The Social Network & Community JUST for Firefighters
Always be alert.....
I'm posting this in hopes of reaching those who may train differently, or not at all, in fire scene awareness. I know the older and more experienced members are so used to this topic, that it is almost second nature to them. And maybe they/you can add something else to what I will be mentioning. It has to do with how you treat a situation after you get all (or what you THINK is all) the information, and form a plan of action.
We were called to a camper/trailer fire on the highway. The driver noticed smoke coming from the trailer and was able to pull off the road and call for help. While he was waiting, he was able to detach his truck and remove the big propane tank from the front of the camper. When we arrived, it was 3/4 involved and had also started a small brush fire.
I had lifted a portion of the tin roof that had fallen so the hose crew could get to the rest of the fire, and when I did, there was a second propane tank inside the camper that the owner failed to mention when we were talking with him. The guys hosed it down and then it was removed.
Just because you were told some information at a scene, doesn't mean you have ALL the information. Even though it came from the owner of the property, you have to remember that he/she is a bit excited at that point and is not thinking entirely clearly and may miss some important information that may not seem as such to them.
Had we known about the second tank, we might have proceded a little differently. We were lucky.
Always take the extra care in what you are doing. You never know what lies behind the door or under the roof. Kinda like a jack-in-the-box.
Just be careful.
Replies to This Discussion
-
Permalink Reply by John on
-
So true Derek, No matter the call or what they tell you on scene from witnesses to owners, always be very aware of the situation. You all were really lucky, and had someone looking out for your crew, thanks for sharing, Be Safe Brother.
-
Permalink Reply by Paul Montpetit on
-
For sure...always be alert.....we can always use another "lert"
-
-
Sorry Derelect we are talking Fire Service here....
-
Permalink Reply by Derek R. on
-
couldn't find a "lert" in the fire service.
Did you mean dereleRt? It would fit the discussion better, I think. Kinda makes me feel old and decrepit with the way you wrote it.
-
Permalink Reply by Tony P on
-
I would say to forget all about "after you get all (or what you THINK is all) the information, and form a plan of action". All the information? I will never think I have 'all' the information - I just hope to pick up as much as possible and then we all have to keep our eyes open.
Extra 'forgotten' gas cylinders in a camping vehicle? Safest to believe they all have spares.
-
Permalink Reply by Fireyladd - Retired Chief Sharp on
-
Good pioint Derek. So many times we can get tunneled into what we initially see or hear and not ask further questions that may ultamately have a safety factor involved. Again, good point!
-
Permalink Reply by Norm Tindell on
-
You are so right about unseen hazards. Vehicles, dumpsters and many structures hide dangerous surprises within. A good lesson on situational awareness.
-
Permalink Reply by Roy Walker on
-
Obviously the major reason for full PPE at all fire scenes , because you never know if what you see is all you're going to get. We must be constantly vigilent in order to protect ourselves and our brothers, report what you see so command can form the attack accordingly. Good post for all to read.
-
Permalink Reply by 55 TRUCK on
-
We had a guy get shot by a .45 at a fire. He was standing out side the door masking up the Truck guys had popped the front door. Just as they opend it up A round cooked off in the magazine of the Pistol it was on the top shelf of a Closet across the rm. He was ok it didn't do to much damage. coming out of the mag ot didn't have much velocity. Probably wouldn't have come that far but the gun was against the back wall of rthe closet.
Had couple guys on a fire get rattled by a exploding O2 tank. Fires are like mine fields or a Box of chocolates.
© 2025 Created by Firefighter Nation WebChief.
Powered by
