the diversity of the wildland fire environment requires firefighters to
select tactics that best fit the situation this video describes mobile attack
also known as pump and roll or running attack
an engine tactic that when conditions and terrain allows is a fast and effective suppression method
the specific techniques of mobile attack described in this video are demonstrated by the Douglas Forest
Protective Association headquartered in Roseburg Oregon DFPA's protection encompasses large areas
of rolling Oak Savannah prime conditions for the Mobile Attack tactic
in this environment grass is the major fire carrier
and rapid rates of spread can result large fast moving fires if not quickly checked
much of this landscape is drivable making mobile attack a viable tactic
the basic idea behind mobile attack is straightforward the engine is driven the
black along the fire's edge with the nozzle operator walking out in front of
the engine and in full view of the driver spraying water onto the base of the flame
and checking the fires advance this is a classic anchor and flank technique using
advancing engines as a primary method of suppression while this tactic is not
complicated there are a few important factors to consider attacking any fire
at the head grass fires included is a watch out situation whenever possible begin
work at the heel or on a less active flank of the fire if there isn't an obvious
anchor such as a road or an area of cold black to begin from
create one with water spray out an area good black make sure your wet line is
continuous with no gaps in coverage make sure your anchor is broad enough to
keep the fire from flanking you in case of a wind shift this may mean spraying a
short distance up the opposing flank when choosing a flank consider the
values at risk work the flank that has the most potential for fire growth as you
begin flanking the fire working towards the head keep the nozzle operator within
sight 10 to 15 feet in front of the engine as the driver you should be able to
see the full body of the nozzle operator including the feet
monitor your side mirrors for re-kindled fire as you progress up the flank work from
the black grass fires can move quickly under the influence of wind and slope
and burned over areas typically cool quickly making working from the black
the safest place to be operating from the unburned side exposes the crew and
equipment to greater danger from changes in wind speed and direction from hazards
hidden by unburned fuels getting the engine into the black can be
accomplished by spraying out a spot to create an entryway and an anchor point
begin work from or by driving through a flame front driving through a flame
front into the black is a judgment call and is predicated on a few conditions
if the flame height or flame length is less than one foot the flame front can
be crossed quickly and if the travel time through the unburned fuel to the fire
can be done rapidly then it's a potential option in both cases start your pump
before leaving the road if you have to drive through grass tall
enough to hide hazards in order to reach the fire have the nozzle operator
walk out in front with charged hose in hand as a guide if the fuels are not
obscuring hazards keep all personnel in the interior of the vehicle until it has
passed through the flame front and is safely in the black the following video
clip from the 2007 Pioneer Road fire near Medford Oregon illustrates the
danger of an improperly executed mobile attack pioneer road fire started in grass fuels
two miles south of Medford Oregon on August 25 2007 at about 1430 hours
Jackson County Fire District number five Medford City Fire Department and Oregon
Department of Forestry Medford unit responded to this incident [radio chatter]
the fence and deep ditch at the roads edge kept the initial responding engines from entering
the black at the heal the engine was not damaged as it passed through the
flame front and the engine operator and crew person the cab were not injured
the nozzle operator passed through the flame front on foot as the engine operator
accelerated through the flame front the hose was pulled from the nozzle
operators hands leaving him further unprotected from the heat and flame he
received first degree burns on his face and neck and secondary burns on his
hands he was not wearing gloves [radio transmission]
[radio transmission] copy confirming code 3 response that's affirmative possible airway
of greatest concern was the heat and smoke injury to his airway
requiring a hospital stay for several days the investigation of the incident
identified lack of situational awareness failure to properly brief and improper
implementation of mobile attack tactic as key contributors to the accident
to avoid repeating this situation regular training and practice are essential
take the time to practice Douglas Force Protective Association has
an area prepped for supervised live-fire practice when conditions allow live-fire
trainings are a good way to practice mobile attack but the techniques can
also be learned on flag fire scenarios when setting up scenarios make sure
everyone understands where the head and heel the fire are fire behavior wind
direction and so on practice the steps in the process just as you would on a
fire so everyone is clear on their role position the engine in the black or
from an established anchor give a quick size up
[radio transmission] dispatch engine 25 on scene quarter acre grass fire moderate rate of spread we're beginning pump and roll
gear up with personal protective equipment
engage four-wheel drive
start the pump
if using the hardline practice flipping the hose to both sides of the engine
starting from your anchor point spray water on the base of the flame using a
heavy fog setting walking and spraying out at a pace that ensures continuous coverage
on both the black and the green work out in front of the engine in full view of
the driver progress up the flank towards the head of the fire continually checking
behind for rekindled flame after encircling the fire continue to patrol
the flare-ups and hot spots along the fires edge work out a few basic hand and
vehicle horn signals with your crew members including stop backup speed up
slow down when working in the burned area be mindful of parking on or over
hot material if you've driven through a flame front check the undercarriage to
ensure nothing underneath the vehicle has ignited when training switch roles
alternating between engine operator and nozzle operators train with other
engines coordinating your actions and communicating with each other
as you progress up alternate flanks practice changing tactics place barriers
that can't be driven through continue flanking the fire with a new suppression
method such as hose lays bladder bags or swatters train with an element of
urgency that mimics the conditions of an actual incident lastly take the time to
AAR your practice session in order to identify what went well and where
improvements can be made