Fire Fighting Procedure
In order to fight fires,firemen follow basic procedures to ensure both the safety of the ones they rescue and themselves.
There are five basic procedures in fighting a fire. This includes rescue operations,protecting the buildings within the vicinity fo the fire, making the fire stay put, extinguishing it and doing salvage operations. An officer in charge observes the place and tries to find the best methods to undertake in fighting the fire. He also suggests additional materials which might be needed in doing the operation. He always makes sure his plans would guarantee the safety of both the firefighters and the ones they will rescue.
Once the commander already finds a plan, the firefighters prepare themselves and the materials they need. The pumpers, ladder and other truck companies go to their assigned places depending on the type of hose that they're supposed to use.
Upon hearing the first fire alarm, fire companies directly go to the assigned location without waiting for orders. The pumpers fight the fire as quick as they can using preconnected hoselines attached to a water tank in the truck,while large hose lines are connected to hydrants. The rescuers then forcedly enter the building, find victims, allow air to enter by breaking windows and find other passages. They then do a process known as salvage operation. In this method,the firefighters protect the materials, goods and the inside of the building against fire and water damage. The objects recovered are covered with waterproof materials. The excess water inside is removed using water vacuums, mops, water chutes and pumps. Most fire departments work together with salvage companies.
The danger of a tremendous fire explosion threatens the life of both the rescuer and the victims. A burning building can have a temperature of more than 1,500 degrees Fahrenheit. Brightly burning fires, most specifically ones which have combustible gases, could explode in a great force. Inside a burned site, health hazards like breathing of toxic gases and lack of oxygen supply might lead to suffocation, as well as the injuries obtained from collapsing structures and broken glasses.
Handling a hose with the full and direct force of water isn't easy to do. It needs a large number of people just to provide a steady flow of water. Fire departments use nozzles since it absorbs heat better and can eject heavy streams of water. Water additives are also used for faster heat absorption and extinguishing fires caused by combustible gases.