Wildfire Response Guideline SOG 8

Wildland Firefighting Guidelines

• Extended Attack: A situation where a fire cannot be controlled by initial attack resources within a reasonable period of time.
• Mop-up: Extinguishing or removing burning material near control lines, felling snags, and trenching logs to prevent rolling after an area has burned, with the intention of making the fire safe and reducing residual smoke.

Initial Response

• Size-up: Prior to dispatch, while enroute, and throughout the incident, consider the following factors:
  • Current and predicted weather
  • Access issues
  • Values at risk (timber, structures, etc.)
  • Available resources
  • Size of fire
  • Rate of spread
  • Fire behavior
• Action Plan: Develop an Incident Action Plan (IAP) that establishes the role of Fire Rescue personnel at the incident.
• FFS Notification: Notify FFS of all wildland fires and request response to all incidents during periods of drought, "red flag" days, or days with erratic weather predictions.

Interaction with FFS

• Joint Command System: Operate in a joint command system with FFS supervisors.
• Unacceptable FFS Assignments: Refuse assignments that pose an unreasonable risk versus potential benefit.
• Resource Commitment: Refer requests from other agencies for resources to the shift supervisor.

Choosing the Proper PPE

• Structural PPE: Wear full structural PPE with SCBA when protecting structures.
• Wildland PPE: Wear wildland PPE when assisting FFS with mop-up operations or controlling/extinguishing wildland fires with no structures in danger.
• Wildland Gear: Issue wildland gear consisting of:
  • Hard hat
  • Leather or structural boots
  • Leather or structural gloves
  • Brush jacket/brush pants
  • Eye protection (goggles or safety glasses)
  • Smoke shield

Wildland/Urban Interface

• Structural Defense: SJCFR's normal role is structural defense at wildland/urban interface fires.
• Hoselines: Use 1 ¾ inch hoselines for structural protection.

Wildland Fire Agencies

• Fire Orders: Use ten (10) standing orders for wildland fire suppression, represented by the mnemonic "FIRE ORDERS".
• LCES: Use the mnemonic "LCES" to remind personnel of items critical to firefighter safety:
  • Lookouts
  • Communications
  • Escape routes
  • Safety zones

Watch Out Situations

• Watch Out Situations: Identify factors or conditions that may indicate firefighter safety is at risk:
  • Fire not scouted and sized up
  • Unfamiliar with weather and local factors
  • Safety zones and escape routes not identified
  • And 15 more situations

Mop-Up Operations

• Mop-Up Deployment: Coordinate mop-up deployment through FFS Forest Area Supervisor and request by the Battalion Supervisor.
• Assignments: Assignments should be priority rated, with emphasis on wildland fires that pose an imminent threat to human life or are located near a structure or highway.

Safety Considerations

• Firefighter Safety: Recognize common denominators of fire behavior on tragedy fires:
  • Most incidents happen on smaller fires or isolated portions of larger fires
  • Most fires are innocent in appearance before unexpected shifts in wind direction and/or speed
  • And 5 more denominators
• Apparatus Safety: Park engines/apparatus in a safe area, with the front facing the escape route.
• Personnel Safety: Save the last 100 gallons of water in the apparatus tank for the protection of the vehicle and its crew.

If Trapped By Fire

• Option 1: Structure: Take refuge in a structure, if possible, and wear structural PPE with SCBA for maximum protection.
• Option 2: Apparatus: Take refuge in the apparatus, if no suitable structure is available, and use a looped 1 ¾-inch line to deploy a fog pattern over the cab.
• Option 3: Fire Shelter: Use a fire shelter as a last resort, if trained and equipped.

Mop-Up/Pre-Deployment

• Pre-Deployment Checklist: Check wildland and structural firefighting gear, tactical channel, and IAP before heading to the fire area.
• Apparatus Check-Out: Check apparatus equipment, including fuel levels, oil levels, foam levels, and spare fuel cans, before heading to the fire area.
• Apparatus Check-In: Check apparatus equipment, including fuel levels, oil levels, foam levels, and spare fuel cans, after completing an operational assignment.

Tanker/Tender Operations

• Primary Duty: The primary duty of a tanker/tender is to deliver water to remote areas of the county.
• Operations: Operate according to SJCFR SOP's and SOG's, with emphasis on speed, caution, and reconnaissance.

Structural Triage

• Structural Assessment: Assess the location and condition of structures that may be in the fire's path, using the acronym LECS.
• Structural Triage: Triage structures into one of the following categories:
  • Need little or no attention
  • Need protection, but savable
  • Cannot be saved
• Signs of Vulnerability: Identify signs of vulnerability, such as:
  • Wood roof and/or debris accumulation
  • Vinyl siding
  • Heat traps/overhangs
  • Vents without screens

Non-Interface Wildland Fires

• Defensive Posture: Assume a defensive posture at remote or larger fires, unless initial response units can obtain immediate fire containment.
• Fire Control: Allow a fire to bum out against a natural or fabricated barrier, while standing by to extinguish any spot fires that may cross the line.