Make The Call #11

[3105]

More from the "best of hp4l" series....

Couple of things to consider here in addition to the usual....

Offensive, Transitional, Defensive? Make The Call

[WebBoss]

I assume this would fall into Transitional.

Obviously you would knock the fire down on the boat. Get a crew into the barn to check for contents and damage, of course handle any fire or smoke accordingly being as safe as possible for the fire load at hand. (Could be hay, could be chemicals, could be maganese machinery, who knows)

I would also use the Pro-Pak and put a layer of foam across the boat to keep from flare ups. Also may consider pulling the boat away from the building as well.

No one on the roof, limited access to the interior. Looks old, like a painted pile of sticks.

[voyager9]

Write-off the boat, protect the exposure.
First crew position a line between the boat and building (or at least perpendicular, in this case). Blow the fire back away from the building.
Size up the shed/barn/garage. It looks like there might already be extension (look top-left of picture). Get a crew to find out. If its bad, we're going defensive. If we catch it early then get the next line inside.

[JDub]

Attack the boat fire, not to save it but to protect the exposure. Also have a second line protecting exposure. Send crews into the barn depending on a 360 and the contents. If there is extension you might need to bring in more people.

[havingfun]

Well the greatest risk is the fuel in the boat, minimal 50 gallons, i like the webboss idea pro pack it. the barn is already compromised, so do a quick 360, it might be easy the remove the stuff out of the barn and do a surround and drown

[hp4l]

I would attack the boat from the front and try to keep it from getting in the barn any further. I wuold be very careful with this barn. It probably isn't the most stable structure before adding any heat or fire to it. Open it up and see what you can see from the exterior before rushing in there. Depending on weather conditions, the brush in the rear can also be an exposure. keep an eye on that as well. Also, get packs on those guys.

[3105]

voyager9 said:

Write-off the boat, protect the exposure.
First crew position a line between the boat and building (or at least perpendicular, in this case). Blow the fire back away from the building.
Size up the shed/barn/garage. It looks like there might already be extension (look top-left of picture). Get a crew to find out. If its bad, we're going defensive. If we catch it early then get the next line inside.

I was wondering if my eyes were starting to go...I thought I saw some wisps up there too, voyager...I can see the fire easily crawling right up the rafter channels to the top and starting to cook the place a little.

Also, it appears the crew has a line in service behind the boat between it and the wall, which would be the right thing to do, especially in light of the wind direction (appears to be blowing towards the viewer).

Now, having said all that, what's my call?

I'd have to say Transitional, in this case because there's no direct or impending life safety threat. Take a step backwards and look at the forst instead of the tree. Askyourself the question: Can I justify getting someone hurt for a friggin boat that's three-quarters shot in the ass already and a old barn? Truthfully, no....but I WILL stay Transitional and place my hose lines and personnel in a position to go Offensive when the bulk of the boat fire has been put out.

Another thing: when it gets hot enough to light off, fiberglass is nasty burning stuff, primarily due to the resins used to bind it together.

Sean's comment about the Pro-Pak was right on the mark; depending on how hot the damn thing is, you might indeed need it.

[JDub]

havingfun said:

Well the greatest risk is the fuel in the boat, minimal 50 gallons, i like the webboss idea pro pack it. the barn is already compromised, so do a quick 360, it might be easy the remove the stuff out of the barn and do a surround and drown

Being an avid boater and my experience of working in a boat store and at a marina the fuel is a big concern however not the only one. This definitely looks like this a boat built for speed based on: the hull isn't painted, the contours of the boat, and the way it looks to be constructed at the windshield area. Depending on the engine type depends on what other types of oils are being used and if a higher octane fuel is being used. Also the paint (if painted) on these boats can be highly combustible. Also fiberglass itself is NASTY! Also the contents of a boat. Believe me boaters can be clueless. They like to store stupid stuff on there boats.