WILDLAND FIRE GUIDE safety 1

table of contents
be safe …................................... 3
risk management ….. .............. 4
safety measures …................... 5
work / rest guidelines ................. 6
incident operations- driving …... 7
driver training requirements ….. 8
safety organizations ….............. 9
heat related emergencies ….... 11
medical emergencies …........... 12
vehicle accidents …................... 13
medevac procedures ….............. 14
hazmat …..................................... 15

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2 safety WILDLAND FIRE GUIDE

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 WILDLAND FIRE GUIDE safety 3

BE SAFE!!
TAKE NO UNNECESSARY RISKS

• IDENTIFY HAZARDS
• ASSESS HAZARDS
• DEVELOP CONTROLS
• MITIGATE HAZARDS
• RE-EVALUATE

HAVE A REASON FOR EVERYTHING YOU DO

and

DOCUMENT DOCUMENT DOCUMENT

remember:

SITUATION CHECK

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risk management
Wildland firefighting is an inherently dangerous profession

Commitment to safety is of the highest priority for the Santa

Fe County Fire Dept.

situational awareness: Observe surroundings, weather, topography, fire

behavior and fuels. Maintain awareness to recognize changes in fire behavior and/
or potential fire behavior.

hazard assessment: Evaluate the fire behavior and tactical hazards before
you make a move. You are looking for what will hurt you. Learn to recognize it.

hazard control: Eliminate or reduce risk to an acceptable level before you take
action. Mitigate all known hazards before starting work.

decision point: If hazards can be mitigated, then proceed. Do not accept any
assignment if hazards have not been mitigated. If you see something, speak up! It
may save your life.

evaluate: What has changed? Are the tactics working? Do new hazards exist?
Any negative response to one of these questions may require a change in what
you are doing.

DO NOT accept unsafe work assignments.

FIRST PRIORITY EVERYDAY - BE SAFE

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 WILDLAND FIRE GUIDE safety 5

safety measures you can take:

• Stay fit
• Know your limits
• Think before acting
• Listen attentively and contribute to safety briefings
• Ask questions and clarify instructions
• Wear your PPE
• Stay hydrated
• Report unsafe conditions immediately
• Inform others of hazards
• Learn from near misses
• Look out for fellow firefighters
• Maintain situational awareness
• Know and apply the 10 Standard Fire Orders and 18 Watch Outs

everyone has the right and obligation to pause operations

until safety concerns are addressed.

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work / rest guidelines

exceed 16 hours but less than 24

IC will call dispatch and ask for approval Comply with 2:1 as soon as possible
from District Manager (or representative) to
exceed 16 hours You must have a minimum of 8 hours
of rest

IC must have Official Document for

Extended Work Shift signed by DM or
designated Representative

IC may sign Official Document for Crew

Bosses; Crew Bosses may sign for their
Crewmembers

Dispatch will record date, time and Incident

Commander when documentation is
requested

Fire personnel are required to manage fatigue as appropriate. These guidelines

are not to be interpreted as a justification to work over 16 hour shifts as the norm;
they were written to allow managers and firefighters the flexibility to accomplish
objectives.

• These guidelines are for Type 3, 4 and 5 incidents

• A shift begins when crews come to work each day. Leaving at the end
of that shift and being called back does not start a new shift.
• Rest is defined as undisturbed rest in an adequate sleeping
environment. Compensatory breaks do not constitute rest.
• Fire personnel must be in compliance with Driving Standards as well as
Work/Rest Guidelines

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 WILDLAND FIRE GUIDE safety 7

incident operations : driving

Driving by personnel actively engaged in wildland fire suppression or all-risk
activities; including driving while assigned to a specific incident (check-in to check-
out) or during initial attack fire response (includes time required to control the fire
and travel to a rest location).

1. No driver will drive more than 10 hours (behind the wheel) within any
duty-day.

2. Multiple drivers in a single vehicle may drive up to the duty-day

limitation provided no driver exceeds the individual driving (behind the
wheel) time limitation of 10 hours.

3. A driver shall drive only if they have had at least 8 consecutive hours off
duty before beginning a shift. Exception to the minimum off-duty hour
requirement is allowed when essential to:
• Accomplish immediate and critical suppression objectives
• Address immediate and critical firefighter or public safety issues

4. As stated in the current agency work/rest policy, documentation of

mitigation measures used to reduce fatigue is required for drivers who
exceed 16 hour work shifts. This is required regardless of whether the
driver was still compliant with the 10 hour individual (behind the wheel)
driving time limits.

Drivers are responsible for following these policies and it is

the Supervisor's responsibility to ensure that employees
adhere to the proper driving limitations and monitor
employee fatigue.

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engine – driver training requirements

Requirements for drivers of engines or tactical water tenders are:

• Crew member must successfully complete CEVO III

• Engine Operator and Engine Captain must complete Engine Operator

Course, CEVO III, and hold a CDL for 26,000 GVW or greater vehicles.

non-engine equipment driver training

requirements

Training for all regular drivers of non-tactical water tenders, helicopter support
vehicles, crew carriers and fuel tenders must include successful completion of the
instructional objectives set forth by SFCFD.

A regular driver is defined as an employee whose duties include driving fire

equipment on a regular basis. This may include highway, off-road, city, mobile
attack and extreme terrain driving.

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 WILDLAND FIRE GUIDE safety 9

Six Minutes for Safety on a daily basis, addresses the high

risk situations that historically get our people in trouble,
and provides lessons for doing better, safer work.

http://www.nifc.gov/sixminutes/

safenet
SAFENET is a form, and process for reporting and resolving safety concerns
encountered in wildland fire, prescribed fire or all risk operations.

Anyone at any organizational level may file a SAFENET. SAFENETs can be filed
one of three ways:

1. By hardcopy via US Mail. SAFENET paper forms are stamped, self-

addressed, seal-able forms that can be mailed from any US Postal
drop.

2. By phone: a SAFENET may be filed by calling 888-670-3938 and

leaving a detailed message, which will be transcribed and posted to the
internet database.

3. On the web: A SAFENET can be filed electronically by accessing the

SAFENET website at: http://safenet.nifc.gov/.

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safety management information system

Safety Management Informations System (SMIS) is the official accident/injury

reporting system for the Department of the Interior, and all accidents/injuries have
to be reported into SMIS. SMIS has a Fire Management Accident Report template
for reporting any fire-related accidents and/or property damage reports.

SMIS is used to electronically report and file Workers Compensation Claims.

Key points to remember in accident/injury reporting:

• Report is entered into SMIS by supervisor within 72 hours of

accident/injury happening.

• Report/enter ALL accidents and injuries despite severity of injury

incurred.

• Report/enter ALL property damage that results in repair or loss cost of

$500 and above.

• Reporting is the responsibility of the injured employees' home unit

regardless of where the accident/injury occurred. For example, a
Nevada firefighter is injured on a fire in Oregon - it is the home unit in
Nevada that does the report.

Supervisors should coordinate with their local safety officer/manager to assist them
with SMIS reporting.

website: https://www.smis.doi.gov/homepage.htm

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 WILDLAND FIRE GUIDE safety 11

heat related emergencies

heat cramps:
symptoms: severe muscle cramps (usually in legs and abdomen), exhaustion,
possible dizziness or faintness.

care: move patient to cool place, give patient salted water or 1/2 strength
gatorade. Massage cramped muscles, apply moist towels to forehead and
cramped areas. If cramps persist, medevac to care facility.

heat exhaustion:
symptoms: rapid and shallow breathing, weak pulse, cold and clammy skin,
heavy perspiration, total body weakness, and dizziness that can lead to
unconsciousness.

care: move patient to cool place, keep at rest. Give patient salted water or ½
strength gatorade. Treat for shock but don't overheat. If unconscious or doesn't
respond, medevac immediately.

heat stroke:
symptoms: deep breaths, then shallow breathing, rapid, strong pulse, then
weak pulse. Dry, hot skin, dilated pupils, loss of consciousness, seizures or
muscle twitching.

care: cool the patient in any manner, remove clothing, wrap in wet towels. Pour
water over towels. Body heat must be rapidly lowered. Treat for shock and
administer oxygen. If cold packs are available wrap in cloth and place under arms
and in groin. medevac ASAP.

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medical emergencies

When evaluating a serious medical emergency, the first order of action is referred
to as ABCs. Seek help when possible, notify your supervisor immediately.

• A - airway. clear mouth and airway of any obstructions. Tilt head

using palm on forehead and fingers under chin, tip.

• B - breathing. pinch nostril and seal lips about victim's mouth. Give
2 full rescue breaths. Listen for exhale. Check for pulse next to
windpipe. Repeat if pulse, but no breathing.

• C- circulation. if no pulse or breathing, place one hand 1" above

sternum tip. Place second hand on top of first. Depress lower half of
sternum straight down 1 1/2" to 2". 15 compressions in 10 seconds,
then 2 rescue breaths.

bleeding
ABCs if necessary. Place sterile compress on wound and apply steady firm hand
pressure. If compress soaks through, do not remove. Apply additional compresses
and continue pressure. Elevate limb. Use tourniquet as a last resort. medevac
ASAP.

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 WILDLAND FIRE GUIDE safety 13

vehicle accidents

size up scene and advise dispatch of:

• Exact location and type of incident
• Any hazardous conditions (fuel, electrical, traffic, etc)
• Best access routes
• Estimated number and severity of patients
• Vehicles (number and type)
• Types of resources needed (law enforcement, ambulance, etc)

establish traffic control:

• Place apparatus between oncoming traffic and rescuers
• Place warning devices
• Establish positive communications

assess fire hazard or potential:

• Be aware of fuels running downgrade

perform patient assessment:

• Administer first aid or triage until medical help arrives
• If there are fatalities, do not give names or other information over radio
that would reveal identity. Do not move body.

begin incident report:

• Document all events.

advise dispatch of changes:

• Accident status, arrival of other units, patient transport, etc.

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medevac procedures

establish chain of command: lead EMT who is going to accompany victim

to the hospital. Delegate a scribe, communications person, etc.

determine severity of situation: if multiple patients are present TRIAGE

and arrange transportation according to injuries.

communications: be prepared to provide the following:

1. Nature of accident - no names
2. Type of assistance needed and evacuation method - ground or air
3. Location of accident or injury and best access
4. Radio frequency and ground contact person
5. Known local hazards to ground vehicles or helicopters
6. On site weather conditions - wind speed, direction and visibility
7. Topography and slope
8. Number of personnel to be transported
9. Estimated weight of passengers

paperwork: delegate a scribe to fill out patient evaluation form, monitor patient
vital signs every 5 minutes for critical patients, every 10 minutes for non-critical
until arrival at hospital. Remember these are legal documents so try to fill them out
completely.

notify: IC and operations of patient status IMMEDIATELY. Stay with patient at

hospital to facilitate logistics.

photograph: pictures of the accident site could come in handy later. No

pictures of victims.

debrief: all personnel involved in operations should be debriefed.

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 WILDLAND FIRE GUIDE safety 15

hazmat

It is required that all personnel receive hazmat awareness training. All individuals
responding to wildland incidents should be familiar with the DOT Emergency
Response Guidebook (ERG).

A copy of the current ERG is required to be on all Santa Fe County Fire

Department vehicles.

• Approach cautiously: stay upwind and uphill

• Identify the Hazard: Consult the ERG before you place yourself or
others at risk

• Secure the Scene: Move and keep individuals away from the scene
and the perimeter

• Obtain Help: Advise dispatch to notify agency HAZMAT

• National Response Center: 1-800-424-8802 to report spills of oils and

hazardous materials

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notes

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