WHY WE WEAR TURNOUT GEAR
Engine 3 and Rescue 3 was dispatched at 01:54 hours on January 17, 2007 for a reported vehicle on its’ top in the creek in front of Pals Restaurant on Lee Highway. Just another MVA call for Engine 3 and Rescue 3.
On arrival at the scene the BVPD was already on scene and the lone occupant of the vehicle had self extricated and was talking with the police officers. Engine 3’s crew assessed the situation and determined that the vehicle had exited the bridge on Alexis Drive and had come to rest passenger side down in the creek and resting against the creek bank. It was also determined that we had some fuel in the creek mixed with oil. A request was made for Response 1 to deliver 5 absorbent booms to be placed downstream from the accident site. After the booms were placed Response 1 returned to Station 1 and members of Engine 3 stood by while the towing service began removal of the vehicle from the creek.
The vehicle was winched up the bank on its’ top and then left upside down near the edge of the parking lot while the tow driver repositioned the cables to roll the vehicle over onto its’ wheels. The recovery operation resumed while Engine 3 members maintained a safe distance from the operation. As the vehicle was winched up onto its’ front driver side corner to clear a small exit sign near the parking lot it came into contact with a flood light used to illuminate the sign at night. As the vehicle was lowered back to the ground there was a sudden, explosive ignition of the vehicle and its’ interior. Within a second the rear of the vehicle and the interior was engulfed in flames. Engine 3 began to fight the fire within a minute of ignition. A call was made by radio to dispatch Response 1 and Quint 1 immediately to back Engine 3 and provide foam due to the fuel fire. The fire was quickly contained and extinguished and Quint 1 was cancelled.
The lesson that is reinforced here is that we must maintain a safe zone of operations and wear the turnout gear that we are provided. Maintain an Incident Management System on all calls. A routine scene became an explosive scene in the blink of an eye. Always be aware of your surroundings. Officers, be aware of the scene and what your crew is doing. The crew should always be aware of what they are doing and their surroundings. And above all: Protect yourself with the gear and the equipment that is provided. Watch your brother or sister’s back on calls. And most importantly: Wear your turnout gear properly so everyone goes home!!!
Lt. Richard L. Thompson
On arrival at the scene the BVPD was already on scene and the lone occupant of the vehicle had self extricated and was talking with the police officers. Engine 3’s crew assessed the situation and determined that the vehicle had exited the bridge on Alexis Drive and had come to rest passenger side down in the creek and resting against the creek bank. It was also determined that we had some fuel in the creek mixed with oil. A request was made for Response 1 to deliver 5 absorbent booms to be placed downstream from the accident site. After the booms were placed Response 1 returned to Station 1 and members of Engine 3 stood by while the towing service began removal of the vehicle from the creek.
The vehicle was winched up the bank on its’ top and then left upside down near the edge of the parking lot while the tow driver repositioned the cables to roll the vehicle over onto its’ wheels. The recovery operation resumed while Engine 3 members maintained a safe distance from the operation. As the vehicle was winched up onto its’ front driver side corner to clear a small exit sign near the parking lot it came into contact with a flood light used to illuminate the sign at night. As the vehicle was lowered back to the ground there was a sudden, explosive ignition of the vehicle and its’ interior. Within a second the rear of the vehicle and the interior was engulfed in flames. Engine 3 began to fight the fire within a minute of ignition. A call was made by radio to dispatch Response 1 and Quint 1 immediately to back Engine 3 and provide foam due to the fuel fire. The fire was quickly contained and extinguished and Quint 1 was cancelled.
The lesson that is reinforced here is that we must maintain a safe zone of operations and wear the turnout gear that we are provided. Maintain an Incident Management System on all calls. A routine scene became an explosive scene in the blink of an eye. Always be aware of your surroundings. Officers, be aware of the scene and what your crew is doing. The crew should always be aware of what they are doing and their surroundings. And above all: Protect yourself with the gear and the equipment that is provided. Watch your brother or sister’s back on calls. And most importantly: Wear your turnout gear properly so everyone goes home!!!
Lt. Richard L. Thompson
Labels: Close call, Turnout
posted by Roark at Sunday, January 21, 2007
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