The Benton Fire Department recently switched to a new firefighting agent called Fire Blockade that attacks the fuel source and cools the latent heat.
Chief Ben Blankenship said it is environmentally better than, for instance, foaming agents. ``It's a broad spectrum agent that can be used on lots of different types of fires.''
Fire Blockade is a patent pending, synthetic food grade protein, water-based fire extinguisher, that can be used in almost all firefighting scenarios, according to a Firehouse article.
Members of the Benton department, along with Alan R. Jackson, a sales representative for Working Chemical Solutions of El Dorado, demonstrated how the firefighting agent can be used on a wide array of fires including wood, tire, metal and fuel fires. The fires were put out in a matter of seconds.
What's unique about the product is it leaves behind a flame retardant that prevents further ignition, Jackson said.
``It disrupts the chemical reaction where (the surface) can't re-ignite,'' Blankenship said. ``Where foam disappears ... this stays a while.''
The chief added that the agent also is more cost-effective than foam because it is more concentrated so less is used.
Fire department Capt. Brad Besancon said ``searching hot spots'' from a fire is the hardest part in fighting fires. ``The physical manpower is the hardest part. This will help knock out time,'' he said.
Whereas fighting fire with water takes about 2 1/2 minutes, extinguishing the flames with Fire Blockade takes about 10 seconds. Once the flames are extinguished, the surfaces are safe to touch.
The product also is water soluble, can be mixed with fresh or salt water, does not require special equipment or apparatus for application and does not deplete oxygen.
The fire chief said the department would fill its fire truck tanks with the agent.
