Road vehicle fire

Include all incident actions

Incident information

Make a safe approach at an appropriate speed and consider wreckage, casualties, fuel spills, animals etc.
Establish the type of road and the status of the affected carriageway (live or closed)
Confirm and communicate the involvement, number and severity of any casualties (persons or animals)
Identify and communicate the number and type of vehicles involved
Identify fuel type (hydrocarbon, LPG, electric, hybrid, hydrogen), fuel spillages and potential ignition sources
Identify vehicle construction materials, pressurised air systems, hydraulics and refrigerants
Assess the potential for thermal radiation damage and fire spread on buildings and surrounding areas
Identify the impact of tunnels, bridges, viaducts and flyovers on access, resources and incident plan
All incident information:
Gather information from available sources to gain accurate situational awareness and understanding
Question the responsible person, other responders and witnesses to understand incident factors and history
Confirm and communicate the involvement, number and severity of any casualties (persons or animals)
Ensure that a scene survey is carried out at the earliest opportunity
Access any operational or site specific risk information (SSRI) and confirm accuracy
Debrief crews that have withdrawn from a working area during an incident to gain operational intelligence and safety-related information
Maintain situational awareness and identify changes during the incident through active monitoring and regular briefings
Further incident information
- Consider time of day and effect on transport systems and working environment
- Observe variable message signs and other road signage to identify traffic delays
- Consider the type, number and details of the modes of transport involved
- Consider vehicles with sleeping compartments and the potential for stowaways
- Contact commercial vehicle operators to obtain passenger numbers and cargo information
- Ensure that tracks and pathways are suitable for fire service vehicles
- Identify potential drainage routes for fire water run-off and released vehicle content
- All incident information:
- Use local knowledge, topography and map reading skills to aid navigation to an incident
- Ensure that tracks and pathways are suitable for fire service vehicles
- Consider the least damaging routes to incidents and where possible, stay on marked paths and tracks
- Consider Step 1-2-3 Plus: Safety Triggers for Emergency Personnel
- Access past, present and future weather information from sources such as the Met Office
- Ascertain the availability of pre-arranged evacuation strategies and policies
- Consider pollution prevention information contained within site specific risk plans
- Seek advice from landowners and other bodies on susceptible areas of the environment
- Review situational awareness following an emergency evacuation or tactical withdrawal

Resource information

Secure sufficient firefighting media to enable the fire to be fully extinguished
Confirm that required agencies have been requested or notified (e.g. Police, Ambulance, environmental agencies)
Identify the safest access route, rendezvous points (RVPs) and marshalling areas, and communicate to all responders and the fire control room
All incident information:
Request sufficient resources to implement initial actions, the incident plan and support contingency plan
Consider requesting the attendance of a competent person, subject matter expert or tactical adviser
Consider resources that may be available from neighbouring fire and rescue services and partner agencies
Inform and/or seek advice from environment agencies and/or sewage undertakers where necessary
Consider whether appliances, personnel, equipment and other resources can be released from the incident
Regularly update fire control on the availability status of appliances and other resources
Further Resource Information
- Request appropriate environmental protection (EP) resources (e.g. hazmat adviser, EP equipment, pumps)
- All incident information:
- Identify the safest access route, rendezvous points (RVPs) and marshalling areas, and communicate to all responders and the fire control room
- Consider requesting facilities for the welfare of crews deployed at protracted incidents
- Consider the availability of pollution control equipment and/or pollution containment facilities on site
- Make use of specialist fire and rescue service or on-site environmental protection equipment
- Consider the appointment of a HMA (or equivalent) to oversee environmental protection activities

Risk information

Moving vehicles
- Ensure high visibility clothing is worn where compatible with other PPE
- Position appliances to fend-off vehicles and use warning signs, lights and cones
- Ensure fire and rescue service vehicles display warning devices appropriate to their position on the roadway
- Liaise with the police and other relevant agencies to close roads or establish traffic management systems
- Consider positioning a safety officer specifically briefed to watch for moving vehicles
- Seek assistance from the police or other relevant responder agency to secure a safe working area
- Consider implementing reverse access procedures to SMART or ALR motorways
Fire and thermal radiation
- Position vehicles anticipating fire development, thermal radiation, collapse, smoke and other hazards
- Consider the potential for running fuel fires and deploy appropriate firefighting resources
- Use the appropriate extinguishing method, media, techniques and equipment
- Ensure that Firefighting PPE is worn in accordance with service risk assessment, procedures and training
Smoke and fire gases
- Access past, present and future weather information from sources such as the Met Office
- Consider using fine sprays or foam blankets to minimise airborne particulates
- Ensure that all personnel wear the type of RPE identified by service risk assessments, procedures and training
- Obtain advice from the hazardous materials adviser (HMA) on the size of any downwind protection zone
- Advise relevant agencies if a smoke plume presents a risk to the safety of the public
Fuel and electrical systems
- Communicate to all emergency responders that an alternative fuel vehicle is present and the location of its associated hazards
- Identify isolation points for alternative fuel vehicles (AFV)
- Consider marking alternative fuel vehicles to make responders aware of the associated hazards
- Consider making electrical gloves available for personnel to use at incidents involving live electricity supply.
Vehicle construction
- Identify materials and systems used within a vehicle and communicate to all emergency responders
- Survey the vehicle internally and externally for signs of un-deployed vehicle safety systems
- Identify and communicate hazards relating to pressurised systems to all responders
- Identify and communicate the involvement of super-single HGV tyres
- Control use of radio equipment in the area where vehicle safety systems have been identified
Vehicle contents
- Establish the contents of the vehicle and the potential effect on fire service operations
- Identify the likely direction of travel for any loads that may move
- Consider removing or stabilising vehicle contents if they are likely to hamper response
- Be aware of the possible presence of hidden devices and traps in vehicles
Hazardous materials
- Approach the vicinity of the incident cautiously and at slow speed
- Identify any hazardous materials signage and other indicators as part of scene survey
- Identify any potential explosive risk from fuels, cylinders or vehicle contents
- Identify whether the incident should be reclassified as a hazardous materials response
Fire water run off
- Consider seeking specialist advice from a HMA on remedial action for spillages and fire water run off
- Identify the location of motorway pollution control devices (PCD) and operate as necessary
- Request advice from appropriate environmental protection agencies
- Attempt to control pollution using a Source – Pathway - Receptor model
All incident information:
Working environment
- Identify bodies of water, unstable ground and risks of falling from height in working environment
- Consider the effect of weather conditions and time of day on the working environment
- Ensure that all personnel are briefed on the current hazards, risks, control measures and tactical mode
- Implement measures to maintain access and egress during the incident
- Establish, identify and communicate safe traffic routes, establish clear zones and equipment points
- Provide lighting to illuminate hazards to personnel in poorly lit environments
- Ensure that personnel have access to the appropriate PPE
Weather conditions
- Monitor personnel for signs and symptoms of fatigue, dehydration, heat or cold stress
- Consider task rotation when personnel are carrying out manual handling tasks
- Consider relief and welfare arrangements to reduce the effects of stress and fatigue on themselves and others
- Instigate appropriate medical interventions if personnel show signs and symptoms of physiological stress
Noise
- Consider isolating sources of noise
- Keep the number of people exposed to the hazard at a minimum and reduce time of exposure through personnel rotation
- Ensure personnel wear appropriate hearing protectors
Heavy and bulky objects
- Consider using machinery or other equipment to assist with manual handling risk
- Request additional or specialist resources to assist with manual handling tasks
- Consider the task, individual capabilities, load and environment (TILE) when carrying out risk assessments for manual handling
- Ensure personnel adopt the provided safe system of manual handling
Moving vehicles
- Be vigilant and co-operate with service procedures relating to vehicle movements
- Position appliances to fend-off vehicles and use warning signs, lights and cones
- Apply safety measures to minimise the risk of collisions
Animals
- Avoid, contain or control animals if necessary
- Request support with managing animals from owners, keepers, police, vets or welfare organisations
Hazardous materials
- Identify whether the incident should be reclassified as a hazardous materials response
- Remove unaffected chemicals from the hazard area if safe to do so
- Comply with service protocols when handling substances that are hazardous to health
- Ensure open wounds, cuts and grazes are covered by a waterproof dressing prior to operational activity
- Comply with hygiene arrangements and do not eat, drink, smoke or vape
Body fluids
- Avoid contact with body fluids where possible
- Isolate or cover body fluids following casualty removal
- Wear body fluid gloves and cover broken skin with waterproof dressing
- Instigate decontamination procedures following exposure of personnel and equipment to body fluids
Distressing or traumatic scenes
- Minimise number of personnel exposed to traumatic scenes where possible
- Consider seeking the assistance of other agencies when dealing with traumatic incidents
- Erect screens to restrict the view of traumatic scenes
Violence and aggression
- Consider adopting defensive tactics if people are displaying unpredictable, aggressive, violent or illegal behaviour
- Request police support at incidents involving violence and aggression towards crews

Powers, policies and procedures

Move or break into a vehicle without the consent of its owner
All incident information:
Consider the legal exemptions in relation to environmental protection i.e.
- A discharge is made in an emergency to avoid danger to human health
- All reasonably practicable steps were taken to minimise pollution
- The relevant environment agency is informed of the incident as soon as possible
Enter premises or a place, by force if necessary, without the consent of the owner or occupier of the premises:
- if they reasonably believe an emergency to have occurred
- if they reasonably believe a fire to have broken out or to be about to break out
- for the purpose of extinguishing or preventing the fire or protecting life or property
- NB Does not apply to Crown property (including ministry of defence) and diplomatic or consular premises
- NB The Master of the ship (or delegated officer) of a merchant vessel must give permission to board
Restrict the access of persons to premises or a place if they reasonably believe an emergency to have occurred
Close a highway, stop and regulate traffic:
- if a road traffic accident has occurred
- for the purpose of rescuing people or protecting them from serious harm
- if they reasonably believe a fire to have broken out or to be about to break out
- for the purpose of extinguishing or preventing the fire or protecting life or property

Why?

Expectations?

Benefit vs Risk?

Objectives

Maintain the safety of all personnel, other responders and the public
Save life and reduce harm
Extinguish the fire and eliminate all ignition sources
All incident information:
Maintain the safety of all personnel, other responders and the public
Save life and reduce harm
Minimise the impact of the incident and fire service actions on any identified environmental risk
Promote community recovery and restore normal operations
Further objectives
- Promote community recovery and restore normal operations
- Minimise the impact of the incident and fire service actions on any identified environmental risk
- All incident information:
- Consider the JESIP principles at all incidents involving multi-agency operations
- Consider taking action to prevent a serious escalation of the incident
- Protect Critical National Infrastructure and/or local critical infrastructure

Tactical priorities

Establish a safe working environment for fire crews and other responders
Carry out any rescues or lifesaving actions
Consider taking action to prevent a serious escalation of the incident
Protect surrounding environment and infrastructure from thermal radiation and fire spread
All incident information:
Carry out a dynamic risk assessment, identify hazards, evaluate risk and implement safe systems of work
Declare the tactical mode and communicate to all personnel and fire control
Carry out and formally record analytical risk assessments at suitable intervals
Establish emergency arrangements appropriate to the type, size and complexity of the incident
Further tactical priorities
- Secure the scene to ensure evidence is preserved for internal and external investigations
- Minimise the impact of the incident and fire service actions on any identified environmental risk
- All incident information:
- Apply the firefighter safety maxim and safe person principles at incidents
- Identify and communicate the hazard area and establish a safe working area as soon as is practicable
- Anticipate the likely development of the incident and evaluate the potential consequences of a range of actions
- Develop and communicate an incident plan considering contingencies arrangements
- Consider the competence of individuals and teams when allocating tasks
- Regularly review and update incident plan in response to active monitoring of the situation against expected outcomes
- Review the tactical mode following active monitoring and briefings with sector commanders
- Periodically review the analytical risk assessment using situational awareness from active monitoring
- Use the Joint Decision Model to co-ordinate an effective response at multi-agency incidents
- Identify the need to evacuate and develop a strategy in liaison with partner agencies
- Establish an appropriate muster point and communicate its location to all personnel, and other responders if present
- Secure the scene to ensure evidence is preserved for internal and external investigations
- Carry out an environmental risk assessment and monitor the impact of tactics on the identified risk

Operational tactics

Consider the appropriate speed of intervention to limit fire development
Gain access to the fire, compartments and voids using safest and simplest method
Select an appropriate firefighting method (i.e. cooling, smothering, starving, interrupting)
Select appropriate firefighting media (e.g. water, foam, dry powder, CO₂)
Select an appropriate firefighting technique (e.g. direct firefighting, firebreaks, controlled burn)
All incident information:
Gain access to premises causing minimal damage considering the urgency of the situation
Establish and resource a casualty care point
Determine whether people should be advised to evacuate, shelter in place or 'stay put'
When evacuation is necessary, identify the number of people affected and develop a plan
Select appropriate firefighting equipment (e.g. extinguisher, hose reel, main jet, cutting extinguisher)

Communication

Identify the safest access route, rendezvous points (RVPs) and marshalling areas, and communicate to all responders and the fire control room
Share situational awareness and establish a joint understanding of risk with other agencies
Ensure communication systems are effective in subsurface and tunnel environments
All incident information:
Establish and maintain an incident ground communication plan considering other agencies and remote resources
Ensure that all personnel are briefed on the current hazards, risks, control measures and tactical mode
Communicate the incident situation to other responders via fire control using the M\ETHANE message protocol
Provide a structured brief when handing over and taking over command
Communicate findings of analytical risk assessment to all personnel and other agencies
Further communication
- Establish and maintain an incident ground communication plan considering other agencies and remote resources
- All incident information:
- Identify the safest access route, rendezvous points (RVPs) and marshalling areas, and communicate to all responders and the fire control room
- Communicate any change in the tactical mode of a sector of the incident to all personnel
- Communicate objectives, priorities and tactics to be adopted in resolving the incident
- Deliver clear, concise and timely briefings to crews, command support functions and other agencies
- Ensure all personnel are aware of the incident command structure and communication strategy
- Establish a media liaison point and brief a nominated media liaison officer
- Use plain English to communicate information where a lack of common understanding exists
- Regularly pass information to fire control regarding incident progress
- Establish an appropriate muster point and communicate its location to all personnel, and other responders if present
- Ensure that all appropriate environmental agencies are informed of the incident when required
- Use the most effective methods for communicating with people who are either directly or indirectly involved in the incident

Control

Ensure that appropriate inner and outer cordons are established and communicated following an assessment of risk to all people present
All incident information:
Establish an incident command structure appropriate to the likely size and complexity of the incident
Ensure that appropriate inner and outer cordons are established and communicated following an assessment of risk to all people present
Control access to the inner cordon using methods proportionate to the type, size and complexity of the incident
Appoint competent safety officers to monitor specific hazards or activities
Instigate a tactical withdrawal of personnel when the mode changes from offensive to defensive
Appoint competent safety officers to monitor specific hazards or activities

Incident closure and handover

Ensure that hazards are identified when handing over responsibility for safety to the responsible person
Identify the area of origin and investigate possible causes of the fire considering criminal acts
All incident information:
Ensure that effective supervision of operational activity is maintained until the conclusion of the incident
Instigate and co-operate with post incident investigations where necessary
Ensure that hazards, potential hazards and control measures are identified when handing over responsibility for health and safety to the responsible person
Consider taking appropriate steps to secure premises or vehicles after access or entry has been gained by force
Conduct a structured debrief at a level appropriate to the size of the incident
Consider community recovery protocols and arrange appropriate assistance prior to leaving the incident
Consider the welfare or shelter arrangements for people directly or indirectly affected by the incident

Road vehicle fire

Incident information

Further incident information

Resource information

Further Resource Information

Risk information

Moving vehicles

Fire and thermal radiation

Smoke and fire gases

Fuel and electrical systems

Vehicle construction

Vehicle contents

Hazardous materials

Fire water run off

Working environment

Weather conditions

Noise

Heavy and bulky objects

Moving vehicles

Animals

Hazardous materials

Body fluids

Distressing or traumatic scenes

Violence and aggression

Powers, policies and procedures

Objectives

Further objectives

Tactical priorities

Further tactical priorities

Operational tactics

Communication

Further communication

Control

Incident closure and handover

Additional information