| Every year, fires and other emergencies take thousands
of lives and destroy property worth billions of dollars.
Fire fighters help protect the public against these dangers
by rapidly responding to a variety of emergencies. They are
frequently the first emergency personnel at the scene of a
traffic accident or medical emergency and may be called upon
to put out a fire, treat injuries, or perform other vital
functions. During duty hours, fire fighters must be
prepared to respond immediately to a fire or any other
emergency that arises. Because fighting fires is dangerous
and complex, it requires organization and teamwork. At every
emergency scene, fire fighters perform specific duties
assigned by a superior officer. At fires, they connect hose
lines to hydrants, operate a pump to send water to
high-pressure hoses, and position ladders to enable them to
deliver water to the fire. They also rescue victims, provide
emergency medical attention as needed, ventilate
smoke-filled areas, and attempt to salvage the contents of
buildings. Their duties may change several times while the
company is in action. Sometimes they remain at the site of a
disaster for days at a time, rescuing trapped survivors and
assisting with medical treatment.
Fire fighters work in a variety of settings, including
urban and suburban areas, airports, chemical plants, other
industrial sites, and rural areas like grasslands and
forests. They have also assumed a range of responsibilities,
including emergency medical services. In fact, most calls to
which fire fighters respond involve medical emergencies, and
65 percent of all fire departments provide emergency medical
service. In addition, some fire fighters work in hazardous
materials units that are trained for the control,
prevention, and cleanup of materials; for example, these
fire fighters respond to oil spills. (For more information,
see the Handbook statement on hazardous material
removal workers.) Workers in urban and suburban areas,
airports, and industrial sites typically use conventional
fire fighting equipment and tactics, while forest fires and
major hazardous materials spills call for different methods.
Between alarms, fire fighters clean
and maintain equipment, conduct practice
drills and fire inspections, and
participate in physical fitness
activities. They also prepare written
reports on fire incidents and review
fire science literature to keep abreast
of technological developments and
changing administrative practices and
policies.
| Fire fighters
spend much of their
time at fire
stations, which
usually have
features in common
with a residential
facility like a
dormitory. When an
alarm sounds, fire
fighters respond
rapidly, regardless
of the weather or
hour. Fire fighting
involves the risk of
death or injury from
sudden cave-ins of
floors, toppling
walls, traffic
accidents when
responding to calls,
and exposure to
flames and smoke.
Fire fighters also
may come in contact
with poisonous,
flammable, or
explosive gases and
chemicals, as well
as radioactive or
other hazardous
materials that may
have immediate or
long-term effects on
their health. For
these reasons, they
must wear protective
gear that can be
very heavy and hot.
Department of Labor
Occupation Handbook |
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