This featured firefigher near-miss report highlights the unseen dangers firefighters face when responding to vehicle fires. It is a reminder that even though these incidents may seem routine, we must always remain vigilant to avoid injuries.
“I heard a sudden and loud ‘POP’ and within a fraction of a second was struck by something that felt like a baseball bat on the left side of my head and I was knocked unconscious…This is what occurred…As the minivan ignited, the intense fire heated the interior rear tailgate struts that are located in the ‘D’ pillars. The intense heat caused the gases to explode and rip apart the driver side rear tailgate strut and turned it into a missile. A three inch piece of the strut was projected sideways through the vehicle’s polymer sidewall by the explosion and impaled itself into my neck, a few millimeters (1/16th of an inch) from my jugular vein. I was spared by the fact that the metal projectile hit the metallic piece used to tighten my facepiece on the left side of my mask and was slowed down. Had it not been for this stroke of good luck, this incident could have had a more tragic ending.”
The safety of our crew should always be our first priority. A risk assessment must be considered on all incidents. When we approach a well-involved vehicle fire and have ruled out civilians in danger, it is important to realize that in most cases, we are already dealing with a total loss. It makes no sense to needlessly endanger ourselves and our crews in these situations. A careful, methodical approach with full PPE and SCBA should be performed. Consider the following:
- What precautions should be taken when approaching a vehicle fire?
- What is the best angle to approach a well-involved vehicle fire? How do these considerations affect apparatus placement?
- What are your department’s policies concerning PPE and SCBA use at car fires?
- What are some of the other hazards when dealing with these types of incidents?
Today’s vehicles pose a myriad of hazards to first responders. Numerous reports dealing with hydraulic and gas struts have been reported. Struts can build up thousands of pounds of pressure prior to failing, making them dangerous projectiles. There are reports of struts travelling hundreds of feet and penetrating walls and striking first responders. Keep these facts in mind as you respond to your next car fire, and remember to perform a risk analysis. Review the following reports so you can learn from others who have dealt with these types of incidents.
Have you experienced a near miss dealing with vehicle struts exploding during a fire? Submit your report to www.firefighternearmiss.com today so everyone goes home tomorrow. For more on the value of firefighter near-miss reporting, CLICK HERE.
Note: The questions posed by the reviewers are designed to generate discussion and thought in the name of promoting firefighter safety. They are not intended to pass judgment on the actions and performance of individuals in the reports.
