Dangerous chemical fire: How can firefighters avoid casualties?

For firefighters, the fire caused by dangerous chemicals is very difficult to fight, and it is dangerous to cause firefighters casualties. For example:

1 , Taizhou, Jiangsu hazardous chemicals storage fire accident

April 23, 2016, Taizhou Jingjiang hazardous chemical warehouse fire accident, the fire for 16 hours, around 2:23 am, the fire was extinguished. According to Jiangsu provincial fire brigade informed here, Taizhou City Public Security Bureau, Fire Brigade squadron Jingjiang Comrade Zhu Junjun fire at the accident site in order to ensure uninterrupted water supply, his comrades retreat, delayed evacuation time, was sent to the hospital died, heroic sacrifice, only 26 year old.

2. Tianjin Bombing Case

August 12, 2015 around 23:30, is located in Tianjin Binhai New Area of Tianjin Port Ruihai company dangerous goods warehouse fire explosion occurred, killing 165 people were killed (of which involved the disposal of the rescue of 24 people in police firefighters, Tianjin Port Fire staff of 75 people, 11 were police officers, accident enterprises, employees and residents of the surrounding 55), 8 missing (of which five firefighters Tianjin, neighboring employees, family members of firefighters Tianjin Port 3), 798 people were injured (hurt 58 seriously injured and heavier and 740 were light wounded . 304 buildings, 12428 commercial vehicles and 7,533 containers were damaged.

According to Ministry of Public Security Fire Department statistics, the average per play a dangerous chemical disasters firefighters probability of death was 1.12 million times, the probability of fire fighting and rescue the injured, social assistance and other relief operations are fire and rescue emergency relief, social assistance and other rescue operations the 3,386,667 times.

Therefore, it is of positive significance to increase the firefighter's emergency rescue capability for hazardous chemical disasters and to reduce the casualties of firefighters in the event of hazardous chemical disasters.

3 Direct Causes of Firefighters' Casualties from Dangerous Chemical Fires

( 1 ) An explosion occurred when firefighters fired a dangerous chemical in a fire;

( 2 ) The firefighters were burned when fighting a dangerous chemical fire;

( 3 ) Poisonous and harmful gases cause firefighters to poison.

Hazardous chemicals, fire caused casualties of five firefighters indirect causes

( 1 ) The situation is not in place;

( 2 ) Improper application of withdrawal tactics;

( 3 ) Personal protection is not in place;

( 4 ) The warning on the spot is not in place;

( 5 ) Excessive staff at the scene of the accident.

Dangerous chemical fires to prevent firefighters from casualties 5 measures

( 1 ) Establish a safe rescue concept. Strengthen protection capacity building

In terms of safety protection, fire fighters should first establish an international rescue concept of “rescue without harming themselves”. Only by ensuring the safety of rescue workers can the emergency rescue of hazardous chemical disasters be completed better. Secondly, we must fully understand the latent and depositional nature of hazardous chemical damage, strictly implement the emergency rescue protection level for hazardous chemical disasters, and strictly wear personal protective equipment according to regulations and requirements. We must not feel that the hazardous chemicals are actually on the spot. Injury reduces protection levels and even gives up using personal protective equipment. Finally, when the name, nature, and hazard characteristics of hazardous chemicals on site cannot be ascertained, the highest level of protection must be taken to participate in the accident and ensure the safety of firefighters.

( 2 ) Strengthen investigation capabilities. Lay the foundation for scientific rescue

The accurate investigation of the situation is the basis for scientific applications such as personal protection, guard range, and disposal measures. It is also an important guarantee for reducing or avoiding firefighters’ casualties.

At present, in order to solve the problem of weak firefighting inspection capability of the fire brigade, in addition to strengthening the hardware construction of the investigation and inspection equipment, emergency rescue linkages with local scientific research institutes, universities, accident-producing units, etc. should be done to give full play to the professionalism of these units. , Technical advantages, quasi-deterministic and quantitative determination of hazardous chemicals that cause accidents, and prohibit blindness and recklessness when hazardous chemicals are unclear.

( 3 ) Strengthen tactical quality. Improve the scientific nature of emergency rescue

Improper application of withdrawal tactics is not unrelated to the heroism that firefighting forces have long pursued, and it is closely related to the psychology of some commanders who are eager to achieve success.

Some commanders believe that the withdrawal of the emergency rescue scene is a very shameful thing, provisions have also closely guarded secret, until 2010, the new promulgation of the "firefighting force to combat duty doctrine" (public through word [2009] No. 22) was the first time the retreat Tactical write regulations. The on-site commander should order a retreat when there is a clear indication of a dangerous situation such as explosion, flashover, collapse, boiling over, splashing, etc. that cannot be controlled or eliminated in a timely manner and directly threatens the life safety of the combatants. In fact, many very successful fire fighting cases include the application of withdrawal tactics. On the night of July 16 , 2010 , an expatriate 30- million- ton tanker in Dalian City, Liaoning Province , exploded when it unloaded oil in Dalian Xingang, triggering a large-scale flow of fire. . In the process of fire fighting, six big explosions occurred, but due to the scientific use of withdrawal tactics, no casualties were caused.

( 4 ) Strengthen the coordination ability of emergency rescue forces to ensure that the order in the field is in order

The main manifestation of the poor alertness on the scene of hazardous chemical disaster accidents is the chaos on the scene.

Our country implements a disaster accident emergency rescue force linkage mechanism. The accident site is often a multi-sector joint emergency rescue operation. Due to the lack of a unified, efficient, and authoritative emergency rescue command and dispatch system, it leads to long-term command, lax alert on the spot, and chaotic order. When danger occurs, it is easy to cause unnecessary casualties.

2000 at 13:20 on August 3, a city fishing boat burst into flames, a person trapped after firefighters consider it appropriate in-depth assessment of the cabin to save people, but because of lax vigilance, onlookers and more chaotic scene. One old man accuses: "You fire teams are in desperation, that is, you are afraid of death." As a result, three firefighters were forced to go deep into the cabin to rescue people. As a result, 2 people were killed and 16 people were injured. In the emergency rescue of hazardous chemical accidents, an emergency rescue management system must be established under the unified leadership of the local government. The government shall coordinate and direct all professional rescue forces to exert their professional advantages and avoid blindness and confusion. On the scene of emergency rescue, firefighters shall provide warning advice to the headquarters according to the characteristics of the accident and the actual needs of the rescue. The public security agency or the armed police force shall implement the emergency response and strictly control the on-site personnel to ensure that the site is well-ordered.

( 5 ) Strengthen assessment of emergency rescue capabilities and improve the accuracy of force use

Firefighters, especially commanders, should assess the personnel, vehicles, fire extinguishing agents, etc. that should be put into use according to the characteristics of hazardous chemical disasters, the actual needs of rescues and accidents, and the use of disaster accident simulation and firefighting force calculation and estimation methods. Scientific deployment and deployment of forces, and the timely adjustment of forces based on the development of hazardous chemical disasters, and the "human sea" tactics, may not only handle bad hazardous chemical disasters, but may easily lead to disorder on the spot and cause accidents. It even caused unnecessary casualties.

This article is edited and compiled by China Rescue Equipment Network. Please indicate the link.