46 S.O.G. 

SECTION: Firefighting

SUBJECT: Vehicle Fires

REVISED: 05/2002

PURPOSE:

A.    To provide a means of extinguishing fires in vehicles.

B.      To protect suppression personnel when fighting vehicle fires.

 

POLICY:        

            These guidelines shall be followed whenever a fire occurs in a vehicle.

 

RESPONSE:

            The response order for vehicle fires will be:

1.      Closest pumper.

2.      Rescue truck.

3.      Tanker.

4.      Ambulance.

5.      2nd pumper.

6.      If fire is on I-81, fire police vehicle for traffic control.

Response will be in that order.

 

PROCEDURE:

A.    Park apparatus uphill, upwind.

B.      Continue size-up.

C.    Determine if additional assistance is needed.

D.     Use fire department fire police for traffic control.

E.      If involved vehicle is a common carrier, determine type of cargo.

 

SAFETY:

A.    Wear protective clothing and SCBA’s

B.      Consider traffic conditions and be conscious of traffic hazardous to personnel.

C.    Consider the flow of spilled fuel, burning or non-burning.

D.     Use adequate size hand lines, and appropriate foam systems.

E.      Be alert for possible explosion of fuel systems.

F.      Be on guard for explosion of pressurized “energy absorbing” bumpers and shock absorbers.

G.    Be mindful that batteries may serve as an ignition source, produce electrical shock or explode.

H.     Remember that the suspension systems on many buses may collapse to within four inches of ground level when exposed to fire.

I.        Remember that most motor homes, campers and mobile canteens have built in LPG tanks on board.

J.      Vehicles that have air bags and the air bag has not deployed should be approached with caution.  Personnel should not position themselves between the bags and seat while the air bag system is armed.

K.     Vehicles with armed, undeployed air bags should not have any tools or other objects placed in their vicinity due to those objects becoming flying objects.

 

OPERATIONS:

A.    Consider life safety.

B.      Consider water supply availability.

C.    Consider slope of terrain.

D.     Determine type of fuel, which may be involved.

E.      Consider fuel system – newer vehicles have pressurized fuel systems.

F.      Breathing apparatus shall be necessary for operations on all vehicle fires, inside and outside the vehicle.

G.    Be prepared for tire fires to re-ignite.

 

POST EMERGENCY:

A.    Have investigators determine the cause of the fire, as long as a vehicle accident was not involved.

B.      Insure that vehicle is in a fire safe condition prior to towing service removal of same.