Anniversary
of Mann Gulch Fire.
Alexis West, Public Information Officer
On August 5, 1949, thirteen firefighters were killed in the Mann Gulch
Fire, near Helena, MT. Since that incident, firefighter training has evolved
to a regulated system of training and qualifications for firefighting
and support services. Coupled with the Incident Management System, wildfire
incidents are managed with safety of personnel as the primary objective.
Teams within the Incident Management
System continually evaluate all units on fire incidents. By evaluation
in After Action Reviews, teams assess what worked, what didn't work, and
how they could have worked better. Incident Management Teams continue
to provide a proven successful organizational tool for coordinating wildfire
and other emergency personnel in catastrophic events.
Much was learned for the fatalities
at Mann Gulch, as well as, other firefighter fatalities. These lessons
are summarized in the 18 Watch Out situations and the 10 Firefighting
Orders. These guidelines are the foundation
of safety and situational awareness in wildland fire.
The following website is one
of many which provides information about the Mann Gulch Fire and a virtual
visit to the Memorial. Please take a moment to honor all members of the
Mann Gulch crew, as well as, all firefighters dedicated to wildland firefighting.
http://manngulchfire.com/index.htm
Fire Orders
Fire Behavior
1. Keep informed on fire weather conditions and forecasts.
2. Know what your fire is doing at all times.
3. Base all actions on current and expected behavior of the fire.
Fireline Safety
4. Identify escape routes and make them known.
5. Post lookouts when there is possible danger.
6. Be alert. Keep calm. Think clearly. Act decisively.
Organizational Control
7. Maintain prompt communications with your forces, your supervisor and
adjoining forces.
8. GIve clear instructions and insure they are understood.
9. Maintain control of your forces at all times.
If 1-9 are considered, then...
10. Fire fire aggressively, having provided for safety first.
The 10 Standard Fire Orders
are firm.
We don't break them;
We don't bend them.
All firefighters have a Right to a safe assignment.
Watch Out Situations
1. Fire not scouted and sized up.
2. In country no seen in daylight.
3. Safety zones and escape routes not identified.
4. Unfamiliar with weather and local factors.
5. Uninformed on strategy, tactics and hazards.
6. Instructions and assignments not clear.
7. No communications link with crew members/supervisors.
8. Constructing line without safe anchor points.
9. Building fireline downhill with fire below.
10. Attempting frontal assault with fire below.
11. Unburned fuel between you and the fireline.
12. Cannot see main fire, not in contact with anyonewho can.
13. On a hillside where rolling material can ignite fuelbelow.
14. Weather isw getting hotter and drier.
15. Wind increases and/or changes direction.
16. Getting frequent spot fires across line.
17. Terrain and fuels make escape to safety zone difficult.
18. Taking a nap near the fire line.
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