pulling a line on vehicle accidents

[LT-5-11-1]

I guess my first post wasn't completly clear. when i was saying about pulling a line do to "tool work" i just meant it in general. mainly the question was brought up as do we pull a line at every call or only when there is still a patient in the car. basicly we are trying to decide where that fine line is between pulling a line or when an extinguisher will be sufficent. meaning on the type of call when you get there and the people are out of the vehicle and some fluids are on the ground and there is damge to the vehicle.
Keep It safe
LT-5-11-1

[This message has been edited by LT-5-11-1 (edited 01-17-2001).]

[86Rescuetech]

The answers received on this topic will vary with how you run your areas. We run mutual aid as the "Heavy Rescue", and the host company usually pulls a "charged" line. Our procedure is to pull a back up extinguisher as well. In our primary area we pull a foam line off our pumper and in some cases a Metal X extinguisher depending on the vehicle. On "heavy vehicles" we pull two lines. Even if tool work is not being done, there still is a patient inside and probably a medic or two. Be safe.

[fjbfour]

We have always at least pulled a dry line and had someone on the pump in case it was needed. Of course in many situations the line was charged right away, based on the circumstances. It's much easier to stow a line that was never charged, and it's much easier to put out a fire with a line pre-stretched. Best of both right there. Having a CO2 or Dry Chem extinguisher on hand is also great, because maybe you can stop a little fire without charging, or get your first licks in during the few seconds that the line is charging.

I do want to point out, though, that tool work is not the only reason a damaged car will start to burn. I don't know if you (LT-5-11-1) meant to imply that in your first post or not. There should be no SOP that states (or implies) that hoses are stretched only for tool work jobs.

If you do stretch a line, make sure it doesn't cross the path from crew to tools or damaged vehicle to ambulance, if at all possible. Try to plan out where you're going to put additional arriving units before they get there.

Of course, those second and third due guys will probably ignore your hand signals anyway.

[morriss]

We pull a charged line if there is an eminent danger with people still in the vehicle. We also have a charged line if any "tool" work is involved. Obviously, if there are other factors that require a line then it is pulled. We pull a dry line if there will be people working in the vehicle.

[MetalMedic]

Whenever you have a vehicle involved in an accident, you have a chance that the safety systems in the vehicle are compromised. When you are dealing with things like gasoline and battery acids, conditions can deteriorate very quickly. For that reason, I would advocate pulling a line (preferably charged) on every call. It is better to load a hose that you don't need than to need the hose that is still sitting in the hose bed.

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Richard Nester
Orrville (OH) Fire Dept.


[This message has been edited by MetalMedic (edited 01-17-2001).]

[Engine 224]

Our SOP is to pull a line on any MVA with entrapment. If there is no entrapment, it is the OIC's call - based on the hazards present.

[hef8]

We usually have 1 1/2", 100' section donut rolled in trash beds on some apparatus and on others it is in the hosebed. It's quite convienent. Sometimes pulling a line can be overkill, but it beats being killed. Also, usually extinguishers are our backups and are nearby. Is there a fine line of when or when not to pull a "line"?

[dtfd262]

In the ideal setting we would pull a line for a vehicle crashes, but with manpower constraits that some of the volunteers have sometimes the first thing to go is the line. We pull a dry line off the engine for crashes and the rescue also carries multiple extinguishers in case the engine gets delayed or redirected (e.g. landing zone duties).

[HAMMER14]

Being on the Rescue Squad (Heavy Rescue) we never pull a line. There is however, always an Engine Co. on the scene, so if needed we have them pull the line. A line is pulled for all extrications and then whenever the OIC believes it is neccessary. So in other words a line is not pulled for everthing.

[CAPT DAN]

WHEN WE GET INVOLVED HEAVY INTO AN ACCIDENT A DRY LINE IS USUALLY STAGED OUR SOG'S HAVE IT THAT WAY WITH2 GUYS ON IT WITH SCBA BUT 9 TIMES OUT OF 10 ITS DRY POWDER,, MANPOWER IS A GOOD REASON,, CANT HAVE 2 GUYS STANDING THERE WHEN YOU CAN BE USING THEM

CAPT DAN
STATION 42

[Litch]

we pull a dry line for patients still in the vehicle but not entrapped or confined. Entrapment or confinement gets a charged line with a FF in SCBA.

[FFCode3EMT]

For any accident with extrication we pull and charge a preconnect line and an FAE at at the pump panel. The personnel on the line are packed up ready to go.

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**The preceding comments in no way represent the views of my department, its members, or associations that it may belong to.**

[cfr3504]

our procedure is to pull a charged 1 3/4 line with Firefighters (2 if enough manpower) in full turnout gear if entrapment, or fuel spill, other immediate hazard, etc. if otherwise it it the IC 's call, but generally in patients and personel in vehicle we will pull a line. If no obvious leaks no patients in vehicle we usually pull a reel hose while on scene.