Changes in the Fire Department Service in the Last 20 Years - Article Example

Changes in the Fire Department Service in the Last 20 Years The fire department in the USA is more than 150 years old. This department has experienced a number of changes since its inception. During that time, the fire department used horses, which pulled carts that contained water tanks to extinguish fire. However, with improvement in technology, vast changes have been experienced. This has involved all the areas in the department, more so in the tools that are now being used to fight fire. This article looks at the various changes that have been experienced in the fire department for the last 20 years and how the September 11 bombing at the Twin Towers affected the fire department. John “skip” Coleman, an assistant chief, Toledo, Ohio, recounts the various changes that he has come across in the fire department since he first joined the organization thirty-two years ago. He recounts that there has been new Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) that were not previously there. The apparatus are used to help the victims of the fire accidents to get a fresh breath of air that will help them survive toxic fumes within burning buildings. SCBA has also become a widely used tool among firefighters especially when they are extinguishing poorly ventilated fires. Secondly, the SCBA equipment has been used as an aid to fight fire in the industries that emit toxicities. In the last two decades, fighting fires in these areas used to be a difficult endeavor due to the lack of this apparatus (Corbett 13). Remarkably, Command System (ICS) has continually found profound use in firefighting procedures. This department did not exist in the previous years. It has been formed recently due to the increase in the fire incidents in the U.S. The Incident Command System (ICS) has played a major role in responding to the various fire cases that has been reported overtime. It acts as a respond command center that receives information on the incidents of fire in the U.S. This Incident Command System (ICS) are divided depending on the geographical locations. Most of this Incident Command System (ICS) are based on the major towns in all the counties (Corbett 13). John “skip” Coleman notes that there has been improvement in the Positive-Pressure Ventilation (PPV). This ventilation is used to give aeration to the already smoky area experiencing cases of fire. The positive-pressure ventilation (PPV) has played a major role in reducing the number of fatal cases that result as a case of inhaling the already poisoned air. Previously, crude methods were being used although they also helped a lot in fighting oxygen-starved fire incidents (FEMA web). Notably, there has been a change in the kind of nozzles used in firefighting equipment. Currently, automatic nozzles are being used. These nozzles are effective in that they respond immediately to cases of fire incidents. Automatic fire detectors equipment are attached to these nozzles, which detects the fires and sends fire signals the automatic nozzles. These nozzles then respond by releasing firefighting respondents such as water, foam, and chemicals. According to Rick Lasky, chief, Lewisville (TX) Fire Department, there has been an improvement in the turnout gear. The fire department usually wears fireproof clothes while on duty. Previously, turnout gears used to be more prone to fires and would often put fire fighters at risk. However, this has improved a lot in that the turnout gears are safer (Corbett 13). Apparatus used in firefighting have increased in number over the last few decades. The apparatus used to be prone to damages but have now changed because of the improved technology. These apparatus are cheap to buy as compared to those used more than 20 years ago. This has given the firefighting department a relief in that it does not use a lot of money to purchase firefighting equipment. This has then led to the purchase of more efficient firefighting equipment (Darley web). The development of methods used in firefighting has been remarkable. With advancement in human knowledge and technology, more efficient firefighting methods and techniques have been introduced. Interestingly, there has been an appreciable increase in the number of people willing and those who have been trained to fight fire. Considerably, this has been caused by urban growth which has caused an overwhelming increase in the number of buildings thereby raising the demand for more firefighters. The same has also caused an increase in firefighting departments, which have also brought services closer to people. The fire department has expanded in size of the skilled trainees and the number of firefighting equipment used. Remarkably, there has been an improvement in the health conscious. The fire fighters have been trained how to be health conscious and maintain high levels of health while still on duty. This has played a major role in improving the longevity of fire fighters. Even with these changes, most firefighting departments have managed to uphold their heritage and many fire services traditions. Furthermore, the operation and administrative staffing has changed. The department has continued to grow over the last 20 years (Smeby 44). It has been noted with interest that firefighting department has managed, over the last 20 years, to instill the pride and ownership, which has made them what, they are today. Unlike 20 years ago, firefighting department has been able to build more trust and confidence among the city residents. This has largely been attributed to the increased ability for the fire department to respond promptly to fires, efficient and effective firefighting operations. Moreover, to continue functioning properly, the fire department has increased the field incident technicians (FEMA 19). Thomas Dunne, deputy chief, Fire Department of New York, notes several changes have been experienced in the fire department in the last two decades. First, he notes that there are technological changes that have occurred. This has been experienced in the equipment that the fire department has been using overtime. Improved technology has been a course of major achievements most notably The Twin Towers bombings on September 11. This improved tools enabled the fire department to reach new heights that it had no previously reached. It also enabled the fire department to put off huge fires that resulted from the bombings and the plane clash on that building. Secondly, he notes that there has been an improvement in the bunker gear used. These gears are safer for the fire fighters and rescue missions to operate with without the fear of contacting fire or any other hazardous material that may injure them during their course of duty (Darley web). In addition, he adds that the Thermal Imaging Cameras (TICs) were not available 20 years ago. These cameras are important in that they are used to detect the extent of heat that has affected a place due to fire. These Thermal Imaging Cameras (TICs) translate the heat into figures and the fire fighters are able to gauge the amount of commodity that they will use to fight the fire. This can be the use of chemicals, water, or foam (FEMA web). Another important element that the fire department has experienced in the last few decades is the use of Fire Ground Radios. These radios are used to aid communications between the fire fighters while on duty. This move has influenced the efficiency and the safety of fire fighters jobs. In addition, he notes that there have been procedural changes in the way they carry out their activities. He notes that the role of the Rapid Intervention Team (RIT) has been established and redefined. Moreover, he notes that the last 20 years has seen the fire department improve the roof-venting technique to respond to the dangers of truss construction. Additionally, Thomas Dunne notes that the assimilation of EMS responsibilities has increased over the last two decades increasing the workload and training requirements. He continues to note that the greatest change that the fire department has faced in the few decades has been because of the challenges they currently face. This has shaped the firefighting departments activities over time. Thomas Dunne notes The 1993 World Trade Center bombing was a wake-up call. The 2001 attack was an outright shock to our organizational and emotional systems. The prospect of terrorist attacks, mass casualties, and hazardous materials situations has redefined our department’s mission. Training, equipment, and expertise have all been radically upgraded in the past six years. There is also a heightened awareness of the need to work effectively with other agencies (Corbett 13). In conclusion, we can note the various changes that have been experienced in the fire department. Most of this has been brought about by the need to be more responsive to the dangers that they face and the need of creating awareness among the people. Improvement in technology has had the greatest impact in shaping the direction of the fire department. New style of buildings and the increased in terror activities has more so dictated the firefighting department’s responsiveness to the risks that they face. Works Cited. Corbett, Glenn. “Fire Engineerings Handbook for Firefighter I and II.” New York: Fire Engineering Book, 2009. Print. Darley, Paul. “Changes in Fire Apparatus Now and in the future.” FDSOA Conference. 2011. Web. 30 March 2012. FEMA. “Historical overview.” U.S. fire administration. 2010. Web. 30 March 2012. FEMA. “Strategies for marketing your fire department today and beyond.” New York: FEMA, 1998. Print. Smeby, Charles. “Fire and emergency service administration: management and leadership practices.” New York: Jones & Bartlett Learning, 2005. Print. Read More