GENERAL MINIMUM SAFETY REQUIREMENTS:

1. There is no situation so urgent or critical that any TLVFD member will be placed in an unsafe position.

2. All firefighters must wear the proper gear when engaged in suppression activities i.e.: nomex coveralls etc. on wild land fires and turn out gear etc. on structure fires.

3. Only qualified drivers will operate our equipment except in rare cases where life or property are immediately threatened.

4. All federal, state and local laws will be observed at all times when operating vehicles, even during emergencies.

5. No one will ever ride to an incident on the outside of a vehicle. This does not preclude riding on the outside of a brush truck while working at the scene.

6. Each truck should carry the driver and two firefighters, (preferably non operator) firefighters.

No truck will respond to an emergency with only the driver, unless additional personnel are available to assist with truck operations at the scene.

7. No equipment or personnel will ever approach a fire without assuring that an escape route is available.

8. Frequent rotation of assignments of firefighters on a scene is encouraged. If fatigue becomes a factor, each firefighter should suggest a change or ask to be relieved.

9. A natural gas pipeline crosses the approximate middle of our district. This creates the potential of a gas leak and possible fire.

        a. Stickers with emergency telephone numbers are available at the station and include an 800 number for Oasis Pipeline.

        b. If a pipeline leak is detected, the pipeline company should be notified at once.

        c. Emergency vehicles should stay upwind and well away from the leak. Vehicles and spectators should be blocked from the area as long as the emergency exists.

        d. Low spots should be particularly avoided since gas will accumulate there.

        e. Should the leak catch fire, then steps should be taken to protect nearby properties.

        f. Homeowners nearby and downwind of the emergency location should be notified immediately.

10. Avoid driving over hot spots or logs.

11. Only TLVFD or cooperating fire department personnel will be included in our fire suppression activities. On site walk up volunteers should be discouraged from suppression activities and NOT included as part of out organization.

1. Fight fire aggressively but provide for SAFETY FIRST.

2. Initiate all actions based on current and expected FIRE BEHAVIOR.

3. Recognize current WEATHER CONDITIONS and obtain forecasts.

4. Ensure INSTRUCTIONS are given and understood.

5. Obtain current information on FIRE STATUS.

6. Remain in COMMUNICATION with crew members, your supervisor, and adjoining forces.

7. Determine SAFETY ZONES and ESCAPE ROUTES.

8. Establish LOOKOUTS in potentially hazardous situations.

9. Retain CONTROL at all times.

10. Stay ALERT, keep CALM, THINK clearly, ACT decisively.

1. Fire not scouted and sized up.

2. In country not seen in daylight.

3. Safety zones and escape routes not identified.

4. Unfamiliar with weather and local factors influencing fire behavior.

5. Uninformed on strategy, tactics and hazards.

6. Instructions and assignments not clear.

7. No communication link with crew members/supervisor.

8. Constructing fire line without a safe anchor point.

9. Building fire line down hill with fire below.

10. Attempting frontal assault on a fire.

11. Unburned fuel between you and the fire.

12. Cannot see main fire and not in contact with anyone who can.

13. On a hillside where rolling material can ignite fuel below.

14. Weather is getting hotter and drier.

15. Wind increases or changes direction.

16. Getting frequent spot fires across line.

17. Terrain and fuels make escape to safety zones difficult.

18. Taking a nap near the fire line.