When people are trapped, in trouble or in distress-we often will go out of our way to help save someone who is savable. That’s what we do. Once they are saved, or determined to be no longer savable-the RISK WE TAKE changes! Who decides that? Well-the IC ultimately, but WE ALL participate in the process of giving the bosses INPUT. A car floating in the water is a hazard-but with leaking gasoline and all victims rescued…HOW MUCH RISK SHOULD WE TAKE? Remember: RISK applies to those who are taking it… ASSESS THE RISK!… treat ALL of your personnel as if they are your own family…cause’ they ARE!)
Our Fire Dept. was responding to a call for a vehicle in the water in one of our major intersections. One of the fine citizens of our community actually drove their car into a flooded intersection, so while attempting this, the driver struck the median that was under water.
The fuel tank of the car began leaking. 1-Engine, 1-Ambulance and 1-Rescue were dispatched on a car in the water. The victims were removed with no problem. Our crews were dressed in dry suits, life vests and helmets. Due to the moving water. the crew went back in to remove the car from the high water and out of the intersection.
The Lt. from the Rescue and two crew members from the Engine were pushing the car. After getting the car out of the intersection, The Rescue Lt. was in the driver seat of the car and placed the car back into park. At that point, he accidentally struck the wind shield wiper which gave the fumes of the leaking gasoline an ignition source. The Lt. had flames flash over the top of his head in the car and the two outside of the car had singed hair and eyebrows. All are doing fine at this time.