2014 Type 2 IA & Type 2 Crew Utilization and Fire Shelter Design Surveys

Fire Shelter Survey – 2014

OMB no. 0596-0226 Exp. 07/31/2014

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The USDA Forest Service Technology and Development Program is tasked with reviewing the Fire Shelter Project. This review will begin in 2014 and is scheduled to last 3 years.

This survey is designed gather input from current firefighters about various aspects of the fire shelter and its use. The NWCG Fire Shelter Subcommittee and Fire and Aviation Management will consider your responses regarding the future of fire shelters and fire shelter policy. Your answers will be kept confidential.

1. What fireline job do you usually perform?

 Firefighter

 Single Resource Boss

 Strike Team/Task Force Leader

 Division/Group Supervisor

 Line Safety Officer

 Other _______________________

2. To what type of crew are you usually attached?

 Incident Management Team

 Type II Crew

 Type II IA Crew

 IHC

 Engine

 Helitack

 Smokejumper

 Dozer/Equipment

 Other ________________________

3. What is the average weight of the fireline pack you normally carry?

 Less than 20 pounds

 21 to 30 pounds

 31 to 40 pounds

 41 to 50 pounds

 51 to 60 pounds

 More than 61 pounds

4. To what firefighting organization do you belong?

 USFS

 BLM

 BIA

 FWS

 NPS

 State

 Local/Municipal

 Contractor

 Other ______________________

5. In which State are you based? __________________________________

6. You should be required to carry a fire shelter.

Strongly Disagree	Disagree	Neither Agree Nor Disagree	Agree	Strongly Agree
1	2	3	4	5

7. Fire shelters should be optional for firefighters to carry.

Strongly Disagree	Disagree	Neither Agree Nor Disagree	Agree	Strongly Agree
1	2	3	4	5

8. I have taken added risks because I was carrying a fire shelter. For example: “The escape routes and safety zones are probably not adequate, but I can just use my fire shelter.”

   Strongly Disagree	Disagree	Neither Agree Nor Disagree	Agree	Strongly Agree
   1	2	3	4	5

9. Fireline supervisors have given me unsafe assignments because I was carrying a fire shelter. For example: “The escape routes and safety zones are probably not adequate, but you can just use your fire shelter.”

Strongly Disagree	Disagree	Neither Agree Nor Disagree	Agree	Strongly Agree
1	2	3	4	5

History shows that protection offered by the future generation shelter will most likely correlate to its weight and bulk (i.e., more protection results in more weight and bulk). The current fire shelter has been tested and shown survivable temperatures in typical exposures of 1700 degrees with some flame contact. In some instances temperatures can reach 2000 degrees. The most extreme temperature of a wildland fire measured was 2400 degrees. But, with improving technology, there is a possibility that the fire shelter can be made lighter while maintaining the current level of protection or improving its performance while maintaining its current weight and packed volume. It is also probable that designing an all protective shelter (one that will offer survivability in the most extreme fire environment) will come with increased weight and packed volume. The current regular size shelter weighs 4.6 pounds; the large size shelter weighs 5.4 pounds. The current packed shelter is about 240 cubic inches in volume (4 1/2 by 5 5/8 by 9 3/8 inches).

10. Relating to the current shelter, the future generation of the fire shelter should be:

 No change, continue to use the current shelter

 Similar protection/lighter weight and less bulk

 Similar weight and bulk/improved protection

 All protective/heavier weight and increased bulk

If you checked the all protective box, what is the maximum weight and volume of a fire shelter that you are willing to carry?

Weight ______________ pounds

Volume ______________ cubic inches

11. There should be two styles of fire shelter options available, one that is all protective and one that is less protective and lighter in weight.

Strongly Disagree	Disagree	Neither Agree Nor Disagree	Agree	Strongly Agree
1	2	3	4	5

12. Comments: ____________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________

Thank you for completing this survey.