Bonita Springs Fire Wild Land Fire Fighting Guidelines PDF

Bonita Springs Fire Control and Rescue District Standard Operating Guidelines Subject: Wild Land Fire Fighting Adopted: March 24, 2010 Effective Date: April 5, 2010 Last Revised Date: November 10, 2023 Revision Number: 2 Due for Revision Date: November 2026 Table of Contents 1034.08.01...

Bonita Springs Fire Control and Rescue District Standard Operating Guidelines Subject: Wild Land Fire Fighting Adopted: March 24, 2010 Effective Date: April 5, 2010 Last Revised Date: November 10, 2023 Revision Number: 2 Due for Revision Date: November 2026 Table of Contents 1034.08.01 Purpose 1034.08.02 Scope 1034.08.03 PPE 1034.08.04 Staging 1034.08.05 Establishing Command 1034.08.06 Radio Communications 1034.08.07 Request for Additional Resources 1034.08.08 Assignment to a Division 1034.08.09 Fire Attack 1034.08.10 Release from the Incident 1034.08.11 Safety Notes Page 1 of 6 # 1034.08.00 1034.08.01 Purpose The purpose of this SOG is to provide for the safety of emergency personnel and to ensure a uniform response and operations with regards to basic wild land fire fighting. 1034.08.02 Scope The scope of this SOG covers all Bonita Springs Fire Control and Rescue District personnel that will be conducting wild land fire fighting operations and training. 1034.08.03 PPE Proper PPE (personal protective equipment) worn shall be as ordered by the Incident Commander and or Operations Chief/Division Supervisor. At a minimum, PPE should include your full wild land gear. Protective face shields (example: Hot Shields) and particulate filters for the face shields shall be worn in mild smoke conditions, whereas the supplied air (SCBA) masks shall be worn in moderate to heavy smoke conditions 1034.08.04 Staging When arriving at a staging area, if established, follow the Accountability/Passport Protocol. On all mutual aid, Strike Team and/or Task Force responses, complete and turn in to your Team Leader the “Mutual Aid Accountability Form”. 1034.08.05 Establishing Command Establish command as based upon the departments IMS protocol. 1034.08.06 Radio Communications Unit response greater than 2 will require the use of an assigned tactical channel for operations. Incidents that will require the response of more then 5 units, Strike Team(s), Task Force(s), etc will require the Lee County Fire Chiefs’ Association Mutual Aid Channels matrix to be used for operations. 1034.08.07 Request for Additional Resources The Incident Commander should request additional resources as the situation requires. Brush truck(s), engine(s), tender(s), strike team(s) or task force(s), Florida Forestry Service (FFS), etc. Page 2 of 6 1034.08.08 Assignment to a Division When assigned to a Division, report to the Division Supervisor and contact them on the assigned tactical channel and give them your passport. When you need rehabilitation, consult your Division Supervisor. Stay in your assigned area. No freelancing will be acceptable into other Divisions or locations. 1034.08.09 Fire Attack Fire attack should normally begin at the rear/heal of the fire and move forward along the flanks progressing toward the head. However, it should be noted that at times it may be necessary to attempt to knock down the head fire prior to the flank. 1034.08.10 Release from the Incident When released from the incident, collect your passport and vehicle identifier from the Staging Area Manager, if established. Check to see all your equipment is on the truck. If not, report the missing equipment to the appropriate officer. Report all damages to your OIC. Remember to check filter minder on dashboard. Once back in station complete the “After the Brush Fire” check list found in the unit clip board. ICS 214 forms are to be completed when required by AHJ or State agencies. These forms are to be turned into the Team Leader. 1034.08.11 Safety Notes Staging apparatus in the warm and hot zone should be on burned vegetation. The brush truck is not to be used as a bulldozer. If at all possible, stay at least 100 feet away from an operating dozer when engaged in fire fighting activity. If at all possible, be at least 200 feet away from the drop zone from air tankers and or helo buckets. Remember LCES:  Look outs  Communications  Escape routes  Safety Zones Try to leave a quarter tank of water in your brush truck when you exit the hot zone as a safety precaution in case you need it. Page 3 of 6 Keep hydrated at all times. If you are thirsty, you are already behind in hydration. Brush trucks are not very agile pieces of equipment, so use due caution when driving. Add extra distance between you and other traffic. Increase your stopping distances because of extra water weight. Remember, these trucks are made for off road and are not precision automobiles. Use extra caution while driving in residential areas because of children near the roadways. Fire shelters are to be used when the possibility of being burned over is apparent. Deploy them quickly and stay underneath them until the fire passes. Take your radio with you and try to contact help. Initiate a “mayday” and state your location and conditions. Use your truck as a shelter if possible. Page 4 of 6 Appendix A Brush Fire Checklist The IC should be looking forward to the next level and planning accordingly. Level l – Local Fire Department Only  Establish Command  Notify FFS – Acres involved, fuel type, structures in danger, etc.  Brief responding units on situation  Establish Operations  Establish Safety Officer  Establish Communications for first response units  Establish Accountability for first response units  Establish water supply  Update Lee Control every 30 minutes  PREDICT future needs and call for assistance early FFS Utilities Command Bus Law Enforcement Red Cross Level II (1-3 Mutual-Aid single resources operating in a single Division)  Notify Fire Chief of situation  Request FFS Tractor(s) – If FFS arrives, consider completing an Incident Status Summary (ICS 209)  Establish formal Command Post  Establish Geographic Divisions  Establish Communication Plan – Consider utilizing pre-established Lee County Communication Plan  Establish LCES – Look outs, Communications, Escape Routes, and  Safety Zones  Establish Level II Staging and consider utilizing Staging Form (ICS 211)  Establish Accountability  Request single resources  Establish Rehab area and rotate crews through Rehab  Establish Rapid Intervention Crew/Company  Conduct PAR’s every 30 minutes  Update Lee Control every 30 minutes  Conduct Briefings  Offensive to Defensive tactic change, notify the following:  Strike/Task Force Leader(s)  Division Supervisor(s)  Incident Management Team  Conduct Debriefing  Consider evacuation of residence/businesses Page 5 of 6 Level III (Strike Team or more or operating with multiple Divisions)  Notify Fire Chief of situation  Request FFS Supervisor  Request Strike/Task Force Team(s)  Request Incident Management Team  Request Area Command be established  Establish Lee County Communication Plan: Utilize the pre-established Lee County Communication Plan  Establish Level II Staging considering:  Fuel  Large Parking  Radio’s  Restrooms  Telephones  Offices  Establish Plans Section  Obtain future weather/fire reports and Logistics Section  Establish PIO  Plan for the next operational period  Consider air support with FFS Supervisor  Conduct Operational Period Briefing(s)  Notify Divisions and Command of Operational Tactic changes  Establish a Demobilization Plan and collect 214 forms Page 6 of 6