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FM 5-415
Fire-Fighting Operations
Headquarters,
Department of the Army
DISTRIBUTION RESTRICTION: Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.
Page
Chapter 3: Command and Control
3-1
FIRE-FIGHTING HQ TEAM (LA)
3-1
WARTIME FIRE-FIGHTING TASKS
3-1
3-1
ASSIGNING SHIFTS
3-1
INVENTORYING EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES
3-2
ACQUIRING THE COMMANDER'S PRIORITY LIST
3-2
MAKING A FIRE-FIGHTING PLAN
3-2
SELECTING DISPERSAL SITES
3-2
DETERMINING RADIO STATUS AND CALL SIGNS
3-2
LOCATING VEHICLE MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL AND ASSETS
3-2
INITIATING AN FCC
3-2
DEVELOPING MUTUAL-AID AGREEMENTS
3-2
LOCATING FIRE-FIGHTING ASSETS ANDESTABLISHING RESUPPLY CHANNELS
3-3
INITIATING THE REQUIRED TRAINING PROGRAM
3-3
CONDUCTING FIRE-PREVENTION INSPECTIONS OF FACILITIES
3-3
ENSURING THAT PROTECTIVE MEASURES ARE TAKEN TO PROTECT PERSONNEL
AND EQUIPMENT
3-3
PREPARING A RESPONSE CHART
3-3
FIRE-FIGHTING TEAMS (LB AND LC)
3-3
Chapter 4: Wartime Operations
4-1
FIRE-PROTECTION WARTIME MISSION, LIMITING FACTORS, AND
ASSUMPTIONS
4-1
FIRE-PROTECTION WARTIME MISSION
4-1
LIMITING FACTORS
4-1
ASSUMPTIONS
4-2
PREATTACK
4-3
FIRE-PROTECTION SYSTEM
4-4
PLANNING
4-4
TRAINING
4-6
CRITICAL ACTIONS
4-6
TRANSATTACK
4-7
POSTATTACK
4-8
TRANSITION TO BASE OPERABILITY (BO)
4-8
LOCATION OF A FIRE CHIEF
4-8
CONSIDERATIONS
4-9
Fire Spread
4-9
Damaged Facility Fires
4-10
Vehicle Operability
4-10
Explosive Ordnance Reconnaissance
4-10
Decontamination
4-10
Contamination Avoidance
4-11
FIRE-DEPARTMENT OPERATION PROCEDURES
4-11
REATTACK
4-12
VEHICLE AND MANPOWER CALCULATION
4-12
ii
Page
Chapter 5: Fire-Prevention Operations
5-1
Section I. Plans and Procedures
5-1
FIRE REGULATIONS
5-1
PREFIRE PLANS
5-2
AIRCRAFT
5-2
MISSILE AND SPACE VEHICLE
5-3
NATURAL-COVER FIRES
5-3
PREDISASTER
5-3
Section II. Water Supply
5-4
STORAGE
5-4
GROUND STORAGE
5-4
HIGH-LEVEL STORAGE
5-4
REQUIREMENTS
5-4
WATER
5-5
DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS
5-5
Grid System
5-5
Nongrid System
5-5
FIRE HYDRANTS
5-6
LOCATION AND SPACING
5-6
FLOW TEST
5-6
Section III. Fire Prevention During Field-Training Exercises (FTXs)/Deployments
. . 5-8
SMOKING
5-8
MATCHES
5-8
OPEN FIRES
5-9
FLARES AND SMOKE GRENADES
5-9
HEATERS
5-9
TENTS
5-10
VEHICLES
5-10
STORAGE AREAS
5-11
CAMOUFLAGE
5-11
DISTRIBUTION OF FIRE EXTINGUISHERS
5-12
Chapter 6: Water-Tanker Resupply Operations
6-1
MISSION
6-1
RESUPPLY OPERATIONS
6-1
TEMPORARY WATER SUPPLY
6-1
DRAFTING SITES
6-2
FIRE-FIGHTING OPERATIONS
6-2
Chapter 7: Aircraft Crash/Rescue Fire-Fighting Operations
7-1
AIRCRAFT CRASH OPERATIONS
7-1
AIRCRAFT EMERGENCY NOTIFICATION
7-1
NOTIFYING THE CONTROL TOWER
7-1
NOTIFYING OTHER PERSONNEL
7-1
STANDBY AND RESPONSE OPERATIONS
7-2
COMMUNICATIONS
7-2
iii
Page
AIRCRAFT-ACCIDENT EMERGENCY TEAMS
7-3
EMERGENCY RESPONSE
7-4
ON AN AIRFIELD
7-4
Fire-Fighting and Rescue Crews
7-4
Medical Personnel and Ambulance Crews
7-4
Fire Chief orSFO
7-5
Provost Marshal,MP, orGuard Personnel
7-5
Aviation Maintenance Officer
7-5
Photographic Personnel
7-5
Aviation Safety Officer
7-5
Chaplains
7-5
Public Affairs Officer
7-5
OFF AN AIRFIELD
7-6
GRID MAPS
7-6
SCHEDULED AEROMEDICAL EVACUATION
7-7
SEARCH AND RESCUE OPERATIONS
7-7
EMERGENCY EVACUATION OF THE INJURED
7-7
FARP OPERATIONS
7-7
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
7-8
AIRCRAFT PREFIRE PLANS
7-8
TECHNIQUES AND PROCEDURES OF FIGHTING AIRCRAFT FIRES
7-9
AIRCRAFT FIRE-FIGHTING AND CRASH/RESCUE
7-9
AIRCRAFT ENGINES
7-9
AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS
7-9
FUEL
7-11
INSTALLED FIRE EXTINGUISHING
7-11
ELECTRICAL
7-11
HYDRAULIC
7-11
OXYGEN
7-12
ANTI-ICING
7-12
ORDNANCE AND AIRCRAFT
7-12
SPECIAL HAZARDS
7-13
FLAMMABLE MATERIALS IN AIRCRAFT
7-13
AVIATION GASOLINE
7-13
JET FUELS
7-14
Jet A Fuel
7-14
Jet B Fuel
7-14
HYPERGOLIC FUEL MIXTURES
7-14
FUEL CHARACTERISTICS
7-14
AIRCRAFT INCIDENTS
7-15
WHEEL, BRAKE, ANDTIRE FIRES
7-15
WHEELS-UP LANDINGS
7-15
WATER CRASHES
7-15
NOSE-DIVE CRASHES
7-15
BUILDING CRASHES
7-15
HILLSIDE CRASHES
7-15
iv
Page
HELICOPTER CRASHES
7-15
NO-FIRE CRASHES
7-16
RESPONSE PROCEDURES TO AN AIRCRAFT EMERGENCY
7-16
FIRE-TRUCK POSITIONS
7-16
INITIAL ATTACK
7-16
RESCUE ENTRANCES
7-16
Standard
7-17
Emergency
7-17
Cut-In
7-17
VICTIM RESCUES
7-18
EXTINGUISHMENT AND OVERHAUL
7-20
Chapter 8: Structural Fire-Fighting Operations
8-1
Section I. Fire Operations
8-1
STRUCTURAL OPERATIONS
8-1
EMERGENCY NOTIFICATION
8-2
STRATEGY AND TACTICS
8-2
ACCESSIBILITY TO A FIRE
8-3
FIRE-FIGHTING EQUIPMENT
8-3
BUILDING FEATURES
8-3
PROTECTIVE SYSTEMS
8-4
EXPOSURE HAZARDS
8-4
TIME OF EMERGENCY
8-4
HAZARDS FROM CONTENTS
8-4
STRUCTURAL FEATURES
8-4
EXTERIOR WALLS
8-4
ROOFS
8-6
Shingled Roofs
8-6
Composition Roofs
8-7
Metal Roofs
8-7
FLOORS
8-7
DOORS
8-8
DOOR LOCK AND FASTENER
8-8
FORCIBLE ENTRY
8-8
DOORS
8-8
Overhead Doors
8-8
Stopped-Frame Doors
8-9
Rabbeted-Frame Doors
8-9
Double Doors
8-9
Latched Doors
8-9
Single-Hinged Doors
8-9
Fire Doors
8-9
WINDOWS
8-9
Factory-Type Windows
8-9
Check-Rail Windows
8-10
v
Page
Basement Windows
8-10
Casement Windows
8-10
CEILINGS
8-10
WALLS
8-10
FENCE LOCKS
8-10
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
8-11
VENTILATION
8-11
TYPES
8-12
Horizontal
8-12
Vertical
8-13
Forced
8-14
Portable Machines
8-14
Fog Streams
8-14
COMMON ROOF TYPES AND OPENING TECHNIQUES
8-14
LOCATION
8-16
Section II. Rescue
8-16
PROCEDURES
8-16
SEARCH PATTERN
8-18
SEARCH AND RESCUE
8-18
ROOMS
8-18
COLLAPSED BUILDINGS
8-18
CAVE-INS
8-21
ELECTRICAL CONTACT
8-21
VEHICLES
8-21
Safety Considerations
8-21
Assessment
8-22
Stabilization and Access
8-22
VICTIM CARE AND REMOVAL
8-22
CARRIES
8-23
OTHER REMOVAL METHODS
8-25
Dragging
8-25
Using a Stretcher
8-25
Using a Ladder
8-25
Section III. Control and Extinguishment
8-26
LOCATING A FIRE
8-26
INTERIOR FIRES
8-26
EXTERIOR FIRES
8-26
CONFINING A FIRE
8-26
Section IV. Salvage and Overhaul
8-27
PROTECTION PROCEDURES
8-27
SALVAGE COVERS
8-28
TYPES
8-28
MAINTENANCE
8-28
THROWS AND SPREADS
8-28
vi
Page
OVERHAUL
8-31
STRUCTURAL CONDITIONS
8-31
HIDDEN FIRES
8-31
Section V. Investigation and Return to Service
8-31
INITIAL INVESTIGATION
8-31
ORIGIN OF A FIRE
8-33
WOOD
8-33
GLASS
8-33
METAL
8-34
CAUSE OF A FIRE
8-34
LOSS ESTIMATE
8-35
FINAL ACTION
8-35
RETURN TO QUARTERS
8-36
Chapter 9: Miscellaneous Facility-Based Fire-Fighting Operations . . 9-1
TACTICAL PETROLEUM TERMINAL
9-1
MISSION
9-1
SITE DESIGN
9-1
TRAINING
9-1
ADDITIONAL SUPPORT
9-2
FIRE-SUPPRESSION EQUIPMENT
9-2
LOGISTICS BASE
9-4
FIRE PROTECTION AND PREVENTION
9-4
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
9-4
OTHER MISSIONS
9-4
INTERNMENT/DISLOCATED-CIVILIAN CAMP
9-4
GENERAL-SUPPORT HOSPITAL
9-5
Chapter 10: Fire-Fighting Operations Involving Explosives
10-1
RESPONSIBILITIES
10-1
COMMANDERS
10-1
FIRE DEPARTMENTS
10-1
SUPPORT AGENCIES
10-1
FIRE DIVISIONS
10-2
DIVISION 1
10-2
DIVISION 2
10-2
DIVISION 3
10-2
DIVISION 4
10-3
FIRE SYMBOLS
10-3
CHEMICALS
10-6
FIRE-FIGHTING PROCEDURES
10-8
AMMUNITION AND EXPLOSIVES
10-8
Divisions 1 and 2
10-8
Division 3
10-9
Division 4
10-9
CHEMICAL WEAPONS
10-9
Nerve Agents
10-9
vii
Page
Blister Agents
10-10
Blood Agents
10-10
Choking Agents
10-10
Riot-Control Agents
10-10
NUCLEAR WEAPONS
10-11
UNEXPLODED ORDNANCE
10-13
DROPPED MUNITIONS
10-13
PROJECTED MUNITIONS
10-13
THROWN AND PLACED MUNITIONS
10-13
UXO HAZARDS
10-13
UXO SPOT REPORT
10-13
Chapter 11: HAZMAT Incidents and Fire Procedures
11-1
Section I. HAZMAT Incidents
11-1
SCOPE
11-1
RESPONSIBILITIES
11-2
DEPLOYED MILITARY PERSONNEL
11-2
FIRE-FIGHTING TEAMS
11-2
INCIDENT COMMANDER
11-2
HAZMAT-INCIDENT RESPONSE PROCEDURES
11-2
SIZING UP AND ESTABLISHING COMMAND
11-3
CONTROLLING ACCESS TO THE SCENE, SECURING THE SCENE, AND ISOLATING
THE HAZARD
11-4
IDENTIFYING THE HAZARD AND EVALUATING THE RISK
11-5
RESCUING AND EVACUATING PERSONNEL AND VICTIMS
11-5
STAGING THE RESOURCES
11-6
REEVALUATING THE SITUATION
11-7
FIRST RESPONDER
11-7
ENTRY CONTROL
11-7
DECONTAMINATION
11-7
SUPPORT
11-8
MEDICAL SUPPORT/EMERGENCY MEDICAL SUPPORT (EMS)
11-8
INCIDENT COMMAND
11-8
SAFETY PROCEDURES AND SITE SAFETY
11-8
TECHNICAL INFORMATION
11-9
PROTECTION OF PERSONNEL
11-9
OPERATIONS
11-10
EMERGENCY MEDICAL TREATMENT
11-10
PERSONAL PROTECTION EQUIPMENT
11-11
COMMUNICATING INSIDE ACID SUITS
11-11
REMOVING FACE PIECES BEFORE LEAVING AN AREA
11-11
WORKING WITH AN AIR SUPPLY
11-11
TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT
11-12
Section II. HAZMAT Fire Procedures
11-13
NUCLEAR FIRES
11-13
STORAGE FIRES
11-13
viii
Page
RAIL FIRES
11-14
TRANSPORT-VEHICLE FIRES
11-14
TACTICAL-VEHICLE FIRES
11-14
WEAPON-OPERATION FIRES
11-14
MISSILE FIRES (WITH OR WITHOUT WARHEADS)
11-15
INERT MISSILE
11-15
PARTIALLY COMPLETED MISSILE
11-15
COMPLETE MISSILE
11-16
Appendix A: Metric Conversion Chart
A-1
Appendix B: Aircraft Prefire Plans
B-1
FAMILIARIZATION
B-1
SPECIFICATIONS
B-1
AH-1 Huey Cobra
B-3
A-H 64 Longbow Apache
B-8
CH-47 Chinook
B-14
CH-54 Tahre-Skycrane
B-18
OH-6 Cayuse
B-21
OH-58 Kiowa
B-24
UH-1 Iroquois
B-27
UH-60 Blackhawk
B-31
FIXED-WING AIRCRAFT
B-34
C-5 Galaxy
B-34
C-12 Huron
B-47
C-17 Globemaster III
B-54
C-130 Hercules
B-81
C-141 Starlifter
B-90
OV-1 Mohawk
B-96
U-21 King Air
B-100
Appendix C: Ammunition Identification Chart
C-1
Glossary
Glossary-1
References
References-1
SOURCES USED
REFERENCES-1
JOINT AND MULTISERVICE PUBLICATIONS
REFERENCES-1
ARMY PUBLICATIONS
REFERENCES-1
OTHER MILITARY PUBLICATIONS
REFERENCES-1
NONMILITARY PUBLICATIONS
REFERENCES-2
DOCUMENTS NEEDED
REFERENCES-2
NONMILITARY PUBLICATIONS
REFERENCES-3
RELATED PUBLICATIONS
REFERENCES-4
NONMILITARY PUBLICATIONS
REFERENCES-4
Index
Index-1
ix
Preface
The purpose of this field manual (FM) is to give a commander and members of
fire-fighting teams direction on deploying and using engineer fire-fighting teams.
Engineer fire-fighting teams will provide fire-prevention/-protection, aircraft-
crash/rescue, natural-cover, and hazardous-material (HAZMAT) (incident)
responses within a theater of operations (TO). Normally, there will not be enough
fire-fighting assets within the TO. Therefore, commanders must prioritize assets
and facilities that are mission-essential and deploy fire-fighting assets
accordingly. This manual will not provide the answer to every possible incident
scenario. It will, however, provide a commander and fire-fighting teams the
knowledge to make informed, timely, and confident decisions at an incident. If
more specific technical guidance is needed, individuals should acquire the
appropriate technical order, technical manual, or International Fire Service
Training Association (IFSTA) manual.
Appendix A contains an English-to-metric-measurement conversion chart.
Unless otherwise stated, fire-fighting teams refers to military engineer fire-
fighting teams.
The proponent for this publication is HQ TRADOC. Submit changes for improving
this publication on Department of the Army (DA) Form 2028 (Recommended
Changes to Publications and Blank Forms) directly to Commandant, United
States Army Engineer School (USAES), ATTN: ATSE-TD-PD-P, Fort Leonard
Wood, MO 65473-6650.
Unless otherwise stated, masculine pronouns do not refer exclusively to men.
x
Chapter 1
Fire-Fighting Basics
1-1. All levels of command are responsible for the Army's fire-protection
plan. All commanders and supervisors must be responsible for the fire-
safety policies and plans in their organizations. They must be aware of fire
safety in all endeavors of life.
THREAT
1-2. Fire-fighting teams are not priority targets, but they may become targets
of opportunity because of their location in relation to other mission-essential
facilities. In low-level conflicts, fire-fighting teams become targets because of
the response into the public domain. Fire-fighting units have no organic
security assets. During fire-fighting operations, all crew members are engaged
in the operations. Because of this, security must be provided for during
response, retrieval, and fire-fighting operations.
TRAINING
1-3. Fire-fighting teams are manned by qualified military occupational
specialty (MOS) 51Ms. The Basic Fire-Protection Apprentice Course (51M
advanced individual training [AIT]) is currently conducted at Goodfellow Air
Force Base (AFB), Texas (TX), and is 13 weeks long. Other advanced,
specialized courses are taught there as well.
1-4. During garrison operations, engineer fire-fighting teams will be
operationally assigned to an installation's fire department. This will allow the
51M firefighters to practice and train with an installation’s firefighters to
maintain skills, knowledge, and performance according to their mission-
essential task list (METL).
SUPPORTING FORCE XXI
1-5. Fire-fighting teams will support Force XXI by providing fire protection to
deployed forces throughout the world in areas of operation (AOs) where the
current infrastructure has collapsed or is in such deterioration that it cannot
support the United States’ (US) interests. The number and types of fire-
fighting teams needed to protect an AO will depend on its size and the type of
facilities in that AO. Chapters 2 and 3 address the issue of fire-fighting teams.
Consider the following guidelines when planning for fire-protection
requirements:
• Aviation (unit support)one LB team per air-traffic services company.
• Airfield (point support)two LB teams per fixed airfield and heliport
(UH-60, AH-64, CH-47).
Fire-Fighting Basics 1-1
FM 5-415
• Supply (area support)one LB team for each of the following: 5
square miles of AO, corps support group (CSG), division support area
(DSA), area support group (ASG), corps storage area (CSA), and
theater storage area (TSA).
• Ammunition (point support)one LB team for each of the following:
ammunition supply point (ASP), nuclear ammunition supply point
(NASP), and chemical ammunition supply point (CASP).
• Petroleum, oils, and lubricants (POL) (point support)two LB teams
per petroleum supply company and two per petroleum pipeline/
terminal operations company.
• Internment/dislocated civilian camp (point support)one LB team per
internment/dislocated civilian camp.
• Contingency operationsone LB team per 5 square miles of AO.
• Natural cover/brushtwo LB teams per ASG.
NOTE: Each LB team requires one LC team for water supply.
MISSION STATEMENT
1-6. On the 24-hour concept and according to existing directives (the
commander's priority list and mission requirements), engineer fire-fighting
teams will provide fire-prevention/-protection, aircraft-crash/rescue, natural-
cover-fire, and HAZMAT responses within a TO. The teams will
• Conduct fire-prevention inspections and fire-fighting operations.
• Provide first-responder-level medical response and assistance to
victims.
• Provide an initial response to HAZMAT incidents.
• Set up, operate, and maintain a
24-hour-a-day, fire-department
communications network.
• Conduct POL fire-fighting operations.
• Conduct reconnaissance of the water-supply points.
• Provide water resupply to the fire-fighting teams.
• Maintain the emergency water-supply points.
• Provide additional manpower support to the fire-fighting teams.
• Provide command and control (C2) of non-fire-fighting assets used
when supporting brush fire-fighting operations.
• Conduct crash/rescue operations, provide support for normal flight
and maintenance operations, and support medical-evacuation
(MEDEVAC) operations.
1-2 Fire-Fighting Basics
Chapter 2
Organization, Responsibilities, and Equipment
2-1. This chapter lists the fire-fighting organizational chain of command
and its responsibilities. The composition and makeup of the fire-fighting
teams are also addressed. With this information, a commander in a TO
will know what his fire-fighting resources are and how to use them.
ORGANIZATIONS
2-2. The agencies listed below provide regulatory guidance (doctrine,
directives, policies, and so forth), command and supervision, quality control,
logistics, and training guidance for all units needing this information.
DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
2-3. DA supervises the fire-protection program by
• Developing, reviewing, and publishing directives, procedures,
standards, and policies.
• Conducting staff visits to major and intermediate commands and
selected representative bases.
• Reviewing and analyzing fire-incident reports from the installations.
ENGINEER BRANCH
2-4. The chief of engineers coordinates the training of fire-protection units and
provides a link with other DA agencies, Air Force civil engineers, and the
Navy Bureau of Yards and Docks. The USAES is responsible for doctrine,
combat development, new equipment, training, and military fire-fighting-
personnel issues. The Air Force is the executive agency for fire-fighting
training conducted at the Department of Defense’s (DOD’s) Fire Protection
School at Goodfellow AFB, TX.
MAJOR COMMAND
2-5. Each commander is responsible for the fire-protection program on his
installation. If an installation has two or more commands, the host command
is responsible for the program. The command supervises the fire-protection
program by using directives from higher headquarters (HQ) and by using
command-channel communications. Fire-protection operational-readiness
inspections (FPORIs) are conducted no less than every 36 months, unless
special problems arise. An installation’s fire marshal
• Is the staff officer responsible for carrying out an installation's fire-
protection program.
• Is responsible for staff supervision over an installation's fire-
protection organizations.
Organization, Responsibilities, and Equipment 2-1
FM 5-415
• Coordinates fire-protection matters with all other activities on an
installation.
FIRE-PREVENTION/-PROTECTION PROGRAMS
2-6. Fire-prevention personnel establish standards and practices for
preventing accidental fires. They use surveys and inspections to monitor
compliance to these standards and recommend corrective action or penalties
for noncompliance. The fire-protection personnel perform fire-rescue/crash-
rescue operations, HAZMAT operations, and fire-suppression operations.
FIRE-FIGHTING TEAMS
2-7. Personnel in these teams provide fire-prevention and fire-protection
services for deployed forces in stability operations and support operations.
The teams are used when host nation (HN) fire-protection support cannot
provide adequate protection or is nonexistent. The teams protect internal and
external (HN and other US services) Army assets. They maintain fire-
protection equipment, advise the higher commanders of fire-defense plans,
and train auxiliary firefighters as required. The fire-fighting teams are LA,
LB, LC. They are designed to provide task-oriented support, depending on the
tactical and logistical considerations involved. See Chapter 3 for more
information on these teams.
TEAM LA, FIRE-PROTECTION HQ
2-8. This team provides C2/administrative support. One LA team can control
three to seven fire-fighting teams (LB or LC). A team commander serves as
the fire marshal of an installation/a facility or within his area of responsibility.
An LA team's missions are to
• Plan for fire defense on an installation.
• Conduct fire-prevention inspections.
• Conduct fire investigations.
• Establish a fire-department communications network between the
HQ, the military police (MP), the airfield, and the fire-fighting teams.
• Command the fire-fighting teams.
• Maintain and refill fire extinguishers.
• Make minor repairs to fire hoses.
• Inspect and maintain fixed fire-protection systems on an installation/
in an AO.
• Coordinate the resupply of fire-fighting assets, agents, self-contained
breathing apparatus (SCBA) air, and fuel.
• Coordinate mutual aid with other services/HN fire-protection assets.
TEAM LB, FIRE TRUCK
2-9. This team provides fire protection, administers first aid, provides an
initial response to HAZMAT incidents, and implements a fire-prevention
2-2 Organization, Responsibilities, and Equipment
FM 5-415
program. A commander's primary task list determines the team's
assignments. An LB team's missions are to
• Provide crash/rescue support for MEDEVAC and normal flight or
maintenance standbys.
• Conduct fire-prevention inspections on an installation or airfield.
• Provide C2 of the non-fire-fighting assets used to support natural-
cover fire-fighting operations (heavy equipment, personnel).
• Conduct fire-fighting operations (structural, crash/rescue, and natural
cover) on an installation/in an AO.
• Provide emergency medical assistance to victims.
• Conduct an initial response to HAZMAT incidents.
• Conduct the training of unit-level fire brigades.
• Assist with medical resources during mass casualty incidents.
• Assist in HN support (HNS), as a commander requires.
TEAM LC, WATER TRUCK
2-10. This team transports water to resupply fire-fighting teams when a fixed
water supply is not in place. It also supplies manpower to fire-fighting teams.
One LC team is assigned to each LB team. An LC team's missions are to
• Conduct water-resupply support to the fire-fighting teams.
• Provide additional manpower support to the fire-fighting teams.
• Conduct reconnaissance of the water-resupply points.
• Maintain the emergency water-supply points.
• Assist in HNS, as a commander requires.
FIRE-PROTECTION PERSONNEL
2-11. An installation’s fire department employs military and civilian
personnel. Manpower resources and Army manpower policies determine the
number of military and civilian personnel assigned to a fire department. The
duties and responsibilities for military firefighters are outlined in Army
Regulation (AR) 611-201 and for civilian firefighters in Handbook of
Occupational Groups and Series.
FIRE-FIGHTING DRILLS
2-12. Firefighters practice hose, ladder, and pump drills, under simulated
conditions, to achieve a high proficiency level. The drills must be varied so
that the firefighters use all the fire-protection equipment. In each drill,
firefighters have a series of assignments that they must execute quickly and
precisely. These assignments involve laying out hose lines, putting a pump
into operation, and erecting ladders on buildings. Firefighters should conduct
these drills during peacetime and when operating in secured areas during
deployment. They must conduct the drills to become familiar with the new
Organization, Responsibilities, and Equipment 2-3
FM 5-415
equipment and operations that they may need when they deploy to or with
units that require their support apart from normal missions. AR 420-90
outlines refresher drills for firefighters.
PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE)
2-13. All firefighters deploying to a TO must have the required PPE to
perform their assigned duties safely and effectively. A detachment’s sergeant
(SGT) must ensure that
• All firefighters have all of their required PPE in serviceable condition.
• Any shortages and unserviceable PPE are reported to the commander
and replaced before deploying.
• All commanders are aware of every item of PPE that is required for
normal performance of the firefighters’ duties, to include special
protective clothing that they may need for a mission (HAZMAT suits,
for example).
2-14. At a minimum, firefighters are authorized one set of structural turnouts
and one set of aluminized proximity gear. They should have both sets when
they deploy. (The aluminized proximity gear does not absorb chemicals and
would be better than structural gear if they encounter HAZMAT situations.)
The following items constitute a full set of personal protective clothing:
• Structuralfire-fighting helmet with (w/) shield; NOMEX or PBI/
kevlar hood, turnout coat, and turnout trousers w/suspenders; leather
fire-fighting gloves; rubber fire-fighting boots; positive-pressure
SCBA; and personal alert safety system (PASS).
• Crashaluminized proxmity helmet w/tinted shield, aluminized
proximity coat and trousers w/suspenders, aluminized proximity
gloves, rubber fire-fighting boots, positive-pressure SCBA, and PASS.
NOTES:
1. Never use structural or proximity gear as a replacement for the
proper HAZMAT protective gear. Many chemicals can be lethal if
absorbed or inhaled in very small quantities. If you cannot positively
identify a HAZMAT, do not compromise your crew's safety with
inadequate protective clothing.
2. All personal protective clothing must meet the current National
Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards for that particular
item.
FIRE-FIGHTING EQUIPMENT
2-15. Fire-fighting tools and equipment (such as fire trucks, water tankers,
aerial ladders, hoist tools, hose, and pike poles) have been specifically
designed for use in fire-fighting operations. The type of fire station, the
primary mission of the fire department, or any unusual requirements of an
installation or surrounding community will generally dictate the type of tools
and equipment that a fire station should have. Training and practice drills
encompassing all facets of fire-fighting operations should be conducted,
2-4 Organization, Responsibilities, and Equipment
FM 5-415
emphasizing that firefighters gain proficiency with the different tools and
equipment available at their particular fire station.
FIRE TRUCKS
2-16. Fire departments use several types of fire trucks. The pumping
capacities of these trucks range from 500 to 1,000 gallons per minute (GPM).
Fire-department personnel must consider the location, construction,
population, property value, existing safeguards, and availability of outside
fire-protection assistance when selecting the types of trucks needed on an
installation.
MODEL 2500L MILITARY-ADAPTED COMMERCIAL ITEM (MACI) FIRE TRUCK
2-17. This truck is the standard issue for the LB team and is designed for fire-
fighting operations such as structural, crash, fuel, and brush fires on military
installations. The rugged suspension and four-wheel-drive capability provide
traction in all terrain conditions. The MACI can be driven on or off a C-130
and a C-141 aircraft without being dismantled, or it can be air-lifted by
helicopter.
2-18. The MACI is equipped with a midship-mounted pump with a flow rate
up to 1,000 GPM at 150 pounds per square inch (psi) of pressure. It is
equipped with a 660-gallon water tank and 72-gallon foam tank. The foam
system provides up to 6,000 US gallons (USG) of expanded foam with a 10:1
expansion ratio. At aircraft fires, the foam is pumped from the roof-mounted
turret at 500 GPM or from the bumper turret at 250 GPM. The pump can be
engaged at speeds of up to 30 miles per hour (mph) and will function at full
capacity while the vehicle is maneuvered.
2-19. An on-board auxiliary power unit (APU) provides electrical power and
drives a recirculating pump in temperatures below 60 degrees Fahrenheit
(oF). A diesel-fired water heater provides heated fluid, which is circulated
through heat exchangers in the water tank, foam tank, drive engine’s cooling
system, fuel tank, and cab's heating system. The truck has removable
equipment to fight structural and brush fires and to handle crash/rescue
emergencies. See Technical Manual (TM) 5-4210-220-12 for more information
on the MACI.
MODEL A/S230-19 CRASH TRUCK
2-20. This truck is designed primarily for aircraft crash/rescue operations;
however, it can be used to fight natural-cover and structural fires. The truck
has a 1,000-gallon water tank and a 130-gallon foam tank. The P-19 has a
Hale (50 FO-P), single-stage centrifugal pump that delivers 950 GPM at 200
psi. The fire pump is powered by an air-operated power divider and has an in-
cab selector for either the water- or the foam-operating mode. The P-19 is also
equipped with a Halon system that has a 500-pound agent tank (Halon 1211),
a 110-cubic-foot nitrogen cylinder, a pressure regulator, four control valves
and associated piping, and a 100-foot hose with a Halon nozzle.
2-21. The truck is powered by an in-line, six-cylinder, four-cycle diesel engine.
This unit is equipped with a turbocharger and an after cooler for smooth,
powerful operation. The P-19 is designed to operate on various types of terrain
Organization, Responsibilities, and Equipment 2-5
FM 5-415
and obstacles. See TM 5-4210-219-10 for more information on operating this
truck.
TACTICAL TANKER TRUCK
2-22. This truck is standard issue for the LC team. It consists of an M916
tractor and a 6,000-gallon water distributor tank trailer. The trailer is
equipped with an auxiliary engine and a water pump with a rated capacity of
600 GPM. It can equip a 1- to 1 1/2-inch hand line.
COMMERCIAL STRUCTURAL PUMPER TRUCK
2-23. This truck is mounted on a 4-by-2 chassis. It is designed for combating
structural fires on continental US (CONUS) installations. The truck has a
midship-mounted pump that delivers 1,000 GPM at 150 psi. It has a 400-
gallon water tank, a 55-gallon aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) tank, and a
complete set of fire-fighting equipment. See the operator's manual for more
information on this truck.
MINI-PUMP TRUCK
2-24. This truck is mounted on a 4-by-4 chassis. It has a 300-gallon water tank
and a power take-off (PTO) pump that delivers 250 GPM. The truck is
designed for an initial attack on structural, natural-cover, and small fires. See
the operator's manual for more information on this truck.
COMMERCIAL TANKER
2-25. This tanker is mounted on a 4-by-4 chassis. It is equipped with a 1,000-
gallon water tank and a PTO pump that delivers 250 GPM. This tanker is
used in all fire emergencies and supplies water for the other trucks. See the
operator's manual for more information on this tanker.
SKID-MOUNTED PUMPING UNIT
2-26. This unit is self-contained and has a power plant and pump that delivers
500 GPM. It has a water tank mounted on skids. When mounted on a
standard Army 5-ton truck, the unit is used to combat brush fires in areas
that are inaccessible to fire trucks. This unit can draft water from ponds,
lakes, rivers, and streams or from erected folding water tanks that tankers
supply.
OTHER VEHICLES
2-27. Other vehicles used in fire fighting may include transportation-motor-
pool (TMP) vehicles, jeeps, helicopters, sedans, carry-all vans, and HAZMAT
vehicles.
MAINTENANCE
2-28. To keep a fire truck in good working order, frequent inspections and
preventive maintenance must be performed. Guidelines on inspections and
maintenance are found in the appropriate TMs or operator's manuals.
Maintenance inspections are performed daily and after each emergency.
Maintenance will be done quarterly. The status of a vehicle and any
deficiencies are recorded on DA Forms 5379-R and 2404. Annually, each truck
2-6 Organization, Responsibilities, and Equipment
FM 5-415
will be flow-tested. Each truck's pump capacity must meet the standards set
by the manufacturer. The guidelines for flow testing are in IFSTA Manual
106.
Organization, Responsibilities, and Equipment 2-7
FM 5-415
2-8 Organization, Responsibilities, and Equipment
Chapter 3
Command and Control
3-1. An LA team provides C2 and administrative support for three to seven
fire-fighting teams and coordinates engineer fire-fighting activities within
a TO. When an LA team is not deployed, the senior firefighter of an LB or
LC team provides C2. All fire-fighting teams depend on the unit to which
they are assigned or attached for supply, food, health, religious, finance,
communication-equipment-repair, legal, and administrative services.
FIRE-FIGHTING HQ TEAM (LA)
3-2. The LA team is assigned to theater Army, corps, or division and exercises
operational command over all fire-fighting teams assigned to its AO. An LA
team’s capabilities include
• Planning fire-fighting programs for a TO.
• Supervising rescue and fire-fighting operations during aircraft crash
incidents, structural fires, vehicle emergencies, natural-cover fires,
and emergency response during HAZMAT incidents.
• Planning and conducting fire-prevention operations, HAZMAT
emergencies, and initial fire-ground investigations.
• Coordinating resupply of fire-fighting assets, agents, SCBA, and fuel.
• Coordinating mutual aid with other services and HN fire-protection
assets.
• Providing maintenance support for technical fire-fighting equipment
(MACI fire truck).
WARTIME FIRE-FIGHTING TASKS
3-3. An LA team must determine the minimum manning requirements for a
continuous 24-hour operations. It must consider sleep schedules, messing,
maintenance, and priority mission times. Continuous-operations factors must
be added in as a mission's time increases.
ASSIGNING SHIFTS
3-4. Crews must be assigned for duty according to mission needs and threat
updates. An LA team will determine the priority requirements and the
standby and alert schedules for the assigned crews. Schedules will be posted
in the fire communications center (FCC).
Command and Control 3-1
FM 5-415
INVENTORYING EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES
3-5. An LA team maintains the current status of the equipment and fire-
fighting supplies for continuous operations and resupply after the missions. It
also recharges the SCBA and fire-fighting agents. The team must identify
missing equipment and shortages of fire-fighting supplies to continue or limit
operations. Status boards will be located and maintained in the FCC.
ACQUIRING THE COMMANDER'S PRIORITY LIST
3-6. Fire-fighting units will not be able to fight all fires in a combat area. A
commander must determine which facilities and equipment have the highest
priority regarding life safety and mission accomplishment. Once he develops
this list, he must initiate changes as the mission requirements change. An LA
team will use this list to assign minimum manning requirements, equipment
placement, priority training, prefire plans, and fire-response plans. This list
will be posted in the FCC and updated regularly.
MAKING A FIRE-FIGHTING PLAN
3-7. An LA team will develop a fire-fighting plan by using the commander's
list, resource information, prefire plans, and experience. The plan will include
fire-prevention initiatives, response guidance, and resource management for
an overall fire-protection program.
SELECTING DISPERSAL SITES
3-8. An LA team must disperse the fire-fighting assets to protect fire-fighting
equipment, agents, and personnel from being destroyed at one time. It should
not split the fire-fighting teams to the point where they can no longer
effectively accomplish their missions, nor should it place the teams directly at
high-priority targets. Sites will be plotted on an AO’s map that is located in
the FCC.
DETERMINING RADIO STATUS AND CALL SIGNS
3-9. An LA team determines the radio disciplines and call signs for the fire-
fighting teams on the operational radio network.
LOCATING VEHICLE MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL AND ASSETS
3-10. An LA team locates the maintenance-support and vehicle-recovery
channels.
INITIATING AN FCC
3-11. The senior fire official (SFO) will set up an FCC for reporting
emergencies, initiating responses, assigning crews, maintaining logbooks, and
overseeing the normal and emergency operations of the fire-fighting teams.
He will receive and record reports on fire damage; injuries; unexploded
ordnance (UXO); and nuclear, biological, chemical (NBC) agents from fire
crews and send these reports to a higher level.
DEVELOPING MUTUAL-AID AGREEMENTS
3-12. An LA team should develop plans with the other services’ fire-fighting
assets. It should define the required assistance and request procedures for
assistance, limitations of assistance, and security considerations. If HNS is
3-2 Command and Control
FM 5-415
available, the team should develop a plan with the senior authority controlling
those assets.
LOCATING FIRE-FIGHTING ASSETS ANDESTABLISHING RESUPPLY CHANNELS
3-13. A resupply of fire-fighting agents within an AO may be hard to find. An
LA team must make establishing the resupply channel for more fire-fighting
agents for sustained operations a priority.
INITIATING THE REQUIRED TRAINING PROGRAM
3-14. Wartime operations will require training on mission-unique equipment
and facilities to ensure maximum effectiveness of fire resources. An LA team
should initiate training as soon as a commander establishes his priority list
and the team can accomplish prefire planning. Response routes, crew
assignments, and attack strategies are all part of the training.
CONDUCTING FIRE-PREVENTION INSPECTIONS OF FACILITIES
3-15. An LA team must inspect the facilities occupied by US forces to ensure
the safety of personnel and equipment. It will inspect the buildings equipped
with a fire-protection system, ensuring proper operation and serviceability.
ENSURING THAT PROTECTIVE MEASURES ARE TAKEN TO PROTECT PERSONNEL AND
EQUIPMENT
3-16. An LA team must ensure that
• The equipment is protected by a hardened position, when possible.
• The personal protective positions are built in the immediate area of
the fire-fighting vehicle's position to ensure a quick response to an
emergency. These positions should provide protection from direct
small-arms fire and from overhead artillery.
• All personnel use camouflage materials and netting properly.
PREPARING A RESPONSE CHART
3-17. An LA team will develop a fire-response chart detailing the response
routes (primary and alternate), crew and equipment assignments by targets,
and backup assignments. This response plan must be updated as a
commander's priorities and missions change. The team will assign fire-
fighting missions according to the commander's priority list of mission-
essential assets. This chart will be located in the FCC for dispatchers to use.
FIRE-FIGHTING TEAMS (LB AND LC)
3-18. These teams perform the operational task of fire fighting within their
AO. The senior fire-fighting personnel assigned to an LB or LC team that
deploys without a HQ team will be responsible for that team. If several teams
are assigned together, the senior firefighter will take charge of the teams and
perform the functions of the HQ team.
3-19. The LB (table[s] of organization and equipment [TOE] 05510LB00) and
LC (TOE 05510LC00) teams depend on the HQ fire-fighting team (TOE
05510LA00) for C2 and maintenance of the MACI fire truck. When that
support is not available, the senior firefighter assumes the C2 responsibility.
Command and Control 3-3
FM 5-415
Assigned to theater Army, corps, or divisions, the LB and LC teams are
allocated as follows: one per air-traffic service company and one per
headquarters and headquarters company (HHC) of the CSG; two per
petroleum supply company and two per petroleum-pipeline and terminal-
operating company. The teams
• Provide
24 hours of fire protection and personnel rescue and
administer first aid.
• Implement a fire-protection program for the logistics-storage area
(LSA), intermediate-support base (ISB), forward operating base
(FOB), and aviation and major facilities. Such facilities include but are
not limited to petroleum tank farms, petroleum-distribution sites,
open and closed warehouse facilities or general warehouses, and
enemy prisoner of war (EPW) and civilian-internee camps.
• Fight aviation fires and extricate personnel and equipment from
crashed aircraft.
• Provide fire-fighting protection against grass or brush fires within
their assigned area of responsibility when augmented with combat or
construction engineer soldiers.
• Provide 6,000 gallons of water, per trip, to support the MACI fire
truck.
3-20. An LC team will identify all bodies of water that may be used to combat
a fire or resupply empty fire-fighting vehicles. It will then develop a plan that
identifies the locations and the equipment needed to use these water sources.
The sources should be within a camp's perimeter or within a 2-mile radius of a
camp. Sources will be plotted on an AO’s map that is located in the FCC.
3-4 Command and Control
Chapter 4
Wartime Operations
4-1. During wartime and contingency operations, Army engineer fire-fighting
forces are assigned or attached to a CSG/an ASG of a theater Army area com-
mand (TAACOM) and must protect personnel, aircraft, facilities, materials, and
equipment from fire. Extensive facility, utility, and runway and taxiway damage
may occur. Under these circumstances, a commander will face many critical emer-
gency situations. Fire departments will be required to provide fire-fighting, as
well as other mission-support, requirements. Commanders at all levels employ
the resources to move and fight. To this end, fire-protection resources protect crit-
ical components needed for sortie generation, such as facilities and aircraft. This
chapter provides general guidance for planning, training, and developing wartime
and contingency-operations policies, which must be adapted to threat, mission,
and location by planners at all levels.
FIRE-PROTECTION WARTIME MISSION, LIMITING FACTORS, AND
ASSUMPTIONS
4-2. To maintain fire-protection capabilities, risks to fire-protection personnel,
vehicles, materials, and equipment must be minimized. The rules for wartime
fire-protection operations differ radically from peacetime procedures. The
presence of battle damage, chemical agents, munitions, and submunitions will
complicate fire-fighting and rescue operations.
FIRE-PROTECTION WARTIME MISSION
4-3. The preattack fire-protection mission is to
• Eliminate or reduce the fire threat to personnel, aircraft, and facilities
before an attack.
• Protect fire-protection resources during an attack.
• Provide postattack suppression and rescue response to fire incidents
that seriously jeopardize an AO’s combat-generation capability.
LIMITING FACTORS
4-4. Firefighters will probably encounter several critical problems during a
wartime environment. These conditions should be expected as the norm
rather than as the exception.
• The lack of adequate chemical-warfare-defense equipment (CWDE)
can make fire-protection capabilities minimal to nonexistent under
chemical conditions. With existing CWDE, firefighters are severely
limited during fire-fighting and rescue operations. The equipment
does not provide heat shielding, and firefighters cannot approach
intense exterior or interior fires. Due to inadequate respiratory
Wartime Operations 4-1
FM 5-415
protection, firefighters cannot attack interior fires (aircraft and
structures). Fire fighting can be attempted from a distance, but with
limited effectiveness and wasted agents. When using CWDE,
firefighters should not attempt fire fighting and rescue unless there is
a reasonable probability of successful life-saving efforts or preserving
mission-critical assets without injury or death to themselves.
•
The lack of an adequate water supply will severely limit fire-fighting
and rescue operations.
•
All fire vehicles are unarmored and susceptible to major damage
during attacks.
•
The firefighters will be unable to extinguish all large, totally involved
fires, such as large-frame aircraft and POL tanks. Attempts to
extinguish such fires will result in unwise depletion of available
resources due to personnel, agent, and vehicle limitations.
•
Extreme climatic conditions and the use of protective equipment will
limit performance.
•
Fire-protection resources will be at risk until hardening measures are
effected.
•
A six-person firefighter team (LB) is capable of providing only one 12-
hour shift in support of strategic, wide-body aircraft operations. The
team must be augmented by another six-person team to complete a
24-hour operation.
ASSUMPTIONS
4-5. Fire-fighting vehicles and equipment should be available for the initial
phase of a contingency or wartime operation. Vehicle, equipment, and
manpower shortfalls must be identified to the supporting agency. Shortfalls
take time to correct. The priority should be on assets that directly affect
capabilities. Because there will not be enough firefighters to respond to all
emergencies, other services’ or HN fire-fighting assets should be used to the
maximum extent possible. Military firefighters will probably face more fires in
combat situations than they will be able to extinguish. An AO commander,
with input from an available SFO, will determine a priority of effort. With the
likelihood of these assumptions being real, firefighters must expect the
following:
• The effectiveness of fire-protection personnel will be diminished by
physical and psychological stresses because of sustained emergency-
response operations and attrition of fire-fighting personnel.
• Main operating bases
(MOBs) will have adequate in-place, fire-
protection resources to provide needed protection during sudden
conflict. These resources include a trained and capable fire-fighting
and rescue force and enough fire-fighting equipment and vehicles and
chemical-protection equipment so that firefighters can survive a
chemical attack.
• Adequate fire-protection resources will be available before an attack
at MOBs, FOBs, and bare bases (BBs).
4-2 Wartime Operations
FM 5-415
• Enemy attacks might include chemical-warfare (CW) agents.
• A reattack could occur.
• Water-distribution system(s) will be damaged during an attack and
will not be totally usable for fire-fighting purposes.
• Fire-department responses will be delayed by UXO and craters or
debris in roads, taxiways, and runways. Firefighters will have to
perform explosive-ordinance reconnaissance (EOR), which will result
in a delayed arrival. When UXO is present, alternate routes will be
required.
• Some fires might progress past the incipient stage, cause major
damage, and necessitate greater depletion of extinguishing agents
because of response delays warranted by EOR.
• The fire department will not have the resources to attack and
extinguish all structural fires, respond to all rescue situations, and
support all aircraft incidents simultaneously.
• Hostile activities may deplete fire-department resources (personnel,
vehicles, and equipment), unless physical protection is provided.
PREATTACK
4-6. A preattack occurs between the time a threat is detected and an actual
attack occurs on a base. The preattack period is a transitional period from
peacetime to a wartime mode of operation. This phase may begin months
before actual hostilities occur; it will not be less than 20 days. However, a
transition may be required at any time when in a threat area. Preparation is
critical to a rapid transition and will include three distinct efforts: planning,
training, and acting. Based on the projected postattack environment, the
following minimum needs can be expected:
• Critical fire-department-support resources such as war-readiness
spares kits (WRSK), war-consumable-distribution-objective (WCDO)
levels, vehicle maintenance, food service, and personnel shelters must
be protected.
• Specific fire-suppression-and-rescue responses must be accomplished
based on their priority in relation to the start of an operation.
• Ignition and fuel sources must be removed from facilities to reduce the
possibility of responding to a postattack fire and to reduce the rescue
workload.
• Facility occupants
(especially those in critical facilities) must be
trained in first-aid fire fighting so that they can extinguish or contain
fires in their incipient stage.
Wartime Operations 4-3
FM 5-415
FIRE-PROTECTION SYSTEM
4-7. Fire protection consists of many interdependent elements that contribute
to the survivability and operability of the fire-fighting force. These elements
include
• Expedient splinter protection and physical protection.
• Crash and structural rescue, C2, and support vehicles.
• A sufficient number of trained and capable firefighters.
• Ancillary equipment, which includes proximity suits, SCBA,
recharging apparatus for SCBA, CWDE, mobility gear, and weapons.
• Consumable materials such as water, foam (Classes A and B), and
breathing air.
• Base stations and mobile and portable units for communications.
• Essential support regarding vehicle maintenance/spares, fuel, food
service, and medical resupply, facilities, and utilities.
• Adequate training in general military and contingency skills,
priorities, tactics, strategies, and procedures.
PLANNING
4-8. Planning is the key to successful transition. A comprehensive
understanding of what is expected can be obtained through planning
documents which are prepared by a variety of agencies at all command levels.
Preferably, plans developed before a preattack will normally be available for
MOBs. However, plans may not be available which address specific forward
operating locations that may become operational. In this event, planning will
have to be accomplished immediately after arrival. As a minimum, fire-
fighting teams must initiate the plans and actions. They should use plans that
the major Army command (MACOM), local base operations, and fire-
protection organizations develop, when available. Fire-fighting teams must
• Survey water supplies for use during postattack, including both on-
base and off-base sources (swimming pools, cooling towers, reservoirs,
tankers, pumps, wells, storage bladders, supply points, and Harvest
Eagle/Falcon mobile water-distribution systems).
• Construct expedient access routes to auxiliary water, as necessary.
• Establish a supply of pumps, hoses, and equipment for rapidly
replenishing water where hydrants are not available.
• Consider installing dry hydrants near lakes, streams, and rivers to
facilitate drafting.
• Survey the base terrain for naturally protected areas for fire vehicles,
agents, equipment, and personnel. Using natural features (ditches,
hillsides, and trenches), combined with camouflage netting, provides
effective concealment.
4-4 Wartime Operations
FM 5-415
•
Identify locations, if required, where expedient construction could be
used to provide splinter protection for fire vehicles, agents, and
personnel.
•
Determine how many sandbags they need to construct expedient
protective facilities. Earth berms or bermed revetments are effective
and are rapidly constructed.
•
Coordinate with POL personnel to ensure that POL areas have
drainage ditches and holding areas to prevent spilled fuel from
endangering other tanks.
•
Survey possible fuel-holding or tank-drainage diversion areas where
spilled fuel could burn without endangering other critical fuel
supplies.
•
Identify all safe areas where munitions are not expected to impact,
and disperse assets (fuel and spare parts and fire-fighting agents) into
these areas.
•
Identify the need for camouflage netting and concertina wire to aid in
concealment and security.
•
Inventory all agents and other critical equipment and supplies. If
shortages exist, they must submit high-priority requests for additional
agents and equipment that they may need. The teams should try to
obtain stocks from local sources.
•
Establish fire-fighting procedures for a CW environment.
•
Review a facility’s priority listing. A facility’s priority system must
identify those facilities most critical to sortie generation. In a
multiple-fire operation, fire-fighting and rescue response must be
made on a priority basis based on a commander’s assessment and the
amount of fire-fighting equipment available.
•
Coordinate with vehicle maintenance for the expedient and priority
repair of fire vehicles.
•
Ensure that vehicle spare parts, including tires, are available and
protected. Mechanics should be dedicated to fire-vehicle maintenance,
and special levels should be established for spare parts.
•
Establish duty hours and crew-change procedures.
•
Determine where firefighters will be housed and establish feeding
procedures, rest periods, relief procedures, and processing areas.
Firefighters should be located as close to their dispersed location as
possible.
•
Coordinate with the MACOM and local HN fire officials for support.
•
Pre-position fire hoses, nozzles, and equipment at critical, mission-
essential facilities for first-aid fire fighting by occupants.
•
Provide training in the use of fire-fighting equipment, when required.
•
Plan dispersal and physical protection.
Wartime Operations 4-5
FM 5-415
• Locate dedicated, splinter-protected areas for fire vehicles, agents,
and personnel. These areas include the following:
— Hardened aircraft shelters.
— Earth-bermed modular revetments.
— Earth berms, trenches, or bermed trenches.
TRAINING
4-9. Intense training is required after arriving at a base of operations.
Training firefighters to adapt to a wartime operation is essential for survival.
Training base occupants on fire-protection responsibilities and providing
necessary refresher training are necessary for protecting a base’s resources.
Other training considerations are listed below:
• Conducting fine-tuning training for fire crews, including what-if
situations, attrition of vehicles, and personnel and materials
situations.
• Training in procedures required to conduct fire fighting and rescue in
a CW environment, based on the type of equipment available. While
wearing CW defense ensemble, close-in fire fighting should not be
attempted except to save lives or mission-critical assets. There must
be reasonable probability of success without undue danger to
firefighters before any fire fighting or rescue is attempted.
• Training fire-protection personnel in the tactics and strategy that they
will use during fire-fighting operations in a postattack environment,
to include contamination avoidance.
• Conducting refresher training related to survival, such as EOR; CW
defense; convoy security; defensive combat skills; base denial;
camouflage, concealment, and deception (CCD); and hardening.
• Establishing cooperation with the HN, to include joint operations, C2,
mutual training on fire-fighting equipment, and aircraft fire-fighting
and rescue procedures on host and US mission aircraft.
• Conducting refresher, first-aid firefighter training for personnel
whose duty locations are in critical facilities. Occupants must know
what to do in case of a fire; how to use available fire extinguishers,
standpipes, and installed systems; and what the risks and limitations
are in such operations.
CRITICAL ACTIONS
4-10. Fire-protection personnel must perform certain critical actions before a
conflict to ensure that fire-fighting and rescue capabilities survive. They
must
• Don chemical-protective equipment if they might be exposed to a CW
environment. They do this according to the mission-oriented
protective-posture (MOPP) level that a commander determines. In a
surprise attack, fire-protection personnel must don a complete CW
ensemble immediately.
4-6 Wartime Operations
FM 5-415
•
Affix M8 paper and M9 tape to the exterior of each fire-fighting vehicle
and fire-station facility.
•
Disperse personnel, vehicles, equipment, and agents to protected
areas. Agent dispersal should include both fire-department stock and
special levels. Fire-protection personnel must record the amounts and
location of all dispersed equipment and materials. They must disperse
and locate agents in the same splinter-protected areas as the fire
vehicles.
•
Locate agents in at least two separate areas.
•
Handle fire-fighting vehicles as follows:
— Conceal vehicles with natural cover, when possible.
— Place no more than one vehicle in one location.
— Position one vehicle to observe runways and aircraft parking areas,
when possible.
— Keep vehicles at least 300 feet away from priority 1 buildings, air-
craft, and other likely targets.
— Place vehicles in a staggered line so that all will not be destroyed
with one pass of an enemy aircraft.
•
Ensure that dispersed vehicles have first-aid kits, fresh water, and
full fuel and agent tanks.
•
Locate and disperse all vehicle spare parts and tires, WRSK, and
other critical materials to splinter-protected areas.
•
Use expedient construction, to include providing splinter protection
and concealment for agents that cannot be moved.
•
Provide splinter protection and concealment for the FCC, the fire/
crash radio-network base station, and the repeater units.
•
Consider a line-of-sight
(LOS) requirement between radios and
repeater units.
•
Provide splinter protection and concealment for fire-vehicle fuel
supplies. Equip the tanks with hand pumps or other measures.
•
Ensure that POL dikes are intact.
•
Ensure that utilities and POL piping systems are isolated.
TRANSATTACK
4-11. A transattack begins with the first enemy action at a base and ends
when the base transitions to a recovery role and begins usual operations.
During a transattack, fire-department personnel will be dispersed throughout
a base so that they can observe and report the airfield-attack status. If
possible, they must note information (the number and type of aircraft
attacking a base, an attack’s intensity, base areas receiving the most damage,
and fire starts) for later relay to the FCC. Firefighters should be able to make
general observations about the type of attack in progress (air attack with
Wartime Operations 4-7
FM 5-415
various types of conventional weapons, land attack with mortars or small
arms, CWs attack, and so forth) and an attack’s duration. Observation and
reporting are incidental to the primary purpose of surviving and must not put
firefighters at risk. A runner or a secure voice radio should relay the
information once an attack is over.
4-12. All personnel must be protected with appropriate equipment, according
to the threat. These measures may have been inhibited during preattack
actions if advance attack warning was available. However, firefighters must
be prepared to cease operations instantly and don their protective equipment
in case of a surprise attack. During an attack, survival takes priority over all
other activities, including fire fighting and rescue.
4-13. Fire-protection vehicles and personnel should remain dispersed and
protected during an attack and a reattack. They should not perform fire-
fighting or rescue operations except immediate-area buddy-care activities.
Fire-protection personnel should not take cover
• Inside or beneath a fire vehicle unless it is located in a protected
dispersal location.
• Within 300 feet of priority 1 facilities, except for fire stations.
• Within 500 feet of aircraft.
• Within 1,000 feet of POL- or munitions-storage areas.
POSTATTACK
4-14. The postattack time period immediately follows an attack on a base. A
base is vulnerable to air, ground, and combined air and ground attacks, with a
variety of ordnance. Fire-department operations in the postattack
environment are critical to base operations and to generating combat sorties
as soon as possible.
TRANSITION TO BASE OPERABILITY (BO)
4-15. SFOs must constantly be aware of the need to recover combat
capabilities. Transitioning to BO must begin immediately following an attack.
As BO progresses through the various phases, significant attrition of
firefighters, equipment, and agents can be expected. Fire-protection personnel
should be trained for their involvement in the preattack, transattack,
postattack, and reattack phases of BO. MACOMs and commanders at all
levels should supplement this concept with guidance that is applicable to their
missions and TOs. BO plans should provide a smooth transition to recovery
operations following an attack. They should address the transition to BO in
environments where communications are intact, interrupted, or totally
destroyed.
LOCATION OF A FIRE CHIEF
4-16. A fire chief should be located where communications facilities are
available to control fire-protection resources and where physical security is in
place. A fire chief directs allocating the fire-fighting resources in concert with
command priorities and concurrent BO and base-recovery operations. A chain
4-8 Wartime Operations
FM 5-415
of command is normally established locally, with a fire chief normally
reporting to a base commander.
CONSIDERATIONS
4-17. After an attack, existing base roadways and taxiways may be
impassable because of denial munitions, bomb craters, wreckage, and other
debris. Therefore, fire vehicles may have to operate fully loaded off hard
surfaces or in sand, snow, mud, rocky soil, or boggy areas. Such conditions will
make submunition detection more difficult; therefore, fire crews must be
careful to avoid rendering fire vehicles incapable of supporting BO.
4-18. Firefighters will be faced with numerous fires, extensive damage, and
injured personnel who require emergency rescue and life-saving care.
Deploying to fire-fighting and rescue locations may be complicated by UXO,
craters, pavement damage, and facility debris. Fire-fighting and rescue
operations may have to be accomplished with limited numbers of people,
equipment, and materials. Attrition will decrease the availability of
firefighters, fire vehicles, and agent levels. Commanders, in concert with fire
chiefs, must decide which fires to fight and which to let burn and which people
to rescue and which to leave to buddy care. General considerations during a
conventional attack are discussed in the following paragraphs:
Fire Spread
4-19. Fire spread within an aircraft-shelter complex is unlikely because of the
distance where hardened shelters are available. Fire spread from one
munitions storage facility to another is unlikely because of the distance
between facilities when concrete, igloo, or earth-covered construction is used.
However, fire spread of more than one storage igloo could occur if stored
munitions are detonated. When facilities are not available (such as in BB
operations), greater separation and expedient earth-berming are needed to
prevent fire spread.
4-20. Fire spread from one base structure to another in the containment areas
is possible, although less probable than in World War II. Modern facilities do
not have the surface density of wood to support sustained fire spread or fire
storms. When temporary construction (using wood) is used, fire spread is
possible unless facilities are properly separated. For tent cities, training
occupants about proper fire procedures could limit fires to one tent.
4-21. When POL tanks are ignited, unburned fuel should be pumped or
drained from the tanks if the distribution system remains relatively intact
and if a receiver for the fuel is available. Such action will reduce
extinguishment time and result in a shorter burn time, if the tanks are
allowed to burn until self-extinguishment occurs. Draining the tanks away
from other storage tanks can reduce the risk of fire spread. Bladder tanks are
less of a problem. They are located at ground level and are normally bermed to
contain any spill. If properly planned, they should be separated sufficiently to
prevent fire spread. If they are not, fire spread on open ramps with multiple
aircraft could occur.
Wartime Operations 4-9
FM 5-415
Damaged Facility Fires
4-22. Success in stopping fire spread depends on the available number of
vehicles and personnel and their capabilities and how rapidly firefighters
engage the fires. Fire fighting is impractical when burning buildings are
exposed to neighboring fires from which the heat is intense enough to sustain
the fire and reignite the building. When fires have spread through a major
portion of a building (including the spaces between the walls), the structure
will probably burn completely and cease to be a further fire threat in less time
than it would take to extinguish the fire.
4-23. Blast-damage structures can be expected to burn in one-third to one-half
the time required for undamaged structures. If a significant loss of
compartment integrity occurs (damage to interior walls), a fire will spread
faster than it would have in an undamaged structure. Blast damage will
change a fire’s environment and provide easy routes for fire spread to adjacent
compartments. Fire spread in damaged buildings will be rapid and
simultaneous, in all directions, with large flame areas. The intensity of a fire
and the need for fire suppression will be lessened by keeping a fire from
penetrating into concealed spaces.
4-24. Occupants of mission-essential critical facilities must be aggressive in
first-aid fire fighting as fire-department response may be delayed. Peacetime
workplace-safety training prepares occupants for this task.
Vehicle Operability
4-25. During BO operations, fire vehicles must be maintained and repaired as
quickly as possible. Repairs should mainly consist of removing and replacing
components rather than lengthy troubleshooting and repairs. Repairing
components should occur only when time permits and vehicle downtime
cannot be improved by replacement. Major components or subsystems
expected to fail must be identified, stocked, and protected at all MOBs. Spare
parts to support collocated operating bases (COBs) and BBs normally come
from MOBs.
Explosive Ordnance Reconnaissance
4-26. Explosive-ordnance-disposal (EOD) personnel will not be available
immediately to clear response routes from a dispersed location to fire and
rescue sites. The level of EOR training provided in peacetime prepares
firefighters to recognize ordnances. Therefore, firefighters must perform EOR
during response.
Decontamination
4-27. If contamination occurs, decontamination must take place. However, do
not decontaminate when it will cause a delay in response to critical fire-
fighting and rescue operations. Firefighters must remain fully protected with
the appropriate CW defense ensemble before starting decontamination
procedures.
4-28. Fire-fighting resources may be needed for personnel and large-area
decontamination under extreme conditions. However, depleting fire-fighting
resources must be considered. They should be used only when all other
sources have been exhausted.
4-10 Wartime Operations
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