The Helmstadt fire department relies on the innovative VLITEX fire blanket E-Autoto overcome challenges such as low extinguishing water reserves, smoke development and dangerous traffic situations. In an interview with commander Mr. Stöcklein, we learn first-hand how the fire blanket was successfully used in a real-life operation.
Table of contents
Practical experience with the fire blanket
Acquisition and motives
Mr. Stöcklein reports that the Helmstadt fire department purchased the fire blanket around 1.5 years ago after a convincing demonstration at the Würzburg fire department school. Due to the proximity to the highway and the limited extinguishing water capacity of the emergency vehicle, the blanket was an ideal solution for the special requirements of the fire department.
First use of the fire blanket
The first use of the blanket was at a vehicle fire on the highway, where the vehicle and an adjacent embankment were on fire. With little extinguishing water available, the fire department decided to use the blanket. The smoke was immediately reduced, allowing the lanes to be cleared quickly.
Advantages of fire blanket in use
- Smoke reduction:
The ceiling immediately minimized smoke development, which improved visibility and significantly reduced the risk of secondary accidents. - Efficient use of extinguishing agents:
The available extinguishing water was used specifically for the embankment and pockets of fire, as the ceiling effectively smothered the flames on the vehicle. - Fast deployment time:
The shorter deployment time due to the ceiling resulted in less stress for the emergency services and minimized traffic obstructions. - Environmental protection:
The reduced use of water and foam reduces contamination of the soil and protects the environment.
Challenges and solutions
While the use in strong winds posed a challenge when positioning the ceiling, the ease of handling proved to be a clear advantage. The blanket could be put in place quickly and was immediately effective.
Read the interview here
Mr. Stöcklein, commander of the Helmstadt fire department, was kind enough to give us an interview about his experiences with the VLITEX fire blanket PREMIUM. But read for yourself:
Question: Mr. Stöcklein, thank you for your time. The Helmstadt fire department decided to purchase the VLITEX fire blanket PREMIUM. When was that and what were the reasons behind it?
Answer: We purchased the fire blanket about 1.5 years ago. At the time, I attended a real fire test by VLITEX at the Würzburg firefighting school and the demonstration convinced me immediately. You have to know that we are a small fire department with only one HLF with a 2,000-liter water tank. Since we are very close to the A3 highway, we often have operations with burning vehicles, which makes it difficult to fight fires with water. The advantages of a fire blanket convinced me, and as the Helmstadt fire department we decided to purchase the blanket.
Question: Was this the first time a fire blanket fire department had been called out to deal with a fire?
Answer: Yes, that was the first use for our ceiling.
Question: Can you guide us through the mission?
Response: Our fire department was the first on the scene. The vehicle was completely engulfed in flames and the embankment next to it was also on fire. As we only had 2,000 liters of extinguishing water available from our tank, we decided to use fire blanket. We spread the blanket over the burning vehicle. What really impressed us all was that the smoke was immediately minimized so that other lanes could be reopened very quickly.
Question: What specific challenges did you face during this assignment?
Response: In addition to the aforementioned challenges of "little extinguishing water" and "disruption to traffic due to heavy smoke development", there was a strong wind on the day, which initially pushed the ceiling down when it was laid, making it difficult to position. Despite this minor difficulty, the deployment of fire blanket was a complete success.
Question: How did fire blanket specifically help in this situation?
Response: The smoke was contained immediately, which greatly reduced the risk of subsequent accidents. We used the available extinguishing water to extinguish the embankment and to finally extinguish the pockets of fire. Another advantage was the overall shorter duration of the fire, which also resulted in less damage to the road.
Question: How easy was it to use the fire blanket?
Answer: If you disregard the difficult conditions caused by the wind, using the blanket was really very easy, you can't do much wrong.
Question: What were the advantages of using fire blanket in this case compared to traditional firefighting methods?
Answer: In particular, the reduction in deployment time due to the rapid reduction in smoke and the smothering of the flames is an enormous advantage when deployed on the highway. There are always serious accidents due to the limited visibility caused by the enormous amount of smoke produced by a vehicle fire and when extinguishing it with water. I see this as the main advantage for operations on the highway.
In addition, there is less contamination of the soil due to the reduced use of conventional extinguishing agents.
Question: What is your conclusion on this assignment?
Answer: We would use the fire blanket again and again: It does what it is supposed to do, and especially on highways when there is little extinguishing water available, it is an excellent alternative or supplement to conventional extinguishing agents.
Mr. Stöcklein, thank you very much for sharing your experience with the VLITEX fire blanket PREMIUM. We thank you and the entire Helmstadt fire department for your dedication and wish you safe operations.
This interview shows the practical benefits and effectiveness of the VLITEX fire blanket PREMIUM in use at the Helmstadt fire department. It provides a valuable field report that illustrates the possible applications and efficiency of this innovative firefighting technology.
Further information
Find out more about the benefits of the VLITEX fire blanket E-Auto in our article on fire blankets for fire departments. For more application reports and technical details, visit the VLITEX fire blanket PREMIUM product page
