Camp Counsel
While there has been much discussion about surviving on the fireline and safety while traveling to and from the scene, safety at the fire camps isn't often addressed. If a department is following the federal work/rest guidelines to the letter, firefighters will spend one-third of their assignment time at the camp. Firefighters assigned to positions in the plans, logistics or management functions may not leave the confines of the camp for the whole term of the assignment. Camp may not sound like a threatening place to be, but many injuries occur there, and most of these injuries can be prevented with some engineering on the part of logistics and some common sense on the part of everyone.
The most commonly used item in sleeping-area camps is the tent. They don't seem to pose much of a threat, but tents can cause issues if not properly placed, erected and occupied. When firefighters are finding the perfect place to pitch those tents, they should be sure to check the overhead and to look for hazard trees and wires in the vicinity. Gullies and low spots also are poor locations in parts of the country that experiences rain during fire season. Other hazards include barbed wire and potholes, so logistics should flag hazards and pick travel routes that are safe to use. Larger tents may require guy wires to hold them in place. If so, the guy wires should be clearly marked using flagging tape to prevent them from becoming trip hazards at night.
Firefighters should watch out for head-banger hazards, as well; often tent doorways aren't as tall as normal doors. Tents should also be securely staked to the ground. A gust of wind can easily pick up an improperly secured yurt and send it careening though camp.
Firefighters also will want to mark their tents so they can find them in the dark. There is nothing like trying to find a home-away-from-home among a 100 identical tents in the dark when tired.
Another hazard is flammable tent materials. In and around tents is a no-smoking area. Finally, a nice comfort feature is to secure a piece of cardboard outside the tent to serve as a stoop to put on and take off your boots. Always remember to shake out anything, such as a sleeping bag or boots prior to getting into them to avoid contact with uninvited guests such as snakes and poisonous insects.
One of the most common hazards encountered when personnel are eating is inadequate hand-washing. A good logistics crew will order plenty of hand-washing stations for the camp and place them where firefighters have to purposefully ignore them to eat without first washing their hands. Hand-washing facilities or disinfectant hand cleaners should be readily available in close proximity to portable toilets, as well. A word of caution here, many disinfecting hand cleaners are flammable due to their alcohol content, so use caution when approaching open flame directly after their use.
Also, when removing a drink from an ice chest or other cooling container in camp, firefighters should be able to detect the presence of bleach in the ice water. This is there because everybody is putting their hands in that water to retrieve a bottled drink and some are not using the hand-washing stations to their full extent. When someone is drinking any type of drink that is sweet, watch out for hornets entering the container. Should he or she take a drink, a nasty sting inside of the mouth is a possibility.
Before sitting in any chair make sure that it is securely placed. Camp is often set up in a public park or pasture and the ground may not be level. The ground around eating areas should be covered with wood chips, not bark, to cut down on dust. This is more effective if watered lightly throughout the day. Last, but not least, pick up your feet when you walk. Shuffling raises dust, which most people find extremely irritating.
With the spread of methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus infections, scabies and other nasty skin infections regular showers are a must. Each person should have their own shower shoes in a travel bag. This prevents foot infections from spreading. Don't leave soap on the floor, as someone could slip on it and take a fall. Take out your own trash. Wear clean clothes. Often on longer incidents, laundries are set up. Don't automatically count on one being set up right away, so take clean clothes.
Most fire camps don't have sidewalks and lane markers, so be aware of moving apparatus. Parking areas aren't sleeping areas, so don't even try it. The only way this may be allowed is if a firefighter is sleeping in the cab or hose bed, safe from being run over. Always use chock blocks, observe speed limits (slow) and use backing guides.
The same rules apply here as they do in gas stations. Never smoke or use cell phones. Ensure fire extinguishers are readily available. Provide proper grounding when filling containers and do not fuel hot equipment, such as chainsaws and generators, especially when still running.
Briefing and other assembly areas are often equipped with constructed on-site stages. These should be sturdy and well constructed. Do not overload them with a division breakout or rush to look at the briefing map. All signboards that display maps and other items should be well constructed and secured in case of gusting winds. All that is mentioned about chairs, tents and heaters applies here as well. The planning section often has quite a need for electricity and electrical connections. Secure cords and other items to ensure nothing is shorted or pulled off a table by someone tripping over a cord or cable.
Fuel containers and liquid-propane bottles should be segregated in a clearly marked non-smoking area. Any chemical storage, such as sulfur dust for insect repellant, should be kept outside of buildings and segregated as many people are allergic. Sharp items, such as tool storage should be segregated and protected.
Heaters are also a hazard in tents, not only due to flammability, but also carbon monoxide. Unvented heaters should not be used indoors without sufficient ventilation. Heaters must be kept well clear of anything flammable, including outerwear.
It should go without saying that drugs and alcohol are not allowed in camp. This includes coming into camp under the influence. Federal policy is usually to demobilize the whole crew if one person is found in possession or under the influence.
In many states it is considered unlawful to smoke in public areas or buildings. Confine smoking to designated smoking areas.
Every camp should have an evacuation plan in place. Camps are often in the open and exposed to burn over or severe weather. When camps are established inside buildings lighted exit signs should be posted along with predetermined evacuation routes and meeting places. This may well require an established evacuation signal to warn of impending danger. Everyone should know when and where to go to be safe.
A little common sense and following policies and procedures can make the difference in surviving the fire camp portion of the incident. By alleviating these worries everyone can be safer and focus their attention on the incident.
Robert Klinoff is the deputy fire chief for the Kern County (Calif.) Fire Department. A certified NWCG Safety Officer Type 1, he is the author of Introduction to Fire Protection.
