Firefighter

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Firefighters are people who put out fires. They can also help with many other emergencies. Firefighters use different types of equipment to deal with each type of emergency they are called to. They work for the fire service, which is one of the three main emergency services^[1]

Firefighters are based in and respond to emergency situations from a fire station (also known as a fire house or fire hall).

Firefighters deal with many different emergencies. When somebody needs their help, the firefighters will drive to the location of the emergency on a vehicle called a fire engine (also known as a fire truck).

Fire engines have lots of equipment to deal with different emergency situations. They have water hoses, water pumps, ventilation, fans and many other items that help them put out fires.

Fire engines also carry some equipment for medical incidents, hazardous material incidents, and they have equipment that can help firefighters rescue people. To help with medical emergencies, fire engines have cardiac monitors, defibrillators, intubation and airway management supplies, emergency medicines and other medical items on board. To help the firefighters rescue people, fire engines have many rescue tools such as spreaders, cutters and rams. Their rescue equipment also includes air bags, electric and battery powered breaching, special rescue saws, torches, ropes, and other specialized rescue tools and equipment on board. In response to hazardous material incidents, fire engines have protection equipment to keep the firefighters safe from the hazards. It also carries non sparking tools, generators and other hazardous material tools and equipment on board.

Modern fire engines have flashing emergency lights, loud sirens and horns. This helps to warn people that a fire engine is coming down the road to a emergency.

Radios, computers and other devices are used by firefighters on fire engines to talk with their dispatcher and other emergency service vehicles, including mutual aid, Fire and Rescue units, police units and Emergency Medical Services units. ^[2]

Firefighters wear heavy clothing to protect them from the heat of a fire. This is called bunker gear or turnout gear. They wear equipment to help them breathe in areas that are filled with smoke. They may also wear a mask to protect themselves from breathing in smoke and/or hot air. This helps them to protect themselves and those that they rescue.

1. ↑ International, Petrogav. Production Course for Hiring on Onshore Oil and Gas Rigs. Petrogav International.
2. ↑ McEntire, David A. (2015-02-02). Disaster Response and Recovery: Strategies and Tactics for Resilience. John Wiley & Sons. ISBN 978-1-118-67306-5.