Photos by author except where noted

On entering the firehouse at the beginning of each tour, the unwritten benchmarks firefighters set out to achieve are ever present: end the tour with the same number we started with, treat everyone like they are family, practice how we play, etc. These checklists vary from member to member but most all are within a similar vein. That said, one feature which is on everyone’s checklist but not as eloquently stated is: “Try not to look stupid.” There are countless ways of making ourselves look foolish during emergency scene operations. One that we see all too often is companies struggling to gain access to the hood of a vehicle during firefighting operations.

The majority of vehicle fires originate in the engine compartment. This is due to several factors including:

It is essential that firefighters gain access to the engine compartment when responding to and extinguishing vehicle fires. This sounds easy, but this simple action could prove more difficult than expected during certain situations.

When gaining access to the engine compartment, most firefighters attack the main latch. Remember that the hood latch is the strongest and most fortified mechanism within the entire assembly. There are many time-tested and effective techniques to help firefighters overcome the hood latch, but these techniques could prove challenging when dealing with engine compartments that have been exposed to heavy heat. After fire has consumed the engine compartment and has had time to burn prior to fire department arrival, the heat may alter the operations within the hood latch assembly. These unwanted alterations may include the warping of metal components that make up the latch, melting/warping of the hood release cable, or damage incurred from a collision (which may have been the cause of the fire to begin with).

Give this, firefighters should consider alternative techniques to gain access quickly, efficiently, and safely. The main shell of the hood is normally made out of thin sheet metal, usually steel or aluminum. On the center front edge of the hood is the main hood latch assembly. On both side edges of the rear of the hood are hinges/struts. These hinges/struts allow for the hood to be opened while staying attached and articulating upward. Instead of gaining access through the main latch assembly, it may be advantageous to change our location of attack and attack just below the rear hinges/struts.

The majority of the hood is extremely thin. When we take time to look at the actual contour of a vehicles hood, we see that the metal is extremely thin in the rear of the hood and gets thicker and curves as we proceed towards the front. With this curving comes a thickening of the hood to maintain contact with the vehicle. Knowing the rear of the hood is much thinner than the front, it’s much easier to cut through the metal. It’s much more accessible to attack below the rear hinges/struts as compared to cutting through the thicker section in the front.

The operation of this alternative access to the engine compartment is fairly simple and straightforward. After donning our personal protective equipment, masking up, chocking the vehicle, getting a line in service, attacking the fire, etc., crews can:

2. Position yourself on one side of the vehicle, near the A post (this is where the rear of the hood will terminate and the hinges will be located).

3. Determine where the hinges/struts are located and mentally mark the area where you will begin your cut; (in case of the presence of struts as opposed to hinges, always cut below due to potential dangers from striking).

4. Cut the top corner of the hood on an approximate 45° angle.

5. Cut all the way through the metal from the point determined at the top of the hood all the way through to the point determined on the side of the hood.

6. Ensure the cut was complete from top seam to side seam (any point not completely cut through will hinder the operation and removal of the hood).

7. Move over to the other side of the vehicle (preferably from behind the vehicle to minimize exposure to the front bumper struts, which are exposed to tremendous heat, exploding).

8. Position yourself in the same location on the opposite side of the vehicle next to the A post.

10. After both cuts are made, simply fold the hood towards and over the front bumper. Access to the engine compartment will be complete.

Besides gaining access to the engine compartment quicker and possibly easier compared to traditional methods, there are other advantages to this method. When we decide to access the engine compartment by attacking the main latch, firefighters are placing themselves in the absolute worst possible position as far as safety. As discussed in our previous article, when exposed to heat, vehicles equipped with struts can explode, causing the bumper to violently fly forward or firing projectiles from the front bumper area. By attacking from near the A posts, we are positioning ourselves in a much safer location. Another advantage is once the cuts are completed and the hood is folded over, the hood acts as a cover/shield to the front bumper. If one of our members is not careful or forgets about the danger of the front bumper area, the folded over hood acts as a protection cover, affording a degree of extra safety should the struts explode.

This alternative technique of gaining access to the engine compartment is quick, easy, and relatively safe (most things we perform on the fireground are never 100% safe). This technique does not have to be employed at every vehicle fire but is simply another tool to have in our ever-growing fire service toolbox.

ADAM J. HANSEN is a captain with the Milford (CT) Fire Department, where he has worked since 2006. He began his career as a volunteer in Branford, Connecticut, in 1999. Hansen has a bachelor’s degree in fire science (fire administration) and a minor in criminal justice from the University of New Haven. He is a nationally registered paramedic and is a state-certified fire service instructor 2, fire officer 2, incident safety officer, pump operator, and aerial operator. He is certified in rescue operations: trench.