Hudson Fire Department trains to attack gas fires

• HFD firefighters at propane fire training exercise

HFD firefighters get up close to a propane fire during a four-hour training exercise on March 14 conducted by WITC-New Richmond Fire Services. The location of the exercise was the Hudson Water Department on the corner of Hanley and O’Neil roads. Lakes Gas Company donated the 278 gallons of propane used for training. Submitted photos by HFD firefighter Dean Rossing
• Firefighters are only inches away from the 3,500-degrees F. flame

Members of the Hudson Fire Department including two firefighter explorers recently conducted a training exercise dealing with propane gas fires. Note the fog stream pattern as the firefighters get close to the tank. They are literally inches away from the 3,500-degree F. flame. Their protective turnout gear is rated up to 1,200 degrees F, so it is crucial to have the correct water stream. Steam and direct flame contact burns will occur almost immediately if done improperly. Submitted photo by HFD firefighter Dean Rossing

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More than 25 members of the Hudson Fire Department including two firefighter explorers recently conducted a training exercise dealing with propane gas fires.

According to firefighter Shawn Pettee, when dealing with propane gas leaks, the main concerned is B.L.E.V.E - Boiling Liquid Expanding Vapor Explosion.

“The biggest precaution from a firefighting standpoint is cooling the tank to prevent a B.L.E.V.E. Once cooling begins using a straight stream from a distance, we cautiously approach the tank and switch from a straight stream to a fog stream. The fog stream will protect our personnel and push the flames away, which will allow the team leader to reach in and shut off the main valve. If the valve is compromised, we may opt to evacuate and cool the tank from a distance until the gas runs out. Of course if it is a big tank, we would evacuate citizens as quick as possible,” explained Pettee.

Team coordination, nozzle control, water supply and stream selection are the most crucial. As the photos indicate, a straight stream from a distance is important in this kind of fire. In a real fire situation firefighters would start further back, but this was a controlled situation.

Tags: news, fires, hudson