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Fuel Handling

 

Fuel Handling – Watch Out for “Normalization”

There is an apprehension that the safety concerns surrounding the use of gasoline in firefighting operations can get “normalized”. In firefighting, we use gasoline for a variety of applications, including pumps, chainsaws, vehicles, drip torches, etc.

“Normalization” of hazards or risks is when we get comfortable around these hazards and take shortcuts without consequence. After a while, we can get so comfortable with these shortcuts that we forget about the original mitigation to reduce the hazard or risk.

  1. What do we use gasoline for in our firefighting operations?
  2. What risks are associated with our uses of flammable liquids?
  3. What mitigations or procedures are in place for handling fuel?
  4. What can you do to prevent being sprayed or doused in gasoline from gas tank pressure?
  5. What should you do to extinguish someone who is on fire?

 

Two photos of a burned leg - day of injury and five days later.

Check out this Rapid Lessons Shared (RLS) from 2015 that spotlights 14 instances of fuel igniting incidents reported in the past 5 years and discusses drip torch burn injuries.

Chainsaw Operators:

Watch this short safety video for information on preventing fuel leakage, identification of potential vapor lock/tank pressurization, mitigation measures for vapor lock/tank pressurization, and reporting procedures for future occurrences: Chainsaw Safety.

 

Category
Misc Fireline Hazards
References
Flammable Liquid Ignitions 2015 RLS

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NWCG Latest Announcements

Updated NWCG Standards for Fire Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operations, PMS 515

Date: May 10, 2024
Contact: IFUASS Qualification and Curriculum Board (IFUASS) 

The 2024 revision of the NWCG Standards for Fire Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operations, PMS 515 is now available. PMS 515 standardizes the processes and procedures for interagency use of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), including pilot inspections and approvals. This publication is now available as a PDF for easy use offline.

References:

NWCG Standards for Fire Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operations, PMS 515

Memorandum 24-003: Removal of Type 1 Command and General Staff (C&G) Incident Position Qualification Pathways

Date: May 10, 2024
Contact: Aitor Bidaburu 

The purpose of this memorandum is to provide NWCG direction for removal of the Type 1 Command and General Staff (C&G) incident position qualification pathways to transition to Complex Incident Management (CIM). Responders may continue to utilize available NWCG pathways to attain Type 1 C&G qualifications until December 31, 2024.

References:

Memorandum 24-003

CIM Story Map

2024 Professional Reading Program

Date: April 26, 2024
Contact: Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program (WFLDP) 

The Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program is announcing the 2024 Professional Reading list! The intent of the Professional Reading Program is to promote the reading and discussion of these books throughout the year. Discussion guides are provided and the corresponding Wildland Fire Leadership Levels have been identified.

The five books chosen for this year are: Young Men and Fire by Norman Maclean, The Wisdom of the Bullfrog by William H. McRaven, The Art of Clear Thinking by Hasard Lee, Emotional Agility by Susan David, and Writing to Persuade by Trish Hall.

References:

Professional Reading Program

Wildland Fire Leadership Levels

NWCG Training Catalog now on Wildland Fire Learning Portal

Date: April 25, 2023
Contact: NWCG Training  

The National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) has migrated the training catalog from the NWCG website to the Wildland Fire Learning Portal (WFLP) as part of our ongoing efforts to streamline processes and improve efficiency. To facilitate this transition, the training catalog remains available on www.nwcg.gov through April 2024.

Starting May 2024, the training catalog will no longer be accessible on www.nwcg.gov. However, you can still access the complete training catalog by logging in as a guest to the WFLP.

References:

Wildland Fire Learning Portal