Fire Origins
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On Protection of Towns from Fire — Benjamin Franklin, 1735

On Making Official History Honest — Kent Robert Greenfield, 1954

LCES—a Key to Safety in the Wildland Fire Environment — Paul Gleason, 1991

Attitude Check — Bill Fish, 1995

TriData Phase IV, “Developing a Cooperative Approach to Wildfire Protection” — Charles Perrow, 1998

Lessons From Thirtymile: Transition Fires And Fire Orders — Jerry Williams, 2001

Loop Fire Disaster Brief — November, 1966

1967 Task Force Report

• Preface
• Introduction
• Downhill Line Operations and “Chimneys”
• Communications
• Improve Scouting at All Critical Points
• Organization
• Protective Shelters
• Fire Protective Clothing
• Pre-Attack Planning and Construction
• Fuelbreak System
• Fire Behavior and Fire Research
• Appendix

2005 Fire Prevention and Safety grant application

• Synopsis and Budget
• Risk Assessment
• Evaluation
• Implementation Plan
• Justification

REPORT OF
THE FIRE SAFETY REVIEW TEAM

MARCH 1967

A PLAN TO FURTHER REDUCE
THE CHANCES OF MEN BEING BURNED WHILE FIGHTING FIRES

FIRE PROTECTIVE CLOTHING

The Loop Fire Analysis Group recommended:

“Increase efforts on the development of lightweight flame-resistant suits, including face masks and gloves.  When satisfactory items have been developed, make their use mandatory by trained men and fire suppression crews ordinarily assigned to work in fast-burning fuels.”

Substantial effort has already been made by the Missoula Equipment Development Center (MEDC) in development and testing of lightweight flame-resistant shirts and trousers, including face masks.  Little, if any, work has been done on flame-resistant gloves.  Following is a resume of what is currently available or under development and test in the protective clothing and face mask area:

1. Cotton Fabric:  The Forest Service is operationally using a fire-retardant treated cotton work shirt.  These shirts are currently stocked by GSA and cost approximately $5.  Fire-retardant cotton shirts have not been entirely satisfactory because the retardant treatment bleaches out after 15-20 launderings, also the treatment weakens the fabric considerably, leaving the shirts with a very short service life in comparison to untreated cotton work shirts.

   During the past 6 years, MEDC has not been able to find any fire-retardant, treated cotton work trousers that will withstand the rigors of firefighting.

2. Nomex Fabric: This is a synthetic fiber in a variation of the nylon polymer.  It does not support combustion and decomposes into a friable char at high temperatures.  About 300 shirts and trousers are being tested.  To date, Nomex is the most promising material for firefighter’s clothing.  Its main drawback is its high cost (shirts - $18.75, trousers - $25).  This disadvantage is offset by the fabric’s extreme durability, e.g., tests have shown that it will outwear cotton 5 to 1 and does not lose retardancy with repeated launderings.

3. Face Heat Shields:  This item is manufactured by the Bullard Company and is available for operational use.  Although field evaluations in Region 1 were mostly favorable, no further development work has been undertaken because low-volume sales of this item reflects a lack of field interest in face protection.

Except for minor refinements, there now exists a satisfactory lightweight flame-resistant material (Nomex) for use in manufacture of fire-resistant clothing.  There is also a satisfactory face mask available for firefighters.

The crux of the problem surrounding these safety items is not optimum design and development of more equipment, it is getting better field utilization of existing equipment.

Recommendations:

1. As a minimum, encourage all suppression forces to wear long-sleeved shirts and loose fitting trousers, and that each man has a jacket as part of his fire gear.  So inform all firefighters of the benefit of wearing extra clothing, gloves and face masks for burn injury protection. 1/

2. Require mandatory use of fire-resistant shirts by Interregional Fire Suppression Crews, that fire-resistant trousers also be required as mandatory when suitable models are available.  Regional foresters will establish standards for other suppression forces.

3. Continue with a development and test program for different configurations of fire protective clothing, e.g., coveralls and/or looser fitting garments to fit over conventional clothing for added insulation and flame protection.

4. Develop a suitable fire-resistant glove for hand protection.

5. Improve the present face masks to allow for better visibility and more protection with a minimum of discomfort to the firefighter.

6. Provide for wide circulation of a film showing the benefits of fire protective clothing and related equipment.

   1/ Evidence from the Blackwater and Loop fires conclusively shows that ample, loose fitting clothing can substantially reduce burn injuries to firefighters.

WASHINGTON OFFICE COMMENTS:

The recommendations are approved and Recommendation 1 expanded to require as a minimum long sleeved shirts and loose fitting trousers for all regularly hired firefighting personnel.  Development of durable, economical protective trousers is especially important.  The recommended training film will include both protective clothing and protective shelters.

Objectives of the development program will be to fully exploit present day possibilities and have the best equipment possible by June 30, 1968.  Before long, we expect protective shirts and trousers to be as standard as hard hats.

ACTION GUIDES:

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