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 Required: 6 Hours
Materials:
• Slide or Overhead Projector and Screen
• Brady Vehicle Fire Slides or Transparencies
• Video Tape "Vehicle Fires" Media Resources
• 3-4 Automobiles
• Excelsior or Untreated Straw
• Fully Equipped Fire Engine (may need two)
References:
• Essentials of Fire Fighting, 4th ed., International Fire Service Training Association
Preparation
Motivation:
Objective (SPO): The student will demonstrate a basic understanding of the techniques to gain access and control and suppress a fire involving a motor vehicle using basic fire suppression and vehicle rescue techniques.
Overview: Basic Firefighting: Vehicle Firefighting
• Vehicle Construction
• Size Up
• Apparatus Placement
• Water Supply
• Safety
• Hoseline Placement
• Exposure Protection Priorities
• Special Considerations
• Practical Exercises
Basic Firefighting: Vehicle Firefighting
SPO 1-1 The student will demonstrate a basic understanding of the techniques to gain access and control and suppress a fire involving a motor vehicle using basic fire suppression and vehicle rescue techniques.
EO 1-1 Demonstrate a basic knowledge of motor vehicle construction and the inherent problems that are present when such a vehicle is involved in a fire.
EO 1-2 Demonstrate a basic knowledge of scene size up for an incident involving a motor vehicle fire.
EO 1-3 Demonstrate a basic knowledge of apparatus placement for a fire involving a motor vehicle.
EO 1-4 Demonstrate a basic knowledge of the water supply requirements for a fire involving a motor vehicle.
EO 1-5 Demonstrate a basic knowledge of the scene safety requirements and considerations at a fire involving a motor vehicle.
EO 1-6 Demonstrate a basic knowledge of hoseline placement at a fire involving a motor vehicle.
EO 1-7 Demonstrate a basic knowledge of exposure protection priorities for a fire involving a motor vehicle.
EO 1-8 Demonstrate a basic knowledge of the special considerations for a fire involving a motor vehicle.
EO 1-9 Demonstrate the proper techniques to gain access and suppress a fire involving a motor vehicle.
Instructional Guide
· Vehicle Construction (1-1)
Vehicle Components
    • Body
        • Metal - sheet metal over structural supports
        • Fiberglass on metal frame
        • Plastic in fenders and around bumpers
    • Frame
        • Standard - frame rails
        • Unibody - integrated body support
    • Means of access
        • Doors - front, rear, and hatchback
        • Windows - front, side, rear
        • Hood - hinged front or rear
        • Trunk - usually in rear
        • Wheel wells
        • Lights - head lights and tail lights
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Inherent Problems
    • Toxic gases from burning components
    • Batteries - acid and pressure which could result in an explosion
    • Bumpers - shock absorbers
    • Driveshaft - hollow tubes
    • Catalytic converters - source of ignition
    • Pressurized fuel systems - spray fuel vapors under pressure
    • Tires - pressure that could be released with explosive force and fuel (rubber burns)
    • Glass - breaking characteristics(tempered vs. safety)
    • Electrical shock hazard - battery cables and various electrical components
    • High pressure systems - hydraulic and air brake lines on trucks
    • Airbags - multiple locations dependent upon vehicle
    • Cooling systems - freon under pressure (freon produces toxic vapors when heated)
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Fire Transmission
    • Interior features
       • Seats - upholstery and padding (fire could be deep-seated and smolder before
         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
----------------------
Auto accident
    • Auto on fire
    • Potential for auto to ignite after arrival
    • Victims still in vehicle
    • Exposures
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Time of day
----------------------
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
----------------------
Location
    • Limited access
    • Apparatus from both directions on duel highways
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Additional help
----------------------
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
Upwind
Consider traffic and safety of personnel
Watch for downed wires - accidents
Access for additional apparatus (tankers)
Safety - regarding traffic patterns
----------------------
IV. Water Supply (1-4)
Booster tank - adequate on most vehicle fires but should have a minimum of 500 gallons
Hydrant
Static source - may require more than one piece of apparatus
Tankers/other pumpers
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V. Safety (1-5)
Account for all personnel
Protective clothing
Breathing apparatus
Correct approach
    • 45 degrees of vehicle
    • Stay away from front or rear bumpers
    • Separate fire from uninvolved areas and victims
    • Sweep fuel burning underneath vehicle
Area security - 100 foot perimeter around vehicle
Vehicle security - accidents
Spectators/firelines/police assistance
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VI. Hoseline Placement (1-6)
Use 1-1/2" lines or greater
Rescue - protect occupants first
Overpower fire in passenger unit
Maintain escape route in case of change in wind direction or fire intensity
Protect exposures next
     • Other autos
     • Buildings
Cool fuel tanks
Attack fire (extinguishment)
Have hose line available for overhaul
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VII. Exposure Protection Priorities (1-7)
Life/rescue
Distance between fire and uninvolved areas
Value - items of higher value should be protected first when having to choose
Wind direction - may change direction smoke and flame travel
Construction - some exposures more easily ignited than others
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VIII. Special Considerations (1-8)
Ambulances/first aid for injured (helicopters)
Cargo - private auto
Trunks
    • Spray paint and closed containers
    • Gasoline
    • Ammunition
Cargo - commercial carriers
Bills of lading
    • Manifests
    • Driver may have in possession
Identify contents/Chemtrec 800-434-9300 - presence of hazardous materials may affect planning of apparatus and overall strategy and tactics
VW engines - magnesium metals
----------------------
Practical Exercises (1-9)
NOTE: Instructor may want to demonstrate techniques prior to student practice.
Gaining access to vehicle
     • Doors
        • Locked or unlocked - conventional or electric locks
        • Cut sheet metal to expose lock
    • Windows
        • Front windshield - safety glass
        • Side and rear windows - tempered glass
         • Glass melting or exploding
    • Hood
        • Internal latch release
        • External release of latch
        • Forcing sheet metal
        • Secure hood from closing - springs may collapse when heated
    • Trunk
        • Key to gain access
        • Forcing sheet metal
        • Displacing lock assembly
     • Wheel wells
        • Locating existing openings
        • Making openings
      • Lights
        • Head lights
        • Front turn signals
        • Tail lights
----------------------
Attacking Fires in Engine Compartment
    • Adequate water supply
    • Adequate staffing
    • Adequate attack line capability
    • Safe approach
    • Gain access to fire area
    • Proper attack techniques - stream and application
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Attacking Fires in Passenger Compartment
    • Adequate water supply
    • Adequate staffing
    • Adequate attack line capability
    • Safe approach
    • Gain access to fire area
    • Proper attack techniques - stream and application
----------------------
Maintaining Escape Route - Watch Hose Handling Making Attack and Backing Out
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Overhauling
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Summary
Review:
Basic Firefighting: Vehicle Firefighting
• Vehicle Construction
• Size Up
• Apparatus Placement
• Water Supply
• Safety
• Hoseline Placement
• Exposure Protection Priorities
• Special Considerations
• Practical Exercises
Remotivation: 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. Conventional forcible entry tools can be used to gain access to the passenger compartment, trunk, and hood.