Chapter 3 Public Fire Protection

1. Chapter 3Public Fire Protection

2. 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

3. 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

4. Learning Objectives 1 and 2 Origins and Evolution of Fire Protection • 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

5. Learning Objective 3 Demise of Volunteer Fire Companies in Cities • 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”

6. 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

7. 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

8. Learning Objective 4 Identify the U.S. Fire Problem • 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. Learning Objective 5 Responsibilities of the Modern Fire Service • 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

12. 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

13. 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.

14. Learning Objective 6 Evolution of Modern Firefighting Equipment • 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.

15. 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.

16. 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.

17. 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

18. 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

19. Learning Objective 7 Evolution of Protective Clothing and Equipment • 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

20. 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

21. 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

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

23. 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.

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

25. 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

26. 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

27. Learning Objective 10 Define Risk and Risk Management • 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

28. 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

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

30. 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