You are assigned as a dozer boss on an incident. You are supervising two dozer/plow units.

What Are The Critical Issues

Dozers can build a lot of line in a short time and they present a special problem with carrying their safety zones with them. It is critical that no out run their support.

Critical Safety Measures

Dozers/tractor plows provide suppression and support capability for BLM fire operations. When working on or around dozers on the fireline, it is important to respect the following guidelines:

• Load/unload equipment from the transport in a safe manner on a level, stable surface.
• Park transport in an area free of fuel. Clear an area if needed to protect parked equipment.
• Do not sit or bed down near equipment. Walk around the equipment before starting or moving it.
• Lower the dozer blade and/or fire plow to the ground when the equipment is idling or stopped.
• When working a dozer or tractor plow, stay at least 100 feet in front or 50 feet behind the equipment.
• Allow no one but the operator to ride on the equipment.
• Never get on or off equipment while it is moving.
• Provide front and rear lights for equipment working at night or in heavy smoke.
• Provide lights and fluorescent vests to personnel working with dozer/tractor plow units.
• Use hand signals for direction and safety. (See Fireline Handbook, Appendix A, for hand signals.)
• Do not use a dozer or tractor plow without a canopy or brush guard and radio communications.
• Operators will wear required PPE and carry a fire shelter.
• Be aware of different fuel types, rates of spread, and flammability.
• Watch for wetlands, steep slopes, rocks, ditches, and other obstacles that might stop the equipment.
• Do not get too far ahead of a firing crew during firing operations.
• Anchor the line to a secure firebreak and create a black line (burn out) until the fire is completely enclosed.
• Tractor plow operators should wear headgear protection for head, face, eyes, and ears while also providing radio reception and ventilation capabilities.
• Tractor plow crews should consist of a minimum of two people.
• When the dozer or tractor plow is equipped with a hand-clutch lever, always take equipment out of gear when mounting and dismounting.

Reference

NWCG Fireline Handbook, PMS 410-1, NFES 0065

Close

• San Diego Ranger Unit - 1945 fire fighter died as result of injuries sustained at a fire. He was talking with the dozer operator, caught his pants in the tracks and was pulled between the tracks and fender.
• Barrett Dam, Cleveland NF - 1949 dozer operator was killed when he became trapped above the fire.
• Sugar Loaf fire, Calaveras Ranger Unit - 1954 dozer operator was killed when the dozer rolled over.
• East Highlands, San Bernadino NF - 1956 dozer operator was trapped before he could reach safety area.
• Sundance Fire, Kootenai NF - 1967 Dozer operator and fire fighter were ahead of fire and overrun. They tried to hide under the blade.
• Ginnis Lake, WI DNR - 1967 one man on a tractor/plow was on a spot fire ahead of the main fire and was caught by the main fire.
• Romero Fire, Los Padres NF - 1971 dozer operator and three fire fighters burned to death as they hurried ahead of the fire.
• Warthog, Morgan Co., TN - Plow operator trapped and suffocated on bench on upper side of fire.
• Terrell County, GA - 1978 tractor plow operator became confused in smoke and went into fire.
• Mack Lake, Huron Manistee NF - 1980 tractor operator building fireline was swept over by fire.
• North Dakota - 2002 a tractor and disk trying to protect a subdivision got stuck in front of the fire. Operator abandoned the tractor and was overrun by the fire about 200 feet from the tractor.