Step 3. Establish a guard or security patrol roster. Incorporate as many personnel as possible. Ensure that each
individual has enough time to sleep, and rotate guards as frequently as possible. Guards asleep at their posts
provide the same protection as no guards at all. Establish staggered inspection times for checking on guards and
Step 4. Install any early-warning devices you have available. If none are available, build field-expedient devices.
They can be as simple as cans hanging on a string, or wire, with small stones or empty brass casings inside.
NOTE:
Noise-making devices are of limited value when the unit is making smoke. Noise created by
smoke generators in operation may be louder than the noise-making devices.
Step 5. Brief all personnel on the location of all early-warning devices, mines, and guard positions. Many alerts
are caused by unit personnel setting off early-warning devices because they were unaware of the location.
Step 6. Designate a field of fire for each crew-served and individual firing position. Ensure they know their
fields of fire to provide adequate area coverage and to prevent firing into another position in the unit.
Step 7. Brief all personnel with the signs and countersigns (IAW CEOI) and when they will change. Provide all
guards with the procedures for challenging and escorting.
Once you have established unit security, you must maintain it. Depending on duration of stay, you may have
time to upgrade and expand on your unit's security measures.
Safety is an important consideration that is frequently overlooked or ignored when operating in the field.
Your job, as a smoke NCO, requires you to prevent safety violations within the unit. The following items will
assist you in this task:
Ensure all safety equipment, such as safety shoes and leather gloves, is available and used during the handling
of fuel and equipment.
Fire extinguishers must be available at each smoke generator position, and at every area where fuel is stored
and transferred.
Ensure there is no smoking within 50 feet of all smoke generator positions, fuel handling areas, and fuel
storage sites.
Establish a speed limit for all vehicles utilized in the unit's area.
Ensure all vehicles are operated in a safe manner.
Check all fields of fire. Fields of fire should overlap to provide adequate coverage, but must not overlap into
another position.
27
Previous Page
