Essentials of Fire Fighting
6 th Edition
Firefighter I
Chapter 1 — Orientation
and Fire Service History
Learning Objective 1
Summarize the history of the fire
service.
1–2
Fire service history is an important
part of understanding current
practices.
1–3
Significant historical events result in
current laws and equipment.
Courtesy of Spinner Publications
1–4
(Cont.)
Significant historical events result in
current laws and equipment.
1–5
REVIEW QUESTION
How were early fire organizations
started?
1–6
There are general trends of change in
the modern fire service.
1–7
REVIEW QUESTION
What are some of the areas that have
changed significantly in the 20th Century
for fire service in North America?
1–8
Learning Objective 2
Explain the organizational
characteristics, cultural challenges,
and cultural strengths that influence
the fire service.
1–9
Fire service culture is influenced by its
organization and cultural challenges.
1–10
Fire service culture develops specific
cultural strengths.
1–11
REVIEW QUESTION
How do organizational characteristics,
cultural challenges, and cultural
strengths influence the fire service?
1–12
Learning Objective 3
Describe the mission of the fire
service.
1–13
REVIEW QUESTION
What is the mission of the fire service?
1–14
The fire service mission establishes
department organization.
1–15
Learning Objective 4
Describe the organization of fire
departments.
1–16
Department organization is based on
a system of rank tied to specific
duties.
1–17
Fire department types are determined
by how the organization is funded.
1–18
Types of staffing vary based on
funding and duties assigned at the
station.
1–19
Departmental duties are separated
based on who personnel support.
Courtesy Bob Espositio
1–20
REVIEW QUESTIONS
What are the three main types of
staffing found in the fire service?
What is the central difference between
line functions and staff functions?
1–21
Learning Objective 5
Distinguish among functions of fire
companies.
1–22
The basic organization of a fire
company is based on assigned duties.
1–23
Fire company duties vary depending
on their main purpose.
Courtesy of Ron Moore,
McKinney (TX) FD
(Cont.)
1–24
Courtesy of Edwin Jones
Fire company duties vary depending
on their main purpose.
•1–25
REVIEW QUESTION
How are the duties of an engine
company different from a rescue
squad/company?
1–26
Learning Objective 6
Summarize primary knowledge and
skills the firefighter must have to
function effectively.
1–27
Learning Objective 7
Distinguish among the primary roles of
fire service personnel.
1–28
Fire department personnel must meet
specific qualifications.
1–29
Line functions form the foundation of
the uniformed part of fire service.
(Cont.)
1–30
Line functions form the foundation of
the uniformed part of fire service.
Courtesy of Doug Allen and Ames (IA) FD
Emergency Operations Division
(Cont.)
1–31
Line functions form the foundation of
the uniformed part of fire service.
Emergency Operations Division
(Cont.)
1–32
Line functions form the foundation of
the uniformed part of fire service.
Emergency Operations Division
(Cont.)
•1–33
Line functions form the foundation of
the uniformed part of fire service.
Emergency Operations Division
(Cont.)
1–34
REVIEW QUESTION
What is the primary difference between
Firefighter I and Firefighter II duties?
1–35
Line functions form the foundation of
the uniformed part of fire service.
1–36
Staff functions support and train
members of the fire service.
1–37
REVIEW QUESTION
How are qualifications for different line
positions regulated?
What types of staff functions support
and supplement line functions?
1–38
Learning Objective 8
Describe fire department
organizational principles.
1–39
Fire service members must
understand department organizational
principles.
(Cont.)
1–40
Fire service members must
understand department organizational
principles.
1–41
REVIEW QUESTION
What are the organizational principles
of the fire service?
1–42
Learning Objective 9
Locate information in departmental
documents and standard or code
materials.
1–43
Learning Objective 10
Distinguish between fire department
SOPs and rules and regulations.
1–44
Personnel must know how to locate
information in fire department
regulations.
1–45
The fire service is regulated by a
variety of rules and procedures.
(Cont.)
1–46
REVIEW QUESTION
What steps can be taken to locate
information in department policies?
1–47
The fire service is regulated by a
variety of rules and procedures.
1–48
REVIEW QUESTION
How are policies and procedures
different from one another?
1–49
Learning Objective 11
Explain the ways the fire service may
interact with other organizations.
1–50
Fire service personnel will interact
with various other organizations.
Courtesy of Tim Burkitt/FEMA
(Cont.)
1–51
REVIEW QUESTION
What other organizations may provide
services to the public along with
firefighters?
1–52
Fire service personnel will interact
with various other organizations.
1–53
REVIEW QUESTION
What should a firefighter do when
approached by members of the media?
1–54
Summary
• Firefighting is a profession with a long
and proud tradition of service to the
community.
(Cont.)
1–55
Summary
• To perform as a firefighter you need
physical skills, and knowledge of the
regulations that govern your
organization, the laws that regulate fire
service, the incident command system,
as well as, an understanding of
agencies that interact with the fire
department.
1–56