When arriving on the scene of an incident, the fire apparatus becomes involved in the situation due to its proximity to the incident. Several factors are at play when considering at how close we should park the fire apparatus to the scene.
The first consideration is the weather. Weather patterns can change at a moment’s notice and they can change the dynamics of the fireground. Wind-driven fires are being studied now in more detail to see how they behave and what the best methods are for fighting them.
Parking the fire apparatus at on the leeward side of a burning building when a strong wind is blowing is not going to produce a good outcome. As you can see in this video, the fire quickly takes control of the parked fire apparatus.
Imagine if there had been a person on the aerial tip when this happened? Would that firefighter have survived the ordeal or escaped with minor injuries?
Taking into account wind direction and speed when arriving at a fire scene will help in eliminating some of the dominoes. The apparatus was moved which is the thing to do if it is safe to do so. If it is the primary pumping unit, it may pose another problem and set up another domino.
A second consideration is the topography of the land. When dealing with fires that involve liquids, it is especially important to not park the fire apparatus in the direction of travel for liquids such as gasoline, diesel or other flammables. In this video, this point is reinforced as the fire apparatus soon becomes part of the incident.
Positioning uphill from the liquid fire will prevent this from occurring. If the only spot is in the direction of travel, then water protection will be needed for the apparatus.
This video shows another example of an apparatus parked in the path of travel for the liquid. Unfortunately the apparatus could not be moved in time but fire personnel were able to escape to safety.
A third consideration is the nature of the situation. Sometimes the incident changes very quickly for the worse. When this happens, sometimes the apparatus gets caught and becomes part of the incident.
This dynamic change sometimes cannot be predicted and, although unavoidable and unintentional, the position of the apparatus leaves it and its crew vulnerable.
Take for example the fire on April 11, 2007 at the bowling alley in Swatara Township, Pa. Two firefighters were in the platform bucket applying water when fire broke through the bowling alley roof very quickly moved toward the platform. The fire was on track to engulf the bucket and the firefighters inside.
The fire chief decided to move the apparatus to save his men but did so with the aerial device still up, outriggers still deployed and water still being pumped. The result was fortunate with both firefighters being cleared away from the fire and the apparatus not tipping over or sustaining any major damage.
The aerial device was positioned in the beginning to tactically combat the fire, but the nature of the situation changed quickly requiring swift action.
Were there domino’s being created and lining up leading to a handicap? You be the judge and hopefully it will spark an interesting conversation.
