Basic Firefighting: Vehicle Firefighting
Attacking a fire involving a motor vehicle should be no different than attacking a fire in a structure. Basic hose handling and attack techniques are used. Session Reference: Topic: Basic Firefighting: Vehicle Firefighting Time...
bursting into flames)
• Carpeting - may melt rather than burn
• Dashboard - plastic with wiring concealed behind
• Plastic - gauges, interior molding
• Insulation - conceal fire
• Sleeping area in large trucks - additional people and combustibles
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Potential fire locations
• Engine compartment
• Carburetor
• Wiring in ignition system
• Air Cleaner
• Passenger compartment
• Trunk
• Brake and tire areas on large trucks
• Truck beds - from discarded smoking materials
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Fuels
• Gasoline - low flash point
• Diesel - higher flash point
• Gasohol - may require special extinguishing agents
• Propane/LNG - presence may not be obvious
• Electricity - may require special extinguishing agents
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Gaining Access
• Doors
• Locked or unlocked - conventional or electric locks - check all doors
• Cut sheet metal to expose lock
• May be able to force door with conventional tools
• Windows
• Front windshield - safety glass
• Side and rear windows - tempered glass
• Glass may melt or explode
• Hood
• Internal latch release that melts easily
• External release of latch - may require being in close proximity to vehicle
• Forcing sheet metal on side of hood to cool down before forcing latch
• Secure hood from closing - springs may collapse when heated
• Trunk
• Key to gain access
• Forcing sheet metal on side to cool down
• Displacing lock assembly by forcing lock and opening trunk with haligan bar
point or screwdriver
• Wheel wells
• Locating existing openings
• Making openings
• Will require getting low to force water into engine compartment
• Lights
• Head lights - force entry tool through light so that nozzle can be inserted to cool
motor
• Front turn signals - alternative means of accessing motor compartment
• Tail lights - force entry tool through light so that nozzle can be inserted to cool
trunk area
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II. Size Up (1-2)
Auto fire
• Simple auto fire with no exposures
• Auto fire in or near structure
• Auto fire near other automobiles
• Victims still in vehicle on fire
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Auto accident
• Auto on fire
• Potential for auto to ignite after arrival
• Victims still in vehicle
• Exposures
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Time of day
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Weather/season
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Staffing/equipment
• May more than one engine for certain areas or types of vehicles
• Should have adequate staffing to place at least one attack line in service with a
preference to a secondary line to protect exposures
• Should consider an EMS unit
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Location
• Limited access
• Apparatus from both directions on duel highways
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Additional help
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Suspicious fire
• Smoke color
• Fire extent
• Preserve evidence
• Call investigator
• Arson increases during poor economy
• Motive to collect insurance
• Interviews
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III. Apparatus Placement (1-3)
Upgrade - should be 100 to 150 feet away from fire
