Thinking Ahead

Situational Awareness Cycle LCES 10 Standard Firefighting Orders 18 Watch-out Situations Fire weather and behavior Taking Weather Observations Leading in the Wildland Fire Service Leaders often face difficult problems to which there are no simple, clear-cut, by-the-book solutions. In these situations, leaders must use their knowledge, skill, experience, education, values and judgement to make decisions and to take or direct action...

All wildland firefighter safety training works to habituate a mentally engaged firefighter doing the job twice, the first time in his or her head. Look Up- Look Around, Situational Awareness, LCES, Standard Firefighting Orders, 18 Watch-out Situations, fire weather and behavior forecasts all direct us to be mindful and consider the many variables present on the fire scene. While mental engagement and ‘thinking ahead’ are common to all safety training, lapses and complacency are common to nearly all fireline tragedies.

Retired Safety Officer Jerry Covault said it well, referring back to lessons learned by his uncle as a combat pilot; “You know, I figured out that I need to be thinking ahead 20 minutes. I have to be thinking where the fire will be in 20 minutes, and where will I be in 20 minutes.” It is amazing how many firefighters have also identified 20 minutes as a think-ahead guideline.

But 20 minutes may be far too long, or even too short! In flashy fuels two minutes may be too long, and when you consider health and fitness habits two years is not enough! ‘Think before doing’ can only come with experience and GOOD COACHING.

As you prepare and conduct annual firefighter safety refresher training, engrain in your participants “Think Ahead.” Not just mention it, but work as a community to have this action automatic and second nature. If we refer to thinking ahead in every facet of refresher training, and miss no opportunity to promote thinking ahead all season, perhaps we will be able to look back on 2008 as the year we reached critical mass, and proudly witness up-and-coming firefighters habitually stop, consider where the situation is going, and where they will have to be. Thanks for all you do to promote firefighter safety.