SOP 511.10: Emergency Operations/Motor Vehicle Fires

|GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS
Standard Operating Procedures|Col2|Col3|
|---|---|---|
|`Functional Area: `
`SUPPORT SERVICES/FIRE`
`SERVICES`|`Reference Number: `
`IVN07-0001`|`Revises`
`Previous`
`Effective Date:`
`NEW`|
|`Subject:`
`EMERGENCY OPERATIONS/MOTOR`
`VEHICLE FIRES`|||
|`Authority:`
`WETHERINGTON/HODGE`|`Effective Date:`
`4/01/02`|`Page``1`` of`
`5 `|

I. POLICY:

   This standard was promulgated to ensure the safety of members
   involved in suppressing motor vehicle fires.

II. APPLICABILITY:

   All Dept. of Corrections Certified Firefighters in State and
   County Fire Departments.

III. RELATED DIRECTIVES:

    NONE

IV. DEFINITIONS:

   NONE

V. ATTACHMENTS:

   NONE

VI. PROCEDURE:

   A. (General Guidelines)

      1. The number and variety of motorized vehicles
         increases each day. It is impossible to completely
         identify all of the problems that might be
         encountered while extinguishing such a fire.
         Nevertheless, some commonalties do exist, and the
         general guidelines of this standard should be
         followed when combating a fire in a motorized
         vehicle.

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2. The Station Chiefs should always remain cautious and
   assume the worst until he can be certain that
   conditions are safe. For example, if a burning
   vehicle is placarded as transporting a hazardous
   material, assume that the incident is a haz-mat
   incident until it can be ascertained that no haz
   mats are burning or have been released.

3. If the fire appears to be the result of an accident,
   the Station Chief should consider the mechanism of
   the accident in developing his strategy for managing
   the incident.

4. The first Priority at the scene of a vehicle fire is
   rescue. The Station chief must assume that someone
   is trapped in the burning vehicle until having
   ascertained that all of the occupants of the vehicle
   have gotten out

5. The second priority is the safety of the
   firefighters, rescue workers, and spectators. If
   the spectators are present, remove them to a safe
   distance. Do not place firefighters and rescue
   workers in harm’s way unnecessarily. Remember, do
   not risk a lot for a little.

6. It is important to control the flow of traffic. The
   need to minimize the disruption of traffic in
   heavily congested areas must be balanced by the need
   to provide for the safety of firefighters and rescue
   workers. Whenever possible, direct traffic away
   from the incident.

7. Apparatus placement:

   a. Position apparatus upwind and uphill from the
      burning vehicle. This will keep the crew out
      of the smoke and prevent leaking fuel from
      running underneath the apparatus.

   b. Apparatus should not be parked closer than 100
      feet from the burning vehicle whenever traffic
      conditions permit. If the burning vehicle is
      labeled as transporting a hazardous material,
      increase this distance based on the

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      recommendations of the DOT Emergency Action
      Guide.

   c. The driver should position the apparatus to
      block at least one lane of the road to create a
      barrier between the firefighters and oncoming
      traffic. Ideally, the angle of the apparatus
      will allow the driver to view the burning
      vehicle from the pump operator’s position and
      not expose the driver to oncoming traffic.

   d. Secure sufficient room for an ambulance,
      additional apparatus, or a medevac helicopter
      in case additional resources are needed.

8. Safety precautions:

   a. Members engaged in firefighting and rescue
      efforts shall wear full protective clothing and
      SCBA. Protective clothing shall not be removed
      until the possibility of re-ignition has been
      removed.

   b. The presence of broken glass and other sharp
      objects mandates that personnel wear gloves and
      other safety equipment to prevent the
      possibility of injury even after the fire has
      been extinguished.

   c. Stabilize the burning vehicle as soon as
      possible to prevent movement. This may be
      accomplished in a variety of ways, such as
      using wheel chocks, cribbing, a winch, etc.

   d. If it becomes necessary to open the hood, a
      hatch, or other opening to make a rescue or
      extinguish a fire, prop open the hood or hatch
      to prevent accidental closing due to a failure
      of a spring, rod, or compressed cylinder.

   e. De-energize the vehicle as soon as possible by
      disconnecting the battery. Take care to
      prevent sparks in the event flammable or
      combustible vapors or fluids are present.

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   f. If the operation takes place in darkness,
      illuminate the scene properly. Operating
      Firefighters should wear turnouts or other
      clothing with reflective materials to minimize
      the risk of being struck by other vehicles,
      including apparatus.

   g. Also consider the impact of strobes and other
      warning lights on visibility. Turn them off
      when it is safe to do so.

   h. Firefighters and rescue workers should also be
      aware of the hazards associated with air bags,
      energy-absorbing bumpers, downed or over head
      power lines, hollow drive shafts, high pressure
      hoses on power steering and air conditioning
      systems, air-suspension systems, and the danger
      of exploding tires equipped with split rims,
      such as the wheels used on larger vehicles and
      some pickup trucks.

   i. Establish an adequate water supply. Hose
      streams should be adequate for the volume of
      fire. Typically, the minimum size deployed
      should be a 1 ½-inch. Approach the burning
      vehicle from upwind whenever possible.

   j. Never stick your head inside a vehicle while it
      is still burning and never crawl under a
      vehicle to extinguish a fire.

   k. A variety of combustible metals are used for
      engine blocks, wheels and other components.
      These may react adversely with water and may
      require the use of specialized extinguishing
      agents.

9. Fuel spills:

   a. A fuel tank may be punctured during an accident
      or may fail during a fire, thereby causing a
      spill or runoff. Take precautions to contain
      the spill and prevent environmental damage. If
      the fuel has not ignited, take steps to
      minimize the chance of ignition.

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      b. A variety of fuels are used in motor vehicles.
         Of particular concern are LNG and LPG. A leak
         involving either of these fuels poses special
         problems, as does the possibility of a fuel
         tank rupture due to flame impingement. It is
         critical that these vessels be cooled during a
         fire.

      c. Do not remove the fuel tank cap until you are
         absolutely certain that there is no excess
         pressure in the tank.

      d. Do not turn your back on a burning vehicle, and
         keep charged hose lines available after
         extinguishments in the event of reignition.

      e. Prohibit smoking.

      f. Prevent sparking from tools, saws, etc.

      g. A fuel leak may be controlled by using lead
         wool, soap, wood plugs, etc. or by turning off
         the fuel valves on an LNG or LPG tank.

B. (Recommendations)

   1. Automobile dealerships are great resources.
      Personnel should visit them regularly and
      familiarize themselves with the features of new
      models. Unfortunately, many of the features that
      make vehicles safer for the motoring public pose
      unique hazards for firefighters.

   2. Traditionally, the motor vehicle fire has been
      considered by firefighters to be routine, perhaps
      even boring. A re-examination of our attitudes and
      perceptions is in order. Vehicle fires are
      increasingly dangerous, and firefighters should not
      become complacent about them.