PURPOSE: To provide a suggested, standard and consistent operating guideline to aid Emergency Responders in the discharge of their duties when responding to Motor Vehicle Type fire situations. 

Effective Date: 12/ 2003

Objectives Engine Co.; Car Fire 

The positioning of the Engine on the Interstate, Route 11, or a busy highway should be in a shielding position to support the safety of the crew. The positioning of the engine in a parking lot or non-traveled road should be placed in a manner in which the engine does not box itself in and become an exposure. The officer should call for a 1 3/4 inch cross lay, nothing shorter than 100 feet and not the bumper line. 

Attack Team #1 (wearing SCBA) should take on this responsibility and should attack the fire.  If it is an engine compartment fire, they should attack the fire 45 degrees at an angle toward the front end.  Attack Team #1 should not get themselves in a position in which they have the bumpers explode and cut them off in either the front or the rear. 

If it happens to be an interior compartment fire, Attack Team #1 should work the fire from the side.  If the Truck Company is on scene; they should take on the responsibility of opening up the car whether it is an engine or interior compartment fire. 

If the truck company is not on seen, it should be the responsibility of the rescue company or if rescue is not on scene the engine company should get the car opened up and place a PPV fan 10-15 feet behind the crew to blow away the by-products of the fire away from the crew to give them more visibility.  When opening up the engine compartment, open it up from the side of the vehicle without getting yourself in front of the bumper and being cautious of exploding tires along with ruptured fuel tanks. 
 

All straight stream patterns will be used on the car. If the engine compartment is not opened or could not be opened, the attack team should attack the fire through a wheel well or hit the front of the car through the grill area with a straight stream pattern.  This will knock the fire down until the car is opened up. 
 

Attack Team #2 should stand-by with at minimum an ABC extinguisher if appropriate.
 

 They should also ready themselves to take off another 1 3/4 inch cross lay if the officer sees it necessary. The trunk of the vehicle should be opened whether it is an engine compartment or interior compartment fire to look for any other issues, which may be of concern.