fire science filed report responding
Units responded for a report of a structure fire; fire reported in an attached garage under renovation. Upon arrival of the first unit, there was heavy fire in the garage, with extension to the house. The first arriving unit reported propane tanks involved and on fire. Within the first 5 minutes of units arriving and operating on the scene, there were 3 large explosions, each involving a 100 lb. Propane cylinder.
Units arrived out of their assigned running order, and jumped positions from the SOPs. This included the fourth due engine arriving and taking the second due engine"s water supply responsibilities, and both trucks arriving late due to getting lost. In addition, there was a face-to-face miscommunication between the driver of the fourth due engine and the officer, who was detailed in from another station. This resulted in a several minute delay in the establishment of a sustained water supply for the first due engine.
Initial actions were focused on ensuring evacuation of the houses on exposures B and D, and then defensive operations. The three explosions occurred while personnel were engaged in these activities. The explosions were powerful enough to knock several firefighters down, but due to their wearing PPE and not being in immediate proximity, there were no injuries.
Lessons Learned
Situational Awareness: The calling party reported to the 911 operator that there were propane tanks involved in the area of the fire. This information was never relayed to responding units.
Teamwork: The driver and officer on the 4th due engine did not communicate effectively. According to our SOPs, the first responsibility of the second and fourth due engines is to "Ensure and expand upon the water supply as necessary for the first (or third) due engine. In this case, the officer gave instructions which were either not heard correctly or were misinterpreted by the driver/operator, the officer and the firefighter abandoned the apparatus driver/operator and went up to the fire, leaving the driver/operator to complete a labor-intensive water supply operation by himself. Especially when pairing personnel who are not used to working with each other (the officer was detailed in on overtime) it is imperative that two-way communications techniques be used to ensure that messages are understood and followed correctly.
Area Knowledge: Unit officers and apparatus drivers must have greater familiarization with their response areas, not limited to just their "first due" area. They must also be able to get to any location from different directions of travel. Enhanced GPS mapping capabilities would be a welcomed addition to all responding apparatus.
Standard Operating Procedures: Units must know and follow their SOPs. It is extremely difficult for units and personnel to readjust to last-second changes in assignments.
Communications: When units will be delayed, they must notify the Incident Commander, so that consideration of the delays can be made, and adjustments made as necessary.
Protective Clothing: Again, the importance of properly wearing all appropriate PPE is a lesson learned. The force of the explosions might well have caused serious injuries had personnel not been properly protected.
Demographics
Department Type: Combination, Mostly paid
Job or Rank: Battalion Chief / District Chief
Department Shift: 24 hours on - 48 hours off
Age: 43 - 51
Years of Fire Service Experience: 27 - 30
Region: FEMA Region III
Service Area: Suburban
Event Information
Event Type: Fire emergency event: structure fire, vehicle fire, wildland fire, etc.
Date and Time: Dec 29 2006 5:00PM
Hours Into the Shift: 9 - 12
Event Participation: Involved in the event
Weather at Time of Event:
Do you think this will happen again? Yes
Contributing Factors? Decision Making, Teamwork, SOP / SOG, Situational Awareness
What do you believe is the loss potential?: Property damage, Life threatening injury
