Wildland Engine Response to Vehicle Fires

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Wildland Engine Response to Vehicle Fires

• Bart Walker
• Marion County Fire-Rescue

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Vehicle Hazards

• Fuels
• Gas or diesel
• Plastic tanks
• Venting tanks
• (do not manually vent!)
• LPG
• LNG
• Electric

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Vehicle Hazards
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Vehicle Hazards
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Vehicle Hazards

• Toxic products of combustion
• Plastics
• Glues
• Fabrics
• Fluids and acids
• Rubber
• Srs byproducts?

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Vehicle Hazards

• Pressurized components (BLEVE??)
• Bumpers
• Shocks, struts
• Drive shafts
• Batteries ( where and how many???)
• Tires

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Vehicle Hazards
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Vehicle Hazards

• SRS systems
• Designed to deploy at certain temps
• Not supposed to detonate BUT!!!!!!!!!!
• Frontal protective system
• Side protective systems
• Mechanical, electrical, chemical, compressed
• Seatbelt retraction systems
• Water caused ignition?????

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Vehicle Hazards
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Vehicle Hazards
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Vehicle Hazards

• Metals and metal failure
• Magnesium and titanium and water
• Failure of split rims
• Failure of air brake cylinders

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Vehicle Hazards - MISC

• Catalytic converters
• Hazmat cargo
• Hunting season ????
• Electrical systems
• Electric fuel pumps

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Tactics

• DO YOU HAVE PPE AND TRAINING??
• Structural gear required including SCBA for
  direct attack, otherwise indirect attack

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Tactics

• Engine positioning (direct and indirect)
• Uphill, upwind, escape route
• Distance 100 ft plus
• Protect crew from traffic and fire vehicle

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Tactics

• Indirect attack
• Call for adequate resources
• Put a line around it
• Cool it from a distance

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Tactics

• Direct attack (if equipped and trained)
• Danger zone- in front or behind
• Generally a 45 degree angle, straight stream to
  advance
• Extinguish ground/fuel fire then attack interior-
  fog streams
• Keep it cooled and never turn your back!

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Tactics
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Tactics
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Tactics

• Small fires
• Fire extinguisher
• Under hood techniques
• Normal hood opening
• Prop open
• Forcing a hood
• Gas struts
• Find or make a hole

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Tactics

• Shutting off Electrical Systems
• Where are they and how many?
• Safe to do so? (PPE)
• Start with the keys!
• Cut or disconnect?
• Electric vehicles and gas/electric hybrids
• Start with the keys or batt switch
• Look for a main fuse