Central Arizona
Brush Fire
Preparedness
Part 2
Tactics, strategy and common resources
found on wildland fires.
April 2010
Disclaimer and Intent
Like all fire fighting operations, wildland fire control and
suppression is inherently dangerous.
This presentation is designed to increase fire fighter safety and
awareness at local brush fire incidents in the Phoenix metropolitan
area. It is not designed to teach in-depth and/or complex wildland
fire suppression techniques, skills or tactics, nor replace National
Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) standardized training.
The overall intent of this presentation is to promote the safe
operations of structural fire crews responding to initial attack
wildland fires which have the potential to increase into complex fire
incidents requiring multiple fire agency resources. This training
can be used on an individual, company or department-wide basis.
Responding Agencies
Many different agencies and resources are available or may respond to assist
with a wildland fire.
Agencies who respond to these incidents include:

Local Fire Departments

Arizona State Forestry Division (previously “AZ State Land Department”)

Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA): including Gila River, Salt River,
Pima/Maricopa.

Bureau of Land Management (BLM)

U.S. Forest Service – Tonto NF (northeast of valley) and Prescott NF (north
and west of valley).
Arizona State Forestry Division
Responders include:
• Fire Managers
• Brush engines
• Hand Crews
• Helicopters
• Fixed wing aircraft
Responsible for fire management on state lands and
private lands outside city limits or fire district boundaries.
Additionally, ASFD can assist local fire department with
crews, aircraft and other fire suppression resources.
Bureau of Land Management
Responders include:
• Fire Managers
• Brush engines
• Hand Crews
• Helicopters
• Fixed wing aircraft
Responsible for fire management on
federal lands belonging to the Bureau of
Land Management.
U.S. Forest Service
Responders include:
• Fire Managers
• Brush engines
• Hand Crews
• Helicopters
• Fixed wing aircraft
Responsible for fire management on federal
lands belonging to the U.S. Forest Service. The
Prescott & Tonto National Forests both
border areas of the valley.
Bureau of Indian Affairs
Responders include:
• Fire Managers
• Brush engines
• Hand Crews
• Helicopters
• Fixed wing aircraft
Responsible for fire management on sovereign tribal
lands under the Bureau of Indian Affairs.
Resource Types
Cedar Fire, San Diego, CA 2003
Phoenix Regional SOP Vol. 2
202.15 Revised 10/99
Standard CAD Resources


STILL Brush = 1 Engine, 1 Brush
BRUSH assignment = 2 E, 2 BR, Tender (Tanker),
BC.

BRUSH 1 Alarm = 5 E, 4 BR, 2 Tenders (Tankers), 2
BC, U, RH, R-41, SDC, NDC.

BRUSH 2 Alarm = 4 E, 4 BR, 3 Tenders (Tankers), CV,
2 U, R-41, RH, 6 BC.
Type 1 engine
Capabilities for a wildland fire:
• Stationary pump
• Typically 500 gallons of water in the Phoenix metro area.
• Not off-road capable
• Limited or no wildland fire hand tools
Type 3 engines
Capabilities on a
wildland fire:
• Stationary AND
pump-and-roll
Goodyear FD Type 3 engine
• Typically 500
gallons
• Off-road capable
and usually four
wheel drive
• Class A foam
• Wildland fire tools
Surprise FD Type 3 engine
Type 6 engines
Typical “brush truck”
in the automatic aid
system.
Capabilities on a
wildland fire:
• Pump-and-roll as
well as stationary
pumping
• Around 250+ gallons
of water
• Off-road capable and
typically four wheel
drive
• Class A Foam
• Wildland fire tools
Water Tenders
NIMS compliance: A TENDER has WHEELS, not WINGS.
Hand Crews
Local crews generally
considered Type 2 crews.
Capabilities on wildland
fires:
• Fire line construction
• Chain saws and hand tools
• Burnout operations
• Work with engines
• Mop up
Note: Arizona Forestry has inmate fire crews
stationed in the west valley at the Lewis and
Perryville prison complexes.
Hot Shot Crew
Specialized
hand crew
capable of
complex fire
line
assignments.
Capable of
assignments
more complex
than type 2
crews are
designed for.
Hotshot crews are a national fire fighting resource, and respond across the country providing
suppression capabilities. They are a full-time fire crew with extensive wildland fire experience.
Single Engine Air Tanker (“SEAT”)
SEAT drop video
Heavy Air Tanker
NIMS Compliance: A “TANKER” has WINGS.
Heavy air tanker drop video
Type 1 Helicopter
A national resource, Type 1 (Heavy) helicopter with water drop capabilities.
Type 3 Helicopters
Local Police helicopters with fire
fighting bucket capabilities.
Additional Information

Contact your department members of the Central Arizona
Wildland Response Team, which includes most valley fire
departments, for additional information or training.
Website Links:
CAWRT East
CAWRT West