Blackbull Wildfire Services Missoula, Montana USA The Safety Officer on Wildland Fires: An American Perspective Richard J. Mangan Blackbull Wildfire Services

Blackbull Wildfire Services Missoula, Montana USA

The Safety Officer onThe Safety Officer on Wildland Fires: Wildland Fires:

An American PerspectiveAn American Perspective

Richard J. ManganRichard J. Mangan

Blackbull Wildfire ServicesBlackbull Wildfire Services

Missoula, Montana USAMissoula, Montana USA

Firefighting:Firefighting:

A Dangerous BusinessA Dangerous Business


American Fire Safety TrainingAmerican Fire Safety Training



Basic TrainingBasic Training



Basic TrainingBasic Training Annual RefresherAnnual Refresher



Basic TrainingBasic Training Annual RefresherAnnual Refresher 10 SFO/18 SSWO10 SFO/18 SSWO



Basic TrainingBasic Training Annual RefresherAnnual Refresher 10 SFO/18 SSWO10 SFO/18 SSWO LCESLCES


U.S. Fire FatalitiesU.S. Fire Fatalities



133 Fatalities 133 Fatalities



133 Fatalities 133 Fatalities – BurnoversBurnovers




– Vehicle AccidentsVehicle Accidents





– Heart AttacksHeart Attacks






– Aircraft AccidentsAircraft Accidents






– Aircraft AccidentsAircraft Accidents

– MiscellaneousMiscellaneous

Incident Command SystemIncident Command System(ICS)(ICS)


Safety OfficerSafety Officer


Safety OfficerSafety Officer * A Principal Advisor* A Principal Advisor

to the Incident to the Incident Commander Commander


Safety OfficerSafety Officer * A Principal Advisor* A Principal Advisor

to the Incident to the Incident Commander Commander

* What Experience, * What Experience, Training, Quals?Training, Quals?

* Responsibilities?* Responsibilities?


Safety Officer:Safety Officer:Prior Experience LevelsPrior Experience Levels



Minimum: Division Minimum: Division SupervisorSupervisor



Minimum: Division Minimum: Division SupervisorSupervisor– 100+ Firefighters100+ Firefighters




– Engines/TankersEngines/Tankers





– Bull DozersBull Dozers





– Bull DozersBull Dozers

– HelicoptersHelicopters


Safety OfficerSafety Officer::Specialized Training RequirementsSpecialized Training Requirements



32 Hour Course32 Hour Course



32 Hour Course32 Hour Course National StandardNational Standard



32 Hour Course32 Hour Course National StandardNational Standard Course Material:Course Material:

– Risk ManagementRisk Management

– Hazard MitigationHazard Mitigation

– Risk Hazard AnalysisRisk Hazard Analysis

– General Safety General Safety OperationsOperations

– Accident InvestigationAccident Investigation


Safety Officer:Safety Officer:Fully QualifiedFully Qualified



Written TestsWritten Tests



Written TestsWritten Tests Simulated ExercisesSimulated Exercises



Written TestsWritten Tests Simulated ExercisesSimulated Exercises Task Book on Fires Task Book on Fires

under Mentorunder Mentor




under Mentorunder Mentor Yearly Fitness TestYearly Fitness Test




under Mentorunder Mentor Yearly Fitness TestYearly Fitness Test Currency RequirementCurrency Requirement

Roles & ResponsibilitiesRoles & Responsibilities

Roles & ResponsibilitiesRoles & Responsibilities Input to Operational PlanningInput to Operational Planning

Roles & ResponsibilitiesRoles & Responsibilities Input to Operational PlanningInput to Operational Planning Mitigation of Hazardous ConditionsMitigation of Hazardous Conditions

Roles & ResponsibilitiesRoles & Responsibilities Input to Operational PlanningInput to Operational Planning Mitigation of Hazardous ConditionsMitigation of Hazardous Conditions Safety OversightSafety Oversight


Operational Planning InputOperational Planning Input



12 0r 24 Hour Periods12 0r 24 Hour Periods



12 0r 24 Hour Periods12 0r 24 Hour Periods Strategies and TacticsStrategies and Tactics



12 0r 24 Hour Periods12 0r 24 Hour Periods Strategies and TacticsStrategies and Tactics Specific Areas and Specific Areas and

ActionsActions



12 0r 24 Hour Periods12 0r 24 Hour Periods Strategies and TacticsStrategies and Tactics Specific Areas and Specific Areas and

ActionsActions Team EffortTeam Effort

Operational Planning:Operational Planning:

Safety Officer ConcernsSafety Officer Concerns


Safety Officer ConcernsSafety Officer Concerns Extreme Fire BehaviorExtreme Fire Behavior


Safety Officer ConcernsSafety Officer Concerns Extreme Fire BehaviorExtreme Fire Behavior Escape RoutesEscape Routes


Safety Officer ConcernsSafety Officer Concerns Extreme Fire BehaviorExtreme Fire Behavior Escape RoutesEscape Routes Safety ZonesSafety Zones


Safety Officer ConcernsSafety Officer Concerns Extreme Fire BehaviorExtreme Fire Behavior Escape RoutesEscape Routes Safety ZonesSafety Zones On-the-ground On-the-ground

Hazards:Hazards:– Falling SnagsFalling Snags

– Rolling RocksRolling Rocks

– Poisonous snakesPoisonous snakes






TransportationTransportation






TransportationTransportation Medical Care and Medical Care and

EvacuationEvacuation






TransportationTransportation Medical Care and Medical Care and

EvacuationEvacuation Other Unique Hazards Other Unique Hazards

and Risks:and Risks:– PowerlinesPowerlines

– Drug LabsDrug Labs

– Mine ShaftsMine Shafts

Mitigation of Hazardous ConditionsMitigation of Hazardous Conditions


Design Out the HazardDesign Out the Hazard


Design Out the HazardDesign Out the Hazard Use Warning DevicesUse Warning Devices


Design Out the HazardDesign Out the Hazard Use Warning DevicesUse Warning Devices Avoid the Hazard/RiskAvoid the Hazard/Risk


Design Out the HazardDesign Out the Hazard Use Warning DevicesUse Warning Devices Avoid the Hazard/RiskAvoid the Hazard/Risk Use Safety DevicesUse Safety Devices


Design Out the HazardDesign Out the Hazard Use Warning DevicesUse Warning Devices Avoid the Hazard/RiskAvoid the Hazard/Risk Use Safety DevicesUse Safety Devices Implement Special ProceduresImplement Special Procedures


Design Out the HazardDesign Out the Hazard Use Warning DevicesUse Warning Devices Avoid the Hazard/RiskAvoid the Hazard/Risk Use Safety DevicesUse Safety Devices Implement Special ProceduresImplement Special Procedures Reduce Firefighter ExposureReduce Firefighter Exposure

Making the Firefighter’s Making the Firefighter’s World SafeWorld Safe

The Effective Safety Officer….The Effective Safety Officer….

Safety OversightSafety Oversight


Areas of ConcernAreas of Concern TransportationTransportation

– Drivers QualifiedDrivers Qualified

– Duty HoursDuty Hours

– Speed LimitsSpeed Limits

– Vehicle MaintenanceVehicle Maintenance

– Hazards BriefingHazards Briefing


Areas of ConcernAreas of Concern

Air OperationsAir Operations– Multiple AircraftMultiple Aircraft

– Rotary & Fixed WingRotary & Fixed Wing

– Base of OperationsBase of Operations

– Pilot FatiguePilot Fatigue



Incident Base CampsIncident Base Camps– Mobile KitchensMobile Kitchens

– Portable ToiletsPortable Toilets

– Power GeneratorsPower Generators

– Gray Water DisposalGray Water Disposal



Personnel FactorsPersonnel Factors– Hours/Days workedHours/Days worked

– FatigueFatigue

– Injuries/IllnessesInjuries/Illnesses



Burnout OperationsBurnout Operations Timber FallingTimber Falling Structure ProtectionStructure Protection


Limits of AuthorityLimits of Authority


Limits of AuthorityLimits of Authority ASSIST in reaching Safety Objectives, ASSIST in reaching Safety Objectives,

NOT taking away individual responsibility NOT taking away individual responsibility for safety.for safety.


Limits of AuthorityLimits of Authority ASSIST in reaching Safety Objectives, ASSIST in reaching Safety Objectives,

NOT taking away individual responsibility NOT taking away individual responsibility for safety.for safety.

Over-ride normal chain-of-command only Over-ride normal chain-of-command only when there is an IMMEDIATE threat to when there is an IMMEDIATE threat to Life or risk of serious injuryLife or risk of serious injury

The American Safety OfficerThe American Safety Officer


Documents

Blackbull Wildfire Services Missoula, Montana USA The Safety Officer on Wildland Fires: An American Perspective Richard J. Mangan Blackbull Wildfire Services