Understanding Flammability – Recognizing Fire and Explosion Hazards
Flammability is one of the most critical hazards faced by emergency responders. Unlike many other risks, there is no personal protective equipment that can eliminate the danger once a flammable atmosphere ignites. Safe response relies on recognizing hazardous conditions, understanding the factors that contribute to fires and explosions, and making informed tactical decisions. This session will help EMS providers, firefighters, law enforcement officers, and other first responders identify flammability hazards, understand how they develop, and implement safe response practices that can reduce the risk of injury or death. Joe will discuss notable incidents such as the I-80 Wyoming Tunnel fire, the Highway 6 Spanish Fork Canyon incident, and the Pepcon explosion in Henderson, Nevada.
Objectives:
- Recognize the factors that contribute to flammability and the conditions that increase the risk of fire and explosion.
- Identify common flammable hazards encountered during emergency responses, including industrial, transportation, and hazardous materials incidents.
- Describe how flammability influences scene size-up, responder safety, and tactical decision-making.
- Apply safe response principles to reduce the risk of injury or death when operating in or around flammable environments.