OFPD participates in vehicular fire training course
The
Orland Fire Protection District hosted an Advanced Vehicle Fire Investigation
class that is facilitated by the International Association of Arson Investigators and
instructed by Special Agent Barry Grimm ATF and Capt. Chris Elrod from the
Wilmington North Carolina Fire Department.
Brucki said the event offers firefighters firsthand experience and training on the most up-to-date techniques to respond to car fires in different scenarios.
"Vehicular fires are very dangerous not just to the public but to firefighters and the training helps them better understand the challenges they face when responding to a care fire to better achieve the safety of the vehicle passengers and themselves," Brucki said.
Working in conjunction with the Illinois Chapter of the International Association of Arson Investigators, the OFPD secured the necessary salvaged vehicles from Auto Medics Orland Park, IL, West and Sons Towing Addison, IL, State Farm Insurance, and Quad City Salvage Auction (QCSA) Hammond, IN.
"Without these donations from these businesses, this type of training would have not been possible," explained OFPD Fire Chief Ken Brucki.
Orland Fire District, Fire and Arson
Investigators and members of the IL-Chapter of the IAAI worked with the
instructors to develop 11 vehicle fire scenarios for the students to determine
the origin and cause of the vehicle fires during the practical portion of this
advanced class.
During the preparation for this class a pre-burn of the vehicles
was conducted. The vehicles were set on fire using different methods to
simulate mechanical malfunctions as well as incendiary causes of fire. Students
from across the Untied States and Canada converged on Orland Park to attend
this class.
Students consisted of municipal and private fire investigators,
Insurance claims representatives, and Mechanical and Electrical Engineers from
General Motors and Chrysler Automotive.
For their assistance with providing and
the preparation of this advanced class, 4 Orland Fire Protection District Fire
and Arson investigators attended the training class free of charge.
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