Why firefighters should study NVCCessay PDF

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FST 220 Why Firefighters Should Study The modern fire service is a very reactive institution. Whether it’s a close call or a tragic fatality, the truth is it’s not until something goes wrong that something changes. This paper will discuss the importance of being proactive as a firefighter and as a fire service as a whole by studying modern building construction and training for the worst. One of the primary ways we as firefighters can study building construction is through the use of educational materials such as textbooks, articles, or even videos. Through these materials, we learn the way that buildings are constructed not only in the modern day, but also in the past. Understanding the whole puzzle rather than just a piece is critical to being effective and efficient as a fireman. The fact of the matter is that we don’t just run one type of building. Every day on the job we have the possibility of running numerous different calls in numerous types of structures. All of these structures will differ in design, type of construction, age of the building, occupancy type, etc. If we do not understand, for example, that a modern day type 5 single family dwelling with vinyl siding will burn faster than the older masonry homes built with legacy fuels, then as an officer, you cannot make a knowledgeable decision on how to

go about the attack. In a case such as the modern type 5 structure, we know that it is built with wood, wrapped in material such as Tyvek, and covered with very combustible vinyl siding. This changes the whole game when it comes to fighting a well-developed fire in one of these structures. They are built fast and also burn fast. Without knowing this beforehand, we could walk right into one of these structures in a house fire and have them collapse on us before we know what happened. This is one of the main reasons why it is so important to study and continue to learn all throughout your career and to keep up to date on past, present, and future construction. It not only makes for a better firefighter, but also makes it safer for yourself and your crew. Studying from a textbook or even attending an educational seminar is great, but that is not where the learning or studying stops. In order to fully understand building construction it has to be seen. This is where a good understanding of construction comes in handy. As an engine, truck, rescue, or even medic company, there is always a benefit to understanding this topic. One of the greatest opportunities to study building construction comes on the job through pre planning, inspections, and running calls.

Pre planning a building requires knowledge of not only the building type, but also its occupancy use, access points, unique features, fire suppression systems, etc. With an understanding of building construction here, we can have a better idea of how the building will react in a given fire incident. Its use/occupancy group will determine our strategy in a preplan such as protecting elderly or non-ambulatory in place. Understanding that will also lead us to know that an institution such as this will have certain features required by the IBC in order to operate such as better fire resistance. It becomes even more useful when we run a call at an unfamiliar location such as this where we can apply our basic fundamentals to a unique situation. Inspections and running calls not only are helpful to the public, but they are tremendously important for firefighters. These inspections give us an inside look on our surroundings. In order to be successful as a firefighter it is vital to understand your respective first due. Understanding the first due allows for quick response and a working knowledge of what type of construction and designs are in the area. This is one of our primary forms of study. This is where all of the knowledge of building construction really applies. We must not only understand building construction, but relate what we learn to the type of construction we will run. When performing an inspection or running a call, we get to see the building inside and out before

a potentially serious incident. As an officer, this could minimize reaction time and make for a more effective fire attack. In conclusion, studying as a firefighter doesn’t stop once we graduate recruit school. It will not stop once a degree is earned. The truth is there should never be a day when you don’t learn something. Studying building construction is a huge factor that leads to success in the fire service. Having an understanding of these concepts not only makes us better, firemen, but also makes us and our crew safe as a result of our understanding. Through reading books, taking classes, running calls, and our inspection/pre planning, we can be better prepared for the incident when it comes. All of these actions we do requires us to continually study and understand building construction and the hazards in our related area. It is vital to never become complacent and continually learn for the betterment of our communities and so everyone goes home....