FIRE AT THE ZOO

FIRE AT THE ZOO

FIRE REPORT

YOUR SAFARI STRATEGY

Lions and tigers and bears… What to do when there’s a fire at the zoo

Fire in one of the monorail cars communicated to several others. The cars are suspended over part of the animal preserve, which hampered safe firefighter access. Photo courtesy of Philadelphia Daily News, by E.W. Fairdoth.

THE PHILADELPHIA ZOO is the country’s oldest. During its 114 years of existence there have been several incidents which required the services of the Philadelphia Fire Department. The most recent occurred during the evening rush hour on May 26 of this year.

Just two days before the Memorial Day weekend, a one-alarm fire forced the zoo’s monorail system to shut down. Fortunately, this blaze occurred after the zoo had closed; only a few visitors were still on the grounds. The electrical fire started in an empty car on the monorail track near the south boarding station. Although the monorail cars were unoccupied and rescue wasn’t an immediate concern, this operation required quick thinking and cautious tactics.

As units were responding to the zoo, a wide column of dark smoke was visible and loomed as a warning signal. As the incident commander, my thoughts turned to the major categories of any foreground size-up: lifesaving, property protection, and method of attack—but were these concepts enough for a zoo fire?

Upon fire department arrival at the zoo, all the gates were locked. It was obvious that the zoo’s management was not aware of a serious fire in the Woodland Trail section of the park; a Philadelphia Highway Patrol officer called the fire department with a report of smoke within the zoo. All companies were instructed to report to a staging area in the zoo’s south parking lot. Orders were given to prohibit forcible entry for fear of crossing into uncaged outdoor exhibits or contacting electrified wires hidden in shrubs along the trails to prevent animals from straying.

FIRE AT THE ZOO

The first chief and two engine companies entered the complex by a side gate and, accompanied by zoo security guards, moved to the base of the monorail station. The command post was set up there. Taking positions at the command post were the fire department’s incident commander (initially a battalion chief and later a division commander), president of the zoo, head of zoo security, and the senior zookeeper. The priorities were to shut off all the electrical power to the monorail, cage the animals, and confine the fire that was reaching out to engulf the trees.

The first engine stretched a mobile, 1¾inch water line and played a fog stream from the ground onto the fire in the monorail cars. Then firefighters adjusted their nozzle to a solid stream and directed it into the thermal column to cool and knock down the burning embers. Continuing to advance the attack line, yet maintaining a safe distance from the animals (caged bobcats were in the immediate area), the fire in the trees, brush, and grass was isolated and extinguished.

Members of the second engine took portable dry chemical and carbon dioxide extinguishers to the monorail loading station. A park security guard was directed to unlock the emergency exit on the south side of the complex, allowing a 3-inch “backup” water line to be stretched from a street hydrant. This ensured a continuous water supply to the first-due pumper positioned in the zoo.

One of the ladder companies brought several portable ladders to provide access to the monorail tracks. The members were prepared to use the ladders as a jack to brace the unstable cars whose horizontal stabilizing tires had been burned away. An engine, a ladder company, and a rescue unit remained in the staging area on standby assignment while the second battalion chief took command of firefighting chores from the south station.

Once electricity to the monorail was switched off, units on the south loading platform moved along the monorail cars to extinguish the smoldering fire in the seats with a small handline. Because of damage to the stabilizing tires and locked brakes on the monorail cars, it was impossible to tow or pull the cars back into the south station.

Fire can spread rapidly from car to car even though there appears to be very little fire loading. Had the system been fully occupied, a severe life hazard could have existed. Photo by Diane Dus.

By 6 p.m., three monorail cars were destroyed, the animals were calmed and caged, and the media had taken down their cameras after capturing the lead story for the evening news.

Later, a discussion was held with many of the key participants at this unusual incident. Once again, the Philadelphia Fire Department had tackled a difficult job, but we were lucky that the monorail system, which encircles the entire park and carries approximately 600 park visitors each day, was empty. We were fortunate that a zoo which entertains an estimated crowd of more than 17,000 guests on a busy holiday weekend was virtually closed. From these conversations I felt it necessary to combine the lessons learned with a practical memory device that can be used as a guide whenever there’s a fire around animals.

A.N.IJA.A.LS.:

Apparatus must be directed by park employees to minimize the disturbance to the animals. Many animals are out in the open because the recent trend in zoos is away from closed cages and toward a more natural habitat. Serious consideration must also be given to safe routes for heavy apparatus along paths and bridges. In Philadelphia, a fully manned and equipped pumper can weigh up to 16 tons; a tower ladder can exceed 30 tons. Finally, by having escorts provided by the park, signs that aren’t visible because of smoke or darkness won’t be overlooked.

Never allow firefighters to work without zookeepers. They might otherwise inadvertently enter restricted or electrified areas. A common-sense approach is to stage all apparatus and personnel in parking lots. This prevents freelancing and reduces traffic congestion during the wait for zoo officials to control the movement of guests, employees, and animals. Public address systems have been effective in instituting a zoned evacuation without creating panic.

Ignition to trees and shrubs in trail areas with natural landscapes must be expected. Ember control is important. Experience has shown that solid, highpressure water streams injected into the heated thermal column can extinguish most brands. However, a fire suppression company should be held in reserve for eventual ember patrol.

Mass casualties are imminent when there’s a fire in an elevated rail system. Passengers can easily become trapped with no secondary’ means of egress except to jump to safety. This problem is compounded in a zoo because of the threat of attack from the animals. A viable life safety code should require an emergency walkway whenever tracks cross over a wild animal exhibit.

Agents for extinguishment must be based on the class of fire. For class “A” fires, the water line must be capable of maneuverability and sufficiently staffed because often the terrain isn’t level and hose stretches are long. For suspected class “C” fires, dry’ chemical and carbon dioxide extinguishers should be promptly brought to the scene to confine the fire until the electric power is off.

Logistics can be overwhelming. The incident command system should be implemented. A general preplanned response is beneficial and will improve coordination, but during an actual emergency it’s essential that a command post be created. Only when fire and zoo officials work together at the scene can communications be concise and tasks not duplicated.

Safety of the guests and firefighters precedes wildlife preservation. Police or security guards equipped with firearms should be stationed in each sector in case animals can’t be restrained.

Sight-seeing shuttles such as trains, monorails, and trams are becoming increasingly popular in amusement parks and zoos. Fires aren’t that unusual in these systems; there have been fires in the transportation systems at the Miami Zoo and Disney World.

When a monorail system is part of a safari-type environment, there’s distinct possibility for a catastrophe. Only by having a practical plan for fireground management can the incident commander mitigate the numerous hazards that will mean the difference between a minor problem or a deadly disaster, between professionalism and community criticism. Next time you’re given the responsibility to be an incident commander, have an action plan, and only then will the odds be in favor of success.

Trailer Fire Metairie (LA)

Trailer Catches Fire, Explodes on I-10, Damaging Nearby Metairie (LA) Homes

A trailer carrying motorcycles and nitrous oxide cannisters caught fire on Interstate 10 and exploded Saturday, damaging two nearby Metairie homes and possibly a passing car, according to Jefferson Parish and…
San Jose House Fire Reignites

Home Fire in San Jose (CA) Reignites; Firefighters Respond Again

A fire in a San Jose home that firefighters reported as extinguished early Saturday morning reignited Saturday evening, forcing authorities to evacuate a nearby house…