FT1 CH.2 // Roles of Fire & Emergency Personnel

What is the purpose and scope of the fire service?

Save Lives and Protect Property; Fire Prevention 

What does the total picture of fire protection include?

Fire Suppression, Fire Prevention, Emergency Medical Services, Public Education 

Describe the term, “protection of life and property.”

It’s the dual mission of the fire service. To protect people first and property second. 

Fire Prevention

Goal is to decrease the need for extended fire suppression activities 

Fire Investigation

Determine the cause of fire

Training

To ensure knowledge is kept throughout fire career all the way from recruitment through end of service

Public Education

Home focused fire prevention and safety 

Emergency Medical Services

To perform medical aid and be the first responder in medical emergencies 

Disaster Preparedness

Make sure people are educated and planned for disaster to ensure safety 

Name the reasons for fire investigations.

Find the cause, detect crimes, prevent future fires, support legal and insurance claims, improve fire service operations and safety 

How can thorough investigations reduce future arson fires?

Learning arson technique helps recognize patterns

Investigation leads to arrest of offenders

How can fire company inspections help the Fire Prevention Bureau, and what are the limitations of this assistance?

Increased coverage

Early hazard detection

Familiarity with buildings

Public interaction

They are limited through training, time constraints, inconsistent documentation and their authority to enforce. 

Fire Prevention Officer

Enforces code while having thorough understanding of  code and ordinances and their application to the buildings

Implements fire prevention programs and maintains records and reports of prevention activities

Maintains effective working relationships with property owners to encourage code compliance

Fire Protection Specialist

Reviews site and building plans to ensure code compliance

Reviews fire protection system plans from an engineering perspective

Public Education Specialist

Plans and implements public education programs through media contacts and school programs

Develops fliers and pamphlets for distribution 

Fire Investigator

Must have thorough knowledge of fire science relating to chemistry 

Testify in court

Observes fire area, collects and preserves evidence and prepares litigation

Training Officer

Responsible to plan, develop and implement training courses for all areas of service delivery

Schedules and instructs classes

Why are public relations important to a fire department, and how can they be applied?

They maintain a positive image of the fire department, media and general public. Public relations can be handled through a Public Informations. Officer (PIO)

Firefighter

Prevents and combats fires as well as responds to emergency calls and requests of service.

Fire Apparatus/Driver Operator (e.g. - Engineer)

Safely drives the apparatus and operates pump, aerial device, or other mechanical equipment as required. Keeps equipment clean and ready-to-use

Company Officer (e.g. - Lieutenant/Captain)

Supervises the activities of a fire company in a firehouse and at incident scenes. 

Oversight of the maintenance and operation of the firehouse, apparatus and equipment 

Chief Officer (e.g. - Battalion/Division/District/Assistant/Deputy)

Supervises the administrative and emergency operations of a number of fire companies within a geographic region of a jurisdiction 

Dispatcher

Receives emergency calls from the public and dispatch emergency responders

Hazardous Materials Technician

Responds to incidents involving hazardous materials 

Air Crash Rescue Firefighter

Responsible for fire and life safety involving airport and aircraft operations

Emergency Medical (First) Responder

Maintain life until more highly trained personnel arrive

Emergency Medical Technician I (or EMT-Basic)

Provides more advanced patient care and transporting patient to the hospital 

Paramedic (or EMT-P)

Highest level of patient care on the field, Usually responds to high priority calls. Has more in depth knowledge and qualifications to perform a higher level of patient care.

What is the minimum level of emergency medical training required of firefighters according to the California Code of Regulations?

First Responder

What factors are considered in determining the number of members assigned to a company?

The type of apparatus and equipment corresponds to the purpose and assigned duties of that company

Describe an engine company organization, giving titles and positions.

Captain - Supervises crew and communicates with other units

Engineer - Drives to and from the scene while operating the pump and water supply

Firefighter - On field fire work such as attack, search and rescue, salvage and overhaul

Why should a member of an engine company understand the duties of a ladder company member?

In case there’s an absence of sufficient truck companies 

What are the elements of full protective clothing?

Helmet

Protective Hood

Turnout Coat

Turnout Pants

Boots

Gloves

SCBA

PASS Device

When should firefighters wear full protective clothing / personal protective equipment (PPE)?

When going into the line of action 

As a general rule, how much time is a self-contained breathing apparatus rated for?

30 Minutes

When should a self-contained breathing apparatus be used?

In any environment where it’s hazardous to a firefighters respiratory system 

What topics should firefighters NOT comment with the media and bystanders?

Cause of fire

Injuries or fatalities

Speculation

Internal department matters

Ongoing Investigations