Vehicle Fire Response Guidelines (Bonita Springs Fire Control & Rescue District) PDF

Bonita Springs Fire Control and Rescue District Standard Operating Guidelines 1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1. Subject: Vehicle Fire Response Adopted: November 8, 2000 Effective Date: January 1, 2008 Last Revised Date: October 1, , 2021 Revision Number: 3 Due for Revision Date: October, 2024 # 1019.07...

Bonita Springs Fire Control and Rescue District Standard Operating Guidelines 1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1. Subject: Vehicle Fire Response Adopted: November 8, 2000 Effective Date: January 1, 2008 Last Revised Date: October 1, , 2021 Revision Number: 3 Due for Revision Date: October, 2024 # 1019.07.00 Table of Contents 1019.07.01 Purpose 1019.07.02 Apparatus Placement 1019.07.03 Operations 1019.07.04 Fire Cause Investigation 1019.07.05 Safety Considerations C:\powerdms\convert\Temp\8492e7a9-01b1-47b3-bad5-d9ea9ba1f4e1.doc Page 1 of 4 1019.07.01 Purpose The purpose of this guideline is to provide for the safety of emergency personnel, and to ensure a standardized response and management at the scene of vehicle fires. For the purpose of this guideline, vehicle fires will be defined as:  Standard size passenger vehicles  Pick-up trucks  Motorcycles 1019.07.02 Apparatus Placement Apparatus placement should be approximately 100 feet away from the incident. Consideration should be given to the following:  Safety of emergency response personnel  Wind direction  Placing the apparatus between the incident and on-coming traffic  Runoff into storm drains, or natural water ways, especially if hazardous materials are involved 1019.07.03 Operations 1. The first member/unit on the scene shall assume command and do a scene size-up. 2. Complete personal protective equipment, including self contained breathing apparatus, with face piece in place, shall be worn during the fire attack. 3. One member of the attack team should have forcible entry tools (haligan tool, axe, pry-bar, etc.) in his/her possession to provide prompt and safe entry into the vehicle. 4. Fire attack shall be with the 1 3/4” hand line at a minimum. Larger size hand lines may be used at the discretion of the officer in charge. 5. The fire attack should be initiated so as not to push the fire or debris onto any exposures or into any unburned areas. When rescue is not a factor, water should first be applied to extinguish the fire, then to cool down the area around fuel tanks or any other parts of the fuel system. This is especially important if the fuel system is Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) or Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG). If Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) or Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) is involved, close the shutoff valve on the (LPG/LNG) fuel tanks as soon as possible. The tank should continue to be cooled after the fire has been extinguished, until the metal surface is cool enough to touch. There may be times when an additional fire attack line should be pulled to cool the tanks, while the other line is fighting the fire. Class B foam is recommended to be used whenever the vehicle fire is uncontrollable due to the presence of a flammable/combustible liquid, i.e., tank and or fuel lines that are leaking or have ruptured. C:\powerdms\convert\Temp\8492e7a9-01b1-47b3-bad5-d9ea9ba1f4e1.doc Page 2 of 4 All Haz/Mat procedures will apply and Haz/Mat neutralization, containment and clean up will be initiated according to the departments Haz/Mat protocol. 1019.07.04 Fire Cause Investigation The Officer in Charge/Incident Commander of the fire scene will determine if it is necessary to contact the State Fire Marshal or an investigator from their agency, for investigation. The course of action taken by the officer in charge at the scene of a vehicle fire will be determined by the following factors:  Are there injuries or fatalities as a result of the fire?  Is the fire cause accidental, undetermined, suspicious, or incendiary? Undetermined/Suspicious/Incendiary Cause If the officer in charge determines the fire cause to be undetermined, suspicious or incendiary and the vehicle is located on the private property of the vehicle owner, the officer in charge shall notify the shift commander of the situation. If directed, the officer in charge will then advise Dispatch to notify the on-call investigator or SFM (State Fire Marshal) of the circumstances of the situation. The on-call investigator will advise his/her intended course of action. The officer in charge will proceed accordingly. Scene Security The officer in charge shall secure the scene of all undetermined, suspicious or incendiary vehicle fires, unless otherwise directed by the on-call investigator, until the scene is either turned over to the on-call investigator or a law enforcement officer. 1019.07.05      Safety Considerations Energy Absorbing Bumpers - Consist of gas and fluid filled cylinders that when heated during a fire, will develop high pressures that may result in the sudden release of the bumper assembly. This could result in serious injury to anyone in its path. Bumper assemblies have been known to travel 25 to 75 feet. Hydraulic Lift Pistons/Cylinders - Found on rear hatchbacks and front hoods, have the potential to violently shoot from their mounted location (if exposed to high temperatures from fire), travel through vehicle exterior metal, and could impale in any person in the general area. Batteries - Explosion hazard due to presence of hydrogen vapors. Avoid contact with battery acid. When situation is stable, disconnect battery cables (ground cable first). Fuel Tanks - May be constructed of sheet metal or plastic. A rupture or burn-through may occur with these tanks causing a rapid flash fire of the spilled fuel. Do not remove gas cap, as tank may have become pressurized. If tank ruptures, foam may become necessary. Interior Fires - Well sealed interiors of modern vehicles present the potential for back draft. Use caution when opening doors or breaking windows. Have a charged hose line ready before making entry. C:\powerdms\convert\Temp\8492e7a9-01b1-47b3-bad5-d9ea9ba1f4e1.doc Page 3 of 4  Combustible Metals - Some vehicles have various parts made of combustible metals such as engine blocks, heads, wheels, etc. When these metals are burning, attempts to extinguish them with water will usually add to the intensity of the fire. Large quantities of water, however, will cool the metal below its ignition temperature. After some initial intensification, the fire should go out. Dry chemical extinguishers can also be effective. C:\powerdms\convert\Temp\8492e7a9-01b1-47b3-bad5-d9ea9ba1f4e1.doc Page 4 of 4