 4 incident –Several units, generally of same type, small to medium fires Type 3 incident –Larger fires and larger command needs

Incident types (cont.) Type 2 and Type 1 incidents –Large uncontrollable fires –ICS structure completely filled out –many different types of resources –needs for long range support for firefighting forces

Types of Crews Hand Crew –Type 1, Usually federal crews, Smoke jumpers, Hotshot crews –Type 2, Local crews, Inmate crews, Call when needed units Engine Crews, classified by type Felling crews Firing crews Dozer units

Engine types

Initial Attack This is the beginning of wildland fire incidents, where local resources can handle and bring the incident to a close Usually type 4 or 5 incidents Under 12 hours in duration in most cases

Transition to Extended Attack Local resources are getting overwhelmed and calling for additional assistance Incident becomes too big or too complex to handle Emphasis shifts from attacking the fire to defending valuable areas

Extended Attack Major campaign fires, with many agencies involved with fighting the fire and supporting the suppression forces Incident duration can be weeks These are usually run by Type 1 and 2 Incident Command Teams

Be a Professional… Discrimination Private hand crews Prison crews Different cultures

Other Related Courses S-131 Advanced firefighter S-211 Portable pumps and water use S-212 Felling operations S-234 Ignition operations S-205 Interface firefighting Map and Compass course