Antarctic Training 5 - Fire and Emergency Response

As You can imagine it has been a very busy and hectic time leading up to our departure. The departure date has been set for Thursday 28th February, so not many days left.

As was mentioned in the post about SAR training - The crew at Macca also become the Fire and Emergency Response team (see Fire Prevention). This training took place over seven day at the Tasmanian Fire Service headquarters at Cambridge.

It was an intensive week with many theory lectures followed by hands on practical sessions.

One of the buildings at the Tasmania Fire Service training complex at Cambridge -  a house fire can  (under the right conditions) double in size every 30 seconds

One of the first topics was the types and use of fire extinguishers.

Types of fire extinguishers and their uses

Using a dry powder extinguisher on a fuel fire

Dry powder extinguisher (white band)

Many house fires start in the kitchen - When a pan or pot of oil catches alight the common reaction is to pour water on the fire.

We were shown a demonstration on why this should not be done!!

An oil fire in a enclosed tank - The person on the left is just about to put a litre of water on the fire

A fireball - The result of adding a little water onto a oil fire

If it can be done with SAFETY - a fire blanket can be used to extinguish (smother) a fire in a pot or pan on the stove. Another method it to replace the lid of the pan.

Demonstration of a method of putting out a oil fire using a fire blanket

This was a demonstration of an aerosol can exploding in a fire

We had an afternoon session on handling of fire hoses. With a pump there is a lot of pressure and with the largest hose it takes 3 persons to handle it. We also became familiar with the 'branch' end at which one could control the spray pattern and strength.

Aaron (controlling the branch) with myself as back up.

Me on the branch of the bigger hose, being helped by Aaron and John

The next phase of our training involved 'working in a confined space'. One of the team members was in control of monitoring air quality in the confined space. The device could detect poisonous gases such as Carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, methane. It could also detect the lack of oxygen as well as explosive gases.

Being lowered into a confine space (storm water drain) - the thin tube on the left is attached to a the gas detection device which was constantly being monitored 

Being lowered into a storm drain

A very important part of the training involved the safe and correct procedures in using Breathing Apparatus (BA) in fire fighting and emergency rescue. Correct fitting of the mask was paramount. Incorrect procedure could result in lethal gases entering the mask.

Becoming familiar with the Breathing Apparatus

Dressed in full fire fighting kit, including BA

A very important part of the procedure - checking each others gear  and harness wear

Entering a smoke filled building with BA

We went through several simulated scenarios - going into buildings searching for 'missing persons' while at the same time dealing with real fires.

We also learnt different hose techniques, including use of foam, pulsing and venting - trying to draw smoke and fumes out of a structure.

Pump and hose set up

Use of foam

Fire Fighting scenario - car fire with gas tank near by

Another piece of equipment we were shown and used was the Chemical Hazard suit. In some cases there may be a chemical spill. In most scenarios a person in full gear, including BA can fit into this fully enclosed suit.

One of our crew in a Chemical Hazard suit

After being 'washed down' and 'decontaminated' the person wearing the suit needed help  taking the suit off

It was a intense and sometimes confronting week. In some of the smoke filled structures, visibility was down to zero and the fires extremely hot. We will do regular fire exercises and scenarios while on Macca, so we are prepared for the (hopefully) unlikely event that we have to use our skills.

The Macquarie Island Fire and Emergency Response Team