Monday, August 16, 2010

What Keeps The Firefighter Safe?

                                                                                    We now know why the firefighter risks his or her life and we also know how they came to be, but what actually keeps the firefighter safe during his or her venture into the flames?Training, first and foremost, is what keeps a firefighter safe. Although, the training is the key point of their safety, the ensemble is what also keeps them intact. With so many dangerous elements involved with a fire, whether it is the fire itself, smoke, falling debris, and the heat, the firefighter’s gear protects them from all of these (Gottschalk 134). The firefighter’s important clothing, which is called “turn out” gear, protects him or her from most of the fire’s attributes. “Turn out gear (fire resistant coat and pants) keeps the firefighter cool in the fire, warm in the winter, and dry in wet conditions (Gottschalk 134).” This is very important because heat from a fire can reach up to 1,000 degrees and the clothing protects the firefighter from cooking. The protective clothing is also water resistant which prevents hot water from scalding the firefighter. Fire could actually cook a firefighter from the inside-out, just like a baked potato, if he or she were able to get wet.

         The safety accessories of the ensemble include: the helmet, gloves, the SCBA (Self Contained Breathing Apparatus), and the personal alert safety system monitor “pass.” The helmet protects his or her head from heat and falling debris, and the gloves also protect from heat and sharp objects that may be around the scene of the fire. The other life saving accessories are the SCBA, which provides oxygen to the firefighter during the hellish, space like environment and the “pass” system, which beeps loudly after 45 seconds of no movement from the firefighter (Gottschalk 134).

       If a man or woman risks his or her life to step into the most unsafe environment, they have to be well equipped. Thanks to former firefighters and inventors, firefighters have a better chance of surviving and saving some pedestrian’s life.


work cited :
Gottschalk, Jack.  Firefighter.  2002. DK Publishing.  P131,134-135. August 15,2010.

Photo by: http://www.osnf.com/

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