Operations in the Wildland/Urban Interface

1. S-215
Unit 4
Sizeup and Initial Strategy
Unit 4 – Sizeup and Initial Strategy
Slide 4-1

2. S-215
• Describe items to consider when sizing up an
interface fire, before and after arriving at the
scene.
• Describe items to consider when developing an
initial strategy and plan.
• Describe initial operations and briefing
requirements during an emerging interface
incident.
• Discuss issues regarding evacuation operations
during an interface incident.
Unit 4 – Sizeup and Initial Strategy
Slide 4-2

3. S-215
The sizeup process is the same for an interface
fire and a purely wildland fire.
Unit 4 – Sizeup and Initial Strategy
Slide 4-3

4. S-215
• What information would you
want before responding to an
interface fire?
• What information are you
collecting as you respond to
an interface fire?
• What information are you
gathering once you arrive
onscene?
Unit 4 – Sizeup and Initial Strategy
Slide 4-4

5. S-215
• Fact gathering and forecasting
– How is your situation awareness?
What factors are you concerned with?
Unit 4 – Sizeup and Initial Strategy
Slide 4-5

6. S-215
Should include:
• Situation
awareness
• Resource
availability
• Forecast and
predictions
Unit 4 – Sizeup and Initial Strategy
Slide 4-6

7. S-215
Incident priorities:
• Protect life.
• Stabilize the incident.
• Conserve property and
resources.
Unit 4 – Sizeup and Initial Strategy
Slide 4-7

8. S-215
Initial action priorities:
• Make a fire-behavior prediction.
• Plan for firefighter and public
safety,
• Establish and maintain
command, control, and
accountability.
Unit 4 – Sizeup and Initial Strategy
Slide 4-8

9. S-215
Public contacts:
• Residents can provide
helpful information.
• Advise remaining
homeowners of basic
safety considerations.
Unit 4 – Sizeup and Initial Strategy
Slide 4-9

10. S-215
• Advise remaining
homeowners of the
risks of sheltering in
place.
• Be professional, and
only discuss facts, not
rumors.
Unit 4 – Sizeup and Initial Strategy
Slide 4-10

11. S-215
• Stress safety (LCES).
• Make assignments
based on priorities
and resources.
• Ensure everyone
understands the chain
of command.
Unit 4 – Sizeup and Initial Strategy
Slide 4-11

12. S-215
• Provide contingency plans.
• Discuss communication plan.
• Provide any additional information to assist
in safe and effective operations.
Unit 4 – Sizeup and Initial Strategy
Slide 4-12

13. S-215
• Enforcing evacuation is usually
the responsibility of law
enforcement – they
coordinate the operation.
• Traffic can pose a threat to
your safety and the
effectiveness of an evacuation
order.
• Provide guidance within the
scope your authority and
experience.
Unit 4 – Sizeup and Initial Strategy
Slide 4-13

14. S-215
• Build a safe and effective plan based on your
situation awareness.
• Review and modify your action plan as the
incident develops.
Unit 4 – Sizeup and Initial Strategy
Slide 4-14

15. S-215
• Describe items to consider when sizing up an
interface fire, before and after arriving at the
scene.
• Describe items to consider when developing an
initial strategy and plan.
• Describe initial operations and briefing
requirements during an emerging interface
incident.
• Discuss issues regarding evacuation operations
during an interface incident.
Unit 4 – Sizeup and Initial Strategy
Slide 4-15