Thirtymile Fire Web Resources

Lessons From the Thirtymile Fire Accident Investigation Factual Report Management Evaluation Report Executive Summary USFS Thirtymile Fire Web Site

Thirtymile Accident Prevention Plan
Key Action Items

A-1 Recommendations for fire suppression and for firefighter safety in preparation for and in the transition phase between initial attack and extended attack fires.

Action: Utilize the Risk Management Process (p.1) found in the Incident Response Pocket Guide.

Action: District fire program managers will review fire danger indices and pocket cards, and convey their meaning and significance to crews and IMTs.

Action: Utilize the Extended Attack Transition Process (p.15) found in the Incident Response Pocket Guide.

Action: Agency Administrators, Line Officers and Fire Programs managers should monitor cumulative fatigue in personnel under their control, as well as perform periodic reviews of Time and Attendance records for compliance with work-rest guidelines.

Action: Local line officers and fire program managers meet annually with Type 3-5 Incident Commanders to review responsibilities, expectations, and authorities in fire suppression operations. Utilize letter of April 16, 2002.

Action: Establish procedures to ensure arriving resources have positive, documented contact with the Incident Commander, Operations Section Chief or other appropriate Incident Mgt. Personnel. This must occur prior to any work commencing on the fire. Utilize the Briefing Checklist provided inside the back cover of the Incident Response Pocket Guide.

Action: Implement a standard protocol, where dispatch centers inform all resources of the name of the assigned Incident Commander and all other pertinent information. Announce all changes in Incident Command leadership to all assigned and incoming resources for initial and extended attack incidents and relay that information to the Duty Officers and Fire Management Staff.

Action: Use the Risk Management Process (p.1) and Extended Attack Transition Analysis (p.15) in the Incident Response Pocket Guide.

Action: Ensure Fire Management Plans require a single, dedicated Incident Commander for all incidents, Type 1, 2 and 3 Incidents. Incident Command responsibilities will not be diluted with collateral duties. Exception would be as a trainer or evaluators of an assigned trainee.

Action: Forest Supervisors and District Rangers will personally communicate their expectations of leadership in fire management to their employees and staff. This should be completed prior to fire season and in conjunction with Leadership Team meetings, FMO meetings, annual fire schools and annual refresher training. It is recommended that the Operational Leadership Guide (p.iii) of the Incident Response Pocket Guide be used as a template.

Action: Utilize the findings from the 30-mile Accident Investigation Report in preparedness training. This training will be mandatory for all new employees and be available to all wildland firefighting personnel.

Action: Now included on page 1 of the Incident Response Pocket Guide. Will also be published in the Interagency Standards for Fire & Aviation Operations Handbook.

Action: Incorporate information from 30-mile in revision of training. Will include proper use of equipment, PPE, crew cohesion, deployment site selection, command & control, etc. PowerPoint CD-ROM has been developed by MTDC and issued to the field.

Action: Dispatchers provide the name of the IC to all resources responding to Type 3-5 incidents, and announce all changes in incident command.

Action: Dispatchers ensure that only qualified employees are dispatched to fire assignments. Incident Commanders verify qualifications before assigning personnel to positions different than the position listed on their resource order.

Action: Monitor the effectiveness of planned strategies and tactics, and temporarily disengage operations in areas where they cannot be safely implemented. Reinitiate suppression activities in these areas when strategy and/or tactics are adjusted to ensure actions will be in full compliance with the Ten Standard Fire Orders and the applicable Watch Out situations have been mitigated.

Action: Incident Commands are to inspect each of their fires for safety and health hazards.

Action: Complete After Action Reports for each Type 3-5 fire, in addition to performance ratings for each out-of-Forest Crew. Include compliance with the Ten Standard Fire Orders and mitigation of Watch Out situations in these reports and evaluations.