
Road vehicle fire
Applying National Operational Guidance to incident types. Identify the knowledge, control measures and actions needed to combat the hazards you face.
Applying National Operational Guidance to incident types. Identify the knowledge, control measures and actions needed to combat the hazards you face.
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)
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
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
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Debrief personnel that have withdrawn from a working area during an incident to gain operational intelligence and safety-related information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
Consider time of day and effect on transport systems and working environment
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
Use local knowledge 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
Establish 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
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
Request sufficient and appropriate additional resources
Consider requesting appropriate specialist advice
Consider requesting specialist resources from own or neighbouring fire and rescue services, or partner agencies
Inform and/or seek advice from environment agencies and/or sewage undertakers where necessary
Consider whether operational resources can be released from the incident
Regularly update the fire control room on the availability status of operational resources
Request appropriate environmental protection (EP) resources (e.g. hazmat adviser, EP equipment, pumps)
Identify the safest access route, rendezvous points (RVPs) and marshalling areas, and communicate to all responders and the fire control room
Consider requesting appropriate facilities for the welfare of personnel
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
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
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
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
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.
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
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
Approach the vicinity of the incident cautiously and at slow speed, to minimise the risk of collisions
Identify any hazardous materials signage and other indicators as part of scene survey
Identify any potential explosive risk from fuels, cylinders or vehicle contents
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
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
Consider task rotation when personnel are carrying out manual handling tasks
Manage their working environment and workload to mitigate the effects of stress and fatigue, and to optimise their personal resilience
Consider using machinery or other equipment to assist with manual handling
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
Comply with service protocols when handling substances that are hazardous to health
Ensure personnel cover open wounds, cuts and grazes with a waterproof dressing prior to operational activity
Comply with hygiene arrangements and do not eat, drink, smoke or vape
Restrict the access of persons to premises or a place if they reasonably believe an emergency to have occurred
Why? | Expectations? | Benefit vs Risk? |
Maintain the safety of all personnel, other responders and the public
Save life and reduce harm
Extinguish the fire and eliminate all ignition sources
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
Minimise the impact of the incident and fire service actions on any identified environmental risk
Consider the JESIP principles at all incidents involving multi-agency operations
Consider taking action to prevent a serious escalation of the incident
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
Carry out a dynamic risk assessment, identify hazards, evaluate risk and implement safe systems of work
Declare the tactical mode and communicate to personnel at the incident ground and in the fire control room
Carry out and formally record analytical risk assessments at suitable intervals
Establish emergency arrangements appropriate to the type, size and complexity of the incident
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
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
Use situational awareness to anticipate the likely development of the incident and evaluate the potential consequences of a range of actions
Develop and communicate an incident plan to relevant personnel, including the fire control room
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
Apply the joint decision model process to ensure effective joint decision-making at multi-agency incident
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
Consider the appropriate speed of intervention to limit fire development
Gain access to the fire, compartments and voids using safest and simplest method
Select appropriate firefighting media (e.g. water, foam, dry powder, CO2)
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)
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
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
Establish and maintain an incident ground communication plan considering other agencies and remote resources
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 personnel at the incident ground and in the fire control room
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
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
Ensure that appropriate inner and outer cordons are established and communicated following an assessment of risk to all people present
Form their command structure in accordance with the priorities and demands of an 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
Ensure that hazards are identified when handing over responsibility for safety to the responsible person
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
Consider the welfare or shelter arrangements for people directly or indirectly affected by the incident