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At a Glance: Firefighter schedules are designed to provide 24/7 emergency coverage while allowing time for firefighters to rest and recover. The most common schedules include the 24/48 (24 hours on, 48 hours off), the 48/96 (48 hours on, 96 hours off), and rotating...
At a Glance:Â A Class A fire rating is the highest fire resistance rating for building materials. Class A materials resist ignition and limit flame spread under severe conditions. Most commonly applied to roofing, Class A-rated materials include metal, asphalt...
At a Glance: Electrical fires involving energized equipment require Class C or ABC fire extinguishers and should never be fought with water, which creates severe electrocution risks. If safe to reach, cut power at the circuit breaker before fighting the fire; then use...
At a Glance: Fire extinguishers come in five main types: water, foam, carbon dioxide, dry chemical and wet chemical. Each of these extinguishers is designed to fight specific kinds of fires safely and effectively.Grabbing the wrong fire extinguisher in an emergency...
At a Glance: Class C fires are caused by damaged or malfunctioning energized electrical equipment, including faulty wiring, poor installation, and overloaded outlets. Unlike other fire types, Class C fires can cause electrocution, making them very hazardous to fight...
At a Glance: To become a volunteer firefighter, you must meet basic requirements and complete comprehensive training that covers firefighting, emergency medical care, and specialized rescue techniques. Once trained, volunteers commit to being on-call for emergency...
At a Glance: The Ten Standard Firefighting Orders are fundamental safety rules that every firefighter must follow during fire operations. These orders form the backbone of firefighter safety protocols and are designed to prevent accidents and save lives. In the...
At a Glance: Airport fire trucks must meet strict FAA requirements for response times, water capacity, and firefighting foam capabilities. These specialized vehicles, known as Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF) vehicles, require specific features based on the...
At a Glance: Becoming a wildland firefighter requires completing basic firefighter training, passing a physical fitness test, and maintaining specific certifications. Wildland fire training involves both classroom education and hands-on field experience to prepare...
At a Glance: Class B fires occur when flammable liquids or flammable gases like gasoline, oil, paint, or propane become ignited. These fires spread rapidly and require specialized firefighting techniques using foam, dry chemical powder, or carbon dioxide extinguishing...
At a Glance: Fire retardant materials are engineered to slow or stop the spread of flames by disrupting the combustion process. These innovations are used for a variety of firefighting purposes, including aerial wildfire suppression and structural fire protection that...
At a Glance: The fire tetrahedron consists of the four elements that are required for fire to exist and continue burning: fuel, heat, oxygen, and the chemical chain reaction. Removing any single element will stop a fire, making the tetrahedron an important part of...