By Jeremy Wise
Manager of Marketing
The Talladega Fire Department prepares for a wide array of emergencies and recently received help from Coosa Valley Propane in training for a common one.
For 3 days in early December, CVP fueled a propane fire training apparatus TFD had borrowed from the Alabama Fire College. Providing the fuel required a Coosa Valley Propane truck and driver/technician to be present during the hours-long training sessions.
“We train on a daily basis for different types of emergencies, but we haven’t done propane training in a while,” says TFD Assistant Chief John Tyson. “We’re looking to do this on a yearly basis.”
Given the rural nature of Talladega’s fire district — which also covers the police jurisdiction — fires that could involve propane are routine, Tyson says. While the flames created are rarely as vibrant or eye-catching as the ones produced by the training apparatus, Talladega’s 41 firefighters must know how to approach and contain a propane fire properly.
“There is a classroom portion to the training, too,” Tyson says. “Propane is a safe fuel, but it can be dangerous if it’s mishandled.”
Propane fires have 1 unique aspect. If a shutoff valve is broken or otherwise unavailable, firefighters must let the fire burn. If the fire is extinguished before all the propane is burned, vapors will leak into the surrounding area — creating the potential for a more dangerous situation should the gas reignite.
“With a propane fire in that situation, there’s not much you can do other than try to contain it and protect the area around it,” says Randall Wheeles, CVP driver/ technician.
Tyson notes having a local propane company that is willing to assist in training efforts provides a great benefit to the Coosa Valley region.
“It’s an invaluable resource,” he says. “The expertise of the employees is excellent. That real-world experience, you can’t put a price tag on it.”