1. CERT Basic Training Course (Community Emergency Response Team)
Unit 2 - Fire Safety and Utility Controls

2. CERT and Small Fires
What would you do?
2-1

3. CERT and Small Fires
CERTs play a very important role in fire safety by:
Extinguishing small fires
Preventing additional fires by removing fuel sources
Shutting off utilities
Assisting with evacuations, when necessary
CERT Support in 1994 LA ‘quake:
Firefight – 5
Utilities - 156
2-2

4. Unit 2: Fire Safety and Utility Controls
Unit Objectives
Explain role of CERTs in fire safety
Identify and reduce fire and utility risks
Describe CERT sizeup process
Conduct basic sizeup for a fire emergency
Explain basic safety precautions
Identify hazardous materials; use L.I.E.S.
Extinguish small fires using a fire extinguisher using P.A.S.S.
NOTE acronyms added (since on final exam!)
(Manual pg 2-1)
CERT Basic Training
Unit 2: Fire Safety and Utility Controls

5. Unit 2: Fire Safety and Utility Controls
CERT Priorities
Emergency help in neighborhood before professionals arrive
Prevention better than Action
Safety is number one priority
Always work with a buddy
Always wear safety equipment
CERT GOAL: Do the greatest good for
the greatest number
CERT Basic Training
Unit 2: Fire Safety and Utility Controls

6. Firefighting

7. Unit 2: Fire Safety and Utility Controls
The Fire Triangle
Heat
Fuel
Oxygen
CERT Basic Training
Unit 2: Fire Safety and Utility Controls

8. Unit 2: Fire Safety and Utility Controls
5 Classes of Fire
A: Ordinary combustibles (wood, paper, plastics)
B: Flammable and combustible liquids
C: Energized electrical equipment
D: Combustible metals
K: Cooking oils (in restaurants)
CERT Basic Training
Unit 2: Fire Safety and Utility Controls

9. Principals of Flammability
Show YouTube “Why Seconds Count” (also Xmas tree “How Fast Does Fire Spread”

10. Principals of Flammability

11. Principals of Flammability

12. Principals of Flammability

13. Reducing Electrical Hazards
Avoid the “electrical octopus”
Maintain appliances (dust behind refrigerator!)
Don’t run cords under carpets
Check for and replace broken or frayed cords
(Manual pp 2-6 to 2-8)
CERT Basic Training
Unit 2: Fire Safety and Utility Controls

14. Downed Lines Hazards Highest voltage at top (often over 10,000 v)
Pole transformer reduces to 240 v for house line
Lowest lines TV & phone
PGE auto reset danger
But ANY of these high voltage if touching
Or a fence or the ground!
2-14

15. Electrical Emergencies
Know where power shutoffs are for:
Appliances (especially heaters)
Circuit breakers
Fuses
House Main
Post shutoff directions next to all utilities
Know procedures for turning power back on (main off last; on first)
CERT Basic Training
Unit 2: Fire Safety and Utility Controls

16. When to Shut off Electricity
Building collapse or major structural damage (details Unit #5)
Arcing or smoke seen
Smell of burning material
Blackened area around switches and plugs
Loss of power accompanied by burning smell
2-16

17. Types of shutoffs House Main Panel switch
Sub panel for individual circuits
Circuit breaker or Fuse
Traditional or “Smart” meters switch the same
2-17

18. Unit 2: Fire Safety and Utility Controls
Natural Gas Hazards
Asphyxiant (suffocates)
Robs body of oxygen
Lighter than air (rises)
Explosive
Can easily ignite
Beware of sparks (even phone)
Watch for leak indicators
CERT Basic Training
Unit 2: Fire Safety and Utility Controls

19. Natural Gas Hazard Actions
Install natural gas detector and carbon monoxide detector in home
Test batteries for detectors every month
Change batteries every 6 months
Locate and label gas shutoffs
Have proper non-sparking tool
If leak detected, evacuate area and notify CERT or Fire Department
CERT Basic Training
Unit 2: Fire Safety and Utility Controls

20. When To Shut Off Gas When odor or sound of gas is detected
Building has major structural damage (details in Unit #5)
Gas meter wheels are turning rapidly (look at smallest)
Never turn back on!
2-20

21. Unit 2: Fire Safety and Utility Controls
Natural Gas Shutoff
Locate and label gas shutoff valves
If not automatic, know procedures for shutting off gas on
off
CERT Basic Training
Unit 2: Fire Safety and Utility Controls

22. Unit 2: Fire Safety and Utility Controls
Propane Gas Hazards
Asphyxiant (suffocates)
Robs body of oxygen
Heavier than air (sinks)
Explosive
Can easily ignite
Beware of sparks
Shipped and stored in pressure tanks as liquid with shutoff knob valve
CERT Basic Training
Unit 2: Fire Safety and Utility Controls

23. Unit 2: Fire Safety and Utility Controls
CERT Sizeup
Gather Facts
Assess Damage
Consider Probabilities
Assess Your Situation
Establish Priorities
Make Decisions
Develop Plan of Action
Take Action
Evaluate Progress
(Manual pp 2-12 to 2-16)
CERT Basic Training
Unit 2: Fire Safety and Utility Controls

24. CERT Sizeup (short version)
1,2 – What is happening?
3,4 – What is likely to happen next?
5,6,7 – What should CERT do to help?
8,9 – Take Action and Evaluate
Short fire extinguisher sizeup PM pg 2-23
CERT Basic Training
Unit 2: Fire Safety and Utility Controls

25. Unit 2: Fire Safety and Utility Controls
CERT Fire Sizeup
Helps responders decide:
Whether to attempt to suppress a fire
A plan of action
Answers these questions:
Do we have the right equipment?
Are there other hazards?
Is the building structurally damaged?
Can my buddy and I escape?
Can we fight the fire safely?
Remember: The safety of individual CERT members is always the top priority
CERT Basic Training
Unit 2: Fire Safety and Utility Controls

26. Firefighting Resources
Portable fire extinguishers
Wet standpipes (apartment buildings)
Suffocate with sand or dirt
“Creative” resources (water bucket from pool?)
Garden hose can wet down adjacent structures
CERT Basic Training
Unit 2: Fire Safety and Utility Controls

27. Interior Wet Standpipes
Usually in multi- story buildings
Provide interior water supply
Work in two- person teams when using wet standpipes
CERT Basic Training
Unit 2: Fire Safety and Utility Controls

28. Unit 2: Fire Safety and Utility Controls
Fire Extinguishers
Use on small fires (never more than one extinguisher attempt)
Different types/different effects
Dry chemical (type A, B & C)
Water (type A fires)
Carbon dioxide (type B & C)
Specialized fire extinguisher (e.g. halon for computers)
CERT Basic Training
Unit 2: Fire Safety and Utility Controls

29. “Best” Type of Extinguisher
Dry Chemical
Used for classes ABC
Rated 5 to 320 B
Rating is size of fire of each type that a non- expert can extinguish
Recommend 3-A:40-BC
Reach 15 feet (5 to 20)
Weight 15 lbs (12 to 40)
2-29

30. Labels on Extinguishers
Number & Letter Specify
Type and
Size
of fires for
effective use
2-30

31. How To Use An Extinguisher
Sizeup: is fire small enough?
Does team have the right type?
Test extinguisher after pulling pin
Aim nozzle at base of fire (not flames)
(Manual pg 2-25 to 2-29)
2-31

32. Fire Suppression Safety
Safety of CERT members is top priority
Always fight fire with no less than 2 teams of 2 plus squad leader
Feel door with back of hand from bottom up (enter only if cool)
Get down low before entering (heat, smoke & gases are up high)
Always locate two exits
If uncomfortable due to heat or smoke, GET OUT!
NOTE: extinguisher for chair fire is WRONG! CO2 instead of dry chemical.
CERT Basic Training
Unit 2: Fire Safety and Utility Controls

33. Fire Suppression Don’ts
Don’t fight fire without good sizeup
Don’t try to fight a fire alone
Don’t enter without proper PPE & planning
Don’t get too close
Don’t enter smoke-filled areas
Don’t try to suppress large fires
Don’t try to fight with second extinguisher
If in doubt, DON’T! DO be safe.
CERT Basic Training
Unit 2: Fire Safety and Utility Controls

34. HazMat are many types and everywhere!! Kitchen Garage Bathroom Patio
Hazardous Materials
HazMat are many types and everywhere!!
Kitchen
Garage
Bathroom
Patio
(Manual pgs 2-30 & 2-31)
2-34

35. Ways HazMats Enter the Body
Inhalation – Most Common, Fastest
Absorption – Skin, Eyes
Ingestion – Eating or Drinking
Injection – Puncture Wounds
2-35

36. Ways HazMats Damage the Body
Corrode – Skin or other materials
Explode – Easily ignited or shocked
React – Strongly with water or oxidizers
Toxic – Poison for humans or others
2-36

37. Where HazMat are Found
Obvious Locations
Less Obvious Locations
2-37

38. Hazmats Stored in Buildings
NFPA 704 sign
shows hazards:
Red=fire danger
Blue=biological
Yellow=explosive
4=HIGH;1=LOW
White Quadrant:
W: reacts with water
OX: oxidizer
CERT Basic Training
Unit 2: Fire Safety and Utility Controls

39. Unit 2: Fire Safety and Utility Controls
Hazmats in Transit
Orange
Red
White
Red &
Blue
Yellow
Yellow &
Black &
Hazard placards on trucks and packages
CERT Basic Training
Unit 2: Fire Safety and Utility Controls

40. Unit 2: Fire Safety and Utility Controls
UN and NA Placards
1203 3
Name
Chemical Class
Symbol
Chemical
Number
CERT Basic Training
Unit 2: Fire Safety and Utility Controls

41. Unit 2: Fire Safety and Utility Controls
CERT Response
If you suspect hazmats--
Overturned Containers
Pungent or Bad Odors
Bubbling Liquids
Vapors
Dead Vegetation
Dead Animals or People
Action: Only Warn & Deny Entry
CERT Basic Training
Unit 2: Fire Safety and Utility Controls

42. If the hazard area looks bigger than your thumb, you are TOO CLOSE!
Haz Mat Rule of Thumb
If the hazard area looks bigger than your thumb, you are TOO CLOSE!
Do NOT enter building or area even if victims are there
Stay Uphill and Upwind
Isolate, Warn and Deny Entry
Evacuate Downwind Area if needed
Notify Team Leader and Fire Department
2-42

43. Eliminate products no longer needed Separate incompatible material
Haz Mat Safeguards
In The Home LIES
Limit amount stored
Isolate products
Eliminate products no longer needed
Separate incompatible material
On The Street
SIN
Safety – Avoid, Assume Toxic
Isolation – Mark & Secure Area
Notification Tell Leaders
(Write into Manual pg2-35)
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44. Always have a buddy – personal safety comes first!
Unit Summary
You should know:
Keys to effective fire suppression
CERT sizeup plan
Classes of fire and use of fire extinguishers
P.A.S.S. and L.I.E.S.
Utility controls
How to identify hazardous materials
Always have a buddy – personal safety comes first!
CERT Basic Training
Unit 2: Fire Safety and Utility Controls

45. Unit 2: Fire Safety and Utility Controls
Homework Assignment
Read unit to be covered in next session
2. Locate your gas, water, and electricity shutoffs
3. Test your valves with a 1/8 turn
4. Check your Haz Mats and perform LIES
CERT Basic Training
Unit 2: Fire Safety and Utility Controls