July 2007

Chief Concerns

by Richard Marinucci

Don’t Let Nuisance Grass Fires Become Big Deals

Much has been written about wildfires. They may be the only types of fires seeing increases in numbers and severity. However, many departments do not have a direct involvement in wildfires on a regular basis.

In most urban and suburban departments, the closest they come to any response with growing material burning is a grass or brush fire. In our community, way back when, before the significant development took place, we responded to many grass and brush fires in open fields. As the fields disappeared, replaced by buildings, parking lots and watered landscaping, so did the grass and brush fires.

Today, there are not too many in a given year. During the drier part of the year we can experience grass and brush fires along the interstate, near railroads and in our parklands. I don’t believe this to be atypical of many departments.

You might say, “So what?” These are simple fire with little risk. Right? In fact they’re so easy, we don’t even provide any training or practice. Even back in the day when there were more, we learned from senior department members. It’s always been hard work and hot. The idea was to put on a portable water tank, grab a grass broom and walk the perimeter and extinguish the fire.

If we were lucky, it was close to the road, and we could take the booster line and easily extinguish the fire. Way back when, we had a brush truck that could go off road, making the job relatively simple. Of course as these types of calls declined, there was no need to have a brush truck, and it was scrapped and not replaced.

Again, so what?

Well, I suggest that a little time be committed to preparing for these types of calls so that a simple, routine incident doesn’t become anything more than a temporary nuisance.

For the most part, these incidents will be beneficial to the environment. The grass and brush will return greener and healthier than before. However, during the fire, the smoke may cause safety issues in your community and possibly to your firefighters.

There are three elements to consider regarding  preparation for responding to grass and brush fires in an urban or suburban setting – not the kind that are major wildfires with an urban interface that threatens people and property.

For ordinary brush and grass fires, the first priority has to be the safety of personnel. As these are not frequent occurrences, for many firefighters no special safety equipment is provided. Although it’s less than ideal, firefighters too often use their structural fire fighting turnout gear for brush and grass fires. As many of these fires happen during the heat of summer, this practice can put strain on personnel if the incident takes any length of time.

Be mindful of dehydration of personnel, especially as the temperatures rise. Personnel need to maintain their discipline and work in pairs or teams and not freelance.

Don’t be lulled into thinking that self-contained breathing apparatus are not needed just because natural and “normal” materials are burning, and not the toxics from a structure fire. Be mindful that breathing apparatus may be needed and stay upwind. If your department has a regular threat of brush and grass fires each year, you should consider the options and equipment available to keep your firefighters protected from the hazards. It’s not an easy task, however, because of the heat potential.

As firefighters may be working off the roadway and on uneven ground, move with due caution so as not to sprain or strain a knee or ankle. Open fields that are uneven or have holes will injure unsuspecting firefighters. Appropriate footwear for the terrain and job will go a long way to preventing sprains and strains. Remember don’t get injured fighting these types of fires. Don’t forget the old adage, risk a lot to save a lot, risk little to save little. So, when it comes to a grass or brush fire, what are you saving?

The final safety item is to remember to place apparatus in a “fend-off” position. As many of these grass fires occur along interstates and other limited access highways, there will be the threat of traffic to firefighters. Hardly a day goes by without reading about a firefighter or fire truck being hit by someone not paying attention to their driving.

Equipment

These calls need to be treated as any other incident happening on a roadway and apparatus should be positioned to protect the firefighters. Even if additional apparatus is not needed for the fire, have them respond to protect your personnel. Besides the usual gawking by the motoring public, the smoke from the fire will also create a potential hazard. There is nothing to save. The grass will grow back. Do not get complacent. Do not get hurt. Protect yourself and your crew.

The next item to think about is equipment. Consider if there’s anything you need for the types of grass and brush fires expected to be encountered. In many departments, hose and tank water are all that is needed, as there may not be any need to venture off the road.

The fire will get within range of the hoses you carry. In other cases, there may be the expectation of going far enough off road that your hoses will not reach. In these instances, portable extinguishers or water tanks will be needed. They should be lightweight and easy to use and refill. Your department may only carry these during the “grass fire season” as they take up space and potentially could freeze during cold weather if they are not left empty.

On-Going Training

Your department probably uses something other than water on some of these fires. Grass fire brooms will work. If you have large areas of threat, you may need some type of grass rig to help. This may also be a case for mutual aid if you don’t have a reasonable expectation of an occurrence.

Finally, if you don’t provide any on-going training, consider doing so at least at the start of each grass and brush fire season. There is not much to it, but a reminder can stave off complacency and help newer employees with no experience.

The training can be very simple. First explain that there is little likelihood of danger to life, so there is no need to take any risks. Protection of firefighters is of the utmost importance. As stated above, place apparatus to protect firefighters.

With respect to safety and fire attack, be aware of the wind direction. Though winds can shift, work with the wind at your back as much as possible. Review fire spread.

Demonstrate the equipment you have and the most efficient and effective way to use it. Water and brooms can handle most fires.

Some other considerations for fighting brush and grass fires:

• Be aware of your surroundings and follow any procedures you may have.

• Look and act professional – while you don’t need to rush, work toward a simple and quick end to the incident.

•Watch each other for signs of overheating.

• And lastly, look for a cause. It is easy to neglect this part of the job.

If there are signs the fire was intentionally set, you should investigate. Children playing with matches or someone with a fire-starting problem may continue with bigger or more serious fires. If you have any clues, stopping someone before their problem gets out of hand is necessary.

In many communities, grass and brush fires are no big deal. All things considered, they are not a major threat. They are probably more of a nuisance than anything else.

However, take a few moments to review the things that need to be done so that a simple part of the overall job does not become a big deal.

Editor’s Note: Richard Marinucci is chief of the Farmington Hills (Mich.) Fire Department, a position he’s held since 1984. He is a past president of the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) and past chairman of the Commission on Chief Fire Officer Designation. In 1999 he served as acting chief operating officer of the U.S. Fire Administration for seven months. He holds three bachelor’s degrees in fire science and administration and has taught extensively.

While awaiting assignment at the staging area for the Bugaboo wildfire in northern Florida in May, firefighters position extra apparatus in the roadway in a “fend-off” configuration for protection. Gawking and smoke create potential hazards to firefighters who might be fighting fires along highways. Extra apparatus can prove effective blocking protection.    (Fire Apparatus Photo by Brian Stoothoff)