Live Burn Training

Section 2 - Emergency Operations

PURPOSE:

To standardize the live burn operation of the MFRD Training Facility in the safest manner possible while providing a high quality and consistent training experience within the parameters of NFPA 1403

SCOPE:

This policy applies to anyone conducting or participating in live fire training in the MFRD Mobile Fire Training Facility. A minimum of four instructors, in which 2 of them must be LFTI’s, the other 2 can be either LFTI’s or Adjuncts will be present at any and all live fire training activities.

On-Duty shift personnel shall not be utilized as instructors for live fire evolutions

Instructor Assignments:

• Command is responsible for:
  1. Position will be filled by a State Certified Instructor.
  2. Overall responsibility for planning and executing live fire evolutions.
  3. Assigns instructors to fill the following positions:
     • Safety Officer – Minimum of State Certified Instructor.
     • Safety Line Instructor – Any State Certified FFII.
     • Ignition Officer – Minimum of Adjunct Fire Instructor.
     • Team Leaders – Minimum of Adjunct Fire Instructor.
  4. Completes check lists and paperwork.
  5. Conducts a walk through with any individuals that are participating in the training.
  6. Monitors time during evolutions.
  7. Manages accountability.
  8. Conducts a post evolution critique after every evolution.
• Safety Officer:
  1. Immediately stops all activities if necessary to prevent injury.
  2. Maintains a safe environment at all live fire evolutions.
  3. Prevents unsafe acts and eliminate unsafe conditions.
  4. Monitors all aspects of the training and be proactive in the inspection, planning and preparation phases.
  5. Monitors temperatures during live fire evolutions.
• Safety Line Instructor:
  1. To man the safety line on the exterior of the burn room for safety purposes.
• Ignition Officer:
  1. Responsible for the ignition and control of the materials (CLASS A ONLY) being burned. No exceptions to fuel- CLASS A ONLY.
  2. Monitors interior temperatures and conditions consistently.
  3. Immediately stops all activities if necessary to prevent injury or accidents.
• Team Leaders:
  1. Provides direct instruction to the students that are assigned to them and maintains a maximum student to instructor ratio of 4:1.
  2. Maintains accountability of their assigned students.
  3. Maintains communications with Command.

Live Fire Evolution Procedures:

• Command:
  1. Removes all locks from all units, with no exceptions prior to burn evolutions.
  2. Ensures an engine is on site and drafting from the dump tank.
  3. Ensures that the attack and back-up lines are deployed.
  4. Ensures all positions have radios and an understanding of radio procedures.
  5. Ensures accountability procedures are in place.
  6. Performs a facility walk-through.
  7. Assures proper records and checks off lists are prepared and utilized
• Safety Officer:
  1. Assembles/ connects temperature data logger in a ready position
  2. Monitors temperatures and assures that they don't exceed:
     • 800 degrees F at the ceiling.
     • 400 degrees F at the "helmet height".
  3. Verifies temperatures using a thermal imager.
  4. Controls ventilation devices.
  5. Ensures all personnel are in full PPE
  6. Alternates positions with Ignition Officer on each burn.
  7. Verbally reviews Safety Concept prior to beginning the evolution.
  8. Ensures all crews participating in training have pre and post vital signs monitored and documented. Ensures that crews undergo rehab per policy or as needed.
• Ignition Officer:
  1. Sets up burn using CLASS A Materials- NO EXCEPTIONS.
     • Maximum of Three pallets in the floor rack.
     • Maximum of Two half pallets in the ceiling chains.
     • Straw as necessary.
  2. Assures back-up line is staffed and charged between trailers prior to ignition
  3. Alternates positions with Safety Officer on each burn
  4. After three burns, ensures that the trailer is cooled to 100 degrees F and interior of trailer is cleared of burn debris before beginning next training evolution.

Live Fire Forms to be completed pre and post training:

• Live Fire Training Worksheet.
  1. To be completed prior to and after live fire training.
• Safety Officer Check list, Safety Briefing, and Post Burn and Fire Critique.
  1. To be completed prior to and after live fire training.
• Assumption of Risk Form.
  1. To be completed prior to live fire training.
• Written Training Plan.
  1. To be completed and turned into Assistant Chief Van Camp for approval prior to training.