FIRE FIGHTERS AND THEIR TASKS

Fire fighting is a skilled job and recruits to fire service forces have to undergo special training so as to make them capable to handle many difficult situations. Very often emergency situations will arise as fire will spread rapidly, posing threats to surrounding areas. Personnel engaged in fire fighting will have multiple tasks like rescuing people trapped in the affected areas, giving first aid to those who suffer from burns or bruises, hospitalizing seriously injured people and preventing fire from spreading to other areas. It is a coordinated effort by the team which should be led from the front. Fire fighters should have presence of mind and determination to face panic situations without getting detracted by emotional scenes.

In UK fire and rescue services are stationed in every locality adequately armed with equipments that are required for the purposes. The personnel employed in the service have to work in close association with the public. They have to respond to emergency calls from people who are in distress. Fire fighting involves skills to identify the cause of fire as it is very important in extinguishing it. It can be from several inflammable materials like wood, chemicals, oils or gases. Extinguishing fire may not be easy at times. Water, sand and foam are among things used in the process. The intensity and direction of winds can aggravate situations. People affected by the fire, out of their distress or ignorance may act in haste, ultimately causing hindrance to the fire fighting operations.

Educating people about fire hazards is an important task of the fire service personnel. They have to visit educational institutions in the locality and address both students and teachers to exhort them to be alert against the perils. Employees of industrial and commercial establishments should also be enlightened on the subject. They should know about the precautions to be taken against fire hazards, and also should be aware of the preventive steps to be taken. There should be emergency exits in every place where people live or work and they should know how to escape through them when fire breaks out. Fundamentals about first-aid and rescue operations should be taught so that people will be able to tackle situations even before the arrival of the fire fighters. Similarly people especially those who live in crowded localities with narrow streets should make way to firefighters without causing hindrances to their vehicles etc. They should extend co-operation to the fire fighters and provide information about escape routes and availability of water etc.

London Fire and Emergency planning Authority (LFEPA) is a typical body which address the problems arising out of fire hazards. There is also London fire brigade which is the largest fire and rescue service in the country. LFEPA is a composite body of nominated members from different segments of the society. Nominees of the Mayor of London, London Assembly and London boroughs are among the members of the LFEPA. It is a well-oiled machinery to deal with the situations arising out of fire hazards or other perils.