FIRE FIGHTING OPERATIONS AND EXTINGUISHMENT

Fire fighting is an activity intended to save lives and property. It is one of the

most important emergency services in a community. Fire fighters battle fires that break

out in homes, factories, office buildings, shops, and other places. Fire fighters risk their

lives to save people and protect property from fires. The people who work as fire

fighters also help others who are involved in many kinds of emergencies besides fires.

For example, fire fighters rescue people who may be trapped in cars or vehicles after an

accident. They aid victims of such disasters as typhoons, floods, landslides, and

earthquakes. Before the advent of modern fire fighting techniques, fires often destroyed

whole settlements. When a fire broke but, all the people in the community rushed to the

scene to help. Today, fire fighting organizations in most industrialized nations have well-

trained men and women and a variety of modern fire fighting equipment.

History of Fire Fighting

Rome (500 BC) - One of the first organized fire fighting forces was established in

Rome, about 500 B.C. The first fire fighters were Roman slaves who, under the

command of the city's magistrates, were stationed on the walls and the gates of Rome.

These units were called Familia Publica. However, this system was not very effective,

probably because the slaves had no choice in whether they fought fires or not.

Emperor Augustus - created the vigiles, a fire fighting force of men that was divided

into seven regiments.

Vigiles - the vigiles had the power to inspect buildings to check for fire risks, and could

punish property owners whose negligence led to fires. The vigiles fire fighting

equipment included pumps, squirts siphons, buckets, and ladders. Wicker mats wet

blankets were used for rescue and salvage work.

The Great fire in London in 1666- led to the development of fire insuarance industries

in England. These companies marked their insured properties with metal badges called

fire marks and formed private fire brigades to protect those properties.
The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP)

Republic Act # 6975, the DILG Act of 1990 (Chapter 4, Section 53-59) created

the Bureau of Fire ction (BFP) to be responsible for the prevention suppression of all

destructive fires and to enforce the laws on fire.

Fire Protection is the descriptive term referring to the various methods used by

the bureau to stop, extinguish and control destructive fire for eventual prevention of loss

of life and property. It has the following objectives:

1. To prevent destructive fire from starting

2. To extinguish (stop or put out) on going destructive fire

3. To confine a destructive fire at the place where it began

4. To prevent loss of life and property when fire starts

Fire Prevention and Suppression refers to the various safety measures utilized to

stop harmful or destructive fires from starting.

The Bureau of Fire Protection is composed of well-trained firefighters. In fighting

fires, they bring with them ladders and pumps. Additional specialist vehicles can provide

turntable ladders, hydraulic platforms, extra water, foam, and specialist appliances for

hazardous incidents.

In some countries, such as the United States, fire-fighting units are divided into

engine companies and ladder companies. Engine companies operate trucks called

engines, which carry a pump and hoses for spraying water on a fire. Ladder companies

use ladder trucks, which carry ladders of various lengths. Ladder trucks also have a

hydraulically extended ladder or elevating platform to rescue people through windows or

to spray water from a raised position.

Fire fighters in the Philippines handle many types of fires. Each type requires a

different plan of action to put it out. For example, the methods used to fight a building

fire differ greatly from those used to fight a forest or grassland fire.

Fire Fighting Operations

following procedures should be observed:

1. PRE-FIRE PLANNING - this activity involves developing and defining systematic

course of actions that maybe performed in order to realize the objectives of fire

protection: involves the process of establishing the SOP in case fire breaks out.

2. EVALUATION - SIZE - UP (on-the-spot planning or sizing-up the situation) - this

is the proceso knowing the emergency situation. It involves mental evaluation by

the operation officer-incharge to determine the appropriate course of action that

provides the highest probability of success.

Evaluation of the situation:

a. Learn the facts of the situation – by answering the 5 Ws – 1H

b. Understand the probabilities of fatal behavior of fire

c. C. Know your own situation or capabilities - weaknesses and strengths:

available manpower and equipment

d. Determine the specific course of action - entry or rescue

3. EVACUATION - This the activity of transferring people, livestock, and property

away from the burning area to minimize damage or destruction that the fire might

incur in case it propagates to other adjacent buildings.

4. ENTRY - This is the process of accessing the burning structure. Entry maybe

done in a forcible manner. Purposes of conducting forcible entry:

a. To provide access for fire fighters with equipment for fire extinguishments

b. To provide rescue

c. To aid in ventilation

5. RESCUE - This is the operation of removing (extricating), thus saving, people

and other livestock from burning building and other involved properties,

conveying them to a secure place.

6. EXPOSURE - also called cover exposure, this is the activity of securing other

buildings near the burning structure in order to prevent the fire from extending to

another building.
7. CONFINEMENT – This is the activity of restricting the fire at the place (room)

where it started: the process of preventing fire from extending from another

section or from one section to another section of the involved building.

8. VENTILATION - This is the operation purposely conducted to displace toxic

gasses. It includes the process of displacing the heated atmosphere within the

involved building with normal air from outside atmosphere.

9. SALVAGE - The activity of protecting the properties from preventable damage

other than the fire. The steps are a) remove the material outside the burning

area, and b) protecting or cover the materials by using tarpaulins (cotton canvass

treated with water proofing).

10. EXTINGUISHMENT - This is the process of putting out the main body of fire by

using the 4 general methods of fire extinguishments.

11. OVERHAUL – This is the complete and detailed check of the structure and all

materials therein to eliminate conditions that may cause re-flash; involves

complete extinguishments of sparks or smouldering (glowing substances

(embers) to prevent possibilities of re-ignition or rekindling.

12. FIRE SCENE INVESTIGATION - This is the final stage of fire suppression

activities. It is an inquiry conducted to know or determine the origin and cause of

fire.

Objects of Fire Fighting Operations and Activities

1. Fighting a Building Fire

 After an alarm is received, fire fighters hurry to the fire.

 The officer in command quickly sizes up the situation and directs the fire fighters

into action.

 Their first and most important task is to rescue people who may be trapped in the

building.

 Ladder operators search for anyone who may be trapped. In some buildings,

they use ladders to rescue people through windows. However, the ladders on
most trucks extend up to only about eight storeys.

 Fire fighters use stairs or elevators to get to people trapped on floors above the

reach of the ladders.

Meanwhile, fire fighters connect a hose from their pump to a nearby fire hydrant,

or else to water or foam stored on the fire tender. Their first concern is to keep the

flames from spreading. The fire fighters’ direct water on the fire until it is out. They also

spray water on any nearby buildings that are in danger of catching fire. Fire fighters

sometimes ventilate the building to let out the smoke, heat and gasses that build up

during fire. They open or break windows and sometimes cut holes in the roof or walls. If

the building were not ventilated, the heat and the pressure of the gasses could cause an

explosion.

Firefighters also try to save any furniture or other property not damaged by the

fire. They spread canvas or plastic covers over such property to prevent water damage.

This process is called salvage. Finally, in a process called overhaul, firefighters search

the building for hidden sparks that might cause another blaze.

After the fire is out, the firefighters try to find out exactly where and how the fire

started. The officer in charge makes out a report that gives all the important facts about

the fire. The report includes information on injuries, the cause of the fire, and the

estimated cost of repairing the damage. This is the initial investigation stage.

2. Fighting a Forest Fire

Many grassland and forest fires occur in areas that are hard to reach and far

from a source of water. Local fire brigades have trucks that carry water and can travel

over rough land. Observers in helicopters or aeroplanes may fly over the fire and report

on its size and behavior. Sometimes, helicopters or aeroplanes are also used to carry

fire fighters to the fire or to drop chemicals that slow the spread of the fire.

3. Emergency Rescue Operations

Our fire fighting organizations have rescue companies to handle non-fire

the wreckage of a fallen building or in a car after an accident. They have specialized

teams to rescue people who are stranded underwater or in swiftf lowing water, or on

cliffs and in other high places.

4. Emergency Medical Operations

Many fire fighters provide medical care in nonfire emergencies before the patient

is taken to the hospital. These units make up an important part of their community's

Emergency Medical Services (EMS) system. They are the so-called Paramedics.

Some fire fighting services provide only a basic, “first response" service.

Ambulance workers or other emergency workers then provide more advanced treatment

and transport the patient to hospital. Paramedic units operate ambulances are use

communication equipment to stay in touch w nearby hospital Under the direction of a

doctor, may use advanced medical equipment and aun drugs. They may also transport

the patient to the hospital.

5. Fire Prevention and Fire Safety

To help prevent fires and reduce fire losses, local fire fighting services inspect

public buildings. They also teach people about fire safety. Many have a separate

division that handles fire prevention and fire safety programmes.

6. Public Building Inspections

In accordance with the provisions of the Building Code (PD 1185), the Fire

Bureau conduct inspection buildings as theaters, stores, schools, and hospitals. The

code specifies certain requirements like portable fire extinguishers, a certain number of

exits, and other fire safety features in public buildings. Large buildings maybe required

to provide built-in sprinkler systems and special water lines to which fire hoses can be

attached and to have fire alarm systems.

What is a Sprinkle System?

A sprinkler system consists of a network of pipes installed throughout a building.

The pipes carry water to nozzles in the ceiling. The heat from a fire causes nozzle
directly above the fire to open and spray water.

The Fire Bureau personnel inspect public buildings to enforce the local code. The

officials check the operating condition of the fire protection systems. They note the

number and location of exits and fire extinguishers. The inspection also covers

housekeeping practices and many other matters that affect fire safety. Fire inspectors

may also review plans for a new building to make sure it meets the safety code.

7. Public Education Program

Fire fighting services work with other local agencies to teach people how to

prevent fires and what to do during a fire. The fire fighting officials serve as instructors

or advisers in fire safety courses in schools.

They educate the public about deaths caused by fires that occur in private

homes. Many home fires are caused by leaving the kitchen when food is cooking,

disposing of cigarettes improperly, misusing portable heating equipment, and placing

flammable or combustible items too close to heat sources.

Fire fighting groups advise people to install smoke detectors in their homes.

What is a Smoke Detector?

Smoke detector is a device that sounds an alarm if a small amount of smoke

enters their sensors. Smoke detectors are attached to the ceiling or wall in several

areas of the home. Fire protection experts recommend at least one detector for each

floor of a residence.

Fire fighters also recommend that people have portable fire extinguishers in their

homes. A person must be sure, however, to call the fire fighting service before trying to

extinguish a fire. It is also important to use the right kind of extinguisher for the type of

fire involved.

4 General Methods of Fire Extinguishment

1. Extinguishment by Temperature Reduction

 Cooling the temperature of the fire environment: usually done by using water.

 Lower down the temperature to cool the fuel to a point where it does not produce
sufficient vapors that burn.

2. Extinguishment by Fuel Removal

• Elimination of the fuel supply/ source which may be done by:

a. stopping the flow of liquid fuel

b. preventing the production of flammable gas

c. removing the solid fuel at the fire path d. allowing the fire to burn until the fuel is

consumed

3. Extinguishment by Oxygen Dilution

a. reduction of oxygen concentration at the burning area

b. by introducing inert gasses

c. by separating oxygen from the fuel