Firefighting, Part 1

History of Firefighting

Firefighting is simply the act of preventing the spread of and extinguishing unwanted fires. The purpose of the activity is to save lives and property. It is one of the core emergency services in every community. Regardless of location, firefighters are called on to risk their own life and limb to save others.

In the olden days, communities would assemble and attempt to put out fires whenever they break out. However, this often resulted in an entire neighborhood getting burnt down before the fire is snuffed out. Modern firefighting techniques and equipment have been developed since then, but modern societies also now have corps of personnel who are specifically trained in firefighting.

While it is not the focus of our course, it is important to note that modern firefighters are trained in more than firefighting. They are also trained in search, rescue, and medical operations that they use to help people during times of accidents and natural disasters.

History of Firefighting Corps

History of Firefighting Equipment

Bureau of Fire Protection

Republic Act 6975, the Department of Interior and Local Government Act of 1990, created the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) (Chapter 4, Section 13-59) to be the responsible body for all concerns related to fires in the country.

Fire Protection refers to the various methods used by the bureau to control destructive fires to prevent the loss of life and property. Its objectives are the following:

1. To prevent destructive fires from starting

2. To extinguish destructive fires

3. To confine a destructive fire at its origin

4. To prevent the loss of life and property during fires

Fire Prevention and Suppression refers to the various safety measures employed to stop harmful or destructive fires from starting.

The BFP is the official firefighting corps of the Philippine government. Their main firefighting tools are ladders and pumps, but they also have specialist vehicles that are equipped with turntable ladders, hydraulic platforms, extra water, foam, and other specialized appliances for hazardous incidents.

In some countries, like the US, firefighting corps are divided into two sub-units: the engine company and the ladder company. Engine companies are equipped with trucks called "engines" that carry pumps and hoses for spraying water into fires. Ladder companies have ladder trucks for rescuing people through windows or spraying water from an elevated position.

Factors Affecting Fire Protection and Control

A fire hazard is anything that increases or could increase the probability of a fire in the area or could obstruct, delay, hinder or interfere with firefighting operations and the safeguarding of lives and property.

Common Fire Hazards

1. Storage of an excessive amount of combustibles or explosives in an area not designed for such a purpose

2. Deficient facilities/equipment

3. Lack of suitable exits

4. Obstructions at fire escapes or other entrances designated for firefighters

5. Unsafe amounts of rubbish and other highly combustible materials

6. Accumulation of dust in vents or grease in kitchens

7. Buildings in repair

8. Decrepit buildings, especially those made of combustible materials

Firefighting Operations

Firefighting operations are fire suppression activities.

They generally follow these steps:

1. PRE-FIRE PLANNING development of a systematic course of action that may be performed to realize the objectives of fire protection; the process of establishing an SOP for when a fire breaks out

2. EVALUATION / SIZE-UP (on-the-spot situation assessment) During this time, officers gauge the situation to determine the course of action that will lead to success.

Evaluation Steps:

2. 1. 1. 1. Learn the facts of the situation: 5W's 1H

         2. Determine the probabilities of dangerous fire behavior (as discussed in Lesson 2.2)

         3. Ascertain your capabilities

         4. Decide on the course of action

3. EVACUATION moving people, livestock, and property away from the fire area

4. ENTRY accessing the burning structure If necessary, entry may be forced:

   1. 1. To give access to firefighters and their firefighting equipment

      2. To provide rescue

      3. To aid in ventilation

5. RESCUE removing, thus saving, people, livestock, and property from a fire area and transferring them to a secure area

6. EXPOSURE cover exposure securing structures surrounding the fire area to prevent the spread of fire

7. CONFINEMENT restricting the fire to the fire area

8. VENTILATION displacing the heated atmosphere with normal air to expel toxic gases

9. SALVAGE protecting properties from preventable damage from factors other than fire by removing them from the fire area and covering them with material such as tarps

10. EXTINGUISHMENT putting out the main body of the fire

11. OVERHAUL complete and detailed inspection of the structure and everything therein to eliminate the possibility of a re-flash; includes the complete extinguishment of sparks and glowing embers

12. FIRE SCENE INVESTIGATION an inquiry into the nature of the fire

Objects of Firefighting Operations

• Fighting building fires

• Fighting forest fires

• Emergency rescue operations

• Emergency medical operations

• Fire prevention and fire safety

• Public building inspections

• Public education programs

Special Notes

Sprinkle System A network of pipes installed in buildings that carry water to nozzles in the ceiling. The heat from a fire causes the nozzles nearby to open and spray water.

Smoke Detector A device that rings out when smoke is detected by its sensors