One of the challenges in learning about any field of study is the terminology and jargon that gets thrown around by professionals. This list of terms, acronyms, and commonly used phrases is a work in progress, intended to help members of the Big Tujunga community, and anyone else who is interested in fire safety in wilderness areas. If there is a term, acronym, or phrase you would like to see added to list glossary, let us know!
| Term or Acronym | Definition |
|---|---|
| Accelerant | A substance or material that promotes the initiation or rapid spread of fire. Commonly used in fire investigations, accelerants include flammable liquids such as gasoline or alcohol. In the context of wildland fires, natural materials like dry vegetation can also act as accelerants by facilitating faster fire spread. |
| ANF | Angeles National Forest: The Angeles National Forest is a federally managed national forest located in the San Gabriel Mountains and Sierra Pelona Mountains of Los Angeles County, California. Covering over 700,000 acres, this forest provides recreational opportunities such as hiking, camping, and skiing, while also serving as a vital natural habitat for diverse wildlife. Due to its proximity to the Los Angeles metropolitan area, the forest plays a crucial role in providing clean air and water. |
| CalFIRE | The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, known as CalFIRE, is a state fire agency responsible for fire protection in California’s rural areas and for administering the state’s forest, fire, and resource protection programs. CalFIRE provides emergency response services, including firefighting, to prevent and combat wildfires, manage public lands, and enforce fire-related laws. |
| CORE | Community Organized Relief Effort: Originally founded as J/P Haitian Relief Organization, CORE is a non-profit organization that focuses on crisis response and preparedness. Their mission encompasses providing immediate disaster relief and expanding access to resources for recovery and resilience in vulnerable communities. In relation to building fire-resilient communities, CORE works on preparedness training, infrastructure improvements, and community education to reduce vulnerability to wildfires, enhance response capabilities, and promote sustainable rebuilding practices in fire-prone areas. |
| CP | Command Post: A Command Post is a designated location where the Incident Command System (ICS) is implemented, and from which Incident Commanders and their staff coordinate operations during an emergency. The Command Post serves as the central point for communication, resource allocation, strategy planning, and decision-making. It is essential for maintaining control over complex scenes such as large fires, natural disasters, or major public events, ensuring a structured and effective response. |
| CWPP | Community Wildfire Protection Plan: A Community Wildfire Protection Plan is a strategy developed by local, state, federal, and tribal agencies along with community stakeholders to identify and address the risks of wildfire in a specific area. The CWPP focuses on identifying at-risk areas, improving emergency response, increasing public awareness, and reducing hazardous fuels through vegetation management and creating defensible spaces. This plan is pivotal in enhancing a community’s resilience to wildfires by promoting collaborative efforts and proactive measures to mitigate potential fire threats. |
| FEMA | Federal Emergency Management Agency: FEMA is an agency of the United States Department of Homeland Security, initially created by Presidential Reorganization Plan No. 3 of 1978 and implemented by two Executive Orders on April 1, 1979. The agency’s primary purpose is to coordinate the response to a disaster that has occurred in the United States and that overwhelms the resources of local and state authorities. FEMA aids in the preparedness for, protection against, response to, recovery from, and mitigation of all hazards, including major disasters and emergencies. |
| Fire Camp | A temporary base of operations established to support firefighters during large wildfire incidents. These camps provide essential services such as sleeping quarters, food, medical care, and logistical support. Fire camps are strategically located near active fire zones to facilitate rapid deployment of personnel and equipment to the fire line. |
| Fuel(s) | Any materials that can ignite and sustain a fire. These typically include vegetation such as grass, leaves, brush, and trees, but can also encompass dead organic matter and human-made structures. The characteristics and distribution of fuels significantly influence fire behavior, spread, and intensity. |
| Hot Shots | See Type 1 Hand Crew. |
| IC | Incident Commander: An Incident Commander is the individual responsible for all aspects of emergency response, including developing strategies, deploying resources, and coordinating personnel to manage an incident effectively. The IC operates within an established incident command system to maintain command and control of the response operations. |
| ICS | Incident Command System: The Incident Command System is a standardized, on-scene, all-hazards incident management approach used by governmental and non-governmental agencies to manage emergencies and non-emergency events. ICS is designed to enable effective and efficient incident management by integrating a combination of facilities, equipment, personnel, procedures, and communications operating within a common organizational structure. It allows for cooperation between multiple agencies and ensures that response activities are conducted safely and effectively. ICS is used widely in managing incidents such as wildfires, oil spills, and large public events. |
| IS | FEMA’s Independent Study Program, part of the Emergency Management Institute (EMI). This program offers self-paced courses designed for the general public and professionals who want to improve their knowledge of emergency management practices, preparedness measures, and other critical public safety topics. These courses cover a broad range of topics essential for disaster preparedness and response, including the fundamentals of the Incident Command System, public works, fire service operations, and emergency planning. These courses are provided free of charge and are available online, facilitating widespread access to vital training resources. |
| Mitigation | The strategies and measures implemented to reduce the risk and impact of disasters. This involves activities designed to prevent hazards from developing into disasters or to lessen the effects of disasters when they occur. Mitigation efforts in wildland fire safety can include fuel reduction, creating defensible spaces around properties, improving building materials to resist fire, and community planning and education to enhance overall resilience to wildfires. |
| OES | Office of Emergency Services: The Office of Emergency Services is a governmental agency responsible for coordinating responses to emergencies and disasters within a specific jurisdiction, such as a state or county. OES agencies plan and prepare for emergencies, coordinate emergency response and recovery efforts, and assist in mitigation and preparedness activities to minimize the impact of natural and man-made disasters. |
| OSHA | The Occupational Safety and Health Administration, or OSHA, is an agency of the United States Department of Labor. It is responsible for ensuring safe and healthy working conditions by setting and enforcing standards, and by providing training, outreach, education, and assistance. OSHA’s regulations and guidelines are crucial in various industries, including construction, manufacturing, and emergency services, to protect workers from potential hazards, including those related to fire safety. |
| Overhaul | The process of searching for and extinguishing hidden or remaining hotspots after the main body of a fire has been controlled. This phase ensures the fire is completely out and prevents re-ignition. Overhaul may involve moving debris, opening up structures, and using thermal imaging cameras to detect heat sources. |
| Snag | A dead tree that is still standing. Includes dead tress that are at risk of falling. Snags can pose significant hazards during wildfires as they are prone to burning intensely and can fall unexpectedly, posing risks to firefighters and complicating suppression efforts. |
| Type 1 Hand Crew | A specialized group of firefighters trained for wildfire suppression and management in challenging terrain and under extreme fire conditions. These crews, often referred to as “hotshot” crews, are highly skilled and equipped to perform tasks such as constructing firelines, cutting down trees, and using backfires and flanking tactics to control wildfires. They are typically deployed in the most critical, high-risk areas of a wildfire and are known for their physical fitness, advanced training, and ability to work long, strenuous hours on the fireline. |
| Type 2 Hand Crew | A group of firefighters who handle a variety of tasks related to wildfire suppression and control but with less specialization and experience than Type 1 crews. These crews are equipped to construct firelines, clear brush, and perform mop-up and patrol duties. While not as intensively trained as Type 1 “hotshot” crews, Type 2 crews are crucial for effective wildfire management, particularly in less extreme fire conditions or in support roles to reinforce lines established by Type 1 crews. |
| Widow Maker | A detached or broken limb or tree top that is lodged in a tree and can fall without warning. These pose significant risks to firefighters, loggers, and anyone else working in forested areas because they can cause severe injuries or fatalities if they fall. |