S-185 Fire Entrapment Avoidance Training

Course Overview:

IRWIN'S Safety offers a vital S-185 Fire Entrapment Avoidance course, specifically designed for wildfire firefighters and emergency response personnel. This course is essential for anyone working in wildfire-prone areas, especially those contracted by the British Columbia government, as it provides critical strategies for avoiding dangerous fire entrapment scenarios. Fire entrapment situations can occur unexpectedly, often due to misjudged conditions, changes in wind direction, or limited escape routes, making this training fundamental for safety in high-risk environments.

Learning Objectives:

Participants will gain the ability to:

Identify Entrapment Hazards: Recognize environmental factors and fuel hazards that could lead to dangerous entrapment situations.
Evaluate and Proactively Mitigate Risks: Develop situational awareness skills to assess conditions, terrain, and fire behavior continuously, which helps avoid potential entrapment scenarios.
Implement Safe Withdrawal Techniques: Learn effective strategies for safe evacuation when hazardous conditions arise, focusing on identifying safe zones and maintaining communication with team members.
Apply Fire Shelter Use (if relevant): Where applicable, learn about the use of fire shelters as a last-resort protective measure.

Course Content:

The S-185 course combines theoretical knowledge with situational exercises to provide a well-rounded understanding of fire entrapment avoidance:

Hazard Recognition and Mitigation: Study the factors that can turn a routine firefighting situation into a hazardous one, including wind shifts, fire line construction, and fuel types.
Communication Protocols: Understand the importance of effective communication to coordinate safe movements and ensure team awareness of changing conditions.
Fire Shelter Deployment (if required): In some cases, this course also covers the basics of fire shelter deployment as a final protective measure.
Hands-On Scenario Planning: Participants will work through realistic wildfire scenarios to practice risk assessment and safe withdrawal techniques.