Professionals - Wildfires - Response part 1

1. E-Learning for Wildfires
Professionals

2. In the following module you will learn more about:
• How to respond to a wildfire
• What you can do after a wildfire has been contained and what you
can do to aid recovery
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Response and Recovery

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This module on wildfire response and recovery is divided into
three parts which cover the following topics:
• Part 1 –How to develop a wildfire suppression plan
• Part 2 – How to select appropriate suppression tactics
• Part 3 – The recovery phase of a wildfire incident
Response and Recovery

4. Response and Recovery
The previous modules have addressed the topics of wildfire prevention and
wildfire preparedness.
• You should therefore already be aware of the types of wildfire risk within
your area and the appropriate alerts and warnings you may receive.
• You should also be aware of the potential impact that wildfires can have on
the local community, environment and infrastructure within your area
• You should ensure you have the correct knowledge and understanding to
prepare plans to deal with wildfires before they occur.
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5. Response and Recovery
The previous modules have addressed the topics of wildfire prevention and
wildfire preparedness.
• You should therefore already be aware of the types of wildfire risk within
your area and the appropriate alerts and warnings you may receive.
• You should also be aware of the potential impact that wildfires can have on
the local community, environment and infrastructure within your area
• You should ensure you have the correct knowledge and understanding to
prepare plans to deal with wildfires before they occur.
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This module will now guide you through how to develop an appropriate wildfire
suppression plan…beginning with some basic foundations for a safe and effective response

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Foundations to a safe and effective
response to wildfire incidents

7. Foundations
The first priority for wildfire response is to consider and revaluate your
service’s priorities. The hierarchy of priorities will nearly always be as
follows:
1. Save lives
2. Protect property
3. Protect the environment
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8. 1. Save lives
The highest priority must always be to
save life threatened by the affects of
wildfire and to mitigate any injuries. This
priority should also be included in any
preparedness plan.
You should also ensure life is not
threatened by actions carried out when
dealing with wildfire incidents, to the
public and those personnel dealing with
the wildfire incident itself.
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Source: Junta de Andalucia (Spain)
Foundations

9. 2. Protect property
All necessary actions should be taken
to protect and mitigate damage to
property once the threat to life has
been removed.
Protection of property should also be
included in preparedness plan.
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Source: Junta de Andalucia (Spain)
Foundations

10. 3. Protect the environment
It is imperative that all actions are
taken to ensure the protection and
safety of the environment from the
effects of wildfire, this should also
include any effects of suppression
operations that may be harmful to
the environment.
Environmental considerations
should also be included within
preparedness planning.
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Source: Northumberland Fire and Rescue Service (UK)
Foundations

11. A number of key steps need to be followed to ensure that the right suppression
resources are deployed to the right location and at the right time. Steps 1 to 3 should
be completed prior to any wildfires being reported. Steps 4 to 5 need to be planned
out but they will not be implemented until a wildfire is reported:
1. Check availability of personnel
2. Personnel must have the correct Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
3. Equipment should be checked
4. Resources are mobilised to the incident
5. Develop and implement a suppression plan
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Foundations

12. A number of key steps need to be followed to ensure that the right suppression
resources are deployed to the right location and at the right time. Steps 1 to 3 should
be completed prior to any wildfires being reported. Steps 4 to 5 need to be planned
out but they will not be implemented until a wildfire is reported:
1. Check availability of personnel
2. Personnel must have the correct Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
3. Equipment should be checked
4. Resources are mobilised to the incident
5. Develop and implement a suppression plan
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A brief explanation
of each step is now
provided…
Foundations

13. 1. Check availability of personnel
Ensure systems are in place centrally to
identify the availability of all personnel
within your service. This should include
ranks, roles and appropriate skills i.e.
supervisory officers, drivers, pump operators
and specific competencies for using specialist
equipment.
The system should also show where
personnel, vehicle s and equipment are
located within your area responsibility.
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Source: Northumberland Fire and Rescue Service (UK)
Foundations

14. 2 –Check personnel have the correct
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
All personnel should be issued with the
appropriate PPE for their role prior to
attending wildfire incidents. Individuals
should be given responsibility for
ensuring this equipment is always
available and should check it before and
after use. If PPE is damaged then there
needs to be a system in place for repairs
and replacements.
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Source: Junta de Andalucia (Spain)
Foundations

15. The videos on the following pages illustrate the types of conditions and
terrain that firefighters need to work in at wildfire incidents.
Conditions can be extreme and the terrain can be extremely
challenging. The videos illustrate the importance of appropriate and
fully-working PPE for all firefighters fighting wildfires.
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Foundations

16. 3 - Check equipment
All equipment should be operationally
available at its designated location. This
equipment should be checked in
accordance with its inventory to ensure its
availability and that it is in full working
order at designated times i.e. before use,
after use and following repair. This
procedure should be included in
preparedness plan .
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Source: Junta de Andalucia (Spain)
Foundations

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4 - Mobilise resources to the
incident
Arrangements should be secured within
your service to ensure calls from members
of the public relating to emergency
incidents can be taken and handled. The
system should then have the capacity to
inform and mobilise the nearest
appropriate resources to the wildfire
incident.
Source: Northumberland Fire and Rescue Service (UK)
Foundations

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Emergency call handlers will need to determine what resources to mobilise
As with any incident, the handling of the initial call is of critical importance
to ensure that the correct predetermined attendance is mobilised. In handling
the call, the mobilising centre operator will need to gather as much
information from the caller(s) as possible. If there is any doubt about the size
or potential scale of the incident the predetermined attendance should be
scaled up rather than down.
The system should be able to relay all relevant information and maintain
communications to and from personnel/ vehicles throughout the incident.
Foundations

19. Determining the level of response to a wildfire can depend on a number of
situations including:
• Size or potential scale of the incident
• Fuel types
• Potential fire spread
• Reported fire behaviour
• The possible involvement of infrastructure
• Urban Interface fires
• The prevailing weather conditions
• The remoteness of the incident location
• Possible environmental impact
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Foundations

20. Consideration should also be given for the need to mobilise, at an early
stage:
• Specialist wildfire vehicles and equipment
• Trained and experienced Fire and Rescue Service personnel
• Specialist wildfire officers including subject matter advisers Specialist
wildfire teams. Local arrangements may exist whereby specialist
vehicles, equipment or personnel are available via partnerships with
land management agencies and landowners.
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Foundations

21. When mobilising resources to a wildfire incident, it may also be
really important to notify other relevant agencies and
organisations of the incident – this may include civilian
agencies, other emergency responders , the military and
perhaps also organisations within the voluntary sector.
Fire and Rescue Services and other suppression organisations
should maintain contact details and establish robust working
arrangements with relevant local, regional and national
organisations.
Fire and Rescue control centres should have early dialogue
with any agency that may be involved, be of assistance or may
be affected by a wildfire incident.
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Source: Northumberland Fire and Rescue Service (UK)
Foundations

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5 – Develop and implement a
suppression plan
The final step is to develop and implement a
suppression plan.
This is the topic of the next sub-section of the
module.
Foundations

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Develop and implement a wildfire
suppression plan

24. Upon arrival at the scene of a wildfire, the incident commander will need to
develop a wildfire suppression plan that outlines how the fire will be safely
and effectively controlled and suppressed.
Lots of information needs
to be gathered, processed
and communicated.
There also needs to be continual
monitoring and review of the situation.
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Source:
Northumberland Fire
and Rescue Service
(UK)
Suppression plans

25. This section will now provide a basic guide through the process of
developing a suppression plan for wildfires. It will present a number of
key things that incident commanders should consider, including:
1. Arrival of the first officer in charge
2. Management of safety
3. Gathering of information
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Suppression plans

26. 1. Arrival of the first officer in charge
When mobilised to a wildfire incident, responding vehicles and officers should
refer to the information they have available to plan a route to the incident and to
plan ahead for what may confront them when they arrive.
All data sources that are available to them in the vehicle should be utilised – for
instance Mobile Data Systems and mapping systems/GPS systems can help by
providing information on:
• Appropriate routes to be taken to the scene
• Rendezvous points
• Appropriate approach roads and tracks
• Site specific pre-determined plans
• Pre-determined collaborative arrangements
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Suppression plans

27. Upon arrival at the incident, the officer in charge (or delegated person) should:
• Confirm the precise location of the incident and notify the control room and other
responding resources
• Relay any specific information on access to oncoming resources
• Liaise with land owners and other co-responders in attendance
• Gather information and identify any life risk and any other immediate hazards
• Identify resource requirements and formulate tactical plan
• Implement the Incident Command System and establish an effective
communications network
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Suppression plans

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Source: Northumberland Fire and Rescue Service (UK)
Upon arrival at the incident, the
officer in charge (or delegated
person) should also:
• Implement the Incident
Command System
• Establish an effective
communications network
Suppression plans

29. 2. Management of safety
The officer in charge should then think about how to manage safety within the suppression plan.
The suppression plan should include safety management of suppression personnel and members of
the public that may be present.
The key steps that should be taken in order to implement safety management at wildfires can be
summarised as follows:
1. Identify hazards to personnel
2. Implement an appropriate Safety Protocol – for instance LACES
3. Communications
4. Establish Incident Command
5. Establish an effective communication system
6. Use a wildfire prediction system
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Suppression plans

30. 2. Management of safety
The officer in charge should then think about how to manage safety within the suppression plan.
The suppression plan should include safety management of suppression personnel and members of
the public that may be present.
The key steps that should be taken in order to implement safety management at wildfires can be
summarised as follows:
1. Identify hazards to personnel
2. Implement an appropriate Safety Protocol – for instance LACES
3. Communications
4. Establish Incident Command
5. Establish an effective communication system
6. Use a wildfire prediction system
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A brief reminder
about LACES is now
provided…
Suppression plans

31. LACES Safety Protocol
As discussed within the wildfire preparedness module, there are
different safety protocols in use around the world. A number of
countries currently implement the LACES Safety Protocol. The
implementation of a safety protocol at a wildfire incident is an
extremely important step for ensuring that personnel and members of
the public are kept safe. It is for this reason that we will provide a brief
reminder about LACES within this section.
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Suppression plans

32. LACES is an acronym for:
L = LOOKOUTS
A = AWARENESS and/or ANCHOR POINT
C = COMMUNICATIONS
E = ESCAPE ROUTES
S = SAFETY ZONES
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Source: Northumberland Fire and Rescue Service (UK)
Photograph of a lookout deployed to
monitor safety of a team at a wildfire…
Suppression plans

33. LACES is an acronym for:
L = LOOKOUTS
A = AWARENESS and/or ANCHOR POINT
C = COMMUNICATIONS
E = ESCAPE ROUTES
S = SAFETY ZONES
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Source: Northumberland Fire and Rescue Service (UK)
Photograph of a lookout deployed to
monitor safety of a team at a wildfire…
A brief explanation
of the five key
elements of LACES is
now provided…
Suppression plans

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Part of LACES Explanation
Lookouts Personnel are tasked as lookouts to observe and monitor the fire and personnel
Awareness and Anchor Point Awareness = The establishment and maintenance of situation awareness for all
personnel responding to a wildfire incident.
Anchor point = An advantageous location, usually a barrier to fire spread, from
which to begin constructing a control line and/or other fire suppression activities.
Communications Establishing and maintaining effective communication is vital for maintaining safety
at wildfire incidents. Clear, concise briefings are a vital part of the communication
strategy for all wildfire incidents.
Escape routes Pre-planned routes for personnel to use in an emergency situation.
Safety zones Predetermined areas of safety where personnel can find refuge from a wildfire
Suppression plans

35. The LACES element of a suppression
plan helps incident commanders to
think about contingency planning. It
helps them think about potential
hazards and risks and to put plans in
place before personnel are deployed.
It is also about making back-up plans
in case initial plans fail or are
compromised.
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Suppression plans

36. IMPORTANT:
This short section has provided a
basic overview on LACES and is
not comprehensive. Before
attempting to implement LACES,
further research and training
should be completed.
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Suppression plans

37. As a starting point, further information on LACES can be found in the
following places:
• Wildfire Preparedness Module of E-PPR
• National Wildfire Coordinating Group - USA
• Scottish Government’s (2013) Fire and Rescue Service Wildfire Operational
Guidance – see pages 180-208
• Canadian Forest Service Publication – LACES versus LCES
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Find out more about LACES
Suppression plans

38. 3. Gathering of information
The gathering of information to inform the development and review of a
suppression plan is of vital important. Incident Commanders should
continually gather information from the beginning to the conclusion of a
wildfire. They should commence information gathering at the earliest
opportunity.
There is a lot of information required to develop a suppression plan. Examples
of some types of useful information are now provided, but this is not an
exhaustive list – there may be other types of information that could be very
valuable for suppression planning.
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Suppression plans

39. Incident Information
 Where is the fire located?
 Are there any threats to life and Property?
 Fuel type, condition, quantity, arrangement
 Fire spread and direction
 Fire behaviour
 Are there any threats to the life, property or the environment?
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Suppression plans

40. Resource Information
What resources are immediately available?
What resources may be available later to provide assistance?
What resources are available from other agencies?
What specialist equipment is required and what is available?
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Suppression plans

41. Hazard Information
 Electrical pylons, sub stations, gas pipelines,
 Property risks, chemicals (i.e. fertiliser), military ordnance
 Topographical and terrain hazards (i.e. steeps slopes)
 Fuel storage tanks, flammable substances
 Urban interface involved?
 Roadways, railway lines, airports and flight routes
 Environmental Risks Extreme Weather Predictions
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Suppression plans

42. 4. Using a wildfire prediction System (WPS)
Personnel involved in wildfire suppression need to understand and be
able to predict fire behaviour and extreme fire behaviour at wildfires, in
order recognise potential hazards and to manage safety.
The principle method for predicting and anticipating likely fire
behaviour is to apply an appropriate wildfire prediction system at every
wildfire incident. The information obtained from the WPS should be
used to determine the content of the wildfire suppression plan and the
selection of wildfire suppression tactics.
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Suppression plans

43. An understanding of fire behaviour and wildfire prediction is vitally
important in enabling incident commanders to develop safe and
effective wildfire suppression plans.
More specifically, this understanding is necessary for successfully:
• Implementing an appropriate safety protocol (for example LACES)
• Identifying windows of opportunity
• Identifying critical points
• Selecting appropriate trigger points
• Selecting appropriate suppression tactics for use at particular times and
places
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Suppression plans

44. The key principle behind any
wildfire prediction system is that
fire behaviour within any given
fuel is influenced predominantly
by three major forces:
• Wind
• Slope
• Aspect
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Suppression plans

45. As we discussed within the wildfire prevention module, these three factors are
referred to as the ‘forces of alignment’, because whenever a wildfire is
supported by either the wind, slope and/or aspect it will burn with greater
intensity and spread more rapidly.
• If the fire loses the support of the wind, slope and/or aspect the intensity and
rate of spread will decrease, perhaps leading to windows of opportunity.
• But, If the fire gains the support of the wind, slope and/or aspect the
intensity and rate of spread will increase, leading to more rapid firespread
and potentially to extreme fire behaviour.
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Suppression plans

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Key concept Explanation
Windows of opportunity ‘A period of time or location on the landscape when/where it will be
particularly advantageous to adopt particular suppression tactics or actions.’*
Trigger points ‘A pre-designated point in time or place whereby a predicted change in fire
behaviour will influence tactical decision-making. For instance, if a wildfire
reaches a particular trigger point on the landscape, the Incident Commander
may decide it is necessary to adopt alternative tactics in order to maintain
safety and effectiveness.’*
Critical points ‘This is a point in time or space when/where there will be a significant
influence on fire spread, rate of spread and/or fire intensity.’*
Wildfire predictions systems enable incident commanders to be able to identify
and include the following key elements within their suppression plan:
* Definitions from the EUFOFINET Project’s European Glossary for Wildfires and Forest Fires (2012)
Suppression plans

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It is important to understand that sometimes the parts of the fire that show
little activity (for example, lower intensity parts of the fire with lower rates of
firespread) may actually have the most potential for future fire development.
This is why wildfire prediction is so important
to suppression planning – it helps keep people
safe.
Suppression plans

48. IMPORTANT:
This short section has provided a
basic overview on wildfire
prediction and is not
comprehensive. Before attempting
to use a wildfire prediction system,
further research and training
should be completed.
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Suppression plans

49. • Campbell, D. (1995)The Campbell Prediction System (Ojai, California)
• Scottish Government’s (2013) Fire and Rescue Service Wildfire
Operational Guidance (Scottish Government; Edinburgh)
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Sources of further information on Wildfire Prediction
Systems
Suppression plans

50. 5. Other important considerations for wildfire suppression plans
There are a number of other important considerations for suppression
plans. Some of these include:
• Consideration of time of day
• Anchor points (which forms part of LACES)
• Deployment of sufficiently sized teams
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Suppression plans

51. 5. Other important considerations for wildfire suppression plans
There are a number of other important considerations for suppression
plans. Some of these include:
• Consideration of time of day
• Anchor points (which forms part of LACES)
• Deployment of sufficiently sized teams
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Suppression plans
A brief explanation
of these
considerations is
now provided.
Please note
however, this is not
an exhaustive list…

52. Consider the time of day
Another important consideration for developing a
tactical plan is the time of day.
The hours of darkness are generally characterised
by cooler temperatures, higher fuel moisture and
higher relative humidity levels, all of which can
substantially reduce fire intensity. Reductions in
fire intensity during the hours of darkness can
therefore provide windows of opportunity for
suppression.
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Suppression plans
Source: Northumberland Fire and Rescue Service (UK)

53. … However, it is important to remember that there are hazards
associated with personnel working at night. Personnel may require
additional PPE to enable them to work safely at night.
Any activities and operations completed during the hours of darkness
must be fully risk-assessed, and the hazards must be balanced against
the potential benefits.
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Suppression plans

54. Anchor points
Wherever possible, personnel should commence fire suppression
activities from a strong anchor point to help prevent a wildfire escaping
and threatening the success of the operation, and/or the safety of
personnel.
An anchor point is a location on the landscape that can act as a
sufficient barrier to firespread. Anchor points may need to be
strengthened before use or created by hand or machine.
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Suppression plans

55. Deployment of sufficiently sized teams
Sufficiently sized teams should be deployed to safely and effectively complete
the tasks they have been assigned. It may be necessary to join individual
crews together to form larger teams to safely and effectively accomplish the
task they have been given.
Suppression plans should also include task rotation and regular rest breaks.
When deploying teams at the incident, the Incident Commander should
consider what size of team is required to ensure all personnel can take
regular rest breaks.
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Suppression plans

56. 6. Communicating the suppression plan
Once safety has been managed, information gathering has commenced and a
wildfire prediction system has been used, the incident commander can select
appropriate suppression tactics (explained in the next section), finalise the
suppression plan and communicate the plan to personnel.
Clear, concise briefings and effective communication are vitally important at
wildfire incidents. Personnel should only be deployed at the incident ground
if they have a clear task and are aware of the key elements of the suppression
plan, such as how LACES (or another safety protocol) is being implemented,
how communications will be established and the incident command system
that is being implemented.
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Suppression plans

57. Some organisations structure briefings at wildfire units using a well-
known briefing system called SMEAC.
SMEAC is an acronym for:
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Suppression plans

58. Some organisations structure briefings at wildfire units using a well-
known briefing system called SMEAC.
SMEAC is an acronym for:
S = Situation
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Suppression plans

59. Some organisations structure briefings at wildfire units using a well-
known briefing system called SMEAC.
SMEAC is an acronym for:
S = Situation
M = Mission
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Suppression plans

60. Some organisations structure briefings at wildfire units using a well-
known briefing system called SMEAC.
SMEAC is an acronym for:
S = Situation
M = Mission
E = Execution
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Suppression plans

61. Some organisations structure briefings at wildfire units using a well-
known briefing system called SMEAC.
SMEAC is an acronym for:
S = Situation
M = Mission
E = Execution
A = Administration and logistics
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Suppression plans

62. Some organisations structure briefings at wildfire units using a well-
known briefing system called SMEAC.
SMEAC is an acronym for:
S = Situation
M = Mission
E = Execution
A = Administration and logistics
C = Command and Control
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Suppression plans

63. Some organisations structure briefings at wildfire units using a well-
known briefing system called SMEAC.
SMEAC is an acronym for:
S = Situation
M = Mission
E = Execution
A = Administration and logistics
C = Command and Control
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SMEAC can be
used effectively in
conjunction with
LACES.
Suppression plans

64. Incident Decision Making
All suppression plans should be continually
reviewed, reassessed and evaluated.
New information should be gathered and
considered throughout the incident and
changes should be made to the suppression
plan as and when required.
These changes must also be communicated
to personnel as soon as possible.
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Source: Junta de Castilla y Leon (Spain)
Suppression plans

65. Incident Commanders should follow an
Incident Decision Making Model (IDM)
when developing, reviewing and
evaluating a suppression plan.
Different IDM’s exist; however, an
example of an Incident Decision Making
Model is now provided.
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Suppression plans

66. Incident Decision Making Model
Incident
Information

67. Incident Decision Making Model
Incident
Information
Resource
Information

68. Incident Decision Making Model
Incident
Information
Resource
Information
Hazards & Safety
Information

69. Incident Decision Making Model
Incident
Information
Resource
Information
Hazards & Safety
Information
Think

70. Incident Decision Making Model
Incident
Information
Resource
Information
Hazards & Safety
Information
Think
Prioritise
Objectives

71. Incident Decision Making Model
Incident
Information
Resource
Information
Hazards & Safety
Information
Think
Plan
Prioritise
Objectives

72. Incident Decision Making Model
Incident
Information
Resource
Information
Hazards & Safety
Information
Think
Plan
Prioritise
Objectives
Communicate

73. Incident Decision Making Model
Incident
Information
Resource
Information
Hazards & Safety
Information
Think
Plan
Prioritise
Objectives
Communicate
Control

74. Incident Decision Making Model
Incident
Information
Resource
Information
Hazards & Safety
Information
Think
Plan
Outcome
Prioritise
Objectives
Communicate
Control

75. Incident Decision Making Model
Incident
Information
Resource
Information
Hazards & Safety
Information
Think
Plan
Outcome
Prioritise
Objectives
Communicate
Control
Evaluate

76. • The UK National Operational Guidance Programme (NOGP) has produced a
number of national guidance documents that provide further information about
how to implement an effective Incident Command System at wildfire incidents.
• Visit the following website pages to find out more:
• UK FRS National Operational Guidance: Foundation for Incident Command
• UK FRS National Operational Guidance for Incident Command
• UK FRS National Operational Guidance for Wildfires
e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to
Natural Disasters
79
Find out more about Incident Command at Wildfires
Suppression plans

77. e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to
Natural Disasters
80
End of Wildfire Response and
Recovery: Part 1
We hope you enjoyed this part
of the module!
Please visit the next part which
explains how to select
appropriate suppression
tactics at wildfires.
Source: Northumberland Fire and Rescue Service (UK)

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Response to Natural Disasters) with the support of the Erasmus+ programme.
Unless otherwise stated, this educational resource is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International
License. It is attributed to the partners of the e-PPR project. Further information can be found at www.e-ppr.eu
The authors are committed to respecting the intellectual property rights of others, and have taken all reasonable efforts to ensure that
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make sure you do so, respecting the original holder’s copyrights.
This content is the sole responsibility of the project partners and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the European Union.
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Copyright Statement