PHOTO PAUL M. ROSS, JR. While riding with the helicopter doors open during aerial ignition operations, the Massif Elements jacket protects me from the wind, making a big difference in warmth.

Safely operating your wildland apparatus saves lives, money 

By GENE MADDEN

One of the most indispensable wildfire suppression resources: wildland engines. They come in all shapes and sizes — from a retrofitted 5-ton U.S. military 6 x 6 to custom-designed brush trucks. And because they're so needed on wildfires, a number of wildland fire academies across the country now offer either a wildland fire engine academy or classes on wildland engine operations as part of their training program.

The engine operator (ENOP), as well as the rest of the engine crew, must know how to safely operate and maintain the engine while performing wildfire suppression tactics and strategies. In this month's Safety Zone, I'll discuss how to properly perform maintenance on wildland engines, as well as what to look out for when operating a wildland apparatus.

Preventative Maintenance
To properly perform preventative maintenance on your apparatus, the entire crew must first complete an inspection of the cab and chassis every day. Remember: Always follow the manufacturer's and your agency's recommended guidelines for when and how to perform maintenance. If you find a problem, correct it immediately or report it to the proper individual for remediation. If you find a major safety compliance issue, red tag the vehicle and report it to the proper person.

Next, use your inspection checklist and review the operator's manual for the pump package, keeping in mind your local agency's operating guidelines and procedures. If you find a problem you can fix, do so; otherwise, report it to the right person. Pay particular attention to repetitive mechanical problems — you don't want your pump to fail on an incident because you ignored a problem. Also, perform a pump flow test, check your chemical/foam proportioning system and pay particular attention to all hoses and fittings.

PHOTO LANE LAMOREAUX Off the road, engine operators face many issues, such as poor traction, fording streams and other water hazards, backing up to the draft location and avoiding branches, trees, rock outcroppings and other obstacles that can damage a rig.

Engine Readiness
Maintaining wildland fire apparatus in a fire-ready state requires more than just listening to a radio to hear if you're needed. First, maintain all stocks on par with your agency's standards. The engine and its equipment must be clean, neat, orderly and in peak functional shape. Sharpen all hand tools, fill fuel tanks and spare cans, toss worn, frayed hose and replace defective or lost brass fittings. Next, keep a cache of essential/critical items, such as a good set of versatile wrenches, pliers, duct tape and electrical tape, emergency bulbs and spare fuses, so you can perform basic field repairs as needed.

Also, protect your equipment, especially the pump and hoses, from potential freeze damage during cold nights by winterizing it before you tuck it away for a long winter nap.

On scene, if your vehicle is equipped with fire curtains, ensure they're ready to be rolled down quickly. Set up and use engine protection lines, and always maintain an adequate water reserve per your agency's instructions.

PHOTO KARI GREER You don’t want your pump to fail on an incident because you ignored a problem, so make sure you thoroughly examine it, perform a pump flow test, check your chemical/foam proportioning system and pay particular attention to all hoses and fittings.

Situational Awareness
There are several distinctions between driving apparatus safely in urban, rural and off-road situations. In town, ENOPs must deal with parking the apparatus, other parked vehicles, changing lanes, bridges or other overhangs, jay-walking pedestrians, bad drivers, road congestion and turning. In rural areas, ENOPs must frequently negotiate blind corners, as well as narrow roads, potholes, loose gravel, slow-moving farm equipment and bridges. Wildlife and livestock are other frequent hazards.

Once off the road, ENOPs face many other issues, such as poor traction, fording streams and other water hazards, backing up to the draft location and avoiding branches, trees, rock outcroppings and other obstacles that can damage a rig. Note: Always remain aware of special areas, such as cultural sites and wilderness areas.

Safe Driving Skills
Excluding cardiovascular events, apparatus accidents kill more firefighters than just about any other event; therefore, all ENOPs should know the capabilities and limitations of the vehicle (e.g., its turning radius, gross vehicle weight and shifting water loads in a multitude of situations). They must also be able to spy bridge and culvert weight limits, drive in a convoy and operate the apparatus in situations with limited visibility.

Additionally, because we often work in wooded, rugged areas, ENOPs must be able to back down slopes and brake and corner properly on all types of surfaces and in all types of conditions. A good ENOP also uses a spotter whenever they back up. Remember: When parked, always use chock blocks. 

Once at your assigned area, identify your ingress and egress routes and methods. Never block a road with your rig, and back in whenever appropriate — you may have to leave in a hurry. Protect your engine by positioning it in the most firesafe area available. Avoid parking on fuel, especially dried, fine fuel.

Lastly, most federal and state wildland agencies now require anyone who drives emergency vehicles to successfully complete an emergency vehicle operator's course; if you take the course, try to bring the vehicle you drive most often with you.

PHOTO PAUL M. ROSS, JR. Always follow the manufacturer’s and your agency’s recommended guidelines for when and how to perform maintenance on your vehicle. If you find a problem, correct it immediately or report it to the proper individual for remediation. Always follow the manufacturer’s and your agency’s recommended guidelines for when and how to perform maintenance on your vehicle. If you find a problem, correct it immediately or report it to the proper individual for remediation.

Firefighter Safety
When operating an engine, the safety of incident/firefighter personnel is paramount. Follow all appropriate, well established safety and agency guidelines, such as Job Hazard Analyses (JHAs), work-rest guidelines and driving limitations. Conduct tailgate safety sessions to inform all members about conditions and planned tactics and strategy. Before moving the vehicle, ensure all occupants wear seat belts, and double check that all objects are secure. Finally, every occupant should make sure their own PPE is in the vehicle.

When you arrive at the incident, hold another tailgate safety session. Review the 10 Standard Fire Orders, the 18 Watch Out Situations, LCES and any other applicable safety checklists. I also recommend you keep the Incident Pocket Guide (PMS #461 NFES #1077) handy, and use it frequently.

Finally, it doesn't matter if you're an old fire dog or a brand new recruit — you must train, train, train. Practice on your rig, and learn everything you can about it.

For More Information
To find out where you can attend a wildland fire engine academy or a specific class, visit the National Wildland Fire Training site at www.nationalfiretraining.net, or one of the many wildfire academies across the country, which are listed at www.nationalfire training.net/academies.htm.

Gene Madden, an SOFI, is the chairman of the NWCG Safety and Health Working Team and a member of the NWCG Emergency Medical Support Group. Madden is employed as the division safety officer for the Florida Division of Forestry and is an IOFI and a medical unit leader. E-mail him at maddeng@doacs.state.fl.us.