CBz Realistic "Hey, that could really happen!" FFuN Training - LPG Fire Scenario

CBz Realistic "Hey, that could really happen!" FFuN Training

LPG Fire Scenario

911 Dispatch: Engine 1, respond to the Chevron gas station at March Lane and Bianchi Lane on a reported vehicle fire next to a 500-gallon LPG tank.

You arrive on scene and discover a fully involved taco truck that caught fire as employees were attempting to fill its propane tanks at a gas station.

When the truck burst into flames, the gas station and immediate areas were evacuated by local law enforcement. A nearby elementary school brought kids in off the playground and went into a lockdown as a precaution until they hear word from you. Apparently, workers had just filled a 50 gallon tank on the taco truck with propane from a 500 gallon tank at the gas station. The workers were attempting to get some air out of the lines when some propane escaped and was ignited by a pilot light still burning in the truck.

Summary:

The taco truck is fully involved upon arrival
Nearby elementary school in voluntary lockdown
There are no reports of injuries
50-Gallons LPG on Taco Truck
500-Gallons LPG Gas Station Storage Tank

Hint:

Master stream can be seen in the provided photograph...

Is this overkill?
Would you use a master stream appliance at this type of incident and why?
What are your tactics and concerns for this incident?
And how about that school in voluntary lockdown?

CBz :D

Remember, Failure to Prepare is Preparing for Failure... Be Prepared...

Cheat Link: http://sacramento.cbslocal.com/2011/04/05/taco-truck-goes-up-in-fla...

(Don't look at this until after you think about your tactics and strategy.)

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Permalink Reply by Ben Waller on August 1, 2011 at 10:08pm

We don't have taco trucks here - you actually have to go to a restaurant to get them. Not all of the tacos have the Oaxhuaca cheese - just the best ones.

Tacos gringo de cameron - yummy.

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Permalink Reply by Moose on August 2, 2011 at 8:12am

Im more of a borrito guy myself, like those cheesy beef borritos from Taco Hell...ooops...I mean Taco Bell.
Hey Ben, would that kind of cheese fall in the Haz-Mat category? lol

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Permalink Reply by Fireyladd - Retired Chief Sharp on August 2, 2011 at 2:22pm

LOL! Moose!

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Permalink Reply by Todd on August 4, 2011 at 4:00am

With the Taco truck being fully involved upon arrival it is at this point a lost cause and as a company officer it is my job to reinforce that fact to my crew....who just wants to put the red stuff on the red stuff.

I would agree with the deck gun on the tank, as it is the highest priority at this time.

Hopefully the hydrant is close (here in town they are at minimum 500'....out in the county if they exist they are at least 1000') so that we can make our own connection and put a handline in action to eliminate the threat from the Taco truck, with instructions to my crew if the 50 gallon tank is burning to just let it burn unless it is obviously clear we can simply shut a valve and kill the gas.

Going by the limited information from the picture as the initial IC I would check the condition of the gas station. While it appears to be within the exposure zone it doesn't appear to be an imminent threat. If I determine it is that is what the 2nd due is there for.

I'll keep the school in lockdown until the point I (or whoever takes command from me) feels that it is safe.

My tactics are as follows:

#1 Exposure protection. If the taco truck is as described it is scrap metal anyway. Protect the gas tank as it is the most obvious exposure, then while eliminating the problem (the vehicle fire) evaluate the rest of the exposures.

#2 extinguish the fire.

#3 is the evacuation of the school. In reality we should be able to accomplish #1 and #2 in a timely enough fashion where #3 is not a real problem.

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Permalink Reply by Mike Schlags (Captain Busy) Retd on August 4, 2011 at 11:46pm

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Permalink Reply by Ben Waller on August 5, 2011 at 5:22am

Mike, I'm LMAO at this one due to a fire we had a few years ago.

Mick Mayers was a truck captain at the time. We were at an apartment fire. Mick and his irons firefighter rescued a dog that could have been this dog's twin.

I had the Medical group and couldn't believe it when I saw Mick guiding the other firefighter across the hoselines while running toward the ambulances. I told him that one day the Taco Bell dog poster would be applied to the truck's rig with the name of the apartment building included.

Give me time...and stealth. :-)

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Permalink Reply by Ben Waller on August 5, 2011 at 5:23am

I don't see any kind of cheese in the ERG or in the WISER database, but I'm still looking...

No Taco Bell for me. We have this terrific local place named La Hacienda. When I go there, it feels just like home.

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Permalink Reply by Marc Hansen on August 5, 2011 at 11:59am

My 2 cents worth in addition to everyone else's contributtions. 1) hit the E-stop button at the gas station for the the gas pumps, in case of bleve we arent now dealing with a gasoline and propane fire (not to mention you know someone will enter the gas station and try to get gas) and 2)make sure the sheltered in place school children arn't in line with end caps of the propane tanks.

As long as we dont apply water to the taco truck the shells should still be crunchy to boot!