Question

When should the ISO request an ASO (Assistant Safety Officer) at wildland fires?

A) Only for large-scale wildfires.
B) When there are untrained firefighters on the scene.
C) When the incident warrants extra personnel to ensure safety functions.
D) When the IC directs the ISO to do so.

Answer 1

An ISO should request an ASO at wildland fires when the incident warrants extra personnel to ensure safety functions, considering the scale and complexity of the incident.

Step-by-step explanation:

The Incident Safety Officer (ISO) should request an Assistant Safety Officer (ASO) at wildland fires when the incident warrants extra personnel to ensure safety functions. This is not reserved for only large-scale wildfires, nor is it solely when there are untrained firefighters on the scene or solely when the Incident Commander (IC) directs the ISO to do so. The need for an ASO is based on the complexities of the incident which could include the scale of the fire, the threat to life and property, the number and expertise of personnel on the scene, and specific hazards such as wildland-urban interface. Firefighters, while working to control and extinguish municipal fires and rescue victims from dangerous situations, must be properly equipped with fire-resistant clothing and breathing apparatus, and may rely on the safety officers to assess situations and communicate conditions effectively.