The Ten Essential Factors in Firefighting (TEFF), their Trigger Points, & their Fire Suppression Tactics
	by Patrick Withen
	pwithen@virginia.edu
	http://people.uvawise.edu/pww8y/index.html#Top
	It has been understood for some time that the number of firefighting rules & regulations imposed upon the line firefighter has become somewhat unwieldy.  After the South Canyon Fire Tragedy in 1994 it was resolved not to add any more rules.  But with the seemingly inevitable fireline deaths since then, more rules have indeed been added even if they did not come in the form of a checklist.  The following five files consolidate 59 of the present fire rules, match them with trigger points & trend analysis, and finally match this to appropriate fireline tactics, ranging from engagement, to modification of engagement tactics, to disengagement tactics.  Perhaps never before has one analysis brought together these three components:  rules, trigger points, tactics.
	While the present analysis is merely a thumbnail sketch, it is hoped that an experienced wildland firefighter will be able to follow the line of thought, and make suggestions for improvement.
TEFF Card	It is suggested that the reader start with the Matrix, which is in many ways the culmination of this analysis and follows from the other five files.  However, the Matrix is the tool that may be used on the fireline, tying the other information together.
59 & TEFF	Upon viewing the Matrix, the reader may want to read the 59 & TEFF file.  This file takes the 59 fire rules currently in place ( the 10 Standard Firefighting Orders, the 18 Watchout Situations, LCES, etc.) & reduces them to the Ten Essential Firefighting Factors (TEFF).	2
TEFF	The reader may next want to examine the TEFF file.  This file gives a brief explanation of each of the Ten Essential Factors in Firefighting	1
Trends	Next is the Trends file which emphasizes that while some of the TEFF, or any other criteria for fire assessment, may or may not have a hard trigger point, it is never-the-less important for the line firefighter to track the trends on their fire.
Engage Disengage	The Engage Disengage file discusses how, in light of the TEFF and the Trends & Trigger Points, Fire Suppression Tactics should change as  conditions change.  This is a demonstration that rules must have criteria that dictate behavior
TEFF Card	Finally one should return to the Matrix and examine it in light of the analyses of the TEFF, Trends & Trigger Points, and the Engagement / Modification / Disengagement Fire Tactics
	ReadFirst.xls    August 10, 2002