Escape Routes 3

Continued from: Escape Routes 2
A primary objective of every operational fire plan is to keep firefighters out of entrapment situations. However, firefighters must always be prepared to escape quickly to a safety zone or deployment area. Consider the following during discussion of escape from possible entrapment.
Have a plan that includes trigger points!
- Trigger Point: An observable event that triggers a pre-determined action. Example: Temperature reaches 98 degrees and relative humidity goes into single digits, the crew will follow the established escape route to the safety zone.
Reassess escape routes throughout the operational period.
- Has access to escape routes become more difficult as the day progresses?
- Do you have more than one escape route?
- Are all escape routes clearly marked?
- Are all firefighters familiar with the escape routes?
During an escape, time will be short. Describe considerations you might make in this situation such as:
- Maintain control of all critical equipment such as personal protective equipment and radio… jettison gear that will not aid in your escape!
- Maintain contact with all other crewmembers!
Describe your vision of a good safety zone. How is that different from a deployment area?
You should always know the location of your escape routes leading to safety zones and deployment areas.
Also see: Escape Routes 1 (Take 5@2)
Additional Resources
Incident Management Situation Report (IMSR)
Incident Response Pocket Guide (IRPG), PMS 461
NWCG Standards for Helicopter Operations, PMS 510
RT-130, Wildland Fire Safety Training Annual Refresher (WFSTAR)
Interagency Standards for Fire and Fire Aviation Operations (Red Book)
Wildland Fire Lessons Learned Center
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