Teamwork, planning and communication are vital to the safety of people fighting fires, burning off or doing other fire prevention work.

Spot the hazard

The main hazards are smoke inhalation and radiant heat. Associated hazards relate to training and safe fire fighting practices, communication between firefighters, other people involved, wind and weather conditions, terrain and vegetation, threatened buildings and their contents, availability of water and fire fighting machinery.

People on farms should know how to contact the area fire control officer.

Assess the risk

Safe fire fighting procedures involve constantly assessing risks and their potential to endanger life and property, and minimising them where possible.

Make the changes

The following safety rules help firefighters minimise risks.

• Never work alone.
• Anticipate fire changes due to wind, topography and fuel type.
• Watch for erratic fire behaviour.
• Beware of burning limbs and trees in previously burnt country - look up and live.
• Keep clear of all vehicles or machinery - the operator may not see you.
• Avoid steep slopes above a fire.
• Observe and keep in mind local topography:
• the position of tracks, clearings, creeks and other relevant spots or landmarks
• avoid danger areas like steep slopes, dense vegetation and deep, narrow gullies.
• Select escape routes before entering the fire zone.
• Obtain the latest forecast with particular attention to wind changes.
• Remember a general forecast may not apply in your area due to fire effects, terrain or local factors.
• Relate local weather to possible fire behaviour.

Personal effort

• Maintain self control under threat situations.
• Panic is infectious and drains energy.
• Avoid exhaustion from over-exertion or prolonged periods of effort.
• Avoid unnecessary shouting or whistling - it may confuse others.

Limits of endurance

• Lack of rest reduces physical strength, the ability to think clearly and speed of reactions - arrange relief for yourself and your team.
• Take a break at every opportunity.
• If feeling ill, drowsy, faint or nauseated, take action for heat stress.

Drinking

• To do without water for long periods is a mistake. Dehydration can make you sluggish, irritable, impatient, muddle-headed, tired and sleepy.
• When sweating freely, replace body fluids and salts. Drinking small quantities frequently is better than having one big gulp every hour.
• Replace salt by taking salt in food and drink, e.g. Vegemite or lightly salted water (one level teaspoon per litre).
• Aerated drinks blow up the stomach and make hard work uncomfortable. Beer does not help either.
• No alcoholic drinks. Wait until the fire is finished before 'one with the boys'.

Protective clothing

• Guard against falling objects - wear an approved safety helmet.
• Make sure your helmet is properly adjusted. In severe conditions, wear a chin strap.
• Wear safety glasses, goggles or a face shield to prevent injury from windblown dust, smoke irritation or during chainsaw operations.
• Working boots must be in good condition. Wear approved safety boots.
• Woollen clothing offers some protection against fire.

Heat and smoke

• Protect against radiant heat.
• Take refuge:
  • light a back burn and use burnt country as a refuge;
  • use gravel pits, or clearings in the forest and roads;
  • lie down on the ground - air is freshest and coolest at ground level.
• Use vehicles to shelter from radiation when the temperature becomes uncomfortable.
• Don't take refuge in elevated water tanks. Immersion in lukewarm water can kill.
• Limit breathing rate when smoke is dense - wait for small pockets of fresh air.
• Dense hot smoke could damage lungs, but hot dry air can be breathed for some time without lung damage.
• If it is necessary to move through the flames:
  • don't linger in front of the flames;
  • use clothing to the best advantage as a shield;
  • select an opening where flame height is lowest;
  • move through the flames onto burnt ground as quickly as possible;
  • beware always of the danger from falling limbs and trees in burnt country.
• As a last resort, if trapped, lie on the ground taking advantage of any protection available.

Be sure to:

• Beware of falling limbs and trees.
• Know the local topography.
• Drink plenty of fluids.

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