Fire fighting
Last updated: October 26, 2008.
Fire gobbles its way through trees and buildings like a hungry
animal—and in a sense that's exactly what it is: a living, breathing animal.
Fire is a chemical reaction that feeds on fuel and oxygen. Give it plenty of both
and it'll keep on burning indefinitely. Thank goodness, then, for firefighters, those brave men and women who set
themselves the job of stopping fire in its tracks. Fire fighting is
one of the toughest jobs there is and it calls for some equally tough
equipment. Let's take a closer look at how to tackle those flames!
Photo: Firefighters wear all-over aluminum suits to tackle the worst blazes; suits made of fireproof Nomex® and Kevlar® are used for less severe fires. Photo by Nathan Lipscomb courtesy of US Navy and Defense Imagery.
Extraordinary people
Fire-fighting is a dangerous and demanding job that calls for total teamwork: it can take several people just to hold a powerful fire hose working at full pressure. Men and women make equally good firefighters, but must be no younger than 21 and usually retire at 55. Firefighters have to pass strict medicals and physicals and also take written theory tests. They're constantly trained in new fire-fighting techniques. Fire-fighting is a stressful job with long periods of waiting. Often firefighters pass the time at the station by playing games like table football.
Photo: Fire has a voracious appetite for oxygen and, when it burns materials such as plastics, it can give off highly toxic chemicals. That's why firefighters often have to wear breathing apparatus. Photo by courtesy of US Department of Energy (DOE).
Amazing equipment
What turns an ordinary man or woman into a firefighter? Apart from
their sheer bravery and determination, it's the clothes they wear and the
equipment they use. Firefighters wear jackets made from synthetic
materials such as Nomex® and Kevlar®. They are fireproof,
insulate against heat, and resist many different chemicals. Helmets, made from carbon-based composite
materials, are hard-wearing and shockproof. A special mixture of glass
and plastic protects
visors against high temperatures.
Fire Engines
A fire engine has to carry firefighters and equipment to burning buildings. It also has to pump large volumes of water, sometimes over long distances, to extinguish the flames. Typical fire engines carry about 1900 liters (500 gallons) of water and draw bigger supplies from hydrants (like giant faucets positioned on streets) near the scene. They also carry assorted portable extinguishers for tackling smaller or more unusual fires.
Photo: A closeup of the pump inside an airport fire truck. You can connect several different hoses at once and each one has separate controls. There are stopcocks to turn the water on and off and dials to tell you the water pressure. Note the thick, insulated rubber boots the firefighter is wearing to to protect against heat, cold, and resist oils, chemicals, and salt. They also have steel toecaps to protect against impacts. Photo by Rebecca Layman courtesy of US Air Force and Defense Imagery.
Rescue Vehicles
Firefighters don't just put out fires. Most fire departments have dedicated rescue trucks designed for tackling automobile accidents, which carry hydraulic jacks and airbags for lifting overturned vehicles, a punch for breaking windscreens, and high-temperature gas torches that can cut people free from crashed cars. One new tool is a
steering-wheel cover to stop a car's airbag from inflating and injuring firefighters as they work.
Photo: This Los Angeles County Fire Department truck carries more specialized rescue equipment than a typical fire engine. Photo by Seth Maggard courtesy of US Marine Corps and Defense Imagery.
Fire ambulances
Ambulances are like miniature hospitals inside, allowing paramedics
to give rapid treatment to casualties at the scene. firefighters tackle
three quarters of all medical emergencies. Fire ambulances carry
equipment to deal with common fire injuries. Respirators help people
breathe normally after inhaling smoke. Special bandages and
hydrocolloidal dressings
provide treatment for burns. There are also masks, gloves, and
overalls to isolate people contaminated by chemical spills.
