The Secret Firefighter UK
@TheSecretFF999 • 10,604 subscribers
The Secret Firefighter UK - Currently serving in a UK FRS and Ex-British Forces, passion for Firefighter Safety, Inclusion, Training/Development & HAZMAT.
Shorts
Videos
Several crews from Bombers Ajuntament València are currently tackling a 14 story building fire between Maestro Rodrigo and General Avilés avenues in #Valencia, Spain. The fire is understood to have started just after 17:30 local time today, it is unclear if there are any casualties at this time, or what the cause of the fire is. Incident still currently ongoing!
The Secret Firefighter UK140,294 views • 2 years ago
Incident in Belgium on the 30th of October 2023 with another near miss involving a lithium battery (this one was a Hybrid Vehicle with Lithium Battery involved). This is why I’m a big advocate of further training, and national guidance on this subject, not because I’m against EV’s but because I’m against crews not being aware of risks present. If we arrive at a vehicle like this, our primary focus needs to be on the potential for a vapour cloud explosion, vapour cloud ignition or battery explosion as that will be our primary risk. If safe to do so, one of the best tactics can often (if ignition or thermal event is present) be to allow a controlled burn, also remember TICs can be great for identifying potential issues with an EV battery, however the vapour cloud can prevent the TIC from being effective (Gas Detectors also great prior to thermal event to detect early stages). Whilst these types of events with cars are extremely rare, they are happening more and more frequently with light electric vehicles such as e-bikes and e-scooters etc. For more information on this type of incident, there’s some great resources available on or by searching Professor Paul Christensen on YouTube. Video Credit: Brandweer Gent, Fire Department of Ghent
The Secret Firefighter UK75,565 views • 2 years ago
Another great example of how important it is to remove yourself from the risk area when dealing with vehicles, note the velocity and distance of the tyre projectile. Video was sent in by a fellow firefighter, who received the footage from a member of the public.
The Secret Firefighter UK67,289 views • 2 years ago
Near miss for a UK FRS after not recognising a vapour cloud caused by thermal runaway, and instead mistaking it for smoke/fire gasses. This is not the fault of the crew, but shows the desperate need for legislation, education, training and guidance like I keep banging on about..
The Secret Firefighter UK68,829 views • 3 years ago
Video showing firefighters from London Fire Brigade rescuing people from flats in Whitechapel using ladders, the incident took place on the 7th of February 2024 and was caused by an e-bike which was in active thermal runaway with highly toxic, flammable and explosive vapours blocking escape routes. The incident comes just days just after LFB announced they’d seen a 78% increase in fires caused by e-bikes and e-scooters in 2023 compared to 2022. Incidents involving e-bikes and e-scooters are currently the fastest growing fire risk in London.
The Secret Firefighter UK43,823 views • 2 years ago
Gobsmacked! Especially given everything we now know on Firefighter Cancers... Worst of all, they are volunteers by the looks of it, so will likely go straight home in the same clothing, passing on carcinogenic particles to loved ones putting them at risk! Anyone know the dept?
The Secret Firefighter UK50,939 views • 3 years ago
2 firefighters were injured last week in Germany, and a motorway closed for several hours following a fire at a BESS (Battery Energy Storage System) facility. The fire continued for around 10 hours, forcing the closure of the nearby A31 motorway due to heavy fire gasses (smoke), and also impacted many local residents. Unfortunately early reports indicate the injuries may have been preventable and were caused when firefighters opened the door to the BESS, remember when we see what we believe to be fire gasses at these facilities, there’s a high likelihood it’s actually a vapour cloud, the vapour cloud will be highly toxic, highly flammable and also highly explosive. Opening doors on these facilities not only exposes us to significant heat and flames, it also has a high risk of a potential deflagration or vapour cloud ignition/explosion. When more details come out and we understand what further learning can be obtained, I’ll try to post an update. Video Credit: NDR
The Secret Firefighter UK38,389 views • 2 years ago
Did you know that electric vehicles can go back into Thermal Runaway weeks later? The ‘smoke’ you see isn’t actually smoke, it is a highly flammable, toxic and explosive vapour. Some of the key components are: HCN - Hydrogen Cyanide C6H6 - Benzene C7H8 - Toluene C2H4 - Ethylene H2 - Hydogen O2 - Oxygen CO - Carbon Monoxide CO2 - Carbon Dioxide HF - Hydrogen Fluoride NO2 - Nitrogen Dioxide HCI - Hydrogen Chloride CH4 - Methane It is important to note I’m not against Lithium Ion Batteries (or EVs), they can be a good thing and will no doubt change lives and innovation for years to come, however the technology currently is way ahead of the solution in the event of an incident. We need urgent legislation, education, training and operational guidance for dealing with these incidents. For more information on Thermal Runaway, and the dangers of Lithium Ion Batteries please see the link below (and please check your smoke alarms):
The Secret Firefighter UK39,003 views • 3 years ago
Recently released dashcam footage of the car park fire in Incheon, South Korea where an Electric Vehicle (Mercedes-Benz EQE) caught fire. The incident hospitalised 23 people and damaged 140 vehicles, it has since came go light that the fire sprinkler system was disabled at the time. This fire started as a single vehicle incident that led to a major incident. The reality is that had the fire sprinkler system been operational, this fire would likely have been contained.
The Secret Firefighter UK23,085 views • 1 year ago
Good video to show the force behind a backdraft by the Slow Mo Guys via Flashpoint Fire Equipment. This is why fire science and dynamics is so crucial at all levels throughout the fire service, we must understand the risks and recognise the signs of dangers we could face.
The Secret Firefighter UK23,186 views • 3 years ago
