**[Initial Facilitator Information---NOT TO BE SHARED WITH
STUDENTS]{.underline}**

**Title: Mid-slope Fire / Battery Fire**

**Author(s):** Nic Anthony Pacific Northwest Training Center

> Pete Gordon Coronado National Forest
>
> Dave Owens Sawtooth IHC

**Target Audience:**

Single Resource Boss

**Training Objective:**

Given the following scenario, players will determine how to handle an
assignment involving a mid-slope fire edge. This can be used as a drill
to discuss Watchout Situation #13. Players should verbally communicate
their decisions to the appropriate individuals.

**Resources Referenced:**

-   **Crew Boss (Player role)**

-   Type 2 Initial Attack Handcrew

-   Division Supervisor

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**[SCENARIO INFORMATION TO BE SHARED WITH STUDENTS]{.underline}**

**Facilitator Briefing To Student(s):**

You are the crew boss of a Type 2 Initial Attack Handcrew on the Battery
Fire in west -- central Texas. It is 1330 and you are at the A-B
division break after hiking in from below. In her briefing, the Division
B Supervisor tells you that Divisions A & C have completed line. The
crews are exhausted, because they were chasing roll-outs all night. She
asks you to complete the line on Division B, approximately 12 -- 15
chains, and keep it as direct as possible since this fire is on private
land and cost containment is an issue.

Today is June 20^th^, and the fire is currently 100 acres burning in
typical desert fuels consisting of short grass and mesquite/juniper
woodlands. The fire was lightning caused and started on top of the knob.
The fire has backed down a 20% -- 30% slope on the east and south sides.
The current temperature is 98 degrees with a predicted high of 103.
Minimum Relative Humidity is predicted to be 12%. Winds are currently
light and variable with no significant changes predicted for the burning
period. There is a 30% chance of thunderstorm activity this evening.

The fire has burned cleanly in Division B, providing an adequate safety
zone. Footing on the slope is fairly good except for a few areas that
are easily mitigated through good communication.

Take 3 minutes determine your course of action and prepare any
communication contacts you think are necessary.

**[ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR FACILITATOR ONLY]{.underline}**

**Facilitator "Murphy's Law" Suggestions:**

The "Murphy's Law" suggestions listed below can be added as "What ifs"
at any time during the scenario to raise the stress level of the leader.
You can also use one of your own:

-   None - this is designed to be a "seminar" type TDGS

**Facilitator's Notes:**

The focus of this Tactical Decision Game is on the Single Resource Boss
level decision whether a direct under-slung fireline is feasible or an
indirect fireline is appropriate to secure a mid-slope fire edge.

The facilitator has the option of running this TDG as a simulation type
by assigning role players beyond the single point-in-time decision
point. If so, the facilitator will need to develop Murphy's Law
interruptions and decision points.

Some possible hazards that the players should be able to identify are:
fighting fire on a slope, roll-out potential, footing, desert wildlife
or vegetation (scorpions, snakes, cactus, etc.), heat-related illnesses,
limited resources, etc. The AAR should generate discussion on
alternatives and opinions for options other than building under-slung
line.

**After Action Review:**

Conduct an AAR with focus on the training objective. Use the AAR format
found in the Incident Response Pocket Guide to facilitate the AAR. There
are four basic questions in the AAR.

1.  What was planned?

2.  What actually happened?

3.  Why did it happen?

4.  What can we do next time?

TDGS shouldn't have a single solution, keep the focus of the AAR on what
was done and why.

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