Fire fighting is
a tough profession. The firefighter risks his life for the welfare of the
people he does not know. His responsibilities involve getting inside the
smoldering establishment to rescue victims. They also have to open windows,
make holes on the roof, and break wall parts to provide ventilation. As they
enter the burning establishment, anything can happen. The walls around them can
collapse and the floor underneath them might break.
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| Ian Cioffi |
With a tough job like this, they need rough training. In
fact, all firefighters went through difficult trainings to prepare them for the
real thing. Ian Cioffi
Says, Aside from the training to develop their skills, they also need
something else for their operations. No matter how good the firefighter is, he
will have a very slim chance of survival if he does not have the right gear and
equipment.
Here are some of the important gadgets that a firefighter
needs:
1. They need
firefighting equipment such as extinguishers and water hose with the fire hose
reels. They need this to combat the fire.
2. They have to wear
protective gear. These are:
a. Turn out jacket: These jackets have
fire-resistant materials on their outer layer. This material prevents firefighters
from acquiring burnt. The inner material is waterproof. This keeps them dry
during their operation. These jackets have stripes made of reflective materials
so that they will remain visible even in the dark.
b. Helmet: This protects their head from
falling objects, heat, and water. The material used is fire-resistant plastic.
You can also identify their ranks basing on the color of the helmets.
c. Gloves: This protects their hands. It
allows them to touch hot surfaces. This also ensures that their hands are
protected throughout the operation.
d. Boots: The boots protect their feet.
Ordinary footwear will not do because they might step on sharp debris. Their
boots prevent the water from touching their feet.
e. Breathing apparatus: This provides them
with fresh air as they enter the establishment filled with smoke.
These gears are designed specifically for the firefighting
operation. No ordinary helmets or jackets will do because they can melt and
catch flame. Firefighters wear gear to have something to protect them as they
do their duties.
3. They need
flashlights. They need this to see clearly in dark areas. When smoke takes over
a room, it will be very difficult to see. The flashlights will aid their
vision.
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| Ian Cioffi |
4. They need ladders to get to the higher levels of the flaming structure. They also need this to rescue trapped victims.
Aside from the devices mentioned above, the firefighters
need other items. They need more than the extinguishers and fire hose reels to
do their jobs. They will also need harnesses and other safety devices. After
the operation, they use shovels and similar tools to check the floors, walls,
and ceilings. They need to do this to look for hidden flames that might
reignite a fire.
