Chapter 7. Emergency Action and Fire Protection Plans

I. A written emergency action plan and a fire prevention plan should be kept in the work place and made available to workers.

II. The emergency action plan should include the following:

A. emergency escape procedures and emergency escape route assignments;

B. procedures to be followed by workers who remain to operate critical operations before they evacuate;

C. procedures to account for all workers after emergency evacuation has been completed;

D. assigned rescue and medical duties; and

E. the preferred means of reporting fires.

III. The fire prevention plan should include the following:

A. a list of the major work place fire hazards and their proper handling and storage procedures;

B. potential ignition sources and their control procedures;

C. type of fire protection equipment or systems which can control a fire involving them;

D. names or job titles of the personnel responsible for maintenance of fire prevention equipment or systems;

E. names or job titles of personnel responsible for controlling fuel source hazards;

IV. Workers should be trained in the proper use of fire protection equipment or systems as well as their role in the plans.

V. All fire protection equipment or systems should be tested annually.

VI. Prescribed burning.

A. Prescribed burning is a major land management tool that is potentially dangerous. Following basic burn procedures, wearing proper clothing and being prepared for the unexpected are critical to safety.

B. The unit director or a designated representative must approve burning prior to initiation.

C. Workers with health problems such as high blood pressure, heart conditions, certain allergies, and respiratory diseases problems should not participate in the burn. Care should be taken to prevent heat-related health problems.

D. Clothes made of natural fiber such as cotton or wool must cover the body including head, arms and legs. Synthetic fibers such a polyester and nylon should not be worn.

1. A hat or cap should cover the hair.

2. Leather gloves and high-top boots must be worn. Steel-toed boots should not be worn.

3. Pant legs should be worn outside the boots.

4. Eye protection such as goggles or face shield should be worn.

5. In areas where burning includes timber, brush or trees, a hard hat should be worn.

6. Fire retardant sythetic fibers, such as Nomex, may also be worn.

E. Communication.

1. During a burn, two types of communication should be maintained: communication between a relay station for emergency assistance, and communication between crews working on the burn.

2. Citizen band, business band or similar two-way radios should be used for communication. Cellular phones are an alternative in some locations.

F. Training. Each worker must be familiar with basic prescribed burning and fire fighting techniques.

G. Burn plan should includes:

1. who is in charge, each worker's responsibility during the burn, and each worker's responsibility in case the fire escapes;

2. each worker should be briefed on communication channels and procedures for notifying emergency personnel;

3. notification of affected neighbors of the intent to burn; and

4. notification of the local fire district.

H. Emergencies.

1. Because unexpected events may accompany prescribed burning, emergency plans must be prepared.

2. Emergency escape routes, notification of emergency personnel, a burn plan, training, proper clothing, and well maintained equipment are a necessity.

3. Avoid getting in front of a head fire. If you are trapped in front of a head fire:

a. unless the fire front is low and you can determine that the depth of the fire is small, never attempt to run or drive through a fire;

b. high temperatures, smoke and lack of oxygen make it impossible for a person on foot to move through larger fire fronts;

c. another person who has matches can start second fire, allowing the trapped person to move into the burned area until the main fire passes;

d. a similar approach is appropriate if you are in a vehicle in running condition;

e. if the vehicle is inoperable, setting a fire is still the best choice;

f. if water is available, wet down an area around the vehicle and remain inside.

I. Smoke management.

1. Avoid burning within one mile of an airport. Beyond this limit, burning should be done only with wind direction away from the airport.

2. Avoid burning which results in smoke over a public road. Two alternatives are available:

a. burn with the wind blowing away from the road; or

b. arrange for traffic control during the burn.

J. Weather safety.

1. Wind. PLEASE HELP ME WITH THIS ONE, IS THIS STATEMENT ACCEPTABLE:

Burning requires steady speeds of 5-15 mph from a desirable direction. As relative humidity decreases and temperature increase, the effect of the wind increases. Frontal changes can cause changes in wind direction, steadiness and speed.

2. Cloud cover. As cloud cover increases, ease of igniting and burning an area decreases. Avoid burning when cloud cover is over 0.7 (more than 70%) and ceilings are below 2,000 feet.

3. Relative humidity. Humidity affects the rate at which fuel dries. During late morning and early afternoon, relative humidity can drop quickly, causing fire size and intensity to increase rapidly.

4. Forcasts. Weather information can found on the NOAA Weather Radio and the Rangeland Fire Danger Index. Avoid burning when Rangeland Fire Danger Index issues a Very High or Extreme index.

5. Night burning. Avoid burning at night.

K. Exercise extreme care when burning under or near electrical power lines or high voltage transmission lines.

1. Smoke buildup may allow an electrical discharge from the power line to the ground, similar to lightning.

2. Keep water streams from hoses away from overhead lines.

3. Downed lines sometimes occur during prescribed burns if the poles burn. Avoid touching downed lines. If lines fall on fences, electricity can be conducted for long distances, depending on the type of post.

L. Do not burn near oil or natural gas production sites or around pipelines, pump stations or storage facilities. Contact the oil or gas company representative prior to the planned burn.