Chapter 3 Protection of the Public from Fire

Introduction The only creature in the world that has learned how to initiate and utilize fire is man When people first learned to use fire, culture and society changed dramatically Later, people used fire to make tools, implements, and pottery, which could be used to store foodstuffs Three causes of hostile fires

Learning Objectives 1 and 2 Origins and Evolution of Fire Protection ORIGINS OF FIREFIGHTING First recognized firefighting force organized in Rome  Emperor Augustus in A.D. 6 Corps of Vigiles  Buckets and axes  Patrolled the streets  Fought fires  Performed fire prevention duties

EVOLUTION OF FIRE PROTECTION 1608: Conflagration destroys colonists’ homes 1647: Stuyvesant draws up building codes 1666: Great fire of London 1679: First publicly funded fire department in America 1736: Union Volunteer Fire Company in Philadelphia 1853: Cincinnati is first city with fully paid fire department Learning Objectives 1 and 2 Origins and Evolution of Fire Protection

VOLUNTEER FIRE COMPANIES Membership a great source of pride for many Americans Adventurous young men wanted to join After Revolutionary War, concept of volunteer fire companies spread across the nation Competition  See who could claim “first water” Learning Objective 3 Demise of Volunteer Fire Companies in Cities

FIRE DEPARTMENT’S EXPANDED ROLE IN THE U.S. Modern fire department is proactive in the community Routinely provides fire prevention and education Public shows appreciation for firefighters More involved in medical aid Demand has fueled the evolution of the fire service Learning Objective 3 Demise of Volunteer Fire Companies in Cities

Learning Objective 4 Identify the U.S. Fire Problem NATIONAL FIRE INCIDENT REPORTING SYSTEM NFPA collects data to develop a snapshot view of the U.S. fire problem Examples of fire data:  Third leading cause of accidental death in the home  Cooking is leading cause of home fires and injuries  U.S. fire service responds to a fire every 17 seconds

EFFECTS OF FIRE ON CITIZENS Family’s belongings are destroyed and unrecoverable  Irreplaceable photos and heirlooms Business fires mean lost jobs and tax revenue  Must rebuild and regain previous customers  Few businesses reopen  Negative impact on community Learning Objective 4 Identify the U.S. Fire Problem

WILDLAND FIRES In national forests, lightning is the cause for many fires Effects of wildland fires:  Vast areas of natural resources are lost  Animals are killed  Valuable watersheds are destroyed  May take over one hundred years to return to previous condition Learning Objective 4 Identify the U.S. Fire Problem

Learning Objective 5 Responsibilities of the Modern Fire Service MANAGING COMMUNITY RISK Limiting probable loss to the community Weighing cost versus benefit Providing emergency medical services Having hazmat response teams Engaging in public education, prevention, and code enforcement

EMERGENCY RESPONSE AS ESSENTIAL SERVICE Ready to respond and carry out life-saving functions Must be managed in a cost-effective manner SAVING PROPERTY Salvage work became a fire department responsibility SAVING LIVES Capability has been enhanced by improved equipment Learning Objective 5 Responsibilities of the Modern Fire Service

PREVENTING FIRES Involved in design process of new buildings Periodically make inspections to ensure compliance EDUCATING THE PUBLIC Not limited to fire safety; child passenger-safety seats INVESTIGATING ARSON Gathering evidence to prosecute criminals Learning Objective 5 Responsibilities of the Modern Fire Service

Learning Objective 6 Evolution of Modern Firefighting Equipment FIRE APPARATUS Hand-pumped engines  First known pump, a siphona, fourth century B.C.  Most effective designs used the principle of siphona  First hand pumpers discharged through a mounted nozzle on top Cont.

FIRE APPARATUS Hoses  First hoses were of sewn leather  Today synthetic hose is used Hose companies  Carried hose on a wheeled carriage Steamer  Could pump as long as there was coal available Cont. Learning Objective 6 Evolution of Modern Firefighting Equipment

FIRE APPARATUS Ladder company  Needed a way to effect rescues from windows  Evolved into forcible entry, rescue, and ventilation  Extension ladders  Evolved into spring assist, compressed air, and, finally, hydraulics Cont. Learning Objective 6 Evolution of Modern Firefighting Equipment

FIRE APPARATUS Chemical wagon  Carried two tanks ─ one soda, one water  Effectiveness limited to what was on the wagon Internal combustion engine  Motorized apparatus eventually dominated  Today same motor propels the apparatus and pump Cont. Learning Objective 6 Evolution of Modern Firefighting Equipment

FIRE APPARATUS Fire service symbols  Maltese cross  Dalmatians Fire stations  Needed sleeping quarters  Slide pole introduced to give quick access to apparatus floor Learning Objective 6 Evolution of Modern Firefighting Equipment

Learning Objective 7 Evolution of Protective Clothing and Equipment HISTORY As pride grew, uniforms identified company members FIRE HELMET Was a product of necessity Traditional shape  Kept embers and hot water off the neck Shield mounted on front, with company number or department name

BUNKER GEAR OR TURNOUT CLOTHING Long canvas coats were worn  Protected firefighters from falling embers Water barriers were added to the coat  Insulation was added to protect from the heat Long boots were eventually replaced with knee- high boots and insulated pants Learning Objective 7 Evolution of Protective Clothing and Equipment

SELF-CONTAINED BREATHING APPARATUS Historically, wrapped wet rags around the face Improved to gas mask  Did not protect from toxic fumes or low oxygen concentrations Today SCBA used on almost all fires Enhanced ability to perform interior attack Learning Objective 7 Evolution of Protective Clothing and Equipment

Learning Objective 8 Major Fire Losses and the Modern Fire Service HISTORICAL FIRES Great Chicago Fire: October 8-10, 1871  100,000 homeless and killed approximately 300 Baltimore, Maryland: February 7, 1904  Led to standardized hose threads on equipment Chelsea, Massachusetts: April 12, 1908  Destroyed 3,500 buildings Salem, Massachusetts: June 25, 1914  Destroyed 1,600 buildings

HISTORICAL CONFLAGRATION CAUSES Combustible construction Narrow streets Ineffective building codes PRIMARY CAUSES FOR RECENT FIRES Terrorism Extreme weather Learning Objective 8 Major Fire Losses and the Modern Fire Service

Learning Objective 9 Reasons for Fire Defense Planning FIRE DEFENSE PLANNING Determine acceptable level of loss due to fire Goals Objectives Statistics Policies Procedures Cont.

FIRE DEFENSE PLANNING Cost analysis Approved budget Planning: Never-ending cycle  Setting goals  Determining objectives  Evaluating results Learning Objective 9 Reasons for Fire Defense Planning

ALL HAZARD PLANNING Prepare to respond to many types of incidents Obtain, train, and stage resources Comply with legal requirements Reach agreements with responding agencies  Training on cooperation  Training on establishing communication Learning Objective 9 Reasons for Fire Defense Planning

Learning Objective 10 Define Risk and Risk Management DEFINITIONS OF RISK Noun: exposure to harm or loss Verb: to expose to the chance of injury or loss PROBABILITY AND CONSEQUENCES Probability: can be in subjective terms  Rare or high Consequences: expressed in descriptive terms  Death, injury, disaster

RISK MANANAGEMENT Activity that involves evaluation or comparison of risks and approaches that change the consequences of a harmful action Three control measures  Administrative controls  Engineering controls  Personal protection Learning Objective 10 Define Risk and Risk Management

RISK MANAGEMENT PLAN Written plan must be a part of policies and procedures Components of a risk management plan  Risk identification  Risk evaluation  Risk control techniques  Program evaluation and review Learning Objective 10 Define Risk and Risk Management

Learning Objective 11 Fire Department and Community Risk Reduction FOUR STEPS TO PROTECT COMMUNITY FROM RISK Preparation Mitigation Response Recovery

Summary The fire service and firefighters have a long history rich in tradition and honorable sacrifice As the fire service progresses, there will be new challenges to be met The modern fire service is a delivery system that contains many parts integrated into a whole