Industrial Fire Brigades
Paul McFadden’s Volunteers Corner
A commonly overlooked piece in the fire service puzzle by both public and private sectors is the industrial fire brigade.
Fire departments typically look at an industrial complex as a target hazard and a pre-plan project, ignoring the help—or hinderance—of the brigade.
Industrial fire brigades can be defined as privately owned first responders that can run the gamut from a well-trained, fully equipped fire suppression force to an almost nonexistent group formed to reduce insurance costs. It’s obvious that the chief of the local fire department needs to know not only of the existence of these brigades, but also what their level of expertise is. Easier said than done.
Although most businesses will allow, and sometimes even welcome the local fire department’s interest in their building or complex, we find that onsite surveys and drills are normally requested to be done on weekends. A Sunday morning drill will assure the best turnout for the department and the least disruption for the business. The plant manager or engineer is usually most helpful in giving instructions on alarm systems, auxiliary appliances and plant operations. Also, he will probably be happy to explain the operation and capabilities of the fire brigade.
There’s only one thing usually missing at this Sunday drill—the fire brigade.
It costs money to bring the brigade in on Sunday, and if saving money was the motivating factor to have started the brigade in the first place, management may be unwilling to finance overtime for training. If this is the case, the local fire chief should learn as much about this brigade as possible. Does the brigade have officers? Are there brigade personnel who are either members of public fire departments or have prior fire suppression experience? Does the brigade report to a central station at the time of alarm or is the assembly point variable, depending on alarm location? What equipment is available to the fire brigade? What type and size hose are used? What type nozzles are employed? What type water system is available to the brigade and to the incoming public fire department? What are hose stretch requirements? Are there special extinguishing agents necessary? Available? How much training has been given in the past?
Most good brigades, like fire departments, will be under the direction of a “chief” or “shift commander.” He, or his designee, should be strategically located to advise incoming units (local fire departments) as to the location and type of alarm, the commitment, strategy and tactics already in progress.
Knowing the responsibilities and abilities of the fire brigade members will also help define lines of authority before an incident. It doesn’t necessarily follow that if local firefighters work at a plant they are also members of the fire brigade. Many workers need special permission from their foreman or supervisor to join the brigade, and if the normal job description does not allow time for weekly meetings and drill sessions, the workers’ applications will be denied.
Having all fire brigade members report to a central station or substation is a direct advantage as it will aid in a logical, coordinated attack and reduce freelancing. At this station should be found the firefighting equipment needed for fire suppression and the personal safety equipment for the brigade firefighters.
The amount of firefighting equipment available will be in direct relationship to management’s commitment to the brigade. If the hose is not stored at the central station, it should be at standpipe or pump station locations which can be found both inside and outside the structure. The age and condition of the hose and the type of nozzle will determine its usability.
Water systems may be nonexistent at some industrial sites, with brigades relying solely on hand extinguishers. Conversely, a plant’s water system may be very complex with fire pumps, standpipes, sprinklers or combination standpipe/sprinkler systems, yard hydrants, post indicator valves and exterior Siamese connections. The plant engineers are usually in charge of these systems and very well versed in their operation. During drills, and, of course, during an incident, these specialists should be consulted to insure that the system is operating properly.
Factories processing materials (such as metals) that require special extinguishing agents should have these agents available to both the fire brigade and the local fire department. However, the availability and location of the extinguishing agent must be known before an incident. Don’t assume that the commercial or industrial complex carries the agent because they may be taking it for granted that you do.
Another area to be addressed at drills and communication sessions with plant officials is the local fire department’s access to the complex. This may be a serious problem—even during a fire. Many commercial occupancies doing classified work will deny entrance to the fire department for security reasons. This, at times, has led to confrontations between local fire chiefs and armed guards at the gate. We are given access to these places “by invitation only.”
Rather than becoming upset, meetings between local fire chiefs and industrial managers and brigade leaders to discuss mutual aid agreements lead to a better working relationship.
Just as training is the key to success in any fire department, so too is it the key to success in an industrial fire brigade. If your department is requested to help train a fire brigade (and you might even suggest it), do it. A well-trained brigade can be a valuable asset both to the facility and the community.
Naturally, a combination of classroom and hands-on is the best training method, with the emphasis placed on basics: the use of fire extinguishers; the proper stretching of hose lines; correct nozzle handling; the importance of SCBA with emphasis on its proper donning and use. Do not allow the brigade leader to use your curriculum as a “shopping list” and pick what he feels is “interesting” until you feel that the brigade members are qualified to begin to understand and to perform advanced evolutions.
Remember, the industrial fire brigade can be a help or a hinderance. The untrained brigade will do little more than get in the way, while the trained brigade, knowledgeable in your standard operating procedures and ideology will be increasing your daytime manpower pool, and be an added mutual aid department that otherwise might be overlooked.
