Essentials of Fire Fighting
6th Edition
Firefighter I
Chapter 1 — Orientation
and Fire Service History
Learning Objective 1
Summarize the history of the fire
service.
1–1
Fire service history is an important part
of understanding current practices.
Colonial
North
America
Industrial
revolution
influence
• Jamestown
• Boston
• New Amsterdam (New York)
• Philadelphia
• Steam pumpers
• Iron structural members
• Steel replaced iron
• Skyscrapers
• NFPA®
1–2
Significant historical events result in
current laws and equipment.
Courtesy of Spinner Publications
1–3
(Cont.)
Significant historical events result in
current laws and equipment.
1–4
REVIEW QUESTION
How were early fire organizations
started?
1–5
There are general trends of change in
the modern fire service.
Fire prevention
and public
safety
education
Hazardous
materials
Professionalization
for the fire service
Firefighter
safety
Emergency
medical
services
Terrorism
Natural
disasters (All
hazard
mitigation)
Community-based
fire protection
1–6
REVIEW QUESTION
What are some of the areas that
have changed significantly in the 20th
Century for fire service in North America?
1–7
Learning Objective 2
Explain the organizational
characteristics, cultural challenges,
and cultural strengths that influence
the fire service.
1–8
Fire service culture is influenced by its
organization and cultural challenges.
Culture
Organizational
Characteristics
Cultural
Challenges
1–9
• Based on history and
tradition
• Grows with education
• Command structure
• Ranks
• Uniforms
• Teamwork
Fire service culture develops specific
cultural strengths.
Integrity
Moral
character
Work
ethic
Pride
Courage
Loyalty
Respect
Compassion
1–10
REVIEW QUESTION
How do organizational
characteristics, cultural challenges, and
cultural strengths influence the fire
service?
1–11
Learning Objective 3
Describe the mission of the fire
service.
1–12
REVIEW QUESTION
What is the mission of the fire
service?
1–13
The fire service mission establishes
department organization.
Save lives
Fire
Service
Mission
Protect
property and
environment
1–14
Learning Objective 4
Describe the organization of fire
departments.
1–15
Department organization is based on a
system of rank tied to specific duties.
1–16
Fire department types are determined
by how the organization is funded.
Public
Private
1–17
Types of staffing vary based on funding
and duties assigned at the station.
Career
Volunteer
• On-call
Combination
1–18
Departmental duties are separated
based on who personnel support.
Line personnel
Staff personnel
Directly to
external
customers
Support
line
personnel
Courtesy Bob Espositio
1–19
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?
1–20
Learning Objective 5
Distinguish among functions of fire
companies.
1–21
The basic organization of a fire
company is based on assigned duties.
Company
Basic unit with
the officer at top
Battalion or district
Companies
located in
response area
1–22
Operations division
Manages day-today operations
Fire company duties vary depending on
their main purpose.
Courtesy of Ron Moore,
McKinney (TX) FD
Truck (ladder)
Company
Engine company
Rescue
squad/
company
Brush
company
1–23
(Cont.)
Fire company duties vary depending on
their main purpose.
Emergency
medical/
ambulance
company
Courtesy of Edwin Jones
Hazardous Materials
company
Special rescue
company
Aircraft rescue and
fire fighting company
•1–24
REVIEW QUESTION
How are the duties of an engine
company different from a rescue
squad/company?
1–25
Learning Objective 6
Summarize primary knowledge and
skills the firefighter must have to
function effectively.
1–26
Learning Objective 7
Distinguish among the primary roles of
fire service personnel.
1–27
Fire department personnel must meet
specific qualifications.
Professional
Educational
Age
Medical
Job-related
physical
fitness
Training in
basic
medical care
1–28
Line functions form the foundation of
the uniformed part of fire service.
Emergency
Operations Division
Fire
Fighter I
Fire
Fighter II
(Cont.)
1–29
Line functions form the foundation of
the uniformed part of fire service.
Courtesy of Doug Allen and Ames (IA) FD
Emergency Operations Division
Airport
firefighter
Hazardous
materials
technician
Fire apparatus
driver/operator
1–30
(Cont.)
Line functions form the foundation of
the uniformed part of fire service.
Emergency Operations Division
Wildland
firefighter
Fire department
incident safety
office
Rescue
technician
Fire police
personnel
1–31
(Cont.)
Line functions form the foundation of
the uniformed part of fire service.
Fire department officer
Emergency Operations Division
Company officer
District/
Battalion chief
Assistant/
Deputy Chief
Fire Marshal
Fire Chief
•1–32
(Cont.)
Line functions form the foundation of
the uniformed part of fire service.
Emergency Operations Division
Emergency
medical
responders
Emergency
medical
technicians
Advanced
emergency
medical
technicians
Paramedics
(Cont.)
1–33
REVIEW QUESTION
What is the primary difference
between Firefighter I and Firefighter II
duties?
1–34
Line functions form the foundation of
the uniformed part of fire service.
Fire prevention division
Fire
prevention
officer/
inspector
Plans
examiner
Fire and
arson
investigator
1–35
Public fire
and life
safety
educator
Fire
protection
engineer/
specialist
Staff functions support and train
members of the fire service.
Training division
Fire department
health and safety
officer
Clerical staff
Telecommunicators
Information
systems personnel
Fire alarm
personnel
Apparatus and
equipment
maintenance
personnel
1–36
• Instructors
• Training officer/ chief of
training
REVIEW QUESTION
How are qualifications for different
line positions regulated?
What types of staff functions support
and supplement line functions?
1–37
Learning Objective 8
Describe fire department
organizational principles.
1–38
Fire service members must understand
department organizational principles.
Chain of
command
Unity of
command
(Cont.)
1–39
Fire service members must understand
department organizational principles.
Span of
control
Division
of labor
Discipline
1–40
REVIEW QUESTION
What are the organizational
principles of the fire service?
1–41
Learning Objective 9
Locate information in departmental
documents and standard or code
materials.
1–42
Learning Objective 10
Distinguish between fire department
SOPs and rules and regulations.
1–43
Personnel must know how to locate
information in fire department regulations.
First, ask your
supervisor
May be posted
1–44
May be on file at
administrative
office
The fire service is regulated by a
variety of rules and procedures.
Policies
• Guide to decision making
• Set boundaries, establish
standards of conduct
• Detailed plan of action
• List step-by-step for conducting
Procedures
policy
(Cont.)
1–45
REVIEW QUESTION
What steps can be taken to locate
information in department policies?
1–46
The fire service is regulated by a
variety of rules and procedures.
Laws, Statutes,
or Ordinances
Codes and
standards
Orders and
Directives
• Federal
• State/provincial
• Local
• Standard – Set of principles, protocols, procedures
• Code – Collection of rules and regulations
• Issued from top command
• Used to implement departmental policies
1–47
REVIEW QUESTION
How are policies and procedures
different from one another?
1–48
Learning Objective 11
Explain the ways the fire service may
interact with other organizations.
1–49
Fire service personnel will interact with
various other organizations.
Law
enforcement
Courtesy of Tim Burkitt/FEMA
Emergency
disaster
management
EMS and
Hospitals
(Cont.)
1–50
REVIEW QUESTION
What other organizations may
provide services to the public along with
firefighters?
1–51
Fire service personnel will interact with
various other organizations.
Utility
companies
Public
works
Media
Other
agencies
1–52
REVIEW QUESTION
What should a firefighter do when
approached by members of the media?
1–53
Summary
• Firefighting is a profession with a long
and proud tradition of service to the
community.
(Cont.)
1–54
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.
1–55