S-130 Wildland Hazards and Human
Factors on the Fireline Exam
Situational Awareness ANSWERS You need to employ the fundamental principle
of situational awareness (SA) while working on an incident. Situational awareness is:
- Gathering information by observation and communication
- The foundation of all the decision making
- An ongoing cycle
Be an active thinker and observer on the fireline. Stop and reevaluate and make careful,
informed decisions—especially when you're tired or unsure.
360 Degree Perspective ANSWERS Up:
- Weather and smoke movement (Thunder and Lightning, can be a danger up to 40
miles (64 km) before cloud, use 30/30 rule: when the interval between a ground flash
and the thunder it produces is less than 30 seconds, take precautions against being
struck for at least 30 minutes after the thundercloud passes.)
- Rocks or burning materials rolling into unburned fuel below
- Overhead power lines
- Aircraft flying overhead and performing airdrops
- Tree limbs weakened by fire and burning or burned-out snags
Down:
- Downed power lines
- Poor footing
- Unseen ditches, holes, or drop-offs
- Snakes and critters
- Fuels that cause changes in fire behavior
- Fire downslope from your position
Around:
- Looking around can alert you to approaching vehicles as well as to changes in the
fire's behavior that might threaten you.
- Also, look around when working on the fireline to be sure there is at least 10 feet (3 m)
between you and other crew members.
Lightning and Thunder Dangers ANSWERS Ideally, try to get inside a vehicle or
structure if possible. If that isn't possible, get in the middle of a large clearing and sit
(don't lie down) on your pack or crouch with your feet together—especially if your skin
tingles.
, During a lightning storm, don't use landline phones and radios with long antennas—use
only cell phones or radios that have short antennas. Then, avoid getting too close to:
- Dry creek beds because of the flash flood potential
- Heavy machinery
- Flammable liquids
- Poles or trees
- Ridge tops
- Ledges
- Wire fences
- Rock outcroppings
- Metal tools
Human Hazards ANSWERS Maintaining your SA on the fireline can be
challenging for a number of reasons:
- Inexperience
- Personal and job-related stress
- Fatigue
- Personal and environmental distractions
- Attitude
Distractions and lack of focus on the fireline can draw your attention away from potential
problems or hazards. Decision making can be a struggle when you're fatigued and your
ability to filter the important information is diminished.
Good Communication ANSWERS - Allows you to receive orders and instructions
- Provides a way for you to learn of hazards
- Gives a way for you to report the situation to others
- Serves as a learning tool to encourage learning, making you a better wildland
firefighter
Barriers to Communication ANSWERS - Having a preconceived opinion about a
message
- Allowing personal or environmental distractions to take your focus
- Hearing what you want to hear and filtering out the rest
- Focusing on your own response instead of listening to what's being said
- Allowing personality differences to hinder effective listening and message relaying
skills
Listener Responsiblities ANSWERS By taking these steps, you have a better shot
at hearing—and understanding—important information:
- Be focused and pay attention
- Clarify any unclear information
- Ask questions
- Repeat instructions back to your supervisor
- Switch roles frequently back and forth during the communication process
Factors on the Fireline Exam
Situational Awareness ANSWERS You need to employ the fundamental principle
of situational awareness (SA) while working on an incident. Situational awareness is:
- Gathering information by observation and communication
- The foundation of all the decision making
- An ongoing cycle
Be an active thinker and observer on the fireline. Stop and reevaluate and make careful,
informed decisions—especially when you're tired or unsure.
360 Degree Perspective ANSWERS Up:
- Weather and smoke movement (Thunder and Lightning, can be a danger up to 40
miles (64 km) before cloud, use 30/30 rule: when the interval between a ground flash
and the thunder it produces is less than 30 seconds, take precautions against being
struck for at least 30 minutes after the thundercloud passes.)
- Rocks or burning materials rolling into unburned fuel below
- Overhead power lines
- Aircraft flying overhead and performing airdrops
- Tree limbs weakened by fire and burning or burned-out snags
Down:
- Downed power lines
- Poor footing
- Unseen ditches, holes, or drop-offs
- Snakes and critters
- Fuels that cause changes in fire behavior
- Fire downslope from your position
Around:
- Looking around can alert you to approaching vehicles as well as to changes in the
fire's behavior that might threaten you.
- Also, look around when working on the fireline to be sure there is at least 10 feet (3 m)
between you and other crew members.
Lightning and Thunder Dangers ANSWERS Ideally, try to get inside a vehicle or
structure if possible. If that isn't possible, get in the middle of a large clearing and sit
(don't lie down) on your pack or crouch with your feet together—especially if your skin
tingles.
, During a lightning storm, don't use landline phones and radios with long antennas—use
only cell phones or radios that have short antennas. Then, avoid getting too close to:
- Dry creek beds because of the flash flood potential
- Heavy machinery
- Flammable liquids
- Poles or trees
- Ridge tops
- Ledges
- Wire fences
- Rock outcroppings
- Metal tools
Human Hazards ANSWERS Maintaining your SA on the fireline can be
challenging for a number of reasons:
- Inexperience
- Personal and job-related stress
- Fatigue
- Personal and environmental distractions
- Attitude
Distractions and lack of focus on the fireline can draw your attention away from potential
problems or hazards. Decision making can be a struggle when you're fatigued and your
ability to filter the important information is diminished.
Good Communication ANSWERS - Allows you to receive orders and instructions
- Provides a way for you to learn of hazards
- Gives a way for you to report the situation to others
- Serves as a learning tool to encourage learning, making you a better wildland
firefighter
Barriers to Communication ANSWERS - Having a preconceived opinion about a
message
- Allowing personal or environmental distractions to take your focus
- Hearing what you want to hear and filtering out the rest
- Focusing on your own response instead of listening to what's being said
- Allowing personality differences to hinder effective listening and message relaying
skills
Listener Responsiblities ANSWERS By taking these steps, you have a better shot
at hearing—and understanding—important information:
- Be focused and pay attention
- Clarify any unclear information
- Ask questions
- Repeat instructions back to your supervisor
- Switch roles frequently back and forth during the communication process
