Brush Fires-AUC 151

Question 1

Serious Brush Fires occur when…?

Answer 1

LOW HUMIDITY
WINDS IN EXCESS OF 15 MPH
LITTLE OR NO RAINFALL FOR PRECEDING 3 OR MORE DAYS…longer period without rain, greater the hazard

Question 2

Head of the fire is?

Answer 2

leading edge of a moving fire

Question 3

Rear of fire is?

Answer 3

opposite the head

Question 4

Looking at fire from the rear of the blackened area, ?

Answer 4

left side is left flank

right side is right flank

Question 5

Long, thin section of fire extending outward from the main blackened area are?

Answer 5

fingers

Question 6

Spot, Surface, Bog, Crown?

Answer 6

Spot-isolated small fires downwind from main fire caused by brands carried by wind

Surface-grass, weeds, small trees, leaves, fast moving, MOST COMMON IN NYC

Bog-burn downward into the soft spongy ground, burn slowly and burn for extended periods, day, weeks..common in swap/marsh

Crown-burn along top of trees, extending by direct flame and heat contact….RARELY OCCUR IN NYC

Question 7

ENGINES assigned to SI carry?

Answer 7

2-INDIAN PUMPS
4-BROOMS
1”FORESTRY HOSE

engines repsond/relocate/2nd alarm for brush fires- carry 2 pumps/4 brooms

Question 8

TRUCKS IN SI CARRY?

Answer 8

4 INDIAN PUMPS
4 BROOMS
6 LENGTHS OF 1 3/4” HOSE

Question 9

Portable pumps (dewatering)..?

Answer 9

assigned to BFU’s and other units

-utilized from remote streams, ponds, other sources of water to supply handline or resupply indian pumps

Question 10

Water Supply?

Answer 10

When operating in areas without hydrants, have pre-positioned line stretched close to point of operation to refill booster tanks/indian pumps to reduce turn around time

Question 11

BFU’s are always IN SERVICE…

Answer 11

and can be special called to ANY INCIDENT

-if not a period when BFU is independently staffed, the associated engine company or another trained engine company will respond with and staff BFU

Question 12

BFU’s do NOT have MDT’S..

Answer 12

They are dispatched by radio

“BFU 3 to command”

Question 13

BFU patrols in specific areas as designated…

Answer 13

Each should perform 2 patrols daily

1030-1130

1530-1630

patrol established by BAttalions

copies of patrol on apparatus-notify dispatch when 10-8 for patrol and 10-9 at quarters

Question 14

BFU winches?

Answer 14

SELF EXTRICATION OR SIMILAR WEIGHT VEHICLES…not for full size apparatus or heavy trucks

BFU’s staffed independently shall be included in MUD

Question 15

BFUs cannot?

Answer 15

knock over trees
go through hedgerows
traverse streams and ponds

Question 16

BFU’s can?

Answer 16

be supplied in place and operate stationary manifold to supply handlines, forestry hose, or booster hose

-used for Winter Ops..4 wheel drive /initial path/hilly areas

Question 17

When unit is quartered with BFU (not staffed independently)and they go OOS…?

Answer 17

BC may order BFU staffed while awaiting repairs of apparatus

-notify dispatcher of this activation of BFU

Question 18

ATV’s ?

Answer 18

-transported to scene by flat bed truck
-20 gpm pumps, 70 gallon tanks, booster reel, forestry hose, indian pumps, pump and roll ability, all wheel drive
-can operate as stationary manifold
-lighter and more maneuverable than BFU
-equipped to remove INJURED MEMBER/MOUNTED STOKES
-

Question 19

Forestry Hose?

Answer 19

1” lightweight yellow hose/ 100 foot lengths
highly maneuverable
used as handline or coupled to booster reels
not to be used for anything but wildland ops
-SI battalions carry mini-manifold of a 2 1/2” inlet supplying 4 gated outlets reduced to 1 inch discharges- 1 -2 1/2” line can be stretched to supply and 4-1”lines can be operated

Question 20

Officers shall REPORT TO INCIDENT COMMAND POST…

Answer 20

units shall not SELF COMMIT, unless STRUCTURES ARE EXPOSED..if this is the case, notify IC

-units operating remotely and completing assignment, do not go 10-8…CONTACT IC

Question 21

First Arriving Officer emphasis placed on?

Answer 21

• area involved
• wind direction
• exposures
• natural fire breaks
• sources of water supply

if necessary request additional resources

Question 22

Fire can jump wide streets and

Answer 22

burn rapidly uphill

Question 23

Initial attack operations should concentrate on ?

Answer 23

MOBILITY

• protect exposures
• avoid hooking up to hydrants, except for EXPOSURE PROTECTION
• once exposures are covered, FIRE ATTACK BEGINS
• heavy reliance on indian pumps, booster lines, brooms
• consider wetting down unburned area ahead of the fire
• in general, AVOID ATTACKING FROM FRONT OF FIRE

Question 24

OPERATED IN FRONT OF FIRE…

Answer 24

ONLY TO PROTECT LIFE-sufficient charge lines in place and capable of protecting operating forces

Question 25

Handlines considered when protecting exposures, when cutting off forward fire travel, and for deep seated fires...

Answer 25

- attack form flanks - extinguish perimeter first, then move to interior burning areas - DIRECT STREAMS ON BURNING BRUSH, not at flames above - use 2 ff teams working with INDIAN PUMPS AND BROOMS Along flanks near head of fire..majority are controlled in this manner

Question 26

fire burning on hillside, will burn rapidly towards top of hill..

Answer 26

have units positioned on streets at top of hill, but attack from BOTTOM OF THE HILL AND WORK UPWARD -break up heat waves by using water curtain is generally INEFFECTIVE, instead, apply streams DIRECTLY ON EXPOSURES

Question 27

In areas with roads but no hydrants, consider...?

Answer 27

ENGINE COMPANY providing quick knockdown with deckpipes, with booster water and refilling and returning

Question 28

Raised TL

Answer 28

excellent vantage point reference point members raise brooms in air

Question 29

Engine companies?

Answer 29

- concentrate on exposures and mobility - fire attack begins, ONCE EXPOSURES ARE COVERED - heavy reliance on indian pumps, brooms, booster lines from BFU - stretching lines requires large commitment and time

Question 30

Ladder companies?

Answer 30

- operate in teams/ pump and brooms - indian pumps-5 gallons of water..wait for wind to diminish..apply water to perimeter and use brooms to complete extinguishment - teams of 2- one with pump/one with broom...work along perimeter, near head, not in front of fire

Question 31

Standard pumpers not designed for off road..

Answer 31

use extreme caution - if roads are doubtful, proceed on foot - chains saws utilized to remove stumps or downed trees

Question 32

Safety?

Answer 32

PPe provides protection from insect bites, contact with harmful vegetation, poison ivy and abrasions AND TICKS all body parts should be covered do not use make shift bridges to cross creeks NEVER OPERATE HOSELINES BENEATH HIGH VOLTAGE LINES

Question 33

Water Drops?

Answer 33

Bambi bucket -150 gallons - all members positioned a safe distance away - do not re-committ until advised by ARC that water drops are done