Various Rapid Emergency Response Strategies in Fire Incidences - Literature review Example

Running Header: Critical Reflection/Log Student’s Name: Instructor’s Name: Course Name & Code: Date of Submission: Critical Reflection/Log Description The specific task carried out was to identify how Europe is prepared on carrying out fire controls when fire breaks. The task also identified how modern trends are being utilized and adapted in Europe in fire control. The task identified various ways of fighting industrial fires in European community. The task also involves various rapid emergency response strategies put in place in ensuring there are reduced fire incidences. According to the task carried out, the fire incidents are increasing drastically. Therefore, there is need to reduce their occurrence as well as their effects on the economy. The task also evaluates on how European Nations are prepared on terms of safety and preparedness. Initially, the task was a little bit difficult because the area of Europe is too large to cover. The task evaluates in details how crucial it is to control and manage various fire incidences in ensuring they are not costly to economy. The task identified various measures that United Kingdom government has put in place to ensure fire outbreaks do not affect everyone. The measures are also to ensure that the huge population and economy are protected from fire effects. According to Gillie (2010), the most crucial issue or aspect was the learning and experiences that arose from the task learned. Europe is carrying out various strategies and practices to ensure that fire incidences do not occur or take place. Initially, fire incidences were not many hence there were no fire fighting strategies that were put in place to reduce the impacts. However, due to increasing fire incidents, Europe has found the need to have strategies and apparatus for fighting fire incidences occurring. According to the task, the conventional ways of using buckets of water are no longer applicable. This is because of high number of fires as well as complications. This is mainly due to increased number of residential and commercial apartments that are extremely complicated and large. Therefore, Europe requires utilizing various modern methodologies in fighting the fire. The task identifies various ways of fighting fire in many parts of Europe. According to the task carried out, Europe is increasingly becoming prepared in case of any fire incidence outbreak. Europe is adapting modern trends in fighting fire incidences. The main aim of improving fire fighting ways and strategies is to reduce the economic effects it has on the European population and economy in large. The task identified that United Kingdom as one of the biggest countries in Europe has adequately prepared itself from any eventualities that may take place in its territory. Germany is another country in Europe that has been identified by the task to be far ahead in terms of fire control. Interpretation Various methodologies were utilized in studying and carrying out the research task. Such methodologies included interviews, observations, and the questionnaires. The interviews were extremely useful compared to others. This is because it was direct to key industrial players as well as the government agencies who are concerned with fire fighting. The interviews enabled the collection of comprehensive data. Government agencies involved with risk management played a key role in our task. This is through providing us with required information or data that our task or research required. Other industrial players also provided us with enough information that we required. Although questionnaires were used, there were rarely relied on. This is because they were only directed to those people who were chosen to fill them in. However, they gave precise data and information that was required in the task. Questionnaires also enabled us to understand how European nations were prepared towards fighting fire and preventing hazards associated with fires. Observation on the other hand concentrated more on real practice and firefighting times. The task paid great attention to observation method as it enabled us to have a chance of experiencing the extent to which various fire technologies are being utilized in Europe. Interviews as a methodology that was utilized worked extremely well as it relied on real experiences on the ground as illustrated by Ian, Graham, and Ben (2004). This is because the information was obtained from government and fire services agents involved in Europe. Interviews also enabled us to enquire on various strategies that are underway towards improving fire and rescue services in Europe. According to the research that was undertaken, the upcoming cities and buildings are complex hence the need of new fire safety strategies. In Europe, many countries are adopting new ways and strategies that involved buying new mobile water pumps. Other ways include buying new fire engines that are capable of working even in complex buildings and industries. There were also new technical innovations in order to meet the needs of new forms and nature that cause fire to spread. Those technical innovations are also meant to reduce complexity of fire fighting in major cities in Europe. There are also plans to update technical logistical approaches of fire fighting in order to reduce fire occurrence incidences. There are also other plans that are underway in order to deal with complex set of private and public interests. This is because urban fires cost dearly to the developers and entire economy of Europe threaten them greatly. Some of the techniques that were identified to be utilized in Europe included 3D technique. This according to our research will assist greatly towards controlling the rapid spread of fires in industries all over the world and in particular Europe. Variuos institutions and other government agencies greatly prefer the method. This is because of limited resources and efforts that it demands. According to the research we carried out, it is it is quicker way of attacking fire as it is directed to the source of the water. Fire is usually controlled to minimal level hence control of fire from spreading to other properties as quickly as possible. Many of the agencies and institutions that were interviewed and questioned had plans to adopt the method as a way of reducing the hazards associated with fire risks. Other ways that were to be adopted according to our research included adequate number of people are trained on how to fight fires. This way according to the agencies would minimize spread of fire. According to the research project that was carried out, there is need to have more than ten crews in order for them to be able to fight the fire effectively. It is estimated that five people cannot be able to control 23 percent of spreading fire. Therefore, to get 100 percent control of spreading fire, then over fifteen crewmembers require to be stationed in any fire incident. The task identified that many fire services agencies believed that modern techniques of fighting fire are based on effective and quick principles of fighting and controlling fire. Thomas, Katherine and David (2004) argues that according to the research and the task, we carried out among various agencies, life and properties protection has triggered major innovation in fire services in the world. In Europe, various countries have embarked on equipping fire fighters with modern facilities and trends. This would increase the effectiveness of fighting fire that may occur in any building or other places. The task or the research was crucial to us as it informed on various ways that various government agencies and other institutions have been involved in the improvement of fire and rescue services. This according to us is a clear indication that something positive is on the way towards the improvement of fire services. The research was extremely crucial as it enabled us to get a clarification on various issues regarding fire fighting and control. The research elaborated more on various strategies that are being undertaken in carrying out the research. The research has also enabled us to identify that effective fire fighting and control can be carried out effectively through the integration of viable strategies as well as the use of modern firefighting facilities. The research has also enabled us to identify that the conventional ways of fighting fire using the buckets of water are no longer applicable nowadays. This is because they are ineffective and inefficient due to increased complexity of the buildings and arising cities. The research report has also enabled us to learn that the terrorist attack of 11th of September played key role in the fire prevention initiatives and control. Various governments such as that of United Kingdom have put several measures in ensuring any fire outbreak does not affect population and economy. According to the research, we learnt that London as the capital city of United Kingdom has put in place all resilience plans in case of any incidence. These plans are being tested and practiced in the city. Some of the plans that we were able to learn include emergence response plans as well as other new dimensions of fighting fire. According to the research, we were also able to learn that other cities like Paris were emphasizing on the need to minimize the fire outbreaks and risks to manageable levels. The research also enabled to learn of the new dimensions emergency vehicles. These are specifically used to fight and combat any fire outbreaks. Other new dimension programs are provided from the office of the prime minister. The dimensions include the Incident Response Unit (IRU) and the High Volume Pumps (HVP) in addition to two emergency vehicles. We learned through the research that government had initiated London Resilience Team (LRT). The aim of this initiative is to assess as well as coordinate the capital resilience improvements. This is towards ensuring that the capital is always ready for any fire outbreak such as those seen in industries or from terrorist attacks like in United States. Eventually, we were to learn through the research that government had a major exercise in July 2000 of evaluating its capability of any terrorism attack occurrence. This is because terrorism is a major form of fire that results to major destructions. Theoretical Application Jennifer, (2004) argues that according to action-reflection model, they are four stages to the cycle of reflection. They include the initial or new experience, reflection, and observation, development of a new concept, and experimentation. In our task, we initially learn new experiences. The new experiences included the various strategies that various agencies are putting in place to ensure they reduce the fire accident and associated outcomes. The task reflected on various initiatives and ways that are utilized towards ensuring they are reduced fire incidents. It is through observations and interviews that we gained first hand information regarding the incident. The task also enabled us to develop a new concept or the idea. This arose as we realized the need of high-improved fire and rescue. This is because of the complexity of the buildings and cities that are arising in various regions of Europe. Experimentation also plays a key role in ensuring that the activities are well reflected. In this task, we experimented how effective the use and improvement of fire safety was put in place. Thoughts, feelings, and concerns At the time of the incident, we were more concerned with the various strategies that European agencies and government are putting in place towards ensuring there is reduced fire safety. During the time the incident was taking place, we had thought there were effective measures that were already in place. However, there were still some areas that were far ahead from being implemented. There were still no proper and effective machines that were being utilized. Although there were plans underway, there was still a long way to go in ensuring that the strategies and required technology was utilized. After the incident and the task, I was able to realize that there was need for more improvements in the fire and rescue services. This is to ensure there are reduced fire cases incidents. There is need to utilize fully the 3-D technique towards ensuring that the process of fire fighting is effective and cost advantaged according to Grimwood (2008). I think adaption of more effective ways of fighting fire is a guaranteed method of ensuring there are reduced economic and life loss. However, there is need to adapt these techniques as quickly as possible. This is towards ensuring there are reduced fire accidents and other related losses in terms of life and economy. Demands studies Some of the things that are greatly demanding in this research and incident include developing and improving strategies and policies related to fire incidents. Improved machineries to fight and control fire outbreaks are also in great demand. The Machines should be capable to deal with the fire outbreaks even in the most complicated buildings and cities. These machines require being used by trained professionals in ensuring that the services provided are beneficial to people and country in large. There is also the need to identify various ignition sources in order to reduce the occurrence of fire in various buildings. This is an assurance of reducing fire incidents occurrence. Some of the ignition sources that are of great concern include cigarettes, electrical equipments, hot objects, fueled fired equipment, and open flames. Outcome The task has enabled us to learn various lessons including how the process of fire control can if good communication ways are maintained. We were also able to learn how crucial it is to pay more attention to firefighters and women in ensuring their productivity is beneficial. Identification of fire ignition sources is crucial because it will assist in creating awareness among the people. Such include informing people on the importance of stopping smoking inside the companies, building, and other areas that may be at higher risk of catching fire. The research has enabled us to know the importance of improving fire service conditions. This is towards saving more life as well as improvement of the economy. Recommendations There is need to increase more awareness among the people towards reducing fire incidences that may occur. The research will also enable us to know which strategies will be effective in fighting fire. This research will enable us to evaluate on other alternatives that are available towards reducing the fire accidents. The research will enable us to achieve effectively the targeted strategies of reducing fire incidents. This will benefit the job that we intend to carry out in the fire and rescue services sector. This will enable us to achieve desirable outcomes in fire and rescue services. The task will also assist us in coming up with effective strategies in ensuring fire risk and related losses will be minimized. The task will also benefit us towards identifying the good technology suitable in fire fighting and control. The research will also benefit the job by identifying how the services will be improved through training more staff with more tactics and knowledge on fire fighting. The research will enable us to equip staffs with modern technological skills on fire fighting. The major developments of cities and many Europe countries will enable us to improve on various strategies required towards fire fighting. The research will enable us to utilize and adopt various strategies that Germany is utilizing in order for it to become successful as illustrated by Winer (2009). The interview process of interviewing various government agencies played assisted in a greater extent towards evaluating which strategies and policies are effective. References Gillie, B 2010, Reflective Practice: Writing and Professional Development, SAGE Publications Ltd, London. Grimwood, P 2008, Euro firefighter: global firefighting strategy and tactics, Jeremy Mills Publishing ltd, Lindley. Ian, C, Graham, D & Ben, B 2004, The Handbook of work-based learning, Gower Publishing Ltd, New York. Jennifer, A 2004, A handbook of reflective and experiential learning: theory and practice, Routledge, West Sussex. Thomas, R, Katherine, L & David, T 2004, Working Knowledge: Work-based learning and education reform, Routledge, Columbia. Winer, D 2009, ‘The development and meaning of firefighting.’ Journal of University of Delaware, Vol. 1 No. 1, pp 357. Read More