It is widely accepted that the major roles and responsibilities of a fire fighter are to “put the wet stuff on the red stuff”. Fire fighters have been trained to do this since the beginning. Recently fire fighters have increased their responsibilities with hazards materials response and most recently EMS. Does fire prevention fit into the latest role? Simple, it’s for the fire fighter’s SAFETY.
A company officer is responsible for training. The fire officer--at coffee break, through company drill, during in-service training, while participating in community service—can include fire prevention in the current training topics pertinent to fire fighter safety.
Coffee Break—as the company is having morning coffee, pick a building, perhaps a single family home and discuss from a fire prevention view point what a fire fighter should know for his/her safety. Where should you find the smoke alarms? Are there fire sprinklers? Where should the staircase be located? Is it truss construction overhead or underneath? What is the timeframe for structural failure? When will the basement ceiling tiles and frames start to fall? What is the likelihood that the smoke alarms will be hardwired in a thirty- to fifty-year old neighborhood and are they going to be operating? What type of hazardous material will you find, and where in the house? Are their security features installed (burglar bars on windows, deadbolt locks doors, etc) that will prevent fire fighters from leaving the building? Are there shafts or voids where fire fighters could fall and get trapped? The list goes on.
Company Drill—as a company, as you are returning to the station from another activated alarm; the company officer picks a building that you pass. The fire officer solicits responses to questions regarding that structure and its occupancy. Construction type? Occupancy? Condition of the building? What time of day would it most likely be when a fire might occur versus an automatic alarm? Where is the enunciator panel? Where are the utilities shut-offs located? Where is the fire department connection? Is there a standpipe system? Will the people be evacuated from the building when the fire department arrives or will they need to be assisted? Are there shafts or voids where fire fighters could fall and get trapped? Are there any elevators? Is there a shelter-in-place area? Are their security features installed (burglar bars on windows, deadbolt locks doors, etc) that will prevent fire fighters from entering or leaving the building? Ultimately, how does the fire fighter’s safety figure into the answers to these questions?
In-service Training—as a company and as part of knowing the district, select a building and go to the site. Construction type? Occupancy? Condition of the building? Locate the fire department connection; make sure the plant-life has not covered it; make sure the exit lights are illuminated; look for areas where hazards are stored and how they are stored; how is the roof and floor constructed and what materials were used? Visit the boiler room and see if it is being used as a storage area. Are there shafts or voids where fire fighters could fall and get trapped? Are their security features installed (burglar bars on windows, deadbolt locks doors, etc) that will prevent fire fighters from entering or leaving the building? How would any of these items affect your safety as a fire fighter if an automatic alarm response turns into a working structure fire?
Community Service—as a company, you may be involved in public fire education and/or prevention and/or community service events or fairs. If the event is inside take a look around, take the opportunity to visit with folks, hand out flyers promoting the fire department, public education and fire prevention. Have the people think about what hazards are present in their homes or where they work. Do they have an escape plan? Ask to visit that person’s home; it’s good for public relations and you get to see another building that you might not typically see until it’s a working fire. How does this impact the safety of the fire fighter?
These are only some examples of the reasons a fire fighter should want to be involved in fire prevention. As a team, get out into the neighborhood and find out what is in store for you. Don’t wait for the BIG ONE. Fire prevention is not just for the other people and the community. Why should a fire fighter be involved in fire prevention? It could just save the life of that fire fighter.
Tom McGowan
NFPA Staff Liaison
March 1, 2011
I always they went hand in hand.
Posted by: Bill Johnson | February 28, 2011 at 10:18 PM