Wildland fire season is rapidly approaching. In some parts of the country, it's already here. Operating apparatus at wildland fires requires special precautions and driving skills. Here are some tips to help keep you safe.

Wear your seatbelts. Just because you're not operating on a road doesn't mean you don't have to wear your seatbelts. Apparatus can accidentally roll over or collide with other vehicles when they're off-road as well as on. Make it a department policy that all personnel must wear seatbelts all the time.

Don't ride outside. Riding on the outside of a moving apparatus is dangerous and has been a contributing factor in several firefighter deaths over the past years. If you need to conduct a mobile attack on a running vegetation fire, use a remote-controlled monitor, or do it with a person on the ground.

Use a ground guide for off-road operations. One effective method of conducting off-road operations is to use a person on the ground to direct the apparatus. Have one firefighter walk ahead and to the side of the moving apparatus to watch for hazards and direct the driver with hand signals.

Keep the windows rolled up. Smoke and blowing embers can make driving difficult and potentially can ignite materials inside the cab. Always keep the windows rolled up — even when the apparatus is parked.

Park the apparatus pointed toward the escape route. No matter where you park the apparatus, always have it pointed in the direction of the escape route. If fire overruns your position, you need to be ready to go without wasting time and blocking the road by turning around.

Install an ember screen. NFPA standards now require a small-mesh screen in the engine air inlet to prevent embers from being drawn in and igniting the paper air cleaner filter. Several apparatus have "sucked embers" and been lost this way. In a few cases, the crew has been injured trying to escape the stalled vehicle.

Use area lights at night. Headlights aren't enough when trying to maneuver or work around an apparatus at night. The driver, and the firefighters on the ground, need to see the area all around the vehicle to avoid ditches, holes, rocks, downed wires and other hazards. Ideally all lights should be controlled by a single switch in the cab.