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Ten Standard Firefighting Orders

Studies of wildland firefighter deaths led to the development of The Ten Standard Firefighting Orders. In every case where a firefighter was killed while fighting a wildland fire, it was shown that one or more of the Ten Standard Orders had been ignored. Violating one or more of these orders may re sult in firefighter deaths.

The orders are guidelines that help firefighters identify and avoid high-risk situations. Every firefighter should know and follow them. Being able to recite them is commendable, but putting into practice is more important. Each order should be considered separately so firefighters will recognize when it applies during a fire and respond correctly.

FIRE ORDERS
F.IGHT FIRE AGGRESSIVELY BUT PROVIDE FOR SAFETY FIRST.
I.NITIATE ALL ACTION BASED ON CURRENT AND EXPECTED FIRE BEHAVIOR.
R.ECOGNIZE CURRENT WEATHER CONDITIONS AND OBTAIN FORECAST.
E.NSURE INSTRUCTIONS ARE GIVEN AND UNDERSTOOD.

O.BTAIN CURRENT INFORMATION ON FIRE STATUS.
R.EMAIN IN COMMUNICATION WITH CREW MEMBERS, YOUR SUPERVISOR, AND ADJOINING FORCES.
D.ETERMINE SAFETY ZONES AND ESCAPE ROUTES.
E.STABLISH LOOKOUTS IN POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS SITUATIONS.
R.ETAIN CONTROL AT ALL TIMES.
S.TAY ALERT, KEEP CALM, THINK CLEARLY, ACT DECISIVELY.

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