The sound of gunfire at the scene of a structure fire is not an uncommon occurrence. No matter how often it may have been encountered, the unnerving part of the equation is determining what direction the projectiles are heading. In this week’s featured report, the crews on scene find more than one near miss.
“First arriving units to a fully-involved structure fire (a double-wide with add-ons), were met with the unmistakable sounds of ammunition being cooked off in the structure about fifty feet from their engine. Based on these conditions, the crews decided upon a defensive operation. They used the truck mounted deck gun to quickly cool the corner of the structure where the ammunition was located. Incident command was established and a safety perimeter was declared. After just a few minutes on scene, one of the pump operators felt that he had been struck on the back by a projectile. A quick check, noted no visible injury and he quickly returned to pump operations. However, damage was noted to the outer shell of his bunker coat.
A postincident review and an inspection of the pump operator’s gear revealed a projectile had penetrated…A couple of days after this incident (as another member of the first arriving engine was inspecting his gear), he also noticed that his coat had been penetrated with an entrance and exit hole under the arm area…”
Once you have read the entire account (CLICK HERE), consider the following:
1. Has anyone in your crew experienced the sound of ammunition “cooking off” at a structure fire? If yes, what can they tell the rest of the crew about the experience (e.g., when the sound was recognized, what the cooking off sounded like, etc.)?
2. Does your department have an SOP addressing tactics for fighting fires involving firearms and ammunition?
3. Do you have ammunition on your list of concerns when you arrive at a structure or vehicle fire?
4. Can ammunition that is “cooking off” develop enough velocity to penetrate tissue and bone?
5. What are some precautions that should be taken when ammunition or weapons are known to be involved in a structure or vehicle fire?
Have you been fired at by either ammunition cooking off at a fire or a deranged individual? Tell your story on www.firefighternearmiss.com today so everyone goes home tomorrow.
Note: The questions posed by the reviewers are designed to generate discussion and thought in the name of promoting firefighter safety. They are not intended to pass judgment on the actions and performance of individuals in the reports.
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