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Attacking Today’sAttacking Today’s Vehicle Fires Vehicle Fires
Sec. #3Sec. #3
1.1. The set rules of The set rules of vehicle fire fightingvehicle fire fighting
2.2. The tools of good The tools of good decision makingdecision making
The Golden Rule Of Vehicle The Golden Rule Of Vehicle Fires !Fires !
If you see open flames If you see open flames upon arrivalupon arrival that that vehicle is already vehicle is already
A Total LossA Total Loss
What Defines A Total What Defines A Total Loss ?Loss ?
In earlier cars a total loss was In earlier cars a total loss was determined by the repair cost, as determined by the repair cost, as compared to the resale value of the compared to the resale value of the vehicle.vehicle.
Today's vehicles are all together Today's vehicles are all together different.different.
In an effort to meet NHTSA’s crash In an effort to meet NHTSA’s crash safety standards, manufacturers have safety standards, manufacturers have redesigned their frames and supports to redesigned their frames and supports to bend in precise locations to absorb bend in precise locations to absorb impact. impact.
Crash Sensitive Body Crash Sensitive Body Designs Designs
Note Weak Spots In
Sheet metalFrame
And
HardenMetals In crash
zones
These Are Called These Are Called Crumple ZonesCrumple Zones
These weak spots make it possible These weak spots make it possible for auto makers to predetermine for auto makers to predetermine where the car will bend in a crash.where the car will bend in a crash.
They place these so that the They place these so that the occupant space will open larger, as occupant space will open larger, as impact is absorbed.impact is absorbed.
This allows for more survival space This allows for more survival space for an occupant. for an occupant.
Why A Total Loss ?Why A Total Loss ?
When metal is heated it warps, When metal is heated it warps, distorting it’s original shape.distorting it’s original shape.
The metal used in cars is very thin, The metal used in cars is very thin, and needs very little heat to and needs very little heat to accomplish this distortion.accomplish this distortion.
This is a threat to the integrity of This is a threat to the integrity of the frame, and the safety of the the frame, and the safety of the occupant therefore,occupant therefore,
A Total LossA Total Loss
$1,000 or $175,000 It is $1,000 or $175,000 It is still astill a
Total LossTotal Loss
Do not risk your life for a “Junk Car”
A Good Attack Begins At A Good Attack Begins At The Station The Station
With all the With all the New TechnologyNew Technology of of today’s vehicles, we can not today’s vehicles, we can not attack a vehicle fire safely, if we attack a vehicle fire safely, if we do not know the do not know the DangersDangers we are we are facing. facing.
TrainingTraining
It’s A Must !It’s A Must !
You are dispatched to a You are dispatched to a vehicle fire.vehicle fire.
Just like any fire, a safe attack Just like any fire, a safe attack depends on adepends on a
Good Size-upGood Size-up
A Good Size-up A Good Size-up Is A Four Part Process.Is A Four Part Process.
1. Dispatch Size-up1. Dispatch Size-up
2. Approaching Size-2. Approaching Size-upup
3. Arrival Size-up3. Arrival Size-up
4. On scene Size-up4. On scene Size-up
Dispatch size-upDispatch size-up begins, begins, when you roll out of the when you roll out of the
door.door. Always repeat the address back to Always repeat the address back to
dispatch.dispatch. Ask for additional information. Is Ask for additional information. Is
this vehicle on the road, in a this vehicle on the road, in a driveway or in a garage ?driveway or in a garage ?
Is this a vehicle fire Is this a vehicle fire or or a fire a fire resulting from a collision ?resulting from a collision ?
Know your area, if this is on the Know your area, if this is on the highway, is it a high traffic area ?highway, is it a high traffic area ?
Why ask for additional Why ask for additional information?information?
If this vehicle is on the highway, If this vehicle is on the highway, we need PD we need PD in route NOWin route NOW, for , for traffic control.traffic control.
If it is in a driveway or garage we If it is in a driveway or garage we need engine companies need engine companies in route in route NOWNOW, for possible structure fire. , for possible structure fire.
If it is a result of a collision, we If it is a result of a collision, we need ALS need ALS inin route NOW,route NOW, for for possible injuries.possible injuries.
Remember !Remember ! We can always disregard We can always disregard
incoming help.incoming help. A lot of people do not realize that some A lot of people do not realize that some
departments, especially volunteer, may departments, especially volunteer, may have a ten to twenty minute response have a ten to twenty minute response time, and miles of area to cover.time, and miles of area to cover.
If we wait until we arrive on scene to If we wait until we arrive on scene to call for help, that help has the same or call for help, that help has the same or more response time. more response time.
We must haveWe must have GoodGood Dispatch Size-up Dispatch Size-up skills skills
Approaching Size-upApproaching Size-up (Down the road) (Down the road)
Do I see any exposures in Do I see any exposures in immediate dangerimmediate danger
What is the wind direction?What is the wind direction? Topography; Is the vehicle on a Topography; Is the vehicle on a
hill? hill? Dangers to crew, Is there Dangers to crew, Is there
oncoming traffic?oncoming traffic? What are the on lookers doing? What are the on lookers doing?
(That is odd) (That is odd)
Away Down The Road We Away Down The Road We Can Start To Refine Our Can Start To Refine Our
Dispatch Size-up. Dispatch Size-up. What does this area look like? Is there What does this area look like? Is there
woods or high grass on the side of the woods or high grass on the side of the road? ( Exposures we did not know road? ( Exposures we did not know about ?)about ?)
What is the wind direction? ( I need my What is the wind direction? ( I need my apparatus up wind from the fire.)apparatus up wind from the fire.)
Topography, ( Is the vehicle on a hill ?)Topography, ( Is the vehicle on a hill ?) Dangers to crew, Is there oncoming Dangers to crew, Is there oncoming
traffic?traffic? What are the on lookers doing? ( Rescue ? What are the on lookers doing? ( Rescue ?
))
Arrival Size-up:Arrival Size-up: (Still in the truck)(Still in the truck)
Do I see open flames ? Do I see open flames ? Is the vehicle occupied ?Is the vehicle occupied ? Is this a late model vehicle, or an Is this a late model vehicle, or an
older one ?older one ? What category is this fire ( front, What category is this fire ( front,
rear, compartment ?)rear, compartment ?) Do I need more help ?Do I need more help ?
The Arrival Size-up The Arrival Size-up Redefines The Approaching Redefines The Approaching
Size-upSize-up How much fire is there ? ( Do I How much fire is there ? ( Do I
need An Extinguisher or an inch need An Extinguisher or an inch and three quarter line ? )and three quarter line ? )
Is the vehicle occupied ? Is the vehicle occupied ? Is this a late model vehicle, or an Is this a late model vehicle, or an
older one? ( I have a late model older one? ( I have a late model Honda CivicHonda Civic ) )
What category is this fire ( Front, What category is this fire ( Front, Rear, Compartment ? )Rear, Compartment ? )
Do I need more help?Do I need more help?
On Scene Size-upOn Scene Size-up
Closer check for occupants ( Or Closer check for occupants ( Or escaped occupants injured ) ?escaped occupants injured ) ?
Closer check of exposuresCloser check of exposures Closer check of vehicle Closer check of vehicle
On Scene Size-up Redefines On Scene Size-up Redefines Your Arrival Size-up. Your Arrival Size-up.
Closer check for occupantsCloser check for occupants Closer check of exposures Closer check of exposures Closer check of vehicle ( I have a Closer check of vehicle ( I have a
late model late model Honda Civic Hybrid, Honda Civic Hybrid, 300-500 Volts )300-500 Volts )
Do I need more help ?Do I need more help ?
Remember !Remember !
Good Size-upGood Size-upIs AIs A
Practiced SkillPracticed SkillNot A Spur Of The Not A Spur Of The Moment DecisionMoment Decision
Is It Time For A Change In Is It Time For A Change In Training Yet ? Training Yet ?
Vehicle Fire CategoriesVehicle Fire Categories
While putting this class together, I While putting this class together, I lined up about 100 pictures of lined up about 100 pictures of burning cars. I noticed that there burning cars. I noticed that there was a pattern I had never seen or was a pattern I had never seen or heard anyone teach. These heard anyone teach. These pictures all fit into four categories.pictures all fit into four categories.
CategoriesCategories Front end fires:Front end fires: bumper to inter bumper to inter
dash boarddash board Rear end fires:Rear end fires: rear seat to rear rear seat to rear
bumperbumper Compartment fires:Compartment fires: dash to rear dash to rear
seat seat Fully involved fires:Fully involved fires: bumper to bumper to
bumper, or a combination of any bumper, or a combination of any two categories.two categories.
Some will say, common Some will say, common sense would tell you that, sense would tell you that,
by just looking.by just looking. Though this may seem obvious, Though this may seem obvious,
and silly to even think about.and silly to even think about. Let’s look at the Let’s look at the New New
TechnologyTechnology we are dealing with we are dealing with today. today.
By categorizing the fire in our By categorizing the fire in our size-up; we can initiate a safer, size-up; we can initiate a safer, faster attack. faster attack.
For Instance,For Instance,
Rear End Fire Rear End Fire
Late model carLate model car
Down hill topographyDown hill topography Thought of attack:Thought of attack: In just a few minutes I am going In just a few minutes I am going
to have a stream of burning gas to have a stream of burning gas running down the hill, from the running down the hill, from the plastic gas tank melting.plastic gas tank melting.
OrOr
Fully Involved FireFully Involved Fire
Late Model CarLate Model Car
Thought of attackThought of attack That car has about 12 compressed That car has about 12 compressed
gas cylinders in it, and the heat is gas cylinders in it, and the heat is so intense that they are going to so intense that they are going to blow, keep my people back and cool blow, keep my people back and cool it defensively.it defensively.
Another Another
Front End FireFront End Fire
Late Model CarLate Model Car
Thought of attack:Thought of attack: I can approach diagonally from I can approach diagonally from
the rear of the car, pushing the the rear of the car, pushing the heat away from the compartment, heat away from the compartment, where all the gas cylinders are.where all the gas cylinders are.
OrOr
Rear End Fire Rear End Fire
Late model carLate model car
Level groundLevel ground
Thought of attack:Thought of attack: In just a few minutes I am going In just a few minutes I am going
to have a ring of burning gas right to have a ring of burning gas right were my firefighters will be were my firefighters will be standing, from the plastic tank standing, from the plastic tank meltingmelting..
By By categorizingcategorizing the the fire, we can train our fire, we can train our minds to prioritize minds to prioritize the dangers we face the dangers we face in that in that particular particular areaarea of the car. of the car.
Example:Example:
Rear End FireRear End Fire Gas tank Gas tank Possible gas cylinders in both C Possible gas cylinders in both C
postpost Pressurized fuel lines Pressurized fuel lines
Two rear tiresTwo rear tires Rear bumper strutsRear bumper struts
OrOr
Front End FireFront End Fire Front bumper struts Front bumper struts Hood StrutsHood Struts Two front tires Two front tires Possible gas cylinders in both A Possible gas cylinders in both A
postpost Possible magnesiumPossible magnesium
With Manufacturers With Manufacturers Already Producing Cars Already Producing Cars
Like BMW ( With Like BMW ( With Optional 22 Air bags )Optional 22 Air bags )
Not many of us can remember Not many of us can remember ( in ( in the timethe time it takes to do a size-up )it takes to do a size-up ) That this car has:That this car has:
2 Front bumper struts2 Front bumper struts 2 hood struts2 hood struts 2 front tires that can blow2 front tires that can blow 2 “A” post gas canisters2 “A” post gas canisters 2 Dash mounted gas canisters 2 Dash mounted gas canisters
A steering wheel air bag with 2 igniters A steering wheel air bag with 2 igniters A passenger air bag with 2 ignitersA passenger air bag with 2 igniters A carpet air bag (igniter in the consol) A carpet air bag (igniter in the consol) 2 air bags in the front doors (with gas 2 air bags in the front doors (with gas
canisters )canisters ) 2 pyrotechnic seat belts in the “B” 2 pyrotechnic seat belts in the “B”
posts posts Seat position air bag under driver seat Seat position air bag under driver seat 2 side curtain air bags2 side curtain air bags Some have 2 roll over protectors (some Some have 2 roll over protectors (some
gas, some pyrotechnic) gas, some pyrotechnic)
2 rear occupant air bags in the 2 rear occupant air bags in the back of the front seatsback of the front seats
2 air bags in the rear doors 2 air bags in the rear doors 2 pyrotechnic seat belts in rear 2 pyrotechnic seat belts in rear
seats seats 2 gas canisters in the “C” posts2 gas canisters in the “C” posts 2 rear tires that can blow 2 rear tires that can blow 2 gas struts on trunk led2 gas struts on trunk led 2 gas struts on the rear bumper2 gas struts on the rear bumper A plastic gas tankA plastic gas tank Plastic pressurized gas lines Plastic pressurized gas lines And a magnesium engine And a magnesium engine
But Can We Remember ?But Can We Remember ?
Front End FireFront End Fire 2 front bumper struts2 front bumper struts 2 front tires2 front tires 2 hood struts2 hood struts Gas canisters in the area of the Gas canisters in the area of the
dash and “A” postsdash and “A” posts And magnesium motor And magnesium motor
Or Or
Rear End FireRear End Fire Plastic gas tankPlastic gas tank 2 rear bumper struts2 rear bumper struts Gas canisters in “C” post Gas canisters in “C” post 2 Tires 2 Tires
But Can We Remember ?But Can We Remember ?
Front End FireFront End Fire 2 front bumper struts2 front bumper struts 2 front tires2 front tires 2 hood struts2 hood struts Gas canisters in the area of the Gas canisters in the area of the
dash and “A” postsdash and “A” posts And magnesium motor And magnesium motor
Can We Remember ?Can We Remember ?
Compartment FireCompartment Fire These kind of cars have about 45 These kind of cars have about 45
dangers inside the dangers inside the compartment.compartment.
Is the fire small enough to put Is the fire small enough to put out or am I going to fight it out or am I going to fight it defensively ?defensively ?
Size-up,Size-up, Is A “Fast” Skilled Is A “Fast” Skilled Decision Decision
CanCan
CategorizingCategorizingHelp Us ?Help Us ?
Another Important Part Of Another Important Part Of A Safe Attack :A Safe Attack :
Apparatus Apparatus PlacementPlacement
If At All Possible !If At All Possible !
The apparatus should always be The apparatus should always be positioned up wind from the positioned up wind from the burning vehicle.burning vehicle.
Today’s vehicles are about 40 % Today’s vehicles are about 40 % hydrocarbon based plastics, hydrocarbon based plastics, which put off hundreds of which put off hundreds of different toxic gases.different toxic gases.
Most vehicle fires produce thick Most vehicle fires produce thick black smoke, impairing vision.black smoke, impairing vision.
Again, If At All Possible !Again, If At All Possible !
The apparatusThe apparatus should always be should always be placed up hill from the burning placed up hill from the burning vehicle.vehicle.
This has always been a part of our This has always been a part of our training, but today this is training, but today this is no longer no longer an option but a MUST,an option but a MUST, with the new with the new plastic gas tanks and pressurized plastic gas tanks and pressurized plastic gas lines running all the way plastic gas lines running all the way to the front of the car. We are going to the front of the car. We are going to have gas running down the hill.to have gas running down the hill.
Direction of the Direction of the apparatus.apparatus.
The pump panel should always The pump panel should always face the burning vehicle. face the burning vehicle.
This gives the engineer a clear This gives the engineer a clear view of the scene.view of the scene.
And on the side of the road, this And on the side of the road, this gives him protection from gives him protection from oncoming traffic.oncoming traffic.
Positioning the Positioning the apparatus apparatus
If the burning vehicle is on the If the burning vehicle is on the roadway or the shoulder of the roadway or the shoulder of the road, road, the apparatus should be the apparatus should be placed diagonally, blocking the placed diagonally, blocking the lane the vehicle is in and at least lane the vehicle is in and at least the next adjacent lane.the next adjacent lane.
This forms about an 80,000 This forms about an 80,000 pound wall between you and the pound wall between you and the oncoming traffic.oncoming traffic.
Another Important Part Of Another Important Part Of A Safe Attack A Safe Attack
Water Supply Water Supply AndAnd
Fire StreamsFire Streams
Water supply Water supply For years some of us have used a one For years some of us have used a one
inch line or red line to attack a inch line or red line to attack a vehicle fires.vehicle fires.
With the With the New TechnologyNew Technology we are we are facing today, we need a lot of water, facing today, we need a lot of water, real fast, from a long distance.real fast, from a long distance.
With plastic gas tanks, and plastic With plastic gas tanks, and plastic fuel lines, and dozens of gas cylinders fuel lines, and dozens of gas cylinders to explode, to explode, we need a fast knock down we need a fast knock down of the fire, from a long distance.of the fire, from a long distance. Before approaching the fire. Before approaching the fire.
New Training New Training Always use at least an inch and three Always use at least an inch and three
quarter line, and an adjustable fog quarter line, and an adjustable fog nozzle to attack a vehicle fire. nozzle to attack a vehicle fire.
ThisThis gives us pressure to wash gives us pressure to wash spillage out from under the vehicle, spillage out from under the vehicle, while cooling the tank from a safe while cooling the tank from a safe distance.distance.
This gives us more water to cool the This gives us more water to cool the fire.fire.
And a fog stream to protect our crew And a fog stream to protect our crew when approaching the vehicle.when approaching the vehicle.
Fire StreamsFire StreamsAn Adjustable
Fog NozzleWould Be Our BestChoice
We Have Adjustable
GPM Fog
Pressure
150 GPM at a pressure of 75-100 lb. Straight Stream For Long distance wash down.Then adjustable fog for approach And adjustable GPM and pressure after knock down forWater conservation and cooling.
This is the pressure we This is the pressure we used in all the experiments used in all the experiments
you are about to seeyou are about to see
New Training New Training
Keep in mind that the training in Keep in mind that the training in this class may not be the only way of this class may not be the only way of safely attacking the fire.safely attacking the fire.
But seeing the desperate need for But seeing the desperate need for change, this is some of the change, this is some of the approaches that we have approaches that we have experimented with and believe will experimented with and believe will make an aggressive approach a lot make an aggressive approach a lot safer, when facing the New safer, when facing the New Technology of today’s vehicles. Technology of today’s vehicles.
There Are Some There Are Some RulesRules In In Vehicle Fire Fighting That Vehicle Fire Fighting That
You You NeverNever Break Break
1.1. Never approach a burning Never approach a burning vehicle without full bunker gear, vehicle without full bunker gear, and SCBA.and SCBA.
The materials that today's cars The materials that today's cars are made of, put off deadly are made of, put off deadly poison gases.poison gases.
They WILL KILLThey WILL KILL you !!you !!
2.2. Never risk injury to save a Never risk injury to save a burning car, it was already junk burning car, it was already junk when you arrived on scene.when you arrived on scene.
Remember the golden ruleRemember the golden rule : : If If you see openyou see open flames upon arrival flames upon arrival that vehicle is already a total loss.that vehicle is already a total loss.
Is your life worth Is your life worth $50.00$50.00 in scrap iron ? in scrap iron ?
3.3. Never cross in front of the burning Never cross in front of the burning vehicle.vehicle.
Remember the film were the Remember the film were the bumper blew off.bumper blew off.
Or the picture of the bumper strut Or the picture of the bumper strut still in the air. still in the air.
Or the hood strut in the mans leg.Or the hood strut in the mans leg. Always go around the non burning Always go around the non burning
end.end.
This Could Be You !This Could Be You !
4.4. Never enter the vehicle, with any Never enter the vehicle, with any part of your body, until every part of part of your body, until every part of that car has been completely cooled.that car has been completely cooled.
Remember the air bags blowing out Remember the air bags blowing out through the roofs.through the roofs.
The gas cylinders throwing The gas cylinders throwing shrapnel in all directionsshrapnel in all directions
These are hand grenades These are hand grenades with the pins already pulled !with the pins already pulled !
5.5. Never open the hood, trunk lid, Never open the hood, trunk lid, or hatch back, without first or hatch back, without first bending the edges and cooling bending the edges and cooling the struts.the struts.
These are mounted on plastic These are mounted on plastic sockets that are probably sockets that are probably melted, and the hot cylinder has melted, and the hot cylinder has built up pressure inside.built up pressure inside.
Remember the mans Remember the mans leg ?leg ?
They Are For Real !They Are For Real !
Expect The Unexpected In Expect The Unexpected In Every Vehicle Fire !!Every Vehicle Fire !!
While putting this class together, While putting this class together, we were dispatched to a fully we were dispatched to a fully involved early model van fire.involved early model van fire.
This was a very routine type This was a very routine type vehicle fire, none of the new vehicle fire, none of the new technologies was involved.technologies was involved.
A simple knock down, and get in A simple knock down, and get in there and put it out.there and put it out.
Just Like Old Times !!Just Like Old Times !!
NoBumper
Or HoodStruts
No dangers, Just Play No dangers, Just Play Time.Time.
NoAir Bags
No Gas
Canisters
Daaa ! Ya Better check The Back
Expect The Unexpected !!Expect The Unexpected !!
Brake fluid
Acid
Gas
New TrainingNew Training
With Change, Come Resistance To With Change, Come Resistance To Change.Change.
New Training: Means going against New Training: Means going against everything we have been taught.everything we have been taught.
So Please Bare With UsSo Please Bare With Us And And
Look At The Whole Look At The Whole Picture.Picture.
Rear End FireRear End Fire
RearSeat
To
RearBumper
Rear End FiresRear End Fires
Dangers: Plastic Gas Tanks Dangers: Plastic Gas Tanks
Rear Bumper Struts Rear Bumper Struts
Nitrogen Gas Cylinders in Nitrogen Gas Cylinders in C/D C/D
post.post.
Rear Tires Rear Tires
Trunk lid StrutsTrunk lid Struts
Contents of trunkContents of trunk
Causes: #1 Arson: Stolen vehicles are Causes: #1 Arson: Stolen vehicles are usually usually
started in the rear in attempt to started in the rear in attempt to blow blow
the gas tank. Or destroy the gas tank. Or destroy evidence (Such evidence (Such
as a body in the trunk). as a body in the trunk). #2 Contents of trunk: Multiple #2 Contents of trunk: Multiple
chemicalschemicals being hauled, spill causing being hauled, spill causing
chemical chemical reactions.reactions. #3 Tires: Running on flat tires; #3 Tires: Running on flat tires;
Rubber Rubber gets hot and ignites. gets hot and ignites.
Suspicions: Always suspect Haz-Mat or Suspicions: Always suspect Haz-Mat or
Criminal Mischief in the trunk Criminal Mischief in the trunk
of a straight rear end fire.of a straight rear end fire.
From the C/D post to the rearFrom the C/D post to the rear
bumper there is very little bumper there is very little mechanical mechanical
that can start a fire.that can start a fire.
Gas tanks are usually a result Gas tanks are usually a result of a fire of a fire
caused by collision.caused by collision.
Approaching A Rear End Approaching A Rear End Fire.Fire.
We have always been taught to We have always been taught to approach a rear end fire approach a rear end fire diagonally, come in on one of the diagonally, come in on one of the corners.corners.
#1 Washing the spillage out from #1 Washing the spillage out from under the car. With a straight under the car. With a straight stream, from a safe distance.stream, from a safe distance.
#2 Splashing water up to the gas #2 Splashing water up to the gas tank area, to cool the tank.tank area, to cool the tank.
This Was Good, But You This Was Good, But You Will See In The Next Step Will See In The Next Step Our Reason For ChangeOur Reason For Change
We are experimenting with the idea of We are experimenting with the idea of approaching diagonally from the front approaching diagonally from the front corner of the fire area, rather than the corner of the fire area, rather than the corner of the car.corner of the car.
Same as before, wash out under the car Same as before, wash out under the car while cooling the tank, from a safe while cooling the tank, from a safe distance.distance.
This is doing the same job, and pushing This is doing the same job, and pushing the heat away from the unburned area the heat away from the unburned area of the car.of the car.
Diagonal To The Front Of Diagonal To The Front Of The Fire AreaThe Fire Area
PushingThe Heat
Away From The
UnburnedArea
Step #2Step #2
We have always been taught to We have always been taught to turn to a narrow fog stream, turn to a narrow fog stream, while approaching the car, doing while approaching the car, doing a fast knock down of the fire.a fast knock down of the fire.
This is basic firefighting, the fog This is basic firefighting, the fog stream takes away the heat, stream takes away the heat, while providing protection for while providing protection for our crew.our crew.
Our Idea Step #2Our Idea Step #2
Same fog stream, same cooling, Same fog stream, same cooling, same protection.same protection.
But now we are pushing the heat But now we are pushing the heat away from the unburned away from the unburned compartment area, where all the compartment area, where all the New TechnologyNew Technology is located. is located.
Old Training Step #3Old Training Step #3
When knock down was When knock down was accomplished, our next priority accomplished, our next priority was to cool the bumper struts.was to cool the bumper struts.
Making it safer for us to work on Making it safer for us to work on getting the trunk lid open.getting the trunk lid open.
This Takes Time, And It Is This Takes Time, And It Is A Must ! Before We Even A Must ! Before We Even Try To Open The TrunkTry To Open The Trunk
Remember TheStruts Blowing
And
At The Same Time The
Seat Of The FireIs Getting
Hotter
Let’s Look Back At Let’s Look Back At Statistics Statistics
With the number one and two causes With the number one and two causes of rear end fires, whether criminal or of rear end fires, whether criminal or chemical, the seat of the fire is based chemical, the seat of the fire is based inside the trunk.inside the trunk.
Basic firefighting. What is the first Basic firefighting. What is the first part of the car that is going to burn?part of the car that is going to burn?
The cloth and material in the back of The cloth and material in the back of the seat and the cardboard rear dash.the seat and the cardboard rear dash.
Every thing else is metal, or Every thing else is metal, or unknown hazards of contents. unknown hazards of contents.
New Training Step #3 New Training Step #3
With the back seat burning, the With the back seat burning, the heat is rising, the fastest thing to heat is rising, the fastest thing to burn through is the cardboard burn through is the cardboard dash, letting the fire spread into dash, letting the fire spread into the compartment area.the compartment area.
Let’s go back to our Let’s go back to our New New Technology Technology and see what our and see what our priorities are now. priorities are now.
C-PostC-Post
Both Sides
Side Curtain Air Bags Side Curtain Air Bags Have One.Have One.
Both Sides In C Post
Rear Seat Air BagsRear Seat Air Bags
Both sides
By Approaching The Car At By Approaching The Car At This Angle.This Angle.
We can safely bust the rear door We can safely bust the rear door glass, and cool the C posts and glass, and cool the C posts and air bag areas. air bag areas.
Busting The Door GlassBusting The Door Glass
As In ForcibleEntry
Always StandTo The SideTo Bust The
Glass
Punch Out The Speaker Punch Out The Speaker Hole In The Back Dash.Hole In The Back Dash.
Using a pike pole we can tear out Using a pike pole we can tear out the rear dash, leaving a hole into the rear dash, leaving a hole into the trunk, without ever entering the trunk, without ever entering the vehicle.the vehicle.
Tearing Out The DashTearing Out The Dash
Old Training Step #4Old Training Step #4
After thoroughly cooling the After thoroughly cooling the bumper struts, we proceeded to bumper struts, we proceeded to open the trunk.open the trunk.
Unaware Of the status of the fire Unaware Of the status of the fire inside.inside.
Unaware of the content hazards.Unaware of the content hazards. Unaware of the status of the gas Unaware of the status of the gas
struts on the trunk lid. struts on the trunk lid.
Back To The Hole Into The Back To The Hole Into The Trunk.Trunk.
By putting water through this hole, By putting water through this hole, wewe cool the Base of the firecool the Base of the fire, in the , in the first few minutes of the attack. As first few minutes of the attack. As compared to the time it takes to compared to the time it takes to cool the bumper struts, and open cool the bumper struts, and open the trunk.the trunk.
At the same time the steam At the same time the steam conversion forms a blanketing conversion forms a blanketing affect, smothering the fire. affect, smothering the fire. (We are (We are using two parts of the tetrahedron)using two parts of the tetrahedron)
The Safest Part.The Safest Part.
We have never opened the trunk We have never opened the trunk lid.lid.
We have never been in danger of We have never been in danger of the bumper struts.the bumper struts.
We have never been in the path of We have never been in the path of an exploding trunk lid strut.an exploding trunk lid strut.
And we are not going to open the And we are not going to open the trunk to an unexpected flash of trunk to an unexpected flash of fire. fire.
Old Training Step #5 Old Training Step #5
Open the trunk lid.Open the trunk lid. Not knowing the status of the Not knowing the status of the
fire.fire. Not knowing if the lid struts are Not knowing if the lid struts are
going to shoot out like arrows or going to shoot out like arrows or not.not.
Not knowing the status of the Not knowing the status of the contents.contents.
What Are We Facing ?What Are We Facing ?
New Training Step #5New Training Step #5
While the steam is blanketing While the steam is blanketing the fire.the fire.
Cool the tire and bumper strut, Cool the tire and bumper strut, on that side of the car.on that side of the car.
Never cross in front of the Never cross in front of the burning end, go around the non-burning end, go around the non-burning end of the car to the burning end of the car to the other side and cool the tire and other side and cool the tire and bumper strut on that side.bumper strut on that side.
New Training Step #6New Training Step #6
With a halogen bar pushed into With a halogen bar pushed into the edge of the trunk lid, bend the edge of the trunk lid, bend the edges of the trunk lid up, and the edges of the trunk lid up, and cool the struts on both sides. cool the struts on both sides.
New Training Step #7New Training Step #7
Open Trunk Lid. Open Trunk Lid. SafelySafely
Notes from the Notes from the experimentexperiment
Using this method, to our Using this method, to our surprise !surprise !
Each time we opened Each time we opened the trunk, the fire was the trunk, the fire was totally out.totally out.
Steam ConversionSteam Conversion
It WorkedEvery Time
Even more to our Even more to our surprise !surprise !
We had put a foam rubber rear seat, We had put a foam rubber rear seat, and some cardboard in the trunk, and some cardboard in the trunk, and about 1 gallon of gas to make a and about 1 gallon of gas to make a very hot fire. We allowed it to burn very hot fire. We allowed it to burn awhile before attacking.awhile before attacking.
After washout, knock down, After washout, knock down, extinguishment, and total cooling of extinguishment, and total cooling of the vehicle. the vehicle.
We had used less than ¼ of a 300 gal We had used less than ¼ of a 300 gal tank of water. tank of water. ( Steam Conversion )( Steam Conversion )
Two Parts Of The Two Parts Of The Tetrahedron Tetrahedron
The WaterTakes Away
The Heat
The SteamSmothers
The Oxygen
We Later Found One We Later Found One Problem With This Method. Problem With This Method.
Some after market speakers are Some after market speakers are bolted in, where the factory speakers bolted in, where the factory speakers just knock out.just knock out.
So we found another way to do the So we found another way to do the same attack.same attack.
We tried to hook the We tried to hook the centercenter of the of the seat back and pull it out, seat back and pull it out, very very unsuccessfulunsuccessful . .
But, we hooked the seat back about 6 But, we hooked the seat back about 6 inches from the corner, and one inches from the corner, and one small pull it was loose. small pull it was loose.
You Must Hook The You Must Hook The Corner.Corner.
Now We Have Access To Now We Have Access To The TrunkThe Trunk
Using This Opening We Using This Opening We Done The Same As BeforeDone The Same As Before
But each time we But each time we opened the opened the trunk, we found trunk, we found a very good a very good knock down, but knock down, but still some small still some small amount of flame.amount of flame.
We Tried Pushing The Seat We Tried Pushing The Seat Back Into position Back Into position
This would close the opening after This would close the opening after we applied the water.we applied the water.
We opened the trunk and there We opened the trunk and there was no fire.was no fire.
The smaller hole retains our The smaller hole retains our steam, putting out the fire.steam, putting out the fire.
This method is easier than the This method is easier than the speaker hole speaker hole But, pushing the But, pushing the seat back is a must. seat back is a must.
We Have Extinguished We Have Extinguished The Fire. The Fire.
We faced: 2 gas canistersWe faced: 2 gas canisters
2 Air bags2 Air bags
2 gas struts2 gas struts
2 Bumper Struts 2 Bumper Struts
2 Tires 2 Tires
A plastic gas tankA plastic gas tank
Unknown Contents Unknown Contents
And Not
Once
Did WePut Our Crew In Danger !
Many have ask why not use a Many have ask why not use a piercing nozzle to get the piercing nozzle to get the
same effect ?same effect ?
We can, but in looking at this we We can, but in looking at this we found a few draw backsfound a few draw backs
Piercing Nozzle; Do You Piercing Nozzle; Do You Have One?Have One?
Time; It takes extra time to hook-up the Time; It takes extra time to hook-up the nozzle.nozzle.
Dangerous obstructions inside the trunk; Dangerous obstructions inside the trunk; some cars have batteries mounted in the some cars have batteries mounted in the trunk.trunk.
Some like the VW we seen have gas Some like the VW we seen have gas canisters mounted in the trunk.canisters mounted in the trunk.
And as bad as it sounds we could be And as bad as it sounds we could be pushing it into a body, stopping the flow of pushing it into a body, stopping the flow of water. water.
Also we would have to put two men in front Also we would have to put two men in front of a gas canister to insert the nozzle.of a gas canister to insert the nozzle.
