On Monday, August 18, 2008 Aleppo Township Volunteer Fire Department hosted a vehicle fire and awareness training, which was instructed by the Allegheny County Fire Marshal’s office. In addition to Aleppo Township firefighters, there were firefighters from Edgeworth, Mt. Oliver and Berkley Hills participating in the class. The class, which was very informational and well presented, was instructed by lead instructor; Mike Shawley and assistant instructor; Mike Krzeminski.

Additional personnel assisting the instructors included; Ignition officer; Leo Gildea, K9 handler; Don Brucker, Support Personnel; Gene Stouffer, Dan Wolfe, Incident Dispatcher; Melissa Salerno, Interns; Tim Smoley, Tammy Ladebu, Michele Lieb and Steve Karaffa and Safety officer for the class; Tony Ladebu.

The class consisted of approximately six scenarios. The first scenario was involving an incendiary device. (Fire units did not participate in this scenario). Technicians from the Allegheny County Bomb Squad detonated an explosive device inside of a vehicle, resulting in damage to the vehicle, but no fire. In this scenario, investigators respond and during examination of the vehicle, the team locates the remains of a suspected incendiary device. Investigation crews collect the remains of the device and prepare evidence for lab processing.

2nd Scenario consisted of a catalytic converter fire, in which a vehicle catalytic converter overheats starting a fire, which engulfs the vehicle. Firefighting crews respond and extinguish the fire.

3rd Scenario consisted of an engine compartment fire in a running vehicle, which resulted from an apparent poor mechanical repair. Firefighting crews respond and extinguished the fire.

4th Scenario was designed to show the effects of ventilation, in which a fire was set inside of a vehicle with all of the windows closed. Firefighting crews responded and extinguished the fire. In the 2nd part of this scenario, a fire was set inside of a vehicle with the windows open. Firefighting crews responded and extinguished the well involved vehicle fire.

5th Scenario was a motor vehicle fire/investigation, in which firefighting crews responded to a fully involved vehicle fire with a victim ejected into a creek bed. Crews extinguished the fire as additional crews rescued the victim from the creek bed and carried him up the hill in a stokes basket to awaiting EMS personnel. Investigators responded to conduct an investigation and process the scene.

Final Scenario consisted of multiple vehicles on fire including a boat, with visible signs indicating a fire of suspicious nature, including a gasoline can left behind at the scene, as well as anger issue graffiti on the involved vehicles. Firefighting personnel responded and extinguished the fire. Investigators responded to conduct an investigation and process the scene.

To sum it up, this is a really good class and helps to teach responders that an “ordinary” vehicle fire could be much more than “ordinary” It helps to teach responders to be alert and observant to the surroundings at the scene of a vehicle fire, which could indicate that the fire is suspicious in nature. The class is extremely informational as well as fun, and you can pretty much assure that students will learn a great deal during this 4 to 6 hour class. If you have an opportunity to take this class, by all means do so. If your department is interested in hosting this class, contact the Allegheny County Fire Marshal’s office