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Firefighters must intimately coordinate their activities and work as a team. This includes those Firefighters working directly with the emergency, those directing traffic and those standing by to relieve other Firefighters.
Firefighting is a dangerous occupation. Firefighters must enter burning structures. Once inside the structure, Firefighters must search for victims, the source of fire, and ways to extinguish the fire. In this process, Firefighters are exposed to extreme heat, smoke and fumes.
Firefighting is very physically demanding. Firefighters carry 80 - 100 lbs. of equipment such as hoses, axes, ladders, chain saws and extinguishers into and around the fire scene to rescue victims and put out the fire. This may include climbing many flights of stairs.
Firefighters make forced entries into grounds/structures by cutting locks, breaking doors, windows or roofs as needed to gain access to or ventilate structures. This may involve using hand tools such as axes, sledge hammers, battering rams and power tools.
While at a fire scene, Firefighters must constantly evaluate personal safety by examining structures for cracks, breaks, charring or partial collapse.
Firefighters use ladders and work at heights to rescue victims and fight fires. They must raise, lower, rotate and extend these ladders. Ladders are at times used for purposes other than climbing, such as bridges and carrying victims.
Firefighters locate hydrants and other sources of water. Firefighters connect hoses to sources of water using various tools and considerable strength. Firefighters operate hand-held hose lines Possibly without assistance and get the hose into position by dragging, carrying or hoisting it into place.
Firefighters occasionally are overcome by smoke and/or are burned while working to put out fires.
Firefighters are responsible for the clean up of fire scenes. Firefighters carry burnt furniture, clothing, appliances, etc. from buildings to reduce fire and smoke damage. Firefighters scoop, shovel, sweep and mop excess water and debris caused by the fire and firefighting efforts. Firefighters tear down or shore up weak or dangerous parts of fire structures such as floors, roofs or overhangs.
Firefighters may come into contact with victims who have died before they could be rescued; sometimes, too, victims will die despite the best efforts of Firefighters.
Firefighters use systematic search procedures to try to find trapped victims without getting lost or trapped themselves.
Firefighters free trapped victims from a variety of situations including car crashes, cave ins, structure collapses, flood channels, chemical spills, and all kinds of unusual occurrences. Firefighters may be required to use special tools to accomplish a rescue.
After locating and freeing the victim, Firefighters must determine the safest path of evacuation. Firefighters may be required to lift and/or carry the victim with or without assistance in dangerous situations.
Firefighters often come into contact with hazardous and infectious materials.
Firefighters may have to educate the general public in fire safety and fire prevention techniques.
Firefighters must work during unusual and/or catastrophic events.
The fire service is regimented and Firefighters receive orders which must be carried out promptly and without question.
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