Fire is one of the scariest things in the world, and it will burn until there’s nothing left to sustain it. Things can quickly get out of control, but firefighters have a job to ensure that doesn’t happen. Fighting fires is a dangerous job, and firefighters must take many safety precautions to keep that danger at bay. Some safety measures are well-known, but others are known only to those who work as firefighters.
Effective Communication
An incredibly effective safety precaution that firefighters take before stepping into the line of duty is establishing means of communication. When fighting a fire, every member of the team needs to be coordinated and aware of what’s going on and what everyone else is doing. Fires can be loud, making it hard for firefighters to hear other members of their team. For this reason, firefighters use walkie-talkies or similar technologies to remain in contact with each other wherever they go.
In addition to verbal communication, there are other forms of communication that firefighters use in the field. Firefighters will wear a color-coordinated helmet to signify their responsibility and role. Firefighters also often wear trackers so that other members of their team can locate individuals who have been trapped or downed by debris or smoke.
Firefighting Gear
One of the biggest safety precautions firefighters must take is getting the proper gear. Firefighting gear has changed over the years and looks quite different today than it did when the profession first began. The gear firefighters wear today is much safer. It’s technologically prepared to stand up against fires and protect the wearer.
However, firefighting gear is still susceptible to damage, wear, and tear. Firefighters must constantly be on the lookout for warning signs that a piece of gear is getting old and needs replacing. Then, the firefighters must know how to properly size brush pants and any other gear that needs replacing. Loose-fitting gear or gear that is too tight can pose risks when out in the field, as they can restrict vital movement or leave gaps and exposed skin that is vulnerable to fire.
Training, Training, Training
In addition to safety tools that help firefighters out in the field, a big safety measure firefighters take is going through lots of training. To be safe in the field, you must know how to manage possible scenarios you may encounter. Going through training and simulations is an effective way to prepare firefighters to put on their gear promptly. Additionally, they’ll learn how to quickly assess a situation and start containing the fire as quickly as possible. Seconds are crucial when putting out a fire, and recklessness adds even more risks to an already dangerous scenario, which is why regularly running these simulations and trainings is important.
Firefighters must take a lot of safety precautions to ensure they’re safe when out in the field and that the fire doesn’t get out of control. Firefighting is a dangerous job, and it’s a tricky one to get right. Thankfully, the professionals in this field have a lot of experience and are dedicated to doing the job right.
