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Firefighters
Firefighters not only respond to fires, but also to emergency situations, such as auto accidents, when there is a possibility that a fire might result. In our Firefighters category, you can ask questions about what firefighters do, what their jobs are and the pay rate, how they help in ways other than fighting fires, how to become a firefighter, and anything that has to do with fire fighting and those who fight them.
1,448 Questions
What do firefighters say when there is a fire?
Firefighters use a variety of words and descriptions when they arrive at a fire. Each department uses different protocols and words or 10 codes to report a fire.
When a fire is dispatched, some departments generally use phrases such as "structure fire", "residential fire", "commercial fire", or "auto fire" and very blatantly describe what is on fire. Other departments use color code based phrases that are very general and say for instance "code red." The "code red" acknowledges there is a fire and upon arrival the first people on scene will give more detail back to their dispatch or command. Coded colors are very common and are used by many different organizations so many people quickly know what is going on. The most common known code is a "code blue" when a patient is in cardiac arrest, "code red" meaning a fire. Other departments use 10-codes to state there is a fire. For example in many departments a "10-75" spoken as "ten-seventy-five" is sating thee is a working structure fire.
Once on scene National Fire and Protection Agency (NFPA) standards state that upon arrival to the fire a "scene size-up" should be given. Details of what is included in the size up change depending on the department, however the most common things reported are as follows. 1) Is smoke or fire showing? 2) How involved is the fire and general description 3) Is it residential or commercial. 4) What type of structure including building materials and numbers of floors.
An example of this would sound like the following:
Chief 1 is on scene reporting heavy smoke and fire pushing from the second floor of a residential wood frame triple decker house.
Every department is different and has different protocols however these are some general descriptions of firefighting operations.
The answer is very simple and it goes back to a basic law of physics.
We all know that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction, right? So with regards to a fire hose, as the water discharges from the nozzle, there is force pushing back called nozzle reaction. The narrowed nozzle is forcing the speed of the water to accelerate.
The higher the pressure, the higher the nozzle reaction, for a given nozzle diameter. Some of the reaction is dissipated in the friction of the hose on the ground, but a lot of it results in a force pushing the nozzle back toward the firefighters.
In short, the amount of force necessary to accelerate that water through the nozzle is about the same as the force pushing the nozzle in the opposite direction from the discharge.
For example, if you were to pump 357 gallons per minute at 60 pounds per square inch, through a nozzle orifice of 1 1/2 inches, you would have nozzle reaction of approximately 205 pounds. That means the firefighters would have to push BACK with that amount of force to hold the nozzle in position. If the same amount of water were pumped at the same pressure through a tip with 1 3/4-inch diameter, the force would be closer to 270 pounds. This is a critical consideration when operating a nozzle from the top of a ladder!
Sudden Nozzle Reactions
The nozzle must also be opened and closed slowly to avoid a much higher nozzle reaction due to the static pressure generated at the pump (there is no friction loss when the water is stopped).
Ref NFPA Report: Test of Heavy Stream Appliances, 1957.
What class of fire is a deep fryer firer?
I am pretty sure you would use a class K. This is designed for kitchen fires with combustable cooking materials included.
In what year was the National Fire Protection Association formed?
The NFPA was formed in 1896 by a group of insurance firms with the stated purpose of standardizing the new and burgeoning market of fire sprinkler systems.
What are the responsibilities of a firefighter?
Public Relations, Fire Provention, Fire Protection, Woodlands Fire Fighting, Race Car Track Rescue Drags/Nascar, Help Injured patients at MVA's (Motor Vehichle Accidents) Protect from bodily damage and protect peoples belongings during fires. Teach kids on ways to prevent fire from starting.
How many hours a day did slaves work before the Civil War?
it always depended on the owner but i guess 24/7
How do Victorian firefighters obtain water to put ou t the fires?
from fire hydrants when they are available, many rural fire departments rely on ponds, lakes, creeks, rivers, and cisterns for water. i have even used swimming pools (they tend to run dry pretty quick though)
What do a firefighter wear to protect his head?
Firefighters have a series of protective gear they wear when fighting fires. To protect their heads they wear a helmet. This helmet is designed to keep falling objects from hurting the firefighter and the design is styled as to funnel water over the back of the firefighters head so water does not pour down his back.
Who makes earns more cops or firefighters?
Cops earn more than Firefighters. Most firefighters have to take a few years to do hands on training. So, while they may work at the station, they aren't on a payrool. A cop does all their trainig first, so they already start on a payroll their first day.
What is the difference between a Tiller ladder Fire truck and a Tower Ladder Fire truck?
A ladder truck has ladders, including one that is attached to the truck and can be rotated, elevated and extended for firefighter access to windows or roofs by climbing up the ladder. It can be used for a platform for a portable hose and nozzle, but it is often considered overly dangerous because of the forces involved. Some ladders have a built-in hose and nozzle to be operated after the firefighters climb up to it.
A tower truck has a hydraulically operated ladder or crane that raises a bucket in which firefighters have already been loaded. It often has a built-in pipe and nozzle for directing water on the fire from the higher elevation. It might also be used to safely evacuate fire victims who cannot climb down a ladder.
What is the average salary of a Chicago firefighter?
Median hourly earnings of fire fighters were $18.43 in May 2004. The middle 50 percent earned between $13.65 and $24.14. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $9.71, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $29.21. Median hourly earnings were $18.78 in local government, $17.34 in the Federal Government, and $14.94 in State government.
Median annual earnings of first-line supervisors/managers of fire fighting and prevention workers were $58,920 in May 2004. The middle 50 percent earned between $46,880 and $72,600. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $36,800, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $90,860. First-line supervisors/managers of fire fighting and prevention workers employed in local government earned about $60,800 a year.
Median annual earnings of fire inspectors and investigators were $46,340 in May 2004. The middle 50 percent earned between $36,030 and $58,260 a year. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $28,420, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $71,490. Fire inspectors and investigators employed in local government earned about $48,020 a year.
According to the International City-County Management Association, average salaries in 2004 for sworn full-time positions were as follows:
Minimum annual base salary Maximum annual base salary
Fire chief $68,701 $89,928
Deputy chief 63,899 79,803
Assistant fire chief 57,860 73,713
Battalion chief 58,338 73,487
Fire captain 49,108 59,374
Fire lietenant 44,963 53,179
Fire prevention/code inspector 43,297 54,712
Engineer 41,294 52,461
Fire fighters who average more than a certain number of hours a week are required to be paid overtime. The hours threshold is determined by the department during the fire fighter's work period, which ranges from 7 to 28 days. Fire fighters often earn overtime for working extra shifts to maintain minimum staffing levels or for special emergencies.
Fire fighters receive benefits that usually include medical and liability insurance, vacation and sick leave, and some paid holidays. Almost all fire departments provide protective clothing (helmets, boots, and coats) and breathing apparatus, and many also provide dress uniforms. Fire fighters generally are covered by pension plans, often providing retirement at half pay after 25 years of service or if the individual is disabled in the line of duty.
Source: http://www.collegegrad.com/careers/Firefighting-Occupations.shtml#ear
Can you have a cannabis club card and still be a firefighter?
No, they do not hire drug users, since presence of mind and safety are paramount. You would also need to be able to pass periodic drug tests. You also need to have a clear criminal record and marijuana is still illegal in 2010.
I
am pretty sure they can as long as they have the skills to be a firefighter.
Can firefighters wear contact lenses?
yes firefighters wear a protective breathing mask which also protects the eyes
What does being a firefighter entail?
Firefighters are typically involved in extinguishing fires, assisting in medical emergencies, search and rescue services for lost persons, extricating patients from wrecked vehicles, Hazardous Materials, and a lot more. Some Fire Departments do not do all of the tasks, so will have to rely on the next district from them to assist them when needed.
How do you put out a grease pan fire?
To put out a grease pan fire carefully shake baking soda on it. Not baking powder, baking soda. Bicarbonate of soda, the same stuff used to keep refrigerators smelling fresh.
Another suggestion...
If you have a lid that fits onto the frying pan, or whatever the pot or pan is that contains the grease, place the lid as tightly/closely as possible over the top. A grease fire should be suffocated that way. If you don't have a lid, try using another pan a little larger than the one that's on fire.
Never ever pour water onto a grease fire.
If you can't do any of the above, leave the room immediately, alert any other people in the house and call the fire brigade.
Another answer:
One of the most important pieces of kitchen equipment is a good, thick, pure-cotton, large (around 140cm x 70cm - 55in x 30in) bath towel, kept on a rack in a central area.
In the case of a pan fire, a grill (broiler) fire, or similar emergencies the towel can easily be thrown over the fire source at arms' length. It's highly dangerous to attempt placing a lid over a burning pan or other fire source once flames are beginning to rise; apart from time lost in finding an appropriate lid, even if you do find one the fire can flare up in a micro-second and you won't be able to control it, call emergency, or even warn the household, if you've just had your face and hands severely burned because you're standing over a fiery pan trying to put a lid on it.
Remember, firefighters wear protective gear and observe strict safety rules to prevent this kind of thing happening: emergency service personnel are no good to anybody if they injure themselves in the first moments of response. Amateur firefighters facing a domestic fire need to understand why this is so, and avoid placing themselves in danger.
The versatile thick towel shouldn't ever be used to wipe surfaces or greasy utensils; it should be kept clean.
It might seem to some an extravagance to put a good bath towel in the kitchen. It isn't. Once you've had it there for a week you'll wonder how you ever managed without it. I have two on rails fixed to work areas, near the ovens and sink, and near the fridge and stovetop; one of their great uses is they can be quickly flipped up onto the bench to take hot or wet dishes, or to drain washed fruit and vegetables, glassware, and so on. I clip mine to the rails so they stay in place, but a quick tug releases them. They're great for drying hands after washing up, and always to hand in case of a large water spill; you just throw a towel over the liquid so nobody's going to slip before you can mop it up. And we've all had those kitchen moments when we need to quickly move a pan that's hotter than expected and the oven gloves or trivet aren't immediately to hand: this is where the kitchen towel is a great friend.
What kinds of insurance do firefighters get?
Yes the fire department is required to provide insurance to there firefighters. it is common for volunteer departments insurance to only cover you if you are injured while preforming activities with the fire department
The FDC and hydrant aren't something that connect directly together. In order to put any kind of water pressure into a sprinkler system, an engine HAS to pump it in. Therefore, as long as the fire apparatus has enough hose, or can GET the hose from other apparatus the hydrant could hypothetically be a block away. There may be problems with friction loss with any large distances though. In my local area, the fire department has a maximum of 150 feet from the FDC to the Fire hydrant.
Are volunteer firefighters allowed to have lights and sirens?
Some states allow volunteer firefighters to do a variety of things to allow them to respond to an emergency. Flashing blue lights are typical. Sirens are unusual but might be allowed in some states.
What is the standard length of a fire hose onboard a ship?
in America the standard length of a fire hose is 50 feet Hose used if wildland fire suppression comes in 100 foot sections
