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Structure Protection in the WUI

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W hile there are those who build in the Wilderness-Urban Interface (WUI) who are at the same time responsible, have plenty of money and time, and understand the need and, on the whole, the overwhelming ecological and often scenic benefits of and for projects that reduce risk of loss during a wildfire event on the property, most people have a lack of at least two or three of these drivers of fuels assessment and reduction previous to a wildfire event.  And that's where we come in with "Structure Protection." Indeed that work is only one often small part of the process of Structure Pro- and keep in mind that it is a process that sometimes takes more time than is available in the face of a Wildland fire threat. Here are a few learning aids that describe, educate on, and facilitate the processes that precede, enable, and strengthen the structure protection role that we take on as Wildland firefighters, whether volunteers, professionals, or contractors on the fireground. Video...
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Wildfire Red Card Refresher 2023 (RT-130)

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Wildfire Red Card Refresher (RT-130) Spring City Fire Department - 28 February 2023 Little Sahara BLM Portion Watch ‘Oh, its Just a Grass Fire' video - YouTube LCES + P  Fight complacency  Cut fence, don't jump fence  Rookies: speak-up about what you see or need! Often it's something important that the veterans have overlooked or forgotten... Situational Awareness + Assessment Importance of anchor points and “Fighting from the Black/Dragging the Black” Review radio comms and practice with radios Communications > better actions + smoother/quicker reactions  Best possible engagement in the fight S130 + S190 and LCES = the basics that bring us home after the fire Bring up the little things in AAR - That’s what keeps us aware and careful  Richfield Interagency Interagency Center/ RIFC Portion New Numbers for NIFC: (435) 896-8404 on-call: (435) 348-1678   Contact Sanpete Dispatch, then RIFC for anything outside city limits with the ...
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Wildfire Firefighting: Preparation, Building Confidence, and Getting Ready to Lead

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There's a lot to learn about the field of firefighting, especially when one considers the jobs and trainings for both structural firefighting and wildfire firefighting. Since we're smack-dab in the season for wildfires, here are a few sites for reading, viewing, and consideration of how to get prepared and maintain your progress in wildfire understanding throughout the year. First, from the National Wildfire Coordinating Group, a couple of great pages with important information on what to expect from wildfire situations and how to grow in knowledge.  • https://www.nwcg.gov/wfldp/toolbox A great place to start learning about basic practices involved in day-to-day wildfire operations.  • Also from NCWG, the Wildland Fire Leadership Training Program. A fantastic place to start understanding what it takes to develop the skills and confidence required for the stressful and demanding field of wildfire operations. Start checking it out and I think you'll understand how a little b...
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Scene Awareness and How to Stay Safe (Really Safe, That Is!)

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 A quick video outlining and testing situational awareness and demonstrating the concept of 'tunnel vision' from VOC TV. They've got a few, so check a couple out and exercise your mind! A vid from Mike Rowe's series on the S.W.E.A.T. pledge. Some great concepts here, but specific to our purposes is Pledge 6, on maintaining true safety in all situations. Check it out and post a comment on your experience below.
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Fireline Packing Lists: Line Gear, Red Bag, and Campaign Duffle (or Whatever You Want to Call Them)

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  Although there are as almost as many names for these kits as there are things to choose from and ways to organize them, there are also quite a few lists and helps out there to help you decide what to start from as you come up with your own techniques. First off, here is a list from the NPS ; a solid base from which to start: (Click on the links if it's not formatting correctly in your browser) Items for Wildland Fire Assignments   Required Personal Equipment for Mobilizations Quantity ITEM COMMENT 1 Line Gear Compatible with Fire Shelter and Canteens 1 Hard Hat Must have chinstrap 1 pair Eye Protection If you wear safety glasses, pack goggles which are needed for Helicopter Ops. 1 pair Hearing Protection You cannot have enough foam ear plugs (should carry five pairs) ...
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