Tactical Edge Tuesday #13
VEHICLE FIRE RESPONSE DEMANDS DISCIPLINE
COMPLACENCY HAS NO PLACE ON VEHICLE FIRE CALLS
Some of the most dangerous calls we respond to are the ones people mistakenly label as “routine.”
Vehicle fires are one of those calls that may seem routine, but when you treat it as such may just be the call that catches you on your heels.
Too often, firefighters pull up expecting a quick knockdown, only to find themselves dealing with exploding tires, hazardous materials, electrical hazards, heavy traffic, fuel-fed fire conditions, or rapidly changing fire behavior. That is before even mentioning Electric.
That mindset can get can be the breeding ground for injuries.
This week, I want to challenge everyone to think differently about vehicle fire operations. Experience matters. Training matters. Toughness matters. But none of those things make you immune to danger. As touched on last week, fire doesn't care.
Fire conditions do not care how long you’ve been on the department.
Traffic moving past the scene does not care about your rank.
Lithium-ion batteries do not care how aggressive the fire attack is.
Every vehicle fire has the potential to turn into a bad situation if we fail to stay disciplined.
That is exactly why our Vehicle Fire Response Guidelines exist.
These policies were not written to slow us down or complicate operations. They were put in place because firefighters across the country have been injured and killed operating at vehicle fires.
The goal is simple:
Protect our people while still accomplishing the job. Have a Mission Mindset!
APPARATUS PLACEMENT IS PART OF THE FIRE ATTACK
The first arriving apparatus does more than deliver water. It creates a barrier between firefighters and traffic. Positioning matters.
If the incident is in the roadway, the apparatus should be placed in a manner that protects crews operating on scene. Blocking traffic lanes may be necessary, and law enforcement should be requested early for traffic control.
Never underestimate how dangerous passing traffic can become during emergency operations.
One distracted driver is all it takes. ONE.
PPE IS NOT OPTIONAL
There is no such thing as “just a car fire.”
Modern vehicles contain:
Synthetic materials
Pressurized struts
Fuel systems
Airbags and undeployed safety devices
Magnesium and other combustible metals
Hybrid and electric vehicle components
Because of these hazards, firefighters involved in fire attack operations shall operate in full PPE and SCBA.
Smoke from vehicle fires is toxic, unpredictable, and dangerous.
Protect yourself accordingly.
USING THE RIGHT EQUIPMENT MATTERS
Vehicle fires with moderate to heavy involvement require a 1¾-inch hose line or larger.
Booster lines may work on small, smoldering fires, but they are not intended for heavily involved vehicles.
Choosing the correct line early helps avoid unnecessary delays and reduces risk to crews operating near the vehicle.
ELECTRIC VEHICLES REQUIRE A DIFFERENT MINDSET
Electric vehicles continue to create new challenges for the fire service.
Battery involvement changes the entire operation.
If an electric vehicle is fully involved upon arrival and exposures are not threatened, allowing the vehicle to burn may be the safest option.
If fire involvement has not reached the battery system, suppression efforts may be effective.
Protect exposures first, operate cautiously, and understand that extinguishment may not look like a traditional vehicle fire operation.
These fires can reignite and behave unpredictably.
Respect the hazard. Treat the gases as the toxic fumes they are.
HOW WE APPROACH THE VEHICLE MATTERS
Approaching directly from the front or rear of a burning vehicle places firefighters in unnecessary danger.
Crews should approach from the sides whenever possible while remaining aware of changing fire conditions.
Ground fires and fire underneath the vehicle should be controlled before moving in closer.
Stabilizing the vehicle with wheel chocks should also be considered to prevent unwanted movement during operations, especially if you have a slope involved.
After knockdown, firefighters should check all compartments for hidden fire extension.
A vehicle that appears extinguished can still hide fire in engine compartments, trunks, interiors, or cargo areas.
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS ARE ALWAYS A POSSIBILITY
Not every threat is visible from the outside.
Firefighters should continuously evaluate scenes for indicators of hazardous materials involvement.
Placards, markings, leaking products, unusual containers, or unknown cargo should immediately raise concern.
If hazards are suspected:
Slow the operation down
Utilize the DOT ERG
Maintain safe distances
Request additional resources if needed
There is no shame in calling for help early.
TRACTOR TRAILERS AND BOX TRUCKS REQUIRE EXTRA CAUTION
Commercial vehicle fires create a completely different level of risk.
Before committing crews, attempt to identify the vehicle’s cargo and check for placards.
If the contents are unknown, treat the incident cautiously until more information becomes available.
Smoke showing from enclosed trailers presents another major concern.
Opening trailer doors too early can rapidly intensify fire conditions and create a dangerous backdraft situation or exposure you to unnecessary risks.
Allow the trailer to vent before making entry or opening doors.
Additionally, firefighters must remain aware of tire hazards on large commercial vehicles.
Heated tires under extreme pressure can violently rupture without warning.
Maintain safe positioning throughout the incident. I would say this should be top priority.
REMEMBER REEFER CONTAINERS ARE DIFFERENT THAN REEFER TRAILERS. A CONTAINER IS BUILT TO STAY AIR TIGHT AND PREVENTS AN EXTRA HAZARDOUS SITUATION. NEVER APPROACH THE BACK DOORS. ALWAYS BLOCK TRAFFIC AT THESE TYPES OF FIRES AND KEEP LEO AND OTHERS FAR AWAY.
THIS COMES DOWN TO LEADERSHIP
Leadership on these scenes is not about who talks the loudest.
It is about who stays disciplined when things become chaotic.
It is about enforcing PPE standards.
It is about proper apparatus placement.
It is about slowing down long enough to recognize hazards before someone gets injured.
Most importantly, it is about looking out for one another.
Because at the end of the day, every firefighter operating on scene is depending on the crew beside them to make smart decisions.
For this week’s training assignment, review Section 50 Vehicle Fire Response in the Red Binder.
Pay close attention to:
Apparatus positioning
PPE and SCBA requirements
Hose line selection
Electric vehicle procedures
Hazardous materials considerations
Commercial vehicle operations
Safe approach and stabilization practices
Train like it matters, because It Always Matters!
Click the document link below for SOG review.
Reminder: Log your training appropriately with our Training Form. For a description, make sure that you enter : Vehicle Fires and CMCFR Vehicle Fire Response SOG review 1 hr
When called, We Respond!
BE ELITE!
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