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| | | | | | | | The Hot Season Is Here Again |  | By George R. Bradford, author of Structure Protection In The I-Zone
It is late June 2002 and the hot season is here again. With the exception of the Midwest, most areas have had only 10 to 25% of average precipitation. The mountaintops of the Rockies are mostly devoid of snow, the lakes and rivers are way below their mean levels, and live fuel moisture of our vegetation has been described as comparable to keel-dried lumber.
Some weather forecasters will tell you that when we have a dry winter season we will experience a wet summer and that the summer storms will usually start in May. However, I would rather focus our energy on preparation than hazard a guess on summer storms.
When it comes to fire weather, remember that sometime this summer (if not all summer) you are going to experience hot, dry, windy weather, so be sure to take the time to update your pre-fire plans. Look for clear access roads, drought-stressed trees, bug-killed stands, and downed deadfall in large accumulations. Start work on mitigation to reduce the hazards. Share this information with your neighboring companies and agencies. Make a worst-case scenario plan that can be implemented with only a few words. When the situation is getting away from you it can be very comforting to see an engine arrive displaying the smiling face of a crew with whom you've established a relationship.
One good idea is to conduct refresher training every spring. Even if its not mandated, have a series of company-level wildland and structure protection drills every year. This is the ideal time to inspect all your equipment and do some review. Have the crew review selected chapters from the station library and then go out into the field and practice the evolution. To be effective, spring refresher training must be conducted on both an individual and company level.
At the individual level, practice donning PPE; check them for fit and serviceability. A simple thing like removing your goggles from your helmet and placing them over your eyes may not work out for you if the straps are frayed or not properly hooked up. Can you see through your goggle lens? Did you ever get last years burn-holes in your Nomex repaired? Can you find your gloves? Finally, fill your canteen and check your boots for frayed laces and holes in the soles.
Company-level training should review the following:
Review basic fire behavior. Concentrate on the visual observations of flame production versus aspect (the short shadows means the most intense preheating by the sun), degree of slope, and alignment of the wind with the direction of fire spread.
Review general fire orders and I-zone watch-outs.
Check your torches, portable pumps, and folding tanks. Put them up and practice with them.
Inspect all wildland tools, make sure they are in shape and heads are tight, review safe use and tactical deployment.
Inspect your progressive hose-lay packs, inventory hardware, and flow water through the nozzles.
Review and then practice the individual jobs involved when conducting a progressive hose lay. Do it on a hill with rocks and stumps to tangle the hose.
Review and practice structure protection tactics and hose drops. Go over air-horn recall signals, and the application of water while operating from your booster tank.
Review the methods for preparing a structure to survive the wrath of the fire. Go over how to use the structure as a refuge from the radiated heat if the going gets tough.
Review burnover procedure and practice fire shelter deployments according to department policy. Dont forget to go over using your shelter when taking refuge in your engine.
If any of these refresher items are not well documented in your procedure manuals, then I recommend that you do some reading on your own. My book, Structure Protection in the I-Zone, will provide you with the basic knowledge you need to take your city engine out on a structure protection assignment. It will give you the insight of lessons learned by hundreds of firefighters who have gone before us. Good luck this summer.
Share your questions and experiences with George R. Bradford: grbradford@earthlink.net
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