*Tactical Decision Games (TDGS)*

*for the*

*Dude Fire Staff Ride*

**Stand 1 Tactical Decision Game**

You are a Type 3 Incident Commander working on the Payson Ranger
District. You assumed command of the Pack Rat Fire at 1800 on June 25
from a Type 4 IC who had been working this fire since 1130 this morning.
Weather and fuels conditions are identical to those just described. The
fire is 4 miles west of the Dude Fire point of origin from 1990.
Resources which were part of the Type 4 organization include one local
Type 2 Crew and 2 local Forest Service Type 6 engines. The fire is now
25 acres and continuing to grow. The crews have continued constructing
hand line from the heel of the fire and are progressing up the east
flank, but the fire is continuing to spread faster than line production
efforts. The District FMO is on a single resource assignment in New
Mexico and the District Ranger has made it very clear that the fire must
be caught as small as possible prior to sending you out to assume
command of the fire.

It is now 2045. Fire behavior has not moderated, and in fact has
increased slightly. You have just hiked back down from the fire to meet
with the District Ranger who has requested to meet with you on the
Control Road. She informs you that she has ordered an additional Type 3
IC to assist you and also called dispatch to order three heavy air
tankers and four more type 2 crews. She asks you to give her an update
on your fire status and would like to be briefed on your containment
strategy and couple of talking points prior to meeting with the Phoenix
television stations.

Take one minute to compose your communication, and then brief your
agency administrator.

**Stand 2 Tactical Decision Game**

It is 0300 on July 12, 2007 and you are the Crew Boss for the North
Carolina Regulars crew assigned to a fire below the Mogollon Rim in
Arizona. It is being managed by a local Type 3 IMT. You and your crew
have been shuffled back and forth for several hours since checking in
hours ago. Since the last communication with your Division Supervisor,
you have heard brief, broken radio traffic concerning a transition
between Incident Management Teams tomorrow morning. Your Division
Supervisor said nothing of the transition or transfer of command when
you last visited with him at 0230, nor when he called to give you
further instruction about utilizing an old skid trail to tie your
handline into a rock quarry ¾ mile to the south. Radio communication has
been confusing and hectic since checking in, and hasn't improved. You
express your concerns to your Crew Representative, with whom you have
never worked before. He dismisses the issue and says that you should
continue working and you can clarify such information when you next see
your Division Supervisor. The Crew Rep adds he plans to return to the
road and serve as a lookout for the crew.

What now? Prepare your communications with the appropriate individuals.

**Stand 3 Tactical Decision Game**

You are the Superintendant of an Interagency Hotshot Crew. As you move
with your crew down canyon on your intended escape route to access a
safety zone at the Control Road, the upper squad (Squad A) of your crew
is cut off by a wall of fire. Recognizing that your upper squad cannot
make it through or around the flame front, you yell back an order to
Squad A to "turn around and head up hill to the other safety zone."
Radio traffic is heavy and it is hard to break in on the assigned
tactical frequency.

What actions and communication initiate now?

What things can you do as a crew leader prior to taking a crew to an
incident to increase your ability to maintain accountability?

**Stand 4 Tactical Decision Game**

You are the crew boss for the Jorgenson Type 2 crew assigned to Nitsirt
Fire on the Coconino National Forest. The 200 acre fire on the top of
the Mogollon Rim is currently contained and your assignment is to mop-up
200 feet in from the line from the FS Road 300 to the division break
(approximately .5 miles.) You leave the crew to get some sodas and other
items for the crew from the little store 10 miles down the road. On your
way back with your rewards for the crew, you pass two ambulances heading
back from the fireline. En-route back to your crew, you overhear broken
radio traffic between your Division Supervisor and your Crew
Representative about sending the crew into the ranger station as soon
possible and all gear is loaded up. Upon returning to the crew-hauls,
you meet face to face with your Crew Rep, at which point he informs you
that a snag fell and struck two of your crewmembers. The crew rep is not
sure, but he thinks one will not survive and the other is in very
critical condition also.

The Division Supervisor is again calling your crew on the radio. How do
you respond to that call?

Following the discussion with the Division Supervisor, you identify the
need to contact your supervisor on the home unit via cellular phone to
inform them of the incident.

Compose your thoughts and initiate that call.