Wildland firefighters

Hygrometer relative humidity used in wildland firefighting to determine the amount of moisture in the atmosphere and therefore in the fuel percentage of water in air... 

Recommendation 4 Firefighters engaged in wildland firefighting should learn, communicate, and follow the ten standard fire orders as developed by the Forest Service. 

After several older members of the company read the recommendations, they stated that all this has been tried before, but the advice was eventually ignored because any protective equipment, no matter how light, is excessive weight. In wildland firefighting, they believe that mobility is far more important than additional protective equipment. What should a firefighter do ... 

Because Firefighter Boyle showed so much interest in the equipment and gear used in wildland firefighting, the captain has assigned her the task of showing how to deploy the shelters. While she has the instructions, she wants more information. What should she do ... 

Wildland firefighting is fighting forest fires, brush or bush fires, and fires in other undeveloped areas. 

In this chapter, issues in personal thermal protection are discussed, focusing on the needs of workers in selected sectors energy (oil and gas), electrical, other industry sectors, and both structural and wildland firefighting. The important protection concerns for workers in each sector are discussed, followed by a discussion of potential trade-offs between thermal protection and thermal comfort. Clothing issues such as fit, comfort, and other ergonomic factors are briefly discussed. Recent developments in protective textile materials are followed by a diseussion of serviceability concerns, including durability and maintenance. A review of international performance standards is followed by a summary of the development of test methods to assess protection from heat, flame, hot liquids, and steam. Issues for future development of technical textiles for personal thermal protection are then discussed briefly. 

Lawson LK, Crown EM, Ackerman MY, Dale ID. Moisture effects in heat transfer through clothing systems for wildlands firefighting. Int J Occup Saf Ergon 2004 10(3) 227-38. 

Sharkey, B.J. (1999), HeatStress , Wildland Firefighter Healthand Safety, Recommendations of April 1999 Conference, Missoula Technologic and Development-Center, USDA Forest Service, Montana. 

Lawson, L.K., Crown, E.M., Ackerman, E.Y, Dale, J.D., 2004. Moisture effect in heat transfer through clothing systems for wildland firefighters. Int. J. Occup. Saf Ergon. 10 (3), 227-238. 

Boise, Idaho, serves as the country s support center for wildland firefighting. Seven federal agencies from the Departments of the Interior, Agriculture, and Commerce make up the contributors of the fire-center operation. The fire center website provides information on safety training, safety advisories, and fire incident reporting. 

Materna BL, Jones JR, Sutton PM, Rothman N, Harrison RJ. Occupational exposures in California wildland firefighting. Am J Ind Hyg 1992 53 69-76. 

During June, Firefighter Hanson s company responded to 150 alarms. Of these, 26 were wildland responses. What percent of the total alarms were wildland responses a. 12% b. 17% c.22% d. 26%... 

A recent wildland fire response led to an incident in which some firefighters were trapped, and quick action was needed to save them. The chief of the department had the incident reviewed, and the following recommendations were made ... 

Recommendation 1 Provide firefighters with wildland personal protective equipment (e.g., fire-resistant pants or coveralls and fire shelters) and ensure its use. 

Recommendation 2 Firefighters who fight wildland fires should be equipped with an approved fire shelter and provided training on the proper deployment of that fire shelter at least annually with periodic refresher training. 

To minimize the risk of electrocution, electrical shock, and electricity-related bums while fighting wildland fires, NIOSH recommends that fire departments and firefighters take the following precautions [IFSTA 1998a,b NWCG 1998 NFPA 1997 29 CFR 1910.332(b) 29 CFR 1910.335(b) Brunacini 1985) ... 

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