Washington State Fire and EMS

For People in and close to Washington State to discuss issues or what ever is on thier mind.

Using LCES in other situations than wildland.

Safety can not be overlooked..its an on going process all the time..the other night at drill was the start of our wildland training and we were going over LCES and risk management. You can use LCES at any time while responding or while on scene of any incident.
Look outs
Communications
Escape routes
Safety zones

We are always on the look out for hazards or safety problems thats what the saftey officer does and we do also to keep ourself's safe. The pump operator also can be a great look out.

Communications are always a factor. Some of the ways of communications are face to face by sight with hand signals, touch with your partner, and by radio. We are always communicating...sometimes its hard with everyone on the radio so we have to find other ways to get the message across.

Escape routes When your driving to the station or responding to the scene your always looking for escape routes. what happens if a car pulls out or cuts me off whats my escape route will ya take the median or take out the shrubs. We are always looking out. When we are in the structure whats my escape route maybe a ladder at the second story window or down the stairs I came up.

Safety zones. Some may see it as this but if the building collapses are you going to be in the line of fire of debri and other stuff. But if your out and away from it your in the safety zones anything outside of the fall zone your in your safety zone.

So over all LCES is not just for wildland firefighting but every day responses..specially those on major busy roadways working MVA"s it helps to have it in place try it sometime...