# Presentation: 571196

## TARGET DESCRIPTION DEMONSTRATE HOW ANY DAMN FOOL CAN GIVE A TARGET DESCRIPTION A Perspective From The Air And The Ground

## OBJECTIVES

- Demonstrate the difficulties in giving and understanding a target description
- Demonstrate how to give an effective target description – show  “Tricks of The Trade”

## OBJECTIVES

- Explain how word meanings, cultural differences, and regional differences can help or hinder effective target description
- Therefore, to have a better understanding of communicating a visual clue even though you aren’t the one giving the description

## DESCRIBE TACTICS

## PERSPECTIVES

- On the ground, you are often limited by the visual clues – what you can or can’t see
- It’s tough to see the big picture when you are stuck in a hole surrounded by fire

## GROUND PERSPECTIVE

## PERSPECTIVES

- In the air, we may be over saturated by the number of visual clues
- The problem is, which clues should we use so that those on the ground understand what we see?

## AIR PERSPECTIVE

## PERSPECTIVES

- How do you select and how do you communicate those visual clues that are unique? THEN -
- Does what is said have meaning for you in the aircraft and for the person on the ground? Are you talking the same lingo? SO -

## TARGET ORIENTATION AND DESCRIPTION PROCEDURES

_**First and foremost – start bi**_**g**_**, work **_**y**_**our way to smaller, more detailed descri**_**p**_**tions**_
- Preplanning is the key –
- have an idea of what you want to say
- understand terms
- then take your time
- think before talking

## TARGET ORIENTATION AND DESCRIPTION PROCEDURES

- Keep obvious reference points in mind should they be needed later
- Remember that our individuality and culture are factors in understanding what is said in the target description
- Learn the ICS and aviation vocabulary

## REFERENCE POINTS

- Reference points are a common point known by each communicator and obvious or unique to both parties
- Directions then given relative to the reference point
- Your aircraft circling above a point or the person on the ground may be used as a reference point

## REFERENCE POINTS – TYPES

- Map coordinates – latitude/longitude
- Geographical features – lakes, mountains, towns, highways
- Fire activity features – flare ups, smoke, the last drop made, etc.

## REFERENCE POINTS – TYPES

- Equipment/personnel on the ground
- Signaling equipment
- How about “that green tree” or “brown rock” ?????????

## COMMUNICATION DEVICES

- Radio
- Signaling equipment
**MIRRORS**
**SMOKE**
**STROBES**
**FLARES**
**WAVING A TOOL OR CLOTHING – ****“**I’m the firefighter in the yellow shirt standing by the orange panel.”

## RADIO COMMUNICATIONS

- (Ground) Give ***DETAILED***** **location descriptions only when the aircraft is in a position to view what you are reporting
- Keep radio messages short, sweet, and simple – you can confuse people when getting too detailed

## RADIO COMMUNICATIONS 

- GPS coordinates may be useful only when the aircraft is at a considerable distance. Keep in mind that during single pilot operations, having to re-program the GPS is sometimes difficult when close in to the fire

## THE “3” STAGES OF ORIENTATION

**LONG DISTANCE**
**MEDIUM DISTANCE**
**SHORT DISTANCE**

## LONG DISTANCE STAGE

- Geographical/ Topographical references are given, but they need to be large and obvious – Example: mountain ranges, large smoke columns
- GPS coordinates are useful because the crew has time to enter the information – either on the ground or in the air

## You may not be close enough to see the fire

Program the air to ground frequency into your radio – monitor traffic from the fire while you are en route, get some ideas beforehand of what’s going on 

- You may not be close enough to see the fire
- Program the air to ground frequency into your radio – monitor traffic from the fire while you are en route, get some ideas beforehand of what’s going on

## LONG DISTANCE

## MEDIUM DISTANCE STAGE

- Reference points may begin to be obvious
- If you’re on the ground and the aircraft is in sight, the clock orientation technique may be used
- If the smoke column is in sight, it can be used for orientation

## MEDIUM DISTANCE

- Can we be detailed yet?

## SHORT DISTANCE STAGE

- Reference points must be unique and can be detailed
- Clock orientation techniques are effective
- Mirrors, strobes, flares, smoke, and using fire vehicles as start/stop points are useful
- Can now discuss tactics

## SHORT DISTANCE

- DO YOU SEE THE CREW ?

## SHORT DISTANCE STAGE

- Now you can describe a drop location relative to a detailed reference point
- Communicating your objective – what you need done – will help

## SHORT DISTANCE STAGE

- When giving detailed descriptions on the radio, make sure that the person that you are talking to is in a position to see the target being discussed.
-  	Make sure 			that it is also 		common to 			both of you.

## TARGET DESCRIPTION PITFALLS

- Meanings of words not properly interpreted
- Vague or excessive description of target – long winded – _**talkin**_**g**_** too much**_

## TARGET DESCRIPTION PITFALLS

- If the target description gets too lengthy and no one understands – _**sto**_**p**_** and start all**__ __**over a**_**g**_**ain**__._ But this time, be shorter in your explanation.
-  The meaning usually becomes clearer after a shorter and less detailed target identification

## CLOCK ORIENTATION TECHNIQUE

## CLOCK ORIENTATION TECHNIQUE

**ADD DISTANCE IF DESIRED**

## With the following slides,establish a reference point using the clock orientation technique

## Slide 33

## Slide 34

## Slide 35

## Reference points can be established relative to the fire 

## Basic Fire Diagram

- Left Flank

- Right Flank

- Establish and use cardinal points
- (North, South, East, West) when necessary

- Heel

## Slide 38

## Relative Position Of Target

- REFERENCE TO SECTION OF FIRE

**Half way up ****the right ****flank**

## Reference to Man Made Features

**“****The dozer line ****on the left flank”**

## Reference To Cardinal Points

**“****The spot fire North of the lake”**

## Reference To LoadsAlready Dropped

**“****Extend your previous drop”**

- Reference To LoadsAlready Dropped

## THE PLUNGE FIRESBD JAN 2006

## Slide 44

## Slide 45

## Slide 46

## Slide 47

## Slide 48

## Slide 49

## Slide 50

## OBJECTIVES 

- Demonstrate the difficulties in giving and understanding a target description
- Demonstrate how to give an effective target description – show  “Tricks of The Trade”

## OBJECTIVES

- Explain how word meanings, cultural differences, and regional differences can help or hinder effective target description
- Therefore, to have a better understanding of communicating a visual clue even though you aren’t the one giving the description

## THANK YOU

- Any Questions?