MORE ON WATCHOUTS

The rural firefighting industry has a standard training programme. This includes training on fireground safety, which covers watchouts. Using the ACT implementation as an example, it is useful to compare the standard material with the material in this report. To cite the “ACT ESA Basic Wildfire Awareness” Module…
Remember the memory jogger WATCHOUT when on the fireground.

Weather	dominates fire behaviour, so stay informed
Actions	must be based on current and expected fire behaviour
Try out	at least two escape routes
Communications	maintained with your crew leader and adjoining crews
Hazards	to watch for are heavy fine fuels and steep slopes
Observe	changes in wind speed and direction, temperaure, humidity and cloud
Understand	your instructions and make sure that you are understood
Think	clearly, be alert and act decisively before your situation becomes critical

It is apparent that the material in this report is covered by “Weather” and “Observe”.
The Module also lists 18 specific watchouts, of which some are relevant:

3.	The wind changes speed or direction
4.	The weather gets hotter or drier
8.	Unfamiliar with weather and local fire behaviour
9.	Frequent spot fires occur over your control line
17.	The potential of the fire has not been assessed

It is clear that this material is oriented towards fire crews tasked to Operations Unit for suppression actions. The material in this report is oriented more towards the needs of the Situation Unit, and so has a more specific and more technical focus. However, the Events identified for Field Observers to look for are also relevant for all Operations crews. Thus it is recommended that crew leaders be given the opportunity to become familiar with this material.
Under “think” it is stated that you should “be alert and act decisively”. This is true of everything discussed in this report. The key is not to treat this report as prescriptive – it is guidance. If an Air Observer sees a fire crew in immediate threat from an Event, then it may be common sense to ensure that crew’s safety before making a report back to the IMT.

This material arises from work carried out by the HighFire Risk Project.

Material prepared by R. McRae September 2009.