Chapter 3
Protection of the Public from Fire
Introduction
• The only creature in the world that has learned
how to initiate and utilize fire is man
• When people first learned to use fire, culture and
society changed dramatically
• Later, people used fire to make tools, implements,
and pottery, which could be used to store
foodstuffs
• Three causes of hostile fires
Learning Objectives 1 and 2
Origins and Evolution of Fire Protection
ORIGINS OF FIREFIGHTING
• First recognized firefighting force organized in Rome

Emperor Augustus in A.D. 6
• Corps of Vigiles
 Buckets and axes
 Patrolled the streets
 Fought fires
 Performed fire prevention duties
Learning Objectives 1 and 2
Origins and Evolution of Fire Protection
EVOLUTION OF FIRE PROTECTION
• 1608: Conflagration destroys colonists’ homes
• 1647: Stuyvesant draws up building codes
• 1666: Great fire of London
• 1679: First publicly funded fire department in America
• 1736: Union Volunteer Fire Company in Philadelphia
• 1853: Cincinnati is first city with fully paid fire
department
Learning Objective 3
Demise of Volunteer Fire
Companies in Cities
VOLUNTEER FIRE COMPANIES
• Membership a great source of
pride for many Americans
• Adventurous young men wanted to join
• After Revolutionary War, concept of volunteer fire
companies spread across the nation
• Competition
 See who could claim “first water”
Learning Objective 3
Demise of Volunteer Fire
Companies in Cities
FIRE DEPARTMENT’S EXPANDED ROLE IN THE
U.S.
• Modern fire department is proactive in the community
• Routinely provides fire prevention and education
• Public shows appreciation
for firefighters
• More involved in medical aid
• Demand has fueled the evolution of the fire service
Learning Objective 4
Identify the U.S. Fire Problem
NATIONAL FIRE INCIDENT REPORTING SYSTEM
• NFPA collects data to develop a snapshot view of the
U.S. fire problem
• Examples of fire data:

Third leading cause of accidental death in the home

Cooking is leading cause of home fires and injuries

U.S. fire service responds to a fire every 17 seconds
Learning Objective 4
Identify the U.S. Fire Problem
EFFECTS OF FIRE ON CITIZENS
• Family’s belongings are destroyed and
unrecoverable

Irreplaceable photos and heirlooms
• Business fires mean lost jobs and tax revenue

Must rebuild and regain previous customers

Few businesses reopen

Negative impact on community
Learning Objective 4
Identify the U.S. Fire Problem
WILDLAND FIRES
• In national forests, lightning is the cause for many
fires
• Effects of wildland fires:
 Vast areas of natural resources are lost
 Animals are killed
 Valuable watersheds are destroyed
 May take over one hundred years to return to
previous condition
Learning Objective 5
Responsibilities of the Modern Fire
Service
MANAGING COMMUNITY RISK
• Limiting probable loss to the community
• Weighing cost versus benefit
• Providing emergency medical services
• Having hazmat response teams
• Engaging in public education, prevention, and
code enforcement
Learning Objective 5
Responsibilities of the Modern Fire
Service
EMERGENCY RESPONSE AS ESSENTIAL
SERVICE
• Ready to respond and carry out life-saving functions
• Must be managed in a cost-effective manner
SAVING PROPERTY
• Salvage work became a fire department responsibility
SAVING LIVES
• Capability has been enhanced by improved equipment
Learning Objective 5
Responsibilities of the Modern Fire
Service
PREVENTING FIRES
• Involved in design process of new buildings
• Periodically make inspections to ensure compliance
EDUCATING THE PUBLIC
• Not limited to fire safety; child passenger-safety seats
INVESTIGATING ARSON
• Gathering evidence to prosecute criminals
Learning Objective 6
Evolution of Modern Firefighting
Equipment
FIRE APPARATUS
• Hand-pumped engines


First known pump, a siphona, fourth century
B.C.
Most effective designs
used the principle of siphona

First hand pumpers discharged
through a mounted nozzle on top
Cont.
Learning Objective 6
Evolution of Modern Firefighting
Equipment
FIRE APPARATUS
• Hoses
 First hoses were of sewn leather
 Today synthetic hose is used
• Hose companies
 Carried hose on a wheeled carriage
• Steamer
 Could pump as long as there was coal available
Cont.
Learning Objective 6
Evolution of Modern Firefighting
Equipment
FIRE APPARATUS
• Ladder company




Needed a way to effect rescues from windows
Evolved into forcible entry, rescue, and
ventilation
Extension ladders
Evolved into spring assist, compressed air, and,
finally, hydraulics
Cont.
Learning Objective 6
Evolution of Modern Firefighting
Equipment
FIRE APPARATUS
• Chemical wagon
 Carried two tanks─one soda, one water
 Effectiveness limited to what was on the wagon
• Internal combustion engine
 Motorized apparatus eventually dominated
 Today same motor propels the apparatus and
pump
Cont.
Learning Objective 6
Evolution of Modern Firefighting
Equipment
FIRE APPARATUS
• Fire service symbols

Maltese cross

Dalmatians
• Fire stations


Needed sleeping quarters
Slide pole introduced to give quick access to
apparatus floor
Learning Objective 7
Evolution of Protective Clothing
and Equipment
HISTORY
• As pride grew, uniforms identified company
members
FIRE HELMET
• Was a product of necessity
• Traditional shape
 Kept embers and hot water off the neck
• Shield mounted on front, with company number or
department name
Learning Objective 7
Evolution of Protective Clothing
and Equipment
BUNKER GEAR OR TURNOUT CLOTHING
• Long canvas coats were worn

Protected firefighters from falling embers
• Water barriers were added to the coat

Insulation was added to protect from the heat
• Long boots were eventually replaced with kneehigh boots and insulated pants
Learning Objective 7
Evolution of Protective Clothing
and Equipment
SELF-CONTAINED BREATHING APPARATUS
• Historically, wrapped wet rags around the face
• Improved to gas mask

Did not protect from toxic fumes
or low oxygen concentrations
• Today SCBA used on almost all fires
• Enhanced ability to perform interior attack
Learning Objective 8
Major Fire Losses and the Modern
Fire Service
HISTORICAL FIRES
• Great Chicago Fire: October 8-10, 1871
 100,000 homeless and killed approximately 300
• Baltimore, Maryland: February 7, 1904
 Led to standardized hose threads on equipment
• Chelsea, Massachusetts: April 12, 1908
 Destroyed 3,500 buildings
• Salem, Massachusetts: June 25, 1914
 Destroyed 1,600 buildings
Learning Objective 8
Major Fire Losses and the Modern
Fire Service
HISTORICAL CONFLAGRATION CAUSES
• Combustible construction
• Narrow streets
• Ineffective building codes
PRIMARY CAUSES FOR RECENT FIRES
• Terrorism
• Extreme weather
Learning Objective 9
Reasons for Fire Defense Planning
FIRE DEFENSE PLANNING
• Determine acceptable level of loss due to fire
• Goals
• Objectives
• Statistics
• Policies
• Procedures
Cont.
Learning Objective 9
Reasons for Fire Defense Planning
FIRE DEFENSE PLANNING
• Cost analysis
• Approved budget
• Planning: Never-ending cycle

Setting goals

Determining objectives

Evaluating results
Learning Objective 9
Reasons for Fire Defense Planning
ALL HAZARD PLANNING
• Prepare to respond to many types of incidents
• Obtain, train, and stage resources
• Comply with legal requirements
• Reach agreements with responding agencies

Training on cooperation

Training on establishing communication
Learning Objective 10
Define Risk and Risk Management
DEFINITIONS OF RISK
• Noun: exposure to harm or loss
• Verb: to expose to the chance of injury or loss
PROBABILITY AND CONSEQUENCES
• Probability: can be in subjective terms
 Rare or high
• Consequences: expressed in descriptive terms
 Death, injury, disaster
Learning Objective 10
Define Risk and Risk Management
RISK MANANAGEMENT
• Activity that involves evaluation or comparison of
risks and approaches that change the
consequences of a harmful action
• Three control measures

Administrative controls

Engineering controls

Personal protection
Learning Objective 10
Define Risk and Risk Management
RISK MANAGEMENT PLAN
• Written plan must be a part of policies and
procedures
• Components of a risk management plan

Risk identification

Risk evaluation

Risk control techniques

Program evaluation and review
Learning Objective 11
Fire Department and Community Risk
Reduction
FOUR STEPS TO PROTECT COMMUNITY
FROM RISK
• Preparation
• Mitigation
• Response
• Recovery
Summary
• The fire service and firefighters have a long history
rich in tradition and honorable sacrifice
• As the fire service progresses, there will be new
challenges to be met
• The modern fire service is a delivery system that
contains many parts integrated into a whole