FREDERICKTOWN — Several firefighters from the Fredericktown Community Fire District, including some that are completing the necessary requirements to finish their probationary period, participated in a training exercise involving vehicle fires Thursday night.
A donated car was moved away from any buildings and then ignited using wood pallets and straw for fuel. Once the car was fully involved with fire, the firefighters in teams of two, practiced approaching the burning vehicle safely from the side, sweeping the hose stream under and then inside the vehicle.
Instructor Ken Lybarger reminded the firefighters before the exercise began that there are hidden dangers in a vehicle fire, such as the fuel tank, exploding struts and shock absorbers, and tires and bumpers that can also explode when they burn. “A vehicle fire can be your most dangerous fire,” Lybarger said.
Lybarger and Instructor Heath Kempton reminded the firefighters not to approach a burning vehicle except from the side, and with two people handling the hose.
Lybarger told the firefighters they need to use a mask and air pack when fighting any vehicle fire because of the toxic smoke involved when plastics and other automotive materials burn.
Several of the participants Thursday night were completing a necessary part of the 84-hour training course that is required to receive the 120-hour firefighting credential in the state of Ohio. Thirty-six hours are already required for a basic volunteer firefighting credential.
One of the firefighters completing the 84-hour course is two-year veteran Mike Daley. “We learned the proper way to approach a car and the proper way to put it out,” Daley said after taking a turn through the training.
Adam Schlosser, who recently joined the department, was participating in his first FCFD exercise.
The other firefighters said they participated because any real experience training is helpful.
Assistant Chief Larry Schunke said that the actual experience of using the firefighting equipment on different types of fires is a great way for the firefighters to learn what may happen in an emergency. “This is a rare opportunity to train how to put out a car fire. Especially with the new styles of cars, and newer materials, there is always something to learn,” he explained.
Schunke pointed out white and blue flames from burning metals and the glowing white in the steering area where some magnesium burned.
The 12-degree temperature made the training more interesting, as water from the hose quickly turned the snow into ice.
