This document provides information about wildfires and safety during wildfires. It discusses: - What a wildfire is and the damage they can cause - How to stay safe during a wildfire by following an emergency plan and listening to authorities - Who will help during a wildfire including fire services, police, ambulance services, and local authorities - What to do if someone is injured which is to call 999 and provide information to the emergency operator The document is an educational resource aimed at teaching secondary level students about wildfire safety and response. It covers key actions to take during a wildfire and the various agencies that will provide assistance.

1. WILDFIRES
RESPONSE
SECONDARY LEVEL
e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters

2. IN THIS LESSON YOU WILL LEARN
➢Reminder - what is a wildfire?
➢How to stay safe during a wildfire
➢Who will help during a wildfire?
➢What should you do if someone gets hurt or there is an
emergency?
➢What should you do and not do during a wildfire?
➢Who will help after a wildfire?
➢How can you help after a wildfire?
e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters

3. WHAT IS A WILDFIRE?
e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters
WHAT IS A WILDFIRE?
A wildfire is “Any uncontrolled vegetation fire which
requires a decision or action regarding suppression.”
(Source: European Glossary for Wildfires and Forest Fires (2012)

4. Source: Frederiksborg Fire and Rescue Service (Denmark) Source: Northumberland Fire and Rescue Service (UK)

5. These photos give an idea of the scale,
damage and destruction that can be
caused by wildfires. Watch the video
on the following page to learn more
about the impact of wildfires in
Europe.
Source: Junta da Andalucía (Spain)

6. HOW TO STAY SAFE DURING A WILDFIRE
e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters

7. How to stay safe during a wildfire?
e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters
Follow your
EMERGENCY PLAN

8. How to stay safe during a wildfire?
e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters
Follow your
EMERGENCY PLAN
Listen to adults
and profesionals

9. How to stay safe during a wildfire?
e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters
Follow your
EMERGENCY PLAN
Listen to the weather
forecast
Listen to adults
and profesionals

10. How to stay safe during a wildfire??
e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters
YOUR PARENTS,
FAMILY AND FRIENDS
WILL TELL YOU WHAT
TO DO
IF YOU ARE AT HOME…

11. How to stay safe during a wildfire??
e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters
YOUR PARENTS,
FAMILY AND FRIENDS
WILL TELL YOU WHAT
TO DO
FOLLOW YOUR
EMERGENCY PLAN
IF YOU ARE AT HOME…

12. How to stay safe during a wildfire?
e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters
YOUR TEACHERS WILL TELL YOU
WHAT TO DO. THEY WILL TELL YOU
HOW TO FOLLOW YOUR SCHOOL
EMERGENCY PLAN
IF YOU ARE AT SCHOOL…

13. How to stay safe during a wildfire?
e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters
YOUR TEACHERS WILL TELL YOU
WHAT TO DO. THEY WILL TELL YOU
HOW TO FOLLOW YOUR SCHOOL
EMERGENCY PLAN
IF YOU ARE AT SCHOOL…
LISTEN TO ADULTS AND
PROFESIONALS

14. WHO WILL HELP DURING A WILDFIRE?
e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters

15. WHO WILL HELP?
e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters
Fire fighters will assess the fire and the
surrounding area. They will look at the
current and forecasted weather. They
will use this information to predict
where the fire will spread and where
they can extinguish it quickly and safely.
They will use this information to develop
a suppression plan –a plan to extinguish
the fire.
They may also decide to evacuate people
from areas at risk from the fire. Source: Swedish Civil
Contingencies Agency
FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICES

16. WHO WILL HELP
e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters
To suppress the fire, they may use
different hand tools: chainsaws, fire
beaters, backpack sprayers, and pumps
and hoses.
FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICES
Fire-fighters using tools to stop the progression of a fire
Image courtesy of Junta de Andalucía

17. WHO WILL HELP
e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters
They may sometimes use heavy
machinery, such as tractors, diggers,
bulldozers, water tankers etc.
FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICES
Source: Frederiksborg Fire and Rescue Service (Denmark)

18. WHO WILL HELP
e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters
Fire fighters may also have at their
disposal different vehicles, such as fire
engines with a water cannons.FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICES
Source: Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency
Source: Frederiksborg Fire and Rescue Service (Denmark)

19. WHO WILL HELP
e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters
Some wildfires occur in places
which are hard to reach with
vehicles. During these types of
wildfires, firefighters may need
to walk a distance to the fire
and use hand tools to
suppress the fire..
FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICES
Source: Northumberland Fire and Rescue Service (UK)

20. WHO WILL HELP
e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters
Planes and helicopters can play
a really useful role at wildfires.
FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICES
Helicopter dropping water over a wildfire to support the work of the
ground crew
Image courtesy of Junta de Andalucía

21. WHO WILL HELP
e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters
FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICES
They can be used to get an
overhead view of the incident
ground – which is really useful as
wildfires often cover a large area
Source: Junta da Andalucía (Spain)

22. WHO WILL HELP
e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters
FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICES
They can be used to transport
ground crews directly to the
scene of the fire
They can be used to get an
overhead view of the incident
ground – which is really useful as
wildfires often cover a large area
Source: Junta da Andalucía (Spain)

23. WHO WILL HELP
e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters
FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICES
They can be used to transport
ground crews directly to the
scene of the fire
They can be used to drop water
or fire retardant on or in front
of the fire
They can be used to get an
overhead view of the incident
ground – which is really useful as
wildfires often cover a large area
Source: Junta da Andalucía (Spain)

24. WHO WILL HELP
e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters
Planes and helicopters are not
commonly used at wildfires in the
UK, but they are used more widely
in other European countries such
as Spain, France, Italy and
Portugal.
FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICES
Source: Junta da Andalucía (Spain)

25. WHO WILL HELP
e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters
When a fire starts, planes and
helicopters can get to the scene faster
and provide an initial attack which can
play a key role in stopping the
development of a fire.
FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICES
Image courtesy of Junta de
Andalucía

26. WHO WILL HELP
e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters
When a fire starts, planes and
helicopters can get to the scene faster
and provide an initial attack which can
play a key role in stopping the
development of a fire.
FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICES
Planes and helicopters provide support
to fire crews on the ground. But attack
from the air needs to be closely
coordinated with work on the ground to
ensure everyone is kept safe and to
ensure that the tactics are effective.
Image courtesy of Junta de
Andalucía

27. WHO WILL HELP
e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters
They may evacuate areas
POLICE

28. WHO WILL HELP
e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters
They may evacuate areas
POLICE
They may control public access to the
area around the wildfire

29. WHO WILL HELP
e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters
They may evacuate areas
POLICE
They may control public access to the
area around the wildfire
They may control traffic and help to close
roads

30. WHO WILL HELP
e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters
They may evacuate areas
POLICE
They may control public access to the
area around the wildfire
They may control traffic and help to close
roads
They may provide information about the
wildfire to the general public

31. WHO WILL HELP
e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters
AMBULANCE SERVICE
They provide help to members of
the public or firefighters that need
medical assistance

32. WHO WILL HELP
e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters
LOCAL
AUTHORITIES Support the Emergency Services

33. WHO WILL HELP
e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters
LOCAL
AUTHORITIES Support the Emergency Services
Decide to close roads, if necessary

34. WHO WILL HELP
e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters
LOCAL
AUTHORITIES Support the Emergency Services
Decide to close roads, if necessary
Open and manage Rest Centres for people
that have been evacuated or whom have lost
their homes

35. WHO WILL HELP
e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters
LOCAL
AUTHORITIES Support the Emergency Services
Decide to close roads, if necessary
Open and manage Rest Centres for people
that have been evacuated or whom have lost
their homes
Provide information to the general public
about the wildfire

36. What should you do if someone
gets hurt or there is an
emergency?
e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters

37. What should you do if someone gets hurt or there is an
emergency?
e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters
CALL 999

38. CALLING 999 – STEP ONE
e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters
CALMLY AND
BRIEFLY EXPLAIN
THE EMERGENCY
TO THE
OPERATOR
999

39. CALLING 999 – STEP TWO
e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters
The operator will
put you through to
the
POLICE or
FIRE AND RESCUE
SERVICE or
AMBULANCE
SERVICE
999

40. CALLING 999 – STEP THREE
e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters
TELL THE
OPERATOR:
➢WHO YOU ARE
➢WHAT THE
EMERGENCY IS
➢WHERE THE
EMERGENCY IS
999

41. CALLING 999 – STEP FOUR
e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters
IF SOMEONE IS
HURT, TELL THE
OPERATOR
➢WHO IS HURT
➢HOW THEY ARE
HURT
999

42. CALLING 999 – STEP FIVE
e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters
FOLLOW THE
INSTRUCTIONS
PROVIDED BY THE
OPERATOR
While listening to the
information you provide, the
operator will determine what
kind of help you need and will
start to send the right types of
emergency crews.
999

43. CALLING 999 – STEP SIX
e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters
DON’T HANG UP
UNTIL THE
OPERATOR TELLS
YOU TO DO SO!
999

44. WHEN CALLING 999 - REMEMBER
e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters
SPEAK SLOWLY AND
CLEARLY
999

45. WHEN CALLING 999 - REMEMBER
e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters
SPEAK SLOWLY AND
CLEARLY
LISTEN TO THE
OPERATOR AND DO AS
HE/SHE TELLS YOU
999

46. WHEN CALLING 999 - REMEMBER
e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters
SPEAK SLOWLY AND
CLEARLY
LISTEN TO THE
OPERATOR AND DO AS
HE/SHE TELLS YOU
DO NOT HANG UP UNTIL THE
OPERATOR TELLS YOU TO DO SO
999

47. WHEN CALLING 999 - REMEMBER
e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters
SPEAK SLOWLY AND
CLEARLY
LISTEN TO THE
OPERATOR AND DO AS
HE/SHE TELLS YOU
DO NOT HANG UP UNTIL THE
OPERATOR TELLS YOU TO DO SO
DO NOT CALL 999 IF THERE IS NO EMERGENCY –
YOU MAY SLOW DOWN THE EMERGENCY SERVICES
GOING TO HELP SOMEONE IN DANGER
999

48. What TO DO and what NOT TO DO
during a wildfire
e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters

49. e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters
What should I do if I find myself near a wildfire?
REMAIN CALM
DO NOT STAY NEAR THE FIRE
– MOVE TO A PLACE OF
SAFETY.
CALL 999 IF YOU SEE THE
SIGNS OF A WILDFIRE

50. e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters
If you have to walk
away from a
wildfire:
• Walk or drive in the opposite direction of the
flames and smoke
What should I do if I find myself near a wildfire?

51. e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters
If you have to walk
away from a
wildfire:
• Walk or drive in the opposite direction of the
flames and smoke
• Head for places of safety – ideally places where
there is no vegetation that could burn
What should I do if I find myself near a wildfire?

52. e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters
If you have to walk
away from a
wildfire:
• Walk or drive in the opposite direction of the
flames and smoke
• Head for places of safety – ideally places where
there is no vegetation that could burn
• Try not to inhale smoke. If you need to,
protect your face with a wet cloth (piece of
clothing, towel,etc.).
What should I do if I find myself near a wildfire?

53. e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters
If you have to walk
away from a
wildfire:
• Walk or drive in the opposite direction of the
flames and smoke
• Head for places of safety – ideally places where
there is no vegetation that could burn
• Try not to inhale smoke. If you need to,
protect your face with a wet cloth (piece of
clothing, towel,etc.).
• Try to avoid walking towards cliffs or ravines
– plan where you are going so you do not
become trapped by the fire.
What should I do if I find myself near a wildfire?

54. e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters
If you have to walk
away from a
wildfire:
• Walk or drive in the opposite direction of the
flames and smoke
• Head for places of safety – ideally places where
there is no vegetation that could burn
• Try not to inhale smoke. If you need to,
protect your face with a wet cloth (piece of
clothing, towel,etc.).
• Try to avoid walking towards cliffs or ravines
– plan where you are going so you do not
become trapped by the fire.
• Do not try to escape by walking in front of the
fire or walking on a slope above a fire. Also,
never walk into a saddle (a depression between
two hills) during a wildfire.
What should I do if I find myself near a wildfire?

55. e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters
What should I do if there is a wildfire near my home?
Stay with your family.
A bushfire burns behind a house in West Bendigo on February 7,
2009. – source: Richmeister at en.wikipedia

56. e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters
What should I do if there is a wildfire near my home?
Stay with your family.
• Ring 999 to inform the emergency services of you
situation
A bushfire burns behind a house in West Bendigo on February 7,
2009. – source: Richmeister at en.wikipedia

57. e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters
What should I do if there is a wildfire near my home?
Stay with your family.
• Ring 999 to inform the emergency services of you
situation
• Stay together in the safest area of the house.
A bushfire burns behind a house in West Bendigo on February 7,
2009. – source: Richmeister at en.wikipedia

58. e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters
What should I do if there is a wildfire near my home?
Stay with your family.
• Ring 999 to inform the emergency services of you
situation
• Stay together in the safest area of the house.
• Close all the doors and windows and pour water on
them and cover them with wet towels or curtains.
A bushfire burns behind a house in West Bendigo on February 7,
2009. – source: Richmeister at en.wikipedia

59. e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters
What should I do if there is a wildfire near my home?
Stay with your family.
• Ring 999 to inform the emergency services of you
situation
• Stay together in the safest area of the house.
• Close all the doors and windows and pour water on
them and cover them with wet towels or curtains.
• Close all gas stopcocks and turn off any air
conditioning.
A bushfire burns behind a house in West Bendigo on February 7,
2009. – source: Richmeister at en.wikipedia

60. e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters
What should I do if there is a wildfire near my home?
Stay with your family.
• Ring 999 to inform the emergency services of you
situation
• Stay together in the safest area of the house.
• Close all the doors and windows and pour water on
them and cover them with wet towels or curtains.
• Close all gas stopcocks and turn off any air
conditioning.
• Fill the bathtubs, sinks, and any buckets you may
have with water.
A bushfire burns behind a house in West Bendigo on February 7,
2009. – source: Richmeister at en.wikipedia

61. What NOT TO DO during a wildfire.
e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters
DO NOT put yourself or others in danger!

62. Who will help after a wildfire
e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters
Local authorities will prepare the recovery plan for areas that have been
effected by wildfires. This will be the launch of the recovery phase.
Reconstructive
measures will
then be taken in
the longer term
aiming at
restoring the
natural
environment.
Urgent measures will be
taken to reduce the
immediate impacts of the
fire on people and
infrastructure and help get
life back to normal. Burned
areas may be fragile and
may need to be stabilised
or cleared for safety.

63. Who will help after a wildfire
e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters
Other organisations (such as charities and Non Governmental
Organisations or NGOs) may also assist in the restoration of the natural
environment.
For example: when
nature does not succeed
in recovering on its own, it
may be necessary to
replant trees and other
vegetation.

64. The recovery phase for a wildfire may begin before a wildfire is
completely extinguished.
Who will help after a wildfire

65. The recovery phase for a wildfire may begin before a wildfire is
completely extinguished.
Firefighters, local authorities and other organisations can sometimes
take actions to limit the impact of the fire before it is completely
extinguished.
Who will help after a wildfire

66. The recovery phase for a wildfire may begin before a wildfire is
completely extinguished.
Firefighters, local authorities and other organisations can sometimes
take actions to limit the impact of the fire before it is completely
extinguished.
Depending upon the incident, recovery may be complicated and it may
take months or even years.
Who will help after a wildfire

67. The recovery phase for a wildfire may begin before a wildfire is
completely extinguished.
Firefighters, local authorities and other organisations can sometimes
take actions to limit the impact of the fire before it is completely
extinguished.
Depending upon the incident, recovery may be complicated and it may
take months or even years.
Learn more about recovery from wildfires by watching the videos on
the next pages
Who will help after a wildfire

68. What to do when returning home after a wildfire
e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters

69. What to do when returning home after a wildfire
e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters
If you had to leave
your home during a
wildfire, don’t
return until the
emergency services
or local authority
have told you it is
safe to do so
Image courtesy of Junta de Andalucía

70. What to do when returning home after a wildfire
e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters
Use caution when entering
burned areas as hazards
may still exist – there may
still be hot areas which can
flare up without warning
Avoid damaged or fallen
trees, power lines and other
downed wires.
Image courtesy of Junta de
Andalucía

71. What to do when returning home after a wildfire?
e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters
Ensure your food and water are safe:

72. What to do when returning home after a wildfire?
e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters
Throw away any food that has
been exposed to heat or smoke
Ensure your food and water are safe:

73. What to do when returning home after a wildfire?
e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters
Throw away any food that has
been exposed to heat or smoke
Do NOT drink or use water to wash
yourself, wash dishes, brush your teeth or
prepare food if you think it may have been
contaminated. If the water may have been
contaminated, contact your water supplier
to check.
Ensure your food and water are safe:

74. What to do when returning home after a wildfire?
e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters
Throw away any food that has
been exposed to heat or smoke
Do NOT drink or use water to wash
yourself, wash dishes, brush your teeth or
prepare food if you think it may have been
contaminated. If the water may have been
contaminated, contact your water supplier
to check.
Ensure your food and water are safe:
You may need to use bottled
water.

75. e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters
• A wildfire is a fire that spreads out of control. Wildfires can be
extremely dangerous and destructive. Always stay safe.
REMEMBER!

76. e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters
• A wildfire is a fire that spreads out of control. Wildfires can be
extremely dangerous and destructive. Always stay safe.
• Help to prevent wildfires in your area – do not leave litter on the
ground, only light fires if it is safe to do so and, if you do light a fire,
make sure you put it out… right out.
REMEMBER!

77. e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters
• A wildfire is a fire that spreads out of control. Wildfires can be
extremely dangerous and destructive. Always stay safe.
• Help to prevent wildfires in your area – do not leave litter on the
ground, only light fires if it is safe to do so and, if you do light a fire,
make sure you put it out… right out.
• If you live in an area at risk of wildfires, make sure you are prepared.
Develop an emergency plan and know how to make a grab bag.
REMEMBER!

78. e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters
• A wildfire is a fire that spreads out of control. Wildfires can be
extremely dangerous and destructive. Always stay safe.
• Help to prevent wildfires in your area – do not leave litter on the
ground, only light fires if it is safe to do so and, if you do light a fire,
make sure you put it out… right out.
• If you live in an area at risk of wildfires, make sure you are prepared.
Develop an emergency plan and know how to make a grab bag.
• In an emergency, call 999!!!
REMEMBER!

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