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

**Title: S-300 / Transfer of Command / Yucca Valley Fire**

**Author(s):** Leif Mathiesen BLM

Chris Woods Los Padres N.F.

**Target Audience:** ICT3

**Training Objective:**

The primary objective of this scenario is for role players to practice
the decision making process by recognizing that the complexity of an
incident is beyond their abilities and then conduct a briefing with the
new commander. Additional objectives for trainees include: develop
situational awareness, develop a plan of action, and brief incoming
resources.

**Resources Referenced:**

-   **Patrol 18 (Role Player)**

-   Battalion 32 (ICT3 qualified)

-   Type 3 Engine Strike Team ST-3445C (all engine captains are engine
    boss qualified) All engines are two wheel drive.

-   Strike Team Leader (strike team leader qualified)

-   ATGS (Air Attack 06)

-   Type 2 Hand Crew- Scorpion 3 (crew boss qualified)

-   Type 1 Hand Crew (Yucca Hotshots)

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

Date: August 5

**Current Conditions:**

Temperature: 97

RH: 18%

Fuel: Continuous juniper and grass

Slope: 30%

Wind: 6-8 N N/W

Table Scale: ½ mile x 1 mile

You are the Patrol (patrol 18) for the Tonto National Forest and you are
qualified at the ICT4 level. Your area is experiencing a significant
lightning storm with very little precipitation. You are responding to a
reported smoke in the area of the Yucca Valley subdivision.

It is now 1400. You are approximately three miles from the subdivision
when you clearly see a large dark column. As you enter the subdivision,
you see a well established fire on the ridge above the subdivision. The
fire is approximately 10 acres, flame lengths look to be 2 to 3 feet and
the fire is burning actively downhill towards several outbuildings and
structures. You notify dispatch of the situation and you provide
dispatch with a fire size up. Dispatch acknowledges your report,
notifies you that you will be the Yucca IC and explains that the
following resources are in route.

-   Battalion 32

-   Type 3 Engine Strike Team (ST-4456C) (all engine captains are Engine
    Boss Qualified (all engines are two wheel drive)

-   Strike Team Leader (Strike Team Leader Qualified)

-   ATGS (Air Attack 06)

-   Type 2 Hand Crew (Scorpion 3) (CRWB qualified)

-   Type 1 Hand Crew (Yucca Hotshots) (CRWB qualified)

The fire has grown to approximately 20 acres, it is now 1430 and the
Type 3 engine strike team has just contacted you and said they are 1
mile out and are looking for a place to tie in with you. Now what?

You have 3 minutes to develop your plan of action and communication
contacts you think are necessary.

**Facilitator's Notes:**

This TDG is designed to be facilitated as a seminar style exercise. This
TDG is targeted for the ICT4, Initial Attack Incident Commander. This
TDG focuses on the role player's ability to recognize a situation is
rapidly becoming complex and their ability to transfer command with a
more qualified person. Once the facilitator briefing is complete,
immediately have resources start arriving on scene. The key to
successful facilitation of this scenario will be to push the action from
the beginning; keeping the pressure on the player. This can also be done
using the "Murphy's Law" suggestions below to help guide the role player
towards a decision. This TDGS will be over once the role player takes
action towards transferring command (i.e. ordering an ICT3 through
dispatch, transferring command to Battalion 32). Do not allow the role
player to transfer command to a resource who is not qualified.

**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.

-   Areas of the fire can only be accessed by 4x4 vehicle

-   A jump ship shows up with a load of jumpers. The ship wasn't
    ordered.

-   Strike team of engines delayed due to vehicle fire

-   Wind changes/increases threatening more structures

-   Structures catches on fire

-   Elderly disabled homeowner with oxygen tank needs to be evacuated

-   News media shows up on scene. They don't have PPE and are driving
    into the fire area

-   Law Enforcement shows up and asks for an assignment

-   Type 2 crews explains that they don't have chainsaws and asks you to
    order some.

**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 the next time?

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

**Open Ended Questions:**

Probe the players thought process using open ended questions to have the
role player explain his/her rationale. Some open ended questions may
include:

-   What reference tools did you use?

-   What did you see as the primary hazard(s)?

-   What was your main concern with your plan?

-   What were your priorities? How did you come to this conclusion?

-   What is your next move?

-   Describe what other options you considered.

-   Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of your chosen tactic.

-   Explain what your options would have been if
    \_\_\_\_[X]{.underline}\_\_\_\_ happened.

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