WATCHOUT & LACES
Essential safety acronyms for firefighting awareness and survival
WATCHOUT Fire Behaviour Awareness
The WATCHOUT acronym helps firefighters stay alert to the critical factors that affect fire behaviour and personal safety. Every letter represents a key principle:
W Weather
Weather dominates fire behaviour, so keep informed. Monitor weather forecasts and conditions constantly. Changes in wind, temperature, and humidity can rapidly alter fire behaviour.
A Actions
Actions must be based on current and expected fire behaviour. Do not rely on assumptions — base every decision on what the fire is doing now and what it is likely to do next.
T Try Out Escape Routes
Try out at least two safe escape routes. Before engaging with the fire, identify and physically check your escape routes. Never rely on a single way out.
C Communicate
Communicate with your Fire Protection Officer (FPO), your crew, and adjoining crews. Constant communication is essential for coordination and safety.
H Hazards
Beware of hazards including variations in fuels and steep slopes. Different fuel types burn at different rates and intensities. Steep slopes accelerate fire spread dramatically.
O Observe Changes
Observe changes in wind speed and direction, temperature, humidity, and cloud formations. These environmental shifts can signal sudden changes in fire behaviour.
U Understand
Understand your instructions and make sure you are understood by others. Unclear communication during a fire can be fatal. Confirm and repeat instructions.
T Think Clearly
Think clearly, be alert, and act decisively before the situation becomes critical. Hesitation in a fire situation can cost lives. Stay calm and make timely decisions.
LACES Firefighter Safety System
The LACES system is a safety framework that must be in place before any firefighting operations begin. All five elements must be established and maintained throughout the operation:
L Lookout
The Lookout is the eyes of the firefighter. The lookout should be positioned where they can see both the fire line and the crews. Any changes in fire behaviour, weather, or conditions must be reported immediately. The lookout is a dedicated role — they must not be distracted by other tasks.
A Awareness
All personnel should be aware of the action plan, current fire weather conditions, and the terrain they are operating in. Situational awareness must be maintained at all times. Everyone on the fire line should know the plan, the risks, and what to do if conditions change.
C Communications
The fire officer, crew leaders, and lookouts must be able to communicate with each other at all times. Communication equipment must be tested before operations begin. If communications fail, crews should withdraw to safety zones until contact is re-established.
E Escape Routes
Have at least two planned escape routes at all times. All crew members must know where the escape routes are. Know your backup route in case the primary route is cut off. Escape routes should be checked and confirmed before operations begin and monitored continuously.
S Safety Zones
Safety zones are places of refuge that must be known to everyone on the fire line. The required size of a safety zone is dictated by the fuel load, terrain, and weather conditions. Safety zones should be pre-identified during planning and communicated to all personnel before operations begin.