SOUTHERN AREA WILDLAND ENGINE ACADEMY

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SOUTHERN AREA WILDLAND ENGINE ACADEMY
Wildland Engine Response to Vehicle Fires
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Have an increased awareness of the dangers of
vehicle fires.Be able to provide safer
suppression by using all available PPE. Be
able to minimize injury and death of
firefighters, victims, and spectators.
Objectives
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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
• Seatbelt retraction systems
• Designed to deploy at certain temps
• Not supposed to detonate BUT!!!!!!!!!!
• Frontal protective system
• Side protective systems
• Mechanical, electrical, chemical, compressed
• 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

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

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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

• Direct attack (if equipped and trained)
• Danger zone- in front, behind sides
• 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

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Have an increased awareness of the dangers of
vehicle fires.Be able to provide safer
suppression by using all available PPE. Be
able to minimize injury and death of
firefighters, victims, and spectators.
Objectives