OPERATIONAL METHOD STATEMENTS #4

Question 1

Ensure salvage operations occur during the __________ and __________ phase of a fire/incident through:

• __________ or ____________ the source of damage, and/or
• ____________ or ______________ property and contents.

Answer 1

response; recovery

stopping; reducing

protecting; removing

Question 2

Salvage/overhaul

Ensure the following options are considered during an incident: (4)

Answer 2

Limit water application to a fire and remove water from the affected area(s)

Limit unnecessary damage caused by firefighting equipment

Relocate contents and property, or utilise tarpaulins to cover and protect

Close doors to limit fire and smoke spread in conjunction with systematic and coordinated ventilation.

Question 3

Working with Aircraft - Safety Considerations

_________ ___________ ___________where aircraft are operating.
* Follow instructions from the ________ _____ ___________in relation to coordinating ground operations with aircraft operations, and maintain regular communications.
* _________ _________ ________ ______ _________ _________when aircraft are inbound for firebombing.
* _______ _______ _______ ________ ______ ________ ______ ______ the chain of command.
* ________ _________ ___ _________ __________ in immediate work area for any broken suspended branches.

Answer 3

Maintain situational awareness

chain of command

Move away from the fire line

Return to the fire line when cleared by

Observe trees or other hazards

Question 4

If caught in aircraft drop zone: (7)

Answer 4

• Place hand tools well clear of you.
• Secure helmet.
• Shelter in or under a vehicle if possible.
• Crouch down in a clear area and hold helmet firmly down on head.
• Watch out for falling branches and trees after the drop.
• Be careful of slippery ground after the drop.
• Wash with clean cold water if hit with foam or retardant and seek medical advice if contaminated.

Question 5

On Shift Training

Drills vs exercises:

Answer 5

Drills are short duration, small scale training activities.

Exercises are larger scale training activities that may involve the use of multiple appliances, Technical Operations resources, and external agencies over a longer duration.

Question 6

On shift drills - actions (3)

Answer 6

• Determine if training site has current drill site approval
• SPADRA where drill site approval not required
• Record all drills in Skills Maintenance Database

Question 7

Combined drill - actions (5)

Answer 7

• Do not place appliances on Combined Drill where the drill does not impact on the ability to respond to incidents.
• Place any appliance on Combined Drill where a drill/exercise prevents the appliance from being able to respond to incidents.
• Liaise with the District Operations Commander or Functional Commander prior to placing an appliance on Combined Drill to ensure a sufficient response capability is maintained.
• Communicate the Combined Drill status to the Communications Centre.
• Pre-arrange for a move-up appliance for planned drills/exercises where a station will be left without a primary response capability.

Question 8

Tree hazards may include the following: (5)

Answer 8

• falling trees and branches
• burning or fire damaged trees
• dead or fire damaged trees on slopes where they may spear downhill
• loose branches
• trees that may become unstable due to machinery and equipment nearby

Question 9

Tree hazard exclusions zone: (3)

Answer 9

2 tree lengths

marked with yellow and black hazard tape

FRV Operational Personnel are not to mark or approach a tree hazard.

Question 10

Incident Communications Plans

Fireground vs command communications

Answer 10

• Fireground Communications – to be used for firefighting and incident mitigation operations.
• Command Communications – to be used for command level incident management.

Question 11

BUSHFIRE - LACES

Answer 11

Lookouts
* Know where the fire is, the fire behaviour and the direction of spread.
* Maintain knowledge of crew location(s).
* Ensure a lookout is posted if you can’t see the fire.

Awareness
* Know the country/area or liaise with someone who has local knowledge.
* Ensure personnel are briefed and understand the situation and the objectives.
* Remain aware of current and forecasted fire behaviour and weather conditions.
* Identify any hazards and communicate as required.
* Wear correct PPC and PPE at all times, as relevant for the tasks being completed.

Communications
* Ensure radio channels are confirmed and known, including how to change the channels.
* Ensure communications are established with all crew, control points, ICC’s etc.
* Communicate situation updates to crew.
* Speak up if you have concerns.
* Stay in contact or tell someone where you are going at all times.
* Ensure all instructions are clear and understood.

Escape Routes
* Ensure there is more than one escape route.
* Communicate the location of escape routes to all personnel.
* Avoid escape routes that require travelling uphill, where possible.
* Ensure escape routes are free from hazards, not too long and clearly marked.
* Conduct continual reviews of escape routes.

Safety Zones
* Ensure transport is available and correctly positioned for escape.
* Identify safety zones that are a sufficient size and free from combustible materials and other hazards.
* Ensure safety zones are close enough given planned escape routes.
* Identify more than one safety zone, where available.
* Adapt safety zone size requirements as the situation or fire behaviour changes.

Question 12

PUBLIC WARNINGS - Warning types (5)

Answer 12

Community Notification (Incident)

Advice – Issue to notify the community that an incident/event has occurred that may escalate to impact on life or property.

Warning (Watch and Act) – Issue when an incident/event is likely to, or is, directly impacting the community and action needs to be taken immediately.

Emergency Warning – Issue when the community is in imminent danger of an incident/event and action needs to be taken immediately.

Advice - All Clear - Issue when the threat of an incident/event has subsided.

Question 13

Community Evacuation Warning types (3)

Answer 13

Prepare to Evacuate

Evacuate Now

Safe to Return

Question 14

Consider tasking aircraft for the following: (5)

Answer 14

Asset protection

Slowing the forward rate of spread

Containing spot fires

Direct suppression

Any other relevant tasking

Note: Aircraft will not firebomb structures

Question 15

Public warning info should include:

Answer 15

Incident situation (what)

Location of incident and affected areas (where)

Action required

Additional info such as relief locations, road closures.

Information should be tailored, timely, relevant and accessible.