Tactical Scenarios
In this scenario, there is a significant risk of large loss of life and property if the gasoline spill ignites. There is also a risk to firefighters. Always ask yourself, what happens if we decide to do nothing and the spill ignites? If there is much to be gained, then taking a high risk to save lives may be justified. Conversely, if there is not much to be gained by taking a risk, then you have a bad risk situation. Will the loss be acceptable?
One risk factor that should be evaluated when dealing with a gasoline spill is the ambient air temperature. In this scenario, the air temperature was 45ºF, (7.2ºC), which may have lowered the risk of ignition due to the rela- tionship between temperature and vapor pressure—the warmer the ground and the air temperature, the higher the rate of vaporization. There is an increased probability that the spill would have ignited on a warmer day. When evaluating the risks of spilled hydrocarbon liquids, you must use a direct reading instrument (e.g., CGI, PID) to determine if operations can be conducted within safe operating limits.
• The application of firefighting foam to a hydrocarbon liquid spill can sig- nificantly change the risks of an incident in your favor. As a general rule, foam solution should not be applied to a spill that is on fire until enough foam concentrate is on hand to extinguish the entire surface area of the fire. You must apply the right amount of foam, at the right application rate, for the required time of application or the fire simply will not go out. In the scenario described, the IC had a high-risk situation and decided to apply foam immediately to try to reduce the surface area exposed to air. All things being equal (proximity to ignition sources), the smaller the sur- face area exposed to air, the lower the risk of ignition. Rapid intervention in a spill can lower the risk of an ignition.
• Always apply firefighting foam from the edges of the spill. NEVER allow emergency responders to walk into a spill area where flammable liquids have accumulated in depth. Even with proper protective clothing and SCBA, if the spill ignites you will be seriously injured or killed. Risk taking in emergency response work is personal, especially when you are the one at risk. Even when human life is at risk, firefighters should not accept an unreasonable risk to save another.
• Mobile foam apparatus, such as foam pumpers found at petrochemical manufacturing facilities and ARFF vehicles, can be excellent resources when dealing with flammable liquid spill scenarios. However, ARFF ve- hicles are designed for rapid applications (< 3 minutes) and will quickly exhaust their foam and water supplies. In addition, ARFF vehicles may not be allowed to leave the airfield if sufficient aircraft fire protection is not provided.
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