3/7/17 Gila National Forest Risk-Informed Decision-Making

Gila National Forest employees met with the Phoenix NIMO team in Silver City, New Mexico, March 7- 9 for a workshop on Risk-Informed Decision-Making Using Risk Assessment Tools at Multiple Scales.  

Those attending included the Forest Supervisor, several District Rangers, a wildlife biologist and a variety of FAM employees including hot shots, prevention personnel, and fuels managers.

NIMO IC Bob Houseman

The 2013 Silver Fire set the stage for risk management.  A panel presented a Silver Fire case study on the first day.  

Participants received an introduction to risk management and learned how to use the strategic, deliberate, and time critical risk assessment processes and tools.

3/2/17 **WARNING** Fuel Geysering Fact Sheet

NATIONAL FUEL GEYSER

Awareness Campaign

FACT SHEET

•  Be aware. Fuel geysering can happen anytime when there is fuel, heat, and pressure.

• Always check fuel levels before opening fuel tank. Open cap slowly, allowing pressure to release.
• Fuel levels above ½ tank are more likely to geyser.

• It’s your job to protect yourself and others. Know how to handle your equipment to avoid fuel geysering anytime there is fuel, heat, and pressure.

• If equipment is running poorly, play it safe and let the equipment cool for at least 15 minutes before opening the fuel tank.

February 27, 2017, San Dimas, CA.—The USDA Forest Service National Fuel Geyser Awareness Campaign, “Be Wiser—This Can Geyser,” is moving forward quickly in preparation for the 2017 field and fire season. Over the last two years, there have been an increasing number of reported incidents involving geysering of fuel from power equipment and fuel storage containers, from the rapid expulsion of fuel due to excessive pressure build up. At least four geysering incidents involving wildland fire personnel have resulted in significant burn injuries.

The National Technology and Development Program (NTDP) has been tasked with managing a fast- track, critical safety project to reduce the risk of injuries related to fuel geysering from equipment that Forest Service employees, contractors and cooperators use. NTDP divided the project into three areas: engineering, best operator practice, and awareness. Engineering work, to understand the conditions, develop and test geysering counter measures for equipment, is underway. This work, combined with a national communication effort, is focused on one objective: socializing education and training on geyser prevention, mitigation, and safe fueling procedures to increase the likelihood of a good outcome when fueling power equipment and to reduce the potential of future geysering from occurring.

An interdisciplinary, interagency team has been assembled to accomplish this. This team, the Fuel Geysering Group, consists of representatives from the Chainsaw Technical Advisory Group, Fire and Aviation Management, Lessons Learned Center, NTDP, National Incident Management Organization, Recreation Heritage, Risk Management and Safety.

A fuel geysering website is being developed at http://bit.ly/fuelgeyser_home. Very soon, firefighters, safety refresher instructors, IMTs, Safety Officers, field going personnel who use or transport fuel cans, and others will be able to download presentations, briefing papers, posters, messaging, and more for daily use. The Fuel Geysering Group is preparing videos, podcasts, and PowerPoint presentations that will be available on the website sometime in March. Information will be spread throughout the agency and wildfire community on the progress of testing, as well as a timeline for availability of tools for sharing the information. Stickers for chainsaws and fuel containers, as well as posters, will be available as visual reminders. Please visit this website for current information.

The current recall of Stihl MS461 chainsaws will not affect the process that power equipment users  and fuel handlers need to take to prevent or reduce impacts from geysering. All mitigation methods indicated in this fact sheet and on the website are valid for all power equipment and storage containers.

To report a fuel geyser or for immediate information, visit the fuel geysering website at http://bit.ly/fuelgeyser_home.

For additional information, call Ralph Gonzales at 

(909) 929–7059 or email rhgonzales@fs.fed.us.

For a downloadable, printable emailable version of this document click here: Geysering Fact Sheet #1

013117 Huron-Manistee NF Risk Management and Type 3 Training

Continual learning is essential in preparing for our future.  This is one of the key reasons for the Risk Management and Type 3 training that was put on for the Huron-Manistee National Forest the week of January 30, 2017.

AA's receiving instruction on Time
Critical process and tools.

The session started off with risk management session for the Agency Administrators (AA) and their Fire Staff supervisors.  On Tuesday, January 31, the AA group were introduced to the Risk Informed Decision-making Using Risk Assessment Tools at Multiple Scales training session.  They were able to work through the three stages of decision making (strategic, deliberate, and time-critical) by utilizing a variety of risk assessment tools.  On February 1, the AAs were then offered a full day of open discussion/dialogue with two of the NIMO instructors.  This allowed them to interact with their counterparts throughout the Forest.

Also starting on February 1, the Type 3 teams (primarily the Command and General Staff members) were invited to attend a 2-day training session for the purposes of allowing the team(s) to work together and build their process tool box, while in a classroom setting.  The training was a combination of instruction, demonstration, and then simulations completed by the students.  The teams included individuals from the Huron and Manistee

Michigan Fire Department team
working on their 215/215a

Forests and Districts.  Also in attendance was a complete team from Michigan Fire Departments to provide them the opportunity to learn the process and also build their relationships with the Forest Service.  This team is hopeful to be able to shadow and/or support the Forest Service on incidents in the future to continue to grow their background and knowledge of wildland fire fighting.

This training session included a variety of incident simulation activities.  It allowed the students to learn the flow and processes needed for a successful incident assignment (all-risk and wildland fire).

One of the teams presenting their Operational Briefing to
the class.

On February 2, there was a simulation exercise that the students were involved in which allowed them to test out all that they had learned the previous day.  The teams were required to produce a variety of products, conduct a variety of meetings, and finally presenting to the entire class their Operational Briefing for the plan they developed. The teams were also assigned an Agency Administrator of their own to allow the realistic interaction that normally happens during an emerging incident.