KING COUNTY FIRE RESOURCE PLAN
Section 7 – Wildland
Adopted – Unknown
Revised – 1/13/10
Revised 2/23/11
1.0
2.0
PURPOSE
1.1
This model procedure is endorsed by the King County Fire Chiefs as a
template for planning and training for all fire departments within King County.
1.2
Fire Jurisdictions throughout all three Zones within King County have varying
degrees of Wildfire training and equipment and will respond (in accordance with
their own policies) to mutual and automatic aid or mobilization requests within or
outside the State.
1.3
For strike teams/task forces and/or mobilizations, each King County Zone has
pre-identified Zone Coordinators that work collaboratively with King County
Regional Communications and Emergency Coordination Center (RCECC) and
with the South Puget Sound Fire Defense Board who in turn coordinates with 8
other Washington Regional Fire Defense Regions and State Emergency
Management.
REFERENCES
2.1
2.2
2.3
2.4
2.5
2.5
3.0
King County Fire Resource Plan
South Puget Sound Regional Fire Defense Plan
Washington State Fire Services Resource Mobilization Plan
IRPG Fireline Handbook (Redbook) http://www.nwch.gov
Mobilization Forms - http://www.wsp.wa.gov/fire/mobilization.htm#forms
Appendix – A - Appropriate Line Gear and Logistical Needs
INTRODUCTION
3.1
Wildland Firefighting resources are organized to provide support to local,
regional and state jurisdictions in the area of technical advice, apparatus and
staffing, response and support for fires occurring in the interface and wildland.
3.2
Wildland Resources are intended to augment the efforts of local and regional
jurisdictions and does not relieve the host agency’s responsibilities, nor replace
existing contracts or agreements.
3.3
Wildland Firefighting Resources in King County are comprised of independent
departments that have the resources and training for this special capability.
Section 7 - Wildland
Page 1 of 9
Revised: February 24, 2011
4.0
DEFINITIONS
4.1
4.2
4.3
4.4
4.5
4.6
4.7
4.8
NWCG = National Wildfire Coordinating Group
STL = Strike Team Leader as certified by NWCG (any ST needs a STL assigned)
TFL = Task Force Leader as certified by NWCG (any TF needs a TFL assigned)
Crew Boss = run up to a 20 person crew as certified by NWCG
Squad Boss = Also known as an NWCG FFT1 (Firefighter Type 1) Can run up to
6 firefighters
Carded = certified by the NWCG to the required level needed
Incident Types –
4.7.1 Type 5 – day to day, short term
4.7.2 Type 4 – day to day, longer term (two alarm house fire)
4.7.3 Type 3 – extended operations (greater than 12 hours, call in Type 3 team
(Seattle/Metro)
4.7.4 Type 2 – these are State Teams to that manage complex incidents
7.7.5 Type 1 – manage large incidents with 500 + responders
Apparatus Typing –
4.8.1 Type 1 – Eng Structural – 300 gallon, 1000 GPM pump, master stream
4.8.2 Type 2 – Eng Structural – 300 gallon, 500 GPM pump, master stream
4.8.3 Type 3 – Eng Wildland – 500 gallon, 150 GPM pump and roll
4.8.4 Type 4 – Eng Wildland – 750 gallon, 50 GPM pump and roll
4.8.5 Type 5 – Eng Wildland – 400 gallon, 50 GPM pump and roll
4.8.6 Type 6 – Eng Wildland – 150 gallon, 50 GPM pump and roll
4.8.7 Type 7 – Eng Wildland – 50 gallon, 10 GPM pump and roll
4.8.8
4.8.9
4.8.10
4.8.11
4.8.12
Support 1 – Tender – 4000 gallon, 300 GPM 50 PSI pump and no roll
Support 2 – Tender – 2500 gallon, 200 GPM 50 PSI pump and no roll
Support 3 – Tender – 1000 gallon, 200 GPM 50 PSI pump and no roll
Tactical 1 – Tender – 2000 gallon, 250 GPM 150 PSI pump and roll
Tactical 2 – Tender – 1000 gallon, 250 GPM 150 PSI pump and roll
4.8.13 Type 1 – Aerial – Greater than 75’ – 115’ ground ladders
4.8.14 Type 2 – Aerial – Less than 75’ – 115’ ground ladders
4.9
Wildland Handline Team –
4.9.1 1 – Engine (type 3-6)
4.9.2 10 – Crew-members (2 of which should be carded fallers or 1 Class B
Faller or above)
4.9.3 1 – Crew Boss (Red Card)
4.9.4 1 – Squad Boss (FFT1)
4.9.5
4.10
Used to contain fire in a wooded area, cut fire-line, do burnout, assist with
interface situations, extinguishing deep seated fires, etc. The group can be
broken into independent squads (6 person ea.). Note: A wild land engine
or tender may be needed to support a hand crew. Mobilization of a hand
line team is expected to take approx. 1 hour in addition to travel time.
Wildland Engine Strike Team –
4.10.1 5 - Engines (type 3-6) off-road (2 to 4 assigned per unit)
4.10.2 1 - STL (Red Card or has a Team Leader in training)
Section 7 - Wildland
Page 2 of 9
Revised: February 24, 2011
4.10.3 1 - ALS Unit (local/regional response only – not State unless requested)
4.11
Wildland Task Force –
4.11.1 4 - Engines (type 3-6) off-road (2 to 4 assigned per unit)
4.11.2 1 - Tender (type S1-3)
4.11.3 1 - ALS Unit (local/regional response only – not State unless requested)
4.11.4 1 - STL (Red Card or has a Team Leader in training)
4.11.5 Utilized in areas known to be deficient of an adequate water supply
4.12
Interface Task Force – Utilized for structural protection
4.12.1 2 – Engines (type 1-2)
4.12.2 2 - Engines (type 3-6)
4.12.3 2 – Tenders type S1-3
4.12.4 1 – ALS unit (local/regional response only – not State unless requested)
4.12.5 1 – TFL and TFL in training (1 must be Red Carded)
4.13
Rural Task Force –
4.13.1 3 – Engines (type 1-2)
4.13.2 2 –Tenders (type S1-3)
4.13.3 1 – ALS unit (local/regional response only – not State unless requested)
4.13.4 1 – TFL and TFL in training (1 must be Red Carded)
NOTE: The ALS Unit is for team support during local & regional responses,
not State Mobilizations unless requested.
5.0
PROCEDURE - Wildland Resource Deployment/Request
5.1
Local Response - Wildland resources throughout King County are available
through Mutual Aid Agreement through each Zones respective dispatch center.
When there are not enough available resources within King County, a request
needs to go to the Regional Coordinator.
5.2
South Puget Sound Regional Fire Defense Board - King County, Kitsap,
Pierce and Mason Counties form the South Puget Sound Fire Defense Board.
This Board has a Chair (Regional Coordinator) and representatives from each
County (County Representative) and a Department of Natural Resources
Representative. The Board meets monthly to coordinate the South Puget Sound
Regional Fire Defense Plan (all hazards fire response) in coordination with the
Washington State Fire Services Resource Mobilization Plan.
5.3
Regional Response - When Local and King County Mutual Aid resources are
depleted, a jurisdiction may request an element of Wildland Fire Fighting (or all
hazards) from outside King County to respond from the South Puget Sound
Region. This request needs to go through the respective KC Dispatch Center to
Pierce County Fire Communications. Pierce Fire Communications will call the
Regional Coordinator (see below) for response coordination.
5.4
State Mobilization Response– Conditions for the request – when local
jurisdiction has or will expend all available:
Section 7 - Wildland
Page 3 of 9
Revised: February 24, 2011
6.0
5.4.1
Local Resources, Mutual aid resources, special resources are not available,
jurisdiction agrees to comply with Washington State Fire Services
Resource Mobilization Plan.
5.4.2
Request must be made by the Local Fire Chief – to – Regional
Coordinator – to – State EOC – to – WSP Mobilization Coordinator – to –
Chief of WSP – to – EOC for response.
5.4.3
The respective County Coordinators and determine the status of available
resources for mobilization response from their Zone. The King County
Emergency Coordination Center (ECC) and Zone Coordinators should be
notified and daily updates provided on situation status, anticipated
additional requests, and state wide incident status from the regional
coordinator.
RESPONSIBILITY
6.1
When resources are requested from within KC, the resources assigned should be
equally shared as much as possible to reduce impact on one particular Zone. The
Zone Coordinators should be working wth the regional and county representative
for coordination.
6.2
Whether within King County or for Regional or State Mobilizations, when
resources including TF/ST’s are assigned from King County, the sending KC
Zone Coordinator(s) should notify the King County Emergency Coordination
Center and the other two zone coordinators and provide details of the event,
periodic updates, and notification when resources have been demobilized.
6.3
Any costs incurred for non-fire department equipment ordered through Command
will be the sole responsibility of the jurisdiction having authority. Helicopters for
reconnaissance should be requested through the IC to King County PD or OEM.
Helicopters and Overhead to manage them for suppression needs to be requested
through Washington Department of Natural Resources South Puget Region.
Costs for aircraft are the sole responsibility of the jurisdiction having authority.
6.4
Dozers, tenders (non-fire service), fallers, inmate hand crews or other special
equipment should be requested through Washington State Department of Natural
Resources (WADNR) if not available through existing local agreements.
WADNR maintains a current list for these resources.
6.5
Agencies need to identify location of incident, type of fire situation, on scene
command designator; communications talk group or frequency, size of incident,
and projected growth of incident. Local/Regional mutual aid mobilization of a
wildland element is expected to take approximately one hour, adding response
time to the hour. For State Mobilizations, two hours are needed.
6.6
The requested element of the division will report to either the scene (if so
directed) or to the Staging Area or other check-in location, as so designated.
Supervisor for the element will report to the Command Post for a briefing prior to
committing the resource.
Section 7 - Wildland
Page 4 of 9
Revised: February 24, 2011
6.7
Resources are a critical consideration when activated. Water tenders assigned to
the Task Force should be kept with their assigned TF/ST Leader and should not
be considered for use in other areas. Engine (type 1-2) Strike Teams/Task Forces
should be utilized for structural protection, and are not included as a wildland
element, but can be managed by wildland command.
PHONE ROSTER [WILDLAND]
South Puget Handline
253.852.2121
Team
Valley Comm.
Eastside Fire & Rescue 425.577.5656
Handline Team
NORCOM
Pierce Co. FIRECOM
253.588.5217
253.582.9119
King Co. Police
206.296.3311
King Co. OEM
206.423.6119
Washington Department Day – Dispatch
of Natural Resources
360.802.7058
[South Puget]
Ron Zsigmondovics
206.533.6500
work
Dan Smith
360-340-4386
Current Resources – 2/24/11
AGENCY
Wildland Engine
(Type 3,4,5,6)
Eastside Fire
2
Duvall Fire
2
Maple Valley
1
Mt. View Dist 44
2
Fall City
0
Woodinville
1
Bellevue
0
Vashon Island
1
South King
0
PSSC – Dist.20
1
Enumclaw
1
Burien/N. Highline
Port of Seattle
BOEING
Section 7 - Wildland
Mt. View Dist.44
253.735.0284
EFR
425.765.1676 – B71
FOR REGIONAL
RESOURCES
King, Pierce, Mason,
Kitsap Counties
Fax 206.205.4056
Night – 1.800.562.6010 Fax 360.825.1672
206-793-9349 cell
King Co. Coordinator
360-297-3619
Region Coordinator
Interface Engine (Type 1-3) Tenders
1
1
1
0
0
1
1
1
2
1
1
1
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4
1
1
1
1
0
0
1
0
0
1
1
1
Revised: February 24, 2011
Initial Attack Checklist
Obtain Legal Description:
Section
Township
Best Access
Range
(mark route to fire) (use Map page for planning)
Fuels & Terrain
(for resource consideration)
Resources Enroute
(are they appropriate?)
Weather/Fire Behavior Forecast
What additional Resources? STAGING AREA
Wildland Team
DNR Rep.
DNR Inmate
DNR Engines
Dozer
Helicopter (for homes threatened or inaccessible terrain)
>Go through DNR to obtain
HAZARDS
Slope
Rocky Terrain
Snags
Expected Fire Behavior
Heavy Fuels
Smoke Column / Color
Lookout
(post)
Communication
(ensure)
Escape Routes
(establish, mark and brief line personnel)
Safety Zones
(establish, mark and brief line personnel)
Tactics
Direct Attack
Indirect Attack
(identify control line locations)
Attack Head or Flank
Type of Control Line
(handline, dozer, wetline)
Existing Barriers
(Roads, natural change in fuels)
Direction of spread is toward? (Structures? Volatile Fuels?)
Update Dispatch & DNR
SAFETY CHECKLIST
Section 7 - Wildland
Page 6 of 9
Revised: February 24, 2011
Yes
No
Have you sized-up the fire?
Yes
No
Do you have a current fire weather forecast?
Yes
No
Is the observed fire weather consistent with the forecast
Yes
No
Can you control the fire with the current and ordered resources
Yes
No
Have you developed a plan to attack the fire?
Direct or indirect, anchor points, escape routes, safety zones, structure protection.
Yes
No
Have you briefed all incoming crews and given incident objectives to on scene
units
Yes
No
Lookouts in place or can you see all of fire area?
Yes
No
Can you communicate with all on scene and dispatch
Yes
No
Yes
No
Escape routes and safety zones are established, marked and briefed. If using the
black; is it completely burned and will not re-burn
Safety and standard fire orders are being followed
Yes
No
Have you updated dispatch
Yes
No
Will you control the fire before the next operational period
Yes
No
Do you have a complete list of ordered resources
Yes
No
If the fire will go to next operational period; who will manage it and what
overhead do you need
Section 7 - Wildland
Page 7 of 9
Revised: February 24, 2011
Helicopter Procedure for Wildland Fires
DNR manages their aviation assets on a state wide, as needed, basis. Often fire danger indicators
cause them to relocate helicopters east of the Cascades resulting in extended response times.
Calling early for this resource is wise due to the reflex time involved. We would generally utilize
their service for Interface fires only. Fires on DNR protected areas will usually get a DNR
helicopter, depending on availability.
Criteria for calling would be a fire threatening homes where ground resources could not get a
quick handle on the approaching fire due to fire intensity, lack of resources, or a fire threatening
multiple homes.
Fires in inaccessible areas may be another use. As well as to cool and hold a fire and its
progression so crews can get close to it.
Procedure:
Request if:
- Fire threatening home(s) and your unable to slow it.
- Your position is being threatened
Have Fire Dispatch call DNR and provide needed information to the dispatcher.
Location
[Lat./Long], type of fire, what is threatened, duration needed and ground contact.
A DNR Representative needs to be requested to manage the operation of the helicopter.
A Wildland Team Leader can act as Air Ops. Until a DNR representative arrives.
Capabilities include:
 Bucket Drops with 110 or 144 gallons
 Transport of personnel to a helispot (LZ)
 Transport of equipment via long line sling
 Recon of the incident
Do not call for this resource unless it is clear from reports that there is a definite Interface
situation. Most fires can be handled with the equipment on your engine.
.
Section 7 - Wildland
Page 8 of 9
Revised: February 24, 2011
Helicopter Checksheet
For Wildland Fires

Recognize need
Interface fire > Threatening Structures
No access to fire
Your position is threatened with no Escape Route

Call Washington DNR via Dispatch.
(360.825.7058 day)
(1.800.562.6010 night…. ask for Standby Person)
Request Helicopter and DNR Representative to scene
Request Eastside Fire Team Leader
Provide the following:
 location
 type of fire
 what is threatened
 duration needed
 frequency (153.830 REDNET)

Inform all personnel of rotor operations
Section 7 - Wildland
Page 9 of 9
Revised: February 24, 2011