Firefighter Safety

Firefighter Safety Vehicle Fire, Rescue, & Scene Safety

Vehicle Fire, Rescue, & Scene Safety • RESPONSE INFORMATION • Location of accident • Kinds of vehicles involved • Number of vehicles • Condition or position of vehicles • Number of people injured & type of injuries • Any special hazard information

Vehicle Fire, Rescue, & Scene Safety • APPROACH • Uphill • To keep burning fuels away from firefighters • Upwind • To keep smoke and combustion gases blowing away from firefighters

Vehicle Fire, Rescue, & Scene Safety • ATTACKING & EXTINGUISHING • Full personal protective clothing & equipment • Attack lines charged & ready • Back-up line and or dry chemical extinguisher • Spray ground under vehicle to wash away gas, oil, and fluids to create a safer work area • Make entry to involved part of vehicle • Work in pairs • If forcible entry is necessary, be cautious of glass, sharp metal objectsTRY BEFORE YOU PRY! • Open hood compartment and prop open • Call additional help as needed

Vehicle Fire, Rescue, & Scene Safety • ATTACKING & EXTINGUISHING CONTINUED • Provide adequate traffic and scene control measures • Use flares or appropriate safe warning devices • Provide portable lighting for visibility at night • Remove or cut battery cables • Disconnect or cut negative attachment first • Be cautious of hydrochloric acid

Vehicle Fire, Rescue, & Scene Safety • SPECIALIZED PROBLEMS IN DEALING WITH VEHICLE FIRES • Modern day vehicles are composed of a large amount of plastic components • Creates a large amount of fire • Produces thick black smoke & toxic gases, which can cause firefighter fatalities & disabilities • Safety 5 mph bumpers • Shock absorber type activation • Can cause injuries to firefighters’ knees & lower extremities • Hatch-Back • Shock absorber hazard

Vehicle Fire, Rescue, & Scene Safety • VEHICLE RESCUE • An emergency rescue is a procedure for removing a victim from a dangerous location to a place of safety • Stabilization • Must take priority over all other rescue operations in order to minimize further injury to victims and or movement of the vehicle • Size-up • Number & type of vehicles involved • Number of victims injured & extent of injuries • Scene hazards (fire, explosion, traffic, etc.) • Your resources (fire extinguisher, first aid equipment, etc.) • Rescuer Safety • C.Y.A. • Rescuers are no good to anyone if hurt

Vehicle Fire, Rescue, & Scene Safety • VEHICLE RESCUE CONTINUED • Be alert for hazards • Fire, danger of fire, or explosion • Electrical • Traffic conditions • Unstable vehicle • Structure collapse • Hazardous materials • Gaining access to victims • Inform victims of game plan • Protect victims from flying glass or objects • Once access is made • Conduct a primary survey (ABCs), C-spine, ,and severe bleeding • Locate all victims • Ask questions & administer first aid

Vehicle Fire, Rescue, & Scene Safety • VEHICLE RESCUE CONTINUED • Removal of victims • Have necessary equipment ready (long board, scoop-stretcher, etc.) • Sometimes victims are better off staying put • Indication for immediate removal • Fire, danger of fire or explosion • Toxic atmosphere • Traffic conditions • Risk of drowning • Exposure to cold or heat • Structure collapse • Electrical hazards

Vehicle Fire, Rescue, & Scene Safety • VEHICLE RESCUE CONTINUED • When removing victims • Avoid subjecting victims to unnecessary movement • Ensure an open airway • Control bleeding • C-spine precautions • Immobilize fractures • Arrange for transportation • Rehearse lifting procedure

Vehicle Fire, Rescue, & Scene Safety • TRAFFIC CONSIDERATIONS • Vehicle placement • On the shoulder of the road • Use as a protective barrier • Accident zone • 50 foot radius around the accident • Flare placement • Formula: (mph X F) + (Accident Zone (AZ)) • Where F = first digit of mph and AZ = 50 feet minimum • Example: 50mph X 5 = 250 + 50 = 300 • Distance between flares • 10 feet (night or heavy fog) • 20 feet (around turns or over hill crests) • 30 feet (clear or long range visibility)

Public Education BASIC CONSIDERATIONS FOR VEHICLE FIRES

BASIC CONSIDERATIONS FOR VEHICLE FIRES • OVERVIEW • Vehicle fires are the most common fire response • Vehicle fires account for over 20% of all reported fire calls

BASIC CONSIDERATIONS FOR VEHICLE FIRES • OVERVIEW CONTINUED • Inherent hazards • Smoke and flame • Heat and visibility problems • Exposures • Toxic gases • Increased use of plastics • Produce hydrogen cyanide • Batteries contain hydrochloric acid • Flammable liquid fires/spills • Fire destroys fuel lines especially in engine compartment

BASIC CONSIDERATIONS FOR VEHICLE FIRES • OVERVIEW CONTINUED • Inherent hazards Continued • Explosion hazards • Gas tanks • Liquefied propane gas (LPG) • Compressed natural gas (CNG) • Batteries • Gas/hydraulic filled components • Undeployed air bags • Driver • Passenger • Side impact • Curtains

BASIC CONSIDERATIONS FOR VEHICLE FIRES • OVERVIEW CONTINUED • Inherent hazards Continued • Alternative fuels • LPG • CNG • Methanol • Electric (high voltage up 360 volts) • Hybrid gas/electric vehicles • Methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE)

BASIC CONSIDERATIONS FOR VEHICLE FIRES • OVERVIEW CONTINUED • Inherent hazards Continued • Exotic metal fires • Magnesium • Magnesium alloys • Lithium • Used to reduce vehicle weight • Unknown contents • Trunk contents

BASIC CONSIDERATIONS FOR VEHICLE FIRES • FIRE FIGHTING TACTICS • Apparatus position • Uphill, upwind • In front of vehicle • Fuel tanks are usually located to the rear of most vehicles • Position apparatus to provide protection of fire fighters from oncoming traffic

BASIC CONSIDERATIONS FOR VEHICLE FIRES • FIRE FIGHTING TACTICS CONTINUED • Rescue • Is everyone out of the car/area? • Consider rapid removal of victims using portable fire extinguisher for quick knock down • Establish safety zone around vehicle • Exposures • Knockdown fire around or under vehicle

BASIC CONSIDERATIONS FOR VEHICLE FIRES • FIRE FIGHTING TACTICS CONTINUED • Confinement • Full personal protective equipment • Minimum 1½", 100 gpm hoseline • Connect to Class B foam outlet, if applicable • Flammable liquids are Class B fires • Charge • Bleed air from line • Adjust pattern • Start with a medium fog – Protect personnel

BASIC CONSIDERATIONS FOR VEHICLE FIRES • FIRE FIGHTING TACTICS CONTINUED • Confinement Continued • Look for signs of alternative fuel vehicles • Labels • Insignias • High voltage warnings • Compressed gas warnings • Fires involving electric vehicles at charging stations should be treated as a Class C fire • Disconnect from power source – Charging unit – Subpanel – Main

BASIC CONSIDERATIONS FOR VEHICLE FIRES • FIRE FIGHTING TACTICS CONTINUED • Confinement Continued • Approach at 30-45 angle from the corners • Exploding shock-absorbing bumpers, struts, hatchback pistons, etc. tend to travel in line with the vehicle • Use low crouch

BASIC CONSIDERATIONS FOR VEHICLE FIRES • FIRE FIGHTING TACTICS CONTINUED • Confinement • Engine compartment fires may need indirect method before opening hood • Through grill or under wheel wells • Through hole made in hood • Small engine compartment fires may be knocked down with a dry chemical portable fire extinguisher • Magnesium engine fires may be extinguished using copious amounts of water • Usually more than your apparatus can carry

BASIC CONSIDERATIONS FOR VEHICLE FIRES • FIRE FIGHTING TACTICS CONTINUED • Confinement • Fires involving electric vehicles may involve hazardous chemicals/exotic metals • Sulfuric acid • Potassium hydroxide • Organic electrolytes • Lithium

BASIC CONSIDERATIONS FOR VEHICLE FIRES • FIRE FIGHTING TACTICS CONTINUED • Extinguish • Cool hazard areas • Fuel tank(s) • Shock absorbing bumpers • Other piston/cylinder assemblies and other sealed components • Hatchbacks • Hoods • Tires • Catalytic converter • Batteries • Driveline

BASIC CONSIDERATIONS FOR VEHICLE FIRES • FIRE FIGHTING TACTICS CONTINUED • Overhaul • Open hood • Disconnect 12 volt battery(s) • Negative terminal first • Prevents sparking • Disconnect high voltage system in electric vehicles • Ground fault monitoring • Inertia switches, etc. • Manual disconnects are vehicle specific – Check with vehicle 's owner for location – There may be multiple batteries – On newer BMWs and other expensive cars, the batteries may disconnect on impact • Never cut high voltage cables – Orange cables are SAE standard for air bag or other safety devices – Not all vehicles use this system

BASIC CONSIDERATIONS FOR VEHICLE FIRES • FIRE FIGHTING TACTICS CONTINUED • Overhaul Continued • Open doors • Ventilate and check for extension • Under dash • Concealed spaces • Interior upholstery • Continue to cool hazard areas • Check for fuel leaks • Check trunk compartment • Do not allow vehicle to be towed until fire is fully out

BASIC CONSIDERATIONS FOR VEHICLE FIRES SUMMARY Vehicle fires are never routine. The advances in new safety technology in vehicles make for safer vehicles on impact. After the impact, these devices become extremely dangerous to us as rescuers whether we are extricating victims or extinguishing a vehicle fire.

Public Education SAFETY PRECAUTIONS FOR VEHICLE FIRES

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS FOR VEHICLE FIRES • SAFETY PRECAUTIONS FOR VEHICLE FIRES • Approaching a burning vehicle • From uphill • To keep burning fuels away from fire fighters • From upwind • To keep smoke and combustion gases blowing away from fire fighters • Full PPE must be worn for safety • Hoselines charged and ready • Back up line or dry chemical extinguisher

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS FOR VEHICLE FIRES • SAFETY PRECAUTIONS FOR VEHICLE FIRES CONTINUED • Safety precautions for attacking and extinguishing vehicle fires • Open hood compartment and prop open • Make entry to involved part of vehicle • If forcible entry is necessary, be cautious of glass, sharp metal objects • Work as a team/crew in a minimum of pairs • Call additional help as needed • Provide adequate traffic and scene control measures • Use flares or appropriate safe warning devices • Provide portable lighting for proper safe visibility

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS FOR VEHICLE FIRES • SAFETY PRECAUTIONS FOR VEHICLE FIRES CONTINUED • Safety precautions for attacking and extinguishing vehicle fires Continued • Consider wide range of vehicle fire involvement and precautions • Passenger vehicle • Transport carrier vehicle • Hazardous materials • Chemicals, fuels, gases • Radioactive • Explosives • Corrosives • Combustible/flammables • Radiological agents • Oxidizers • Poisons, pesticides • Cryogenics

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS FOR VEHICLE FIRES • SAFETY PRECAUTIONS FOR VEHICLE FIRES CONTINUED • Safety precautions for attacking and extinguishing vehicle fires Continued • Remove or cut battery cables • Consider electric door locks, windows, seats, etc., first • Sparks can create a large amount of fire • Negative first, then positive • Battery safety • Be aware of possible battery explosion, electrical arching, spillage of hydrochloric acid from battery • Batteries can be found in different locations throughout different makes of vehicles • Airbag safety • Airbag equipped vehicles contain a capacitor which takes 5-45 minutes to discharge

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS FOR VEHICLE FIRES • SAFETY PRECAUTIONS FOR VEHICLE FIRES CONTINUED • Specialized problems in dealing with modern day vehicle fires • Vehicles are composed of a large amount of plastic components • Creates large amount of fire • Extreme temperature variation • Production of vast amounts of toxic, thick black smoke and gases which can cause fire fighter fatality and disability

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS FOR VEHICLE FIRES • SAFETY PRECAUTIONS FOR VEHICLE FIRES CONTINUED • Specialized problems in dealing with modern day vehicle fires • Inherent dangers caused by construction materials and innovations • Catalytic converters, emission control systems, (ERG) • Polyethylene/fiberglass fuel tanks • Fuel tanks • Pressurized fuel tanks • Venting fuel caps • LPG fuel tanks • Safety 5 mph bumpers – shock absorber type activation • Filled with fluid that expands and projects with force • Cause injuries to fire fighter knees and lower extremities • May be disabling • It is no longer permissible for fire fighters to "wash down" spilled fuels • Treat such spills as hazardous materials incidents

Safety Precautions When Using Water to Extinguish a Fire SUMMARY Modern day vehicle designs and fuel transportation are not done with fire fighter safety in mind. Fire fighters must also be aware that the danger and hazards multiply under fire conditions. It is difficult, but the fire fighter must keep abreast of these potential or probable safety problems through knowledge and training.

Public Education ACCESSING PASSENGER VEHICLE COMPARTMENTS DURING A FIRE

ACCESSING PASSENGER VEHICLE COMPARTMENTS DURING A FIRE • SIZE-UP • Determine the size and location of the fire • Passenger compartment • Engine compartment • Undercarriage • The vehicle may have one or more, or all, compartments involved in fire • Determine if a rescue problem exists • Tactics for gaining access to the fire do not change with a rescue; but your priorities will

ACCESSING PASSENGER VEHICLE COMPARTMENTS DURING A FIRE • PROTECTING EXPOSURES • Exposures are a priority before confinement and extinguishment of the fire • Attached trailers • Nearby structures • Put any fire in the brush out before attacking vehicle fire

ACCESSING PASSENGER VEHICLE COMPARTMENTS DURING A FIRE • PROTECTING EXPOSURES • APPROACHING THE VEHICLE • Ensure you have a safe zone from traffic hazards • Approach the front or rear corner at a 30°-45° angle • Stay away from the front and rear bumpers • Hydraulic fluid-filled bumper systems undergo great stress when heated • Can cause the bumper to be propelled off the car • Can cause severe injury

ACCESSING PASSENGER VEHICLE COMPARTMENTS DURING A FIRE • ACCESSING THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT • Primary dangers • Materials used in construction • Air bags • Attempt to gain access though the door • First try to open it by using the handle • "Try before you pry" • Driver may have the key • If normal entry through a door is not possible • Break a window • Apply a punch or pointed object to the corner of the window • Unlock the door • Pull any victims out

ACCESSING PASSENGER VEHICLE COMPARTMENTS DURING A FIRE • ACCESSING THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT CONTINUED • Extinguish the fire • Minimum 1½" hoseline 100 gpm • Use a medium fog pattern in a circular motion • If the vehicle doors will not open due to damage, attempt to pull victim out through the window

ACCESSING PASSENGER VEHICLE COMPARTMENTS DURING A FIRE • ACCESSING THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT • Primary dangers • Very hot metal filled with flammable liquids • Fuel leaks • Batteries • Avoid standing in front of a bumper after it has been heated • If possible, gain access to the passenger compartment and release the hood latch • If latch is inaccessible or does not work, pry the hood • Best pried above the front tire between the quarter panel and the hood • On most hoods, a crumple exists at this point to absorb a frontal impact • The hood can be "tented" • Giving you 3-6 inches of space • This can be repeated on the opposite side of the vehicle hood • Extinguish the fire

ACCESSING PASSENGER VEHICLE COMPARTMENTS DURING A FIRE • ACCESS TO TRUNK COMPARTMENT • Primary dangers • Storage of unknown substances • Flammable liquid or gas containers • Ammunition • Explosives • Check for occupants • People may be in the trunk area after an accident • Gain access • If possible, release the trunk latch in the passenger compartment • Driver may have the key • Unlatch the rear seats

ACCESSING PASSENGER VEHICLE COMPARTMENTS DURING A FIRE • ACCESS TO TRUNK COMPARTMENT CONTINUED • Gain access Continued • Last resort is to pry the trunk • Halligan tool • Flat-head axe • Screwdriver • Other prying tools • Forcible entry • Place the pick end of the Halligan tool up to the keyway of the trunk lock • Strike with the flat-head axe to remove lock assembly • Place the screwdriver into keyway and twist to open the trunk • Pull any victims out • Extinguish any fire

ACCESSING PASSENGER VEHICLE COMPARTMENTS DURING A FIRE • SALVAGE AND OVERHAUL • Preserve evidence • Secure vehicle • Set emergency brake or chock vehicle • Disconnect battery

Public Education TRAFFIC CONTROL CONSIDERATIONS & PROCEDURES

TRAFFIC CONTROL CONSIDERATIONS & PROCEDURES • UNCONTROLLED TRAFFIC CONSEQUENCES • Damaged hoseline • Damaged apparatus • Other accidents • Blocked access/egress • Interference with evolutions • Blowing debris and dirt, etc. • Injured or killed fire fighter

TRAFFIC CONTROL CONSIDERATIONS & PROCEDURES • TRAFFIC CONTROL PROCEDURES • Traffic laws • California Vehicle Code, Chapter 4, Division 2 • California Vehicle Code, Chapter 3, Division 2 • Local codes and ordinances • Law enforcement often handles traffic control • Fire fighters may assume traffic control responsibilities before law enforcement arrives to ensure scene safety • Traffic may be slowed, diverted, or stopped

TRAFFIC CONTROL CONSIDERATIONS & PROCEDURES • TRAFFIC CONTROL PROCEDURES CONTINUED • Methods available • Barricades • Cones • Flares • Hand-held signs • Hand signals • Emergency vehicles • Traffic paddles • Flashlights

Firefighter Safety