On the night of Tuesday, September 25th, 2007, M-LFD Companies 1 and 4 attended the third night of their yearly Department Operations at the Nassau County Fire Service Academy in Bethpage, NY. On this evening, units were instructed on proper procedures and firefighting methods that should be utilized when faced with fires involving propane.
The members participated in three evolutions throughout the evening, all of which contained numerous propane fires involving different sized propane cylinders (20-100 pounds). Units were taught the importance of getting water on fires involving propane cylinders as soon as possible in order to prevent a BLEVY (Boiling Liquid Expanding Vapor Explosion). Also discussed was the importance of shielding members and operating hose lines from a distance in order to cool the propane cylinders.
Members from Company #1 stretched two 2 ½” hose lines off of Engine 8711, which were used to form an inverted V, in order to protect the members operating incase a propane tank was to explode from being under too much pressure. At the same time, Engine 8740 supplied Tower Ladder 8744’s master stream, which provided a much needed water curtain and aerial vantage point during the operations. |
