13

DeploymentProcedures

It is important to carry the fireshelter properly. The case should bevertical if it is worn on your side orhorizontal if it is worn in the small ofyour back under your pack. Theshelter may be carried in the fireshelter pouch that is a feature ofsome field packs. A chest harnessis available that allows personsoperating machinery to carry theshelter on their chest (figure 16).Never carry your shelter inside themain body of your field pack.

If you are part of a crew, yoursupervisor will decide where andwhen to deploy fire shelters. Followorders. If you are not in a crew orhave become separated from yourcrew, you must rely on your ownjudgment.

Deployment

Figure 16—The chest harness is preferred by some operators of engines and heavyequipment.

14

Deployment

After removing your shelter from itscase (figure 17), throw your packand any flammable objects, such asfusees or gasoline, far from thedeployment area. Don’t throw themnear others who are deploying theirshelters.

Scrape away ground fuels if timepermits. Clear an area 4 by 8 feet(larger if you have time) down tomineral soil. An area cleared of fuelsminimizes flame contact with theshelter. Never deploy your shelterimmediately downwind or uphill froma large concentration of fuel. Theheavier the fuel loading, the largerthe fuel break needs to be. Althoughthe new shelter offers betterprotection from direct flame, you willbe more likely to survive if flames donot contact it.

Pull either red ring on the plastic bagdown to the bottom and up the otherside (figure 18). Remove the shelter.

Figure 18—Pull either redring to remove the plasticbag.

Figure 17—Use the pullstrap to remove theshelter from its case.

15

Deployment

Figure 19—Grasping thecorrect shake handles willspeed your deployment.

Pick your deployment site. Thelowest depression on the site isbest. It should be as free of fuels aspossible.

Grasp the shake handles that extendfrom the folded shelter. The handlesare marked, RIGHT HAND in redand LEFT HAND in black (figure19). When you have the shakehandles in the proper hands, theshelter will unfold with the openingtoward your body. Grasping thewrong handles will not prevent youfrom entering the shelter, but it mayslow your deployment by 1 to 2seconds.

Shake out the shelter (figure 20).

Figure 20—Holding theshake handles, shake outyour shelter.

16

Deployment

Lie face down so your feet aretoward the oncoming flames. Thehottest part of the shelter will be theside closest to the advancing fire.Keep your head and airway awayfrom these high temperatures (figure21).

The holddown straps on the newshelter are sewn into the floorpanels. As soon as you are underyour shelter, slip your arms throughthe straps up to your elbows (figure22).

It is critical to be on the ground andunder the shelter before the firearrives.

The new shelter is narrower than theold shelter and will feel smaller.

Once you are on the ground, pushout the top and sides of the shelterso it holds as much air as possible.The air between you and the sides ofthe shelter is excellent insulation. Besure that the shelter is fully unfoldedand not bunched beneath you whenyou deploy.

You do not want to pull your shelteragainst you as you would a blanket.Instead, push the shelter materialaway from your body so it won’t burnyou. As you push the sheltermaterial away from your body, youalso leave more space for cool air.

Hold the shelter down with your feet,legs, elbows, and hands.

Keep your nose and mouth on theground. Temperatures just a fewinches off the ground aredramatically higher than those at thesurface. Breathing through a drybandanna or a shroud will helpreduce the heat and smoke youinhale.

Figure 22—Slip your hands through the holddown straps up to your elbows.

Figure 21—Lie face down with your feet toward the oncoming flames.

Wear gloves inside the shelter.Without them, you may burn yourhands and be unable to hold downthe shelter. In 1979, a firefighter inIdaho was killed after his hands were

burned and he was unable to holddown his shelter.

Wear your hardhat to protect yourhead from burns.

17

If you use a face and neck shroud,pull it into place.

If you have a radio, keep it with youin the shelter so you cancommunicate during and after theentrapment.

Get On the Ground

If time runs out while you areattempting to escape, you must geton the ground before the fire arrivesand finish deploying on the ground.Keep your face next to the ground asyou pull the shelter over you. Deathis almost certain if the fire catchesyou off the ground. The optimalsurvival zone with or without a fireshelter is within a foot of the ground.Once you are entrapped, yourhighest priority is to protect yourlungs and airway.

(With) any change in elevationinside the shelter, there was adrastic change in thetemperature. If you look at theburn injuries that I received,anything that was off theground and certainly thethings that were higher up inthe shelter (were) the areas(where) I received the mostsignificant burns.

Entrapment survivor

Water Can Makethe Difference

The best way to use your water is todrink it. Take canteens into your fireshelter if you have time. Continue tosip the water to replace lost fluids.

Sharing a Shelter

Never plan to share a shelter unlesssomeone is without one. The shelteris designed for one person. Sharinga shelter greatly increases your riskof injury because it reduces theamount of insulating airspace andincreases the chances your body willcontact hot shelter material. If youcan’t avoid getting into someoneelse’s shelter, yell at them so theyknow you are coming in. Alwaysenter from the side away from theflames or hot air, so you don’texpose the occupant to the full forceof the wind and heat. Your headshould be by the other occupant’shead.

Group Deployment

If you are with a group, deploy yourshelters close together. Adjacentshelters can provide addedprotection from radiant heat. Inaddition, it will be easier tocommunicate when the shelters areclose together. Optimal shelterplacement depends on theconditions. Select the bestdeployment sites available.

Deployment

It is extremely important that youstay well hydrated when fighting fire.Drink water often, during your shiftand when you are off duty. If you arewell hydrated, your body can sweatand cool itself more effectively. Thisis particularly important during anentrapment.

Do not use your water to wet yourclothing or your bandanna inside thefire shelter. Wet clothing conductsheat to the skin more quickly thandry clothing, so burns are morelikely. As the water on the clothingevaporates, it increases the humidityinside the shelter. Moist air willcause more damage to your airwaythan dry air at the sametemperature.

18

Do not delayDo not delayDo not delayDo not delayDo not delayyouryouryouryouryour

deployment.deployment.deployment.deployment.deployment.Prepare for thePrepare for thePrepare for thePrepare for thePrepare for the

worst.worst.worst.worst.worst.

Keep These ItemsOut of Your FireShelter

Some flammable items, such asfusees and gasoline, should not betaken into the shelter. Throw them asfar away as possible when youdeploy your shelter. Fusees burn attemperatures approaching 3,000 °F.The temperatures inside the shelterwould rise quickly to fatal levels. Youshould also keep tools, such as

pulaskis and shovels, away from theshelter so they do not cut the sheltermaterial.

Throw your pack far away from theshelter. The pack may containdangerous items, such as fusees.

Do Not DelayDeployment

If you are entrapped, do not delayyour deployment—prepare for theworst.

If you have extra time, but cannotescape to a safety zone, use thetime to increase your chances forsurvival. Make sure that:

• Everyone’s shelter is out andready.

• Everyone is wearingappropriate personal protectiveequipment including gloves,hardhat, flame-resistantclothing, boots, and ifavailable, face and neckshrouds. If anyone lacksequipment, survey the crew forextra equipment.

• Everyone knows where todeploy. Use the extra time toclear deployment sites tomineral soil or to remove fuelsnear the deployment area.

Deployment

Do not takeDo not takeDo not takeDo not takeDo not takefusees insidefusees insidefusees insidefusees insidefusees insidethe shelterthe shelterthe shelterthe shelterthe shelter.

19

This was like a nuclear blastoccurring right over you andyou’re lying in tinfoil.

Entrapment survivor

OOnce you are in your shelter,you must focus on twothings: staying on the

ground in the shelter no matter what,and protecting your lungs and airwayby keeping your mouth as close tothe ground as possible. No matterhow bad it gets inside the shelter, itwill be much worse outside. If youpanic and leave the shelter, onebreath of hot gases can cause youto suffocate. Turbulence can lift ashelter’s edge, letting in hot gases.Fires can generate winds of 50 milesper hour or more, so you must holdthe shelter down firmly.

staying put. Control such feelings soyou can think clearly. Keep yourselfcalm by concentrating your attentionon your breathing or on an object,person, or religious symbol that ismeaningful to you. Mentally recite achant or phrase. These techniques ofmeditation will help quiet your mind.They can help reduce panic whileyou remain alert.

You may be able to help calm othertrapped firefighters by shouting backand forth, or by radiocommunication. If someone yells atyou, try to let that person know

During an Entrapment

edges close to the ground. When theshelter is not firmly on the ground,your lungs will be vulnerable to hotgases. Try not to breathe until yourface is against the ground. If you arewearing a shroud, keep the front ofthe shroud fastened to protect you ifheat enters the shelter.

Moving is risky. It may expose yourairway and lungs to hot flames andgases. It may allow the shelter to fillwith smoke. There’s a chance oflosing your shelter in high windsbecause it’s hard to hang onto itwhen you’re moving. You can do littleto help another person during thepeak of an entrapment. Do not moveunless it is absolutely necessary.

Conditions Insidethe Shelter

In a prolonged entrapment or whenflames contact the shelter,temperatures inside can rise touncomfortable, even dangerous,levels. Your best chance for survivalis to stay calm and breathe the layerof fresh air found at ground level.Take short, shallow breaths.

The new fire shelter has fewerpinholes than the old shelter. Evenso, firelight passing through pinholesmay appear to be hot coals orembers on your clothing. Theseopenings do not reduce yourprotection. No matter how big a holeor tear your shelter may have, youare better off inside the shelter.

In longer entrapments, or whenflames contact the shelter, theshelter material can be hot enoughto burn you. This is why you shouldbe wearing a hardhat, flame-resistantclothing, and gloves. Use your

When the first fire front cameacross us, I would estimatethat the winds were probablyin excess of 70 miles perhour. The sense of power thatyou had around you, thatenergy release that we hadaround us was just absolutelyincredible. It was a veryhumbling experience. I meanyou felt very small and veryinsignificant at that point.

Entrapment survivor

you’re okay. If someone doesn’trespond to your shouts, do not leaveyour shelter. During the fire’s peak,the noise will be deafening. You maybe unable to hear anyone. Keepcalm. As soon as the noisesubsides, resume talking to eachother.

Moving YourShelter

You may want to move your shelterwhen the flame front changesposition or to be closer to someonein trouble. With your arms in theholddown straps, move by crawlingon your belly, keeping the shelter

One of the other firefightersbegan to pray out loud, and ithad almost a soothing effect atthat point, listening to him dothat.

Entrapment survivor

Entrapment can be extremelyfrightening and may lead to panic.Panic can cause firefighters to leavetheir shelters and make a run for it—a far more hazardous gamble than

20

gloves to push the shelter materialaway from your body, maintaining aprotective air gap. Shelter material ismost likely to contact your feet,

During an Entrapment

When the flame front hit, theshelter was unbearable. Icannot put in words what it waslike. It was just totallyunbearable. The only reason Ididn’t get up and get out wasbecause I had enough sense torealize it was a lot worse on theoutside.

Entrapment survivor

buttocks, head, elbows, and hands.It is best to gently shift the points ofcontact, especially around your feetand elbows, because prolongedcontact will cause burns.

If flames contact the shelter, theouter fabric heats up rapidly. Theadhesive may start to break downallowing the foil on the outside of theshelter to peel away and reducingthe shelter’s effectiveness. The innerlayer of foil prevents gases producedby adhesive from getting inside theshelter. Stay in your shelter with yournose pressed to the ground. Yourflame-resistant clothing will providesome protection.

We need to emphasize that topeople, that they may receiveinjuries, but their greatesthope is staying inside thatshelter and protectingthemselves, no matter whatthey hear, no matter what theysee or feel, that they have tomake just an absolutecommitment to staying withthat shelter if they want to gohome.

Entrapment survivor

You do feel very isolated in there, and ifyou hear anything at all, the things youhear you don’t want to hear, you wishyou’d never heard. And so it’s dark insidethe shelter, when the shelter’s down. It’sdark and you’re isolated and you’re aloneand, you know, you’ve got those voicesout there for a few seconds, and whenthat flame front hits, those go away.You’re by yourself all of a sudden.

Entrapment survivor

21

t was extremely painful. Things that were going through my head were, “I’m going todie, this is going to kill me.” Afterwards, I remember thinking that because my legswere burned on the back of both calves and the backs of my thighs and it was so

painful and it had gone on for such a long period of time that they were probably going tohave to amputate my legs.

You believe that you’re being burnedto death or that you’re being burnedto the point that you’d never be ableto use those limbs again, when in fact[my injuries] were deep third degreeburns. But I ended up being able tofully recover and not have any reallyserious disability.

[We need to] make sure that peopleknow what they might encounter,what it might be like, what theymight hear and see around them, andto know above all else that if you getup, you die.

I think people need to know thatyou’re going to think you’re dying lying there on the ground, but in fact it’s probably not asbad as you really think it is, and as long as you can protect your respiratory tract, you’reprobably going to walk away from this. People have to know that up front, going into this, orthey’re just going to be surprised by it when they get in there and they start feeling thesethings and they go, “Oh, my God, I’m dying. What do I do now?” You have to condition themto know what the response to that should be, “Oh, my God, I’m dying. Well, they told me Iwould. And, so I need to stay here.”

Entrapment survivor

IIDuring an Entrapment

22

I think for a period of probably 3 to 5minutes I was absolutely sure that thiswas it, that I was going to die in this,that I would not survive this. Therewas no question in my mind. It wasjust a matter of when…. [Then] Istarted to think about my family andI remember thinking I need to doeverything that I possibly can to gohome and see them. And so that—thatreally is what kept me in the shelter.

Entrapment survivor

During an Entrapment

When to Leave theShelter

There is no fixed time to stay underyour shelter. Don’t move until theflame front has passed. A drop innoise, wind, and heat, and a changein the color of light passing throughthe shelter are tipoffs that it’s safe toleave the shelter. Stay put untiltemperatures have cooledsignificantly or a supervisor tells you

When you leave your shelter, makesure that your supervisor knows thedeployment occurred. Leave yourshelter and other equipment in placeif you can do so safely. A great dealcan be learned from reviewing thecircumstances of entrapments andthe performance of protectiveequipment. Learning all we can fromeach shelter deployment can help usimprove procedures and equipmentfor all firefighters.

it’s safe to come out. Leaving ashelter too soon can expose yourlungs to superheated air or densesmoke. Typical entrapments havelasted from 10 to longer than 90minutes. Entrapments don’t last aslong in light, flashy fuels as they doin dense, heavy fuels. Firefightershave died when they came out oftheir shelters too soon. Stay inside alittle longer if you have any doubtabout leaving the shelter.

23

STraining

Seconds are critical. Repeated hands-on training in shelter deployment is an essential

part of fire shelter training.Firefighters have died when theywere unable to deploy their sheltersin time. Each year, every firefightershould practice fire shelter drillsrepeatedly. Drill until each step, fromdropping your gear to deploying yourshelter, can be done automatically.Practice should allow you to deploythe new shelter in 15 to 20 seconds.

Firefighters who have been throughentrapments have reported thatdeploying the shelter had a calmingeffect—they were doing somethingthey had been trained to do. Themore you practice using your shelter,the more likely you are to reactcorrectly in an emergency.

TTTTTrain asrain asrain asrain asrain asthoughthoughthoughthoughthough

survival is atsurvival is atsurvival is atsurvival is atsurvival is atstake.stake.stake.stake.stake.

It was obvious that [thefirefighters] had [trained] andthat they were comfortablewith the task, and it seemed tosort of calm everybody down.

Entrapment survivor

I didn’t say, “Start talking toeach other,” because I wasthinking “Well, I need to calmthese people down.” I wasthinking that because I wastrained to do that. I had beentold that in the training, “Onceyou’re in the shelters, begin totalk to each other imme-diately.”

Supervisor andentrapment survivor

Training Scenarios

Each individual should practicedeploying the fire shelter under thefollowing six scenarios. It is best totrain in realistic field conditions.Remember, always train wearinggloves, a hardhat, a full pack, and ifyou have one, a face and neckshroud.

1. Standard deployment, clearinga 4- by 8-foot site.

Practice a standard deployment,first clearing a 4- by 8-foot siteto mineral soil. Practicepreparing the site so you can doso quickly. Some firefighters havefound that the best way to deploythe new shelter is to step in, sitdown, and roll over (figure 23).

2. Proper use of shake handles.

The handles that extend fromthe end of the folded shelterallow the shelter to be unfoldedquickly. When you grasp thehandles correctly, the shelter’sopening will be toward yourbody, allowing you to get insidequickly. Practice looking at theshake handles and graspingthem with the correct handsbefore shaking.

3. Deploy your shelter whilelying on the ground.

If a fire approaches before youare fully deployed, your mostimportant action is to get flat onthe ground. Practice deployingyour shelter from the ground byopening the shelter and pulling itover you.

4. Drop your gear and removeyour shelter while escaping.

When speed is essential forescape, drop your gear and runwith just your fire shelter andyour tool. You are more likely toremember these steps whenstress and fear set in during anescape if you practice themeach year.

You can strip off the shelter’splastic bag as you are escaping.A partially unfolded shelter canbe used as a heat shield and canbe fully deployed in a matter ofseconds. Be careful not to catchthe shelter on brush or rocks.

5. Deploy your shelter in astrong wind.

Because fires are accompaniedby high winds and turbulence, itis important to practice in theseconditions. Some people find iteasier to deploy from the groundin strong winds. Try a variety ofdeployment techniques to findone that works for you. Alwaysremove your pack at the earlieststage of deployment—it isextremely difficult to deploy afire shelter in the wind while youare wearing a pack.

While windstorms provide themost realistic training, you can geta good feel for wind deploymentsby using one or more strong fans,such as the positive ventilationfans used by fire departments.

24

6. Lie in your shelter.

Lie in your shelter and pictureyourself in an actual entrapmentsituation. Fear of confinedspaces and the dark, combinedwith extreme heat, turbulence,and noise, can cause you topanic. Imagine the sounds, heat,and fear. Imagine steelingyourself to pain and staying inyour shelter no matter what.Some firefighters have sufferedclaustrophobia while inside theirshelters. Spend enough timeinside a shelter to find outwhether you’re claustrophobic. Ifyou are, gradually increase thetime you spend inside a shelterto help you adapt.

Practice FireShelters

The new generation practice fireshelters are made from green plasticand can be reused many times. Thepractice shelter’s carrying case isorange. Never mix practice and realfire shelter components. If you did,someone could carry a practiceshelter to the fireline. This is anotherreason to inspect your fire shelterwhen you first receive it.

Figure 23—Somefirefighters havefound that thebest way to enterthe new shelter isto step in, sitdown, and rollonto yourstomach.

Step in

Sit down

Step in

Sit down

Training

Roll onto your stomachRoll onto your stomach

25

Training should not be done[under] controlled circum-stances. Catch [firefighters]when they’re tired; catch themwhen they are off guard; it maybe more similar to what it’s likein the real world.

Supervisor andentrapment survivor

Realistic TrainingIs Best

The best training locations are in thefield where different deployment siteselections can be discussed.Practice evaluating possibledeployment sites when out on thefireline so you can recognizedeployment sites quickly, even whenyou are under stress. Remember,deployment requires removing yourpack, clearing a site, removing yourshelter, getting inside the shelter,and deploying on the ground.

Never Trainin Live Fire

For more realism in training, somecrews have occupied shelters nearburning brush piles. This isunacceptable. Such training isextremely dangerous and risksfirefighters’ lives. NEVER use livefire for fire shelter training.

Visualization

In addition to hands-on training,visualize yourself practicing thedeployment scenarios. Think ofvisualization as a dress rehearsal. Itis a form of practice that allows youto experience events before theyhappen. Images have a powerfuleffect on us. The mind treats animagined entrapment as if it werereal. If you ever do have to drop yourpack and deploy your shelter,visualization makes it more likelythat you’ll react correctly, quickly,and without panic. Visualization

should be used only tosupplement—never to replace—hands-on training.

Picture yourself in differententrapment situations. Think yourway through the entrapments andimagine yourself reacting correctly toeach situation. The most importantactions to visualize are:

• Dropping your pack and toolsto escape more quickly

• Dropping dangerous items likefusees and gasoline

• Dropping to the ground beforethe fire arrives

• Getting under your shelter

• Staying completely under yourshelter even if you are beingburned or the shelter starts tofail

• Protecting your airways andlungs by remaining prone, withyour face to the ground

Training

26

Inspection and Care

Inspection

The shelter has an indefinite shelflife because its materials do notdegrade in normal storage at the firecache. Nevertheless, all sheltersshould be inspected when they areissued and every 14 days during thefire season. Only serviceable fireshelters should be taken to thefireline. Don’t assume that a newcarrying case contains a new shelter.Shelters with the oldest manufacturedates should be issued first.

Inspect the carrying case, liner,plastic bag, and shelter (figure 24).Do not open the plastic bag. Allopened shelters should be removedfrom service.

Check the plastic bag to ensure thatthe quick-opening strip is unbrokenand the two red pull rings are intact.

Figure 24—Inspect your shelter regularly.

If any item is broken, remove theshelter from service.

Abrasion is the most commondamage to a fire shelter. Abrasion canbe spotted through the plastic bag.Typically, the aluminum foil is rubbedfrom the fiberglass cloth on the outersurface or the outside edges of theshelter. Remove the shelter fromservice if you see extensive edgeabrasion, if aluminum particles haveturned the clear plastic bag dark grayor black, or if the bottom of the baghas debris. All of these problems aresigns of serious abrasion. Look fortears along the folded edges. Removeshelters from service when tears arelonger than ¼ inch.

Shelters that have been removedfrom service make excellent trainingaids, but should be clearly marked“For Training Only” so they do notreach the fireline.

Care of the FireShelter

Firefighting is rough on equipment,so the fire shelter is expected tohave a limited service life. A littlecare can extend that life—even onthe fireline.

The shelter is an important piece ofprotective equipment. Treat itaccordingly:

• Always keep the shelter in itshard plastic liner.

• Avoid rough handling. Do notlean against objects when youare wearing the shelter. Do notuse the shelter as a pillow.

• Don’t load heavy objects ontop of the shelter.

• Keep your shelter away fromsharp objects that maypuncture it.

27

AConclusions

A s a firefighter, your highestpriority is to stay out ofsituations that can lead to

entrapment. You must takeresponsibility for your own safety.You have an obligation to speak up ifyou see something that is wrong,and you have the right to be heardwithout criticism. Remember, the fireshelter does not guarantee yoursafety. It is a last resort.

Take your training seriously. Practicedeploying your shelter untildeployment is, in the words of oneentrapment survivor, “like tying yourshoe.” Think of training as lifeinsurance—insurance that if theunthinkable ever occurs, you willhave every possible chance tosurvive. Feedback

We will continue to improve the fireshelter and the fire shelter trainingaids. Ideas for improvements comeprimarily from you, the users. Pleasesend your ideas for improvements tous.

Send comments and suggestions to:

Leslie AndersonMissoula Technology &Development Center5785 Hwy. 10 WestMissoula, MT 59808-9361

Phone: 406–329–3900Email: landerson@fs.fed.us

28

Notes:

29

Notes:

30

Notes:

About the Author

Leslie Anderson has been a project leader for the fire shelter and fire clothing projects since 1998.She has a bachelor’s degree in forestry from the University of California, Berkeley, and a master’sdegree in forestry from the University of Montana. She has worked in wildland fire since 1979, includingstints as a smokejumper and as a district assistant fire management officer on the Bitterroot NationalForest.

Library Card

Anderson, Leslie. Project leader. 2003. The new generation fire shelter. NWCG PMS 411. Boise, ID:National Wildfire Coordinating Group, Fire Equipment Working Team, National Interagency Fire Center.30 p.

An improved fire shelter—an emergency tent made of reflective material—is now available for wildlandfirefighters. The heavily illustrated report describes how firefighters should use their new fire shelterwhen they are entrapped by fire. The report includes information on training, techniques to prevententrapments, and steps to take in case of an entrapment. In addition, it contains information on thecare and inspection of fire shelters.

Keywords: firefighting, personal protective equipment, safety at work

0351-2803-MTDC