Modern Firefighting Technology - Book Report/Review Example

Modern Firefighting Technology Executive Summary The study reflects scenario of firebreak out in Penguinstock Colony, Road No 4. The Bridgefordge County Fire Department fire-fighters were immediately called to put out the fire. During the fire mishap an old lady died due to suffocation and three other people including two children and their mother were injured severely. Medical treatment was provided to the injured people and necessary measurements were undertaken to effectively deal with the hazardous situation. The fire-fighter’s team has undertaken all the measures associated with emergency management. The conclusion reveals that application of latest fire technologies might have further ensured the effectiveness of the rescue operations during the fire mishap. Introduction Bridgefordge County Fire Department Workforce Responded Rapidly to a residential Fire at Penguinstock Colony, Road No 4 on 14 January 2012. During the fire mishap one people was killed while four people were severely injured. The injured people were headed for the immediate medical treatment to a nearby hospital. The mishap took place in the evening around 4.00 pm. It was Sunday and all the members were present in the complex, the mishap took place in the 3rd zone that entails 6 floor apartments. The fire broke out in the 4th floor, which also took the 5th floor under its grip. This incident of residential fire at first reported at 4.30 pm and immediately after the complaint being made, 14 fire-fighters arrived at the spot within 15 minutes. However, an old lady of age 80 years died due to the suffocation caused by the huge smoke oozing out of the blazed apartments. Furthermore, two children and their mother were injured and were greatly suffering due to smoke inhalation. They were sent to the hospital for treatment and the other members have been recovered safely. The fire-fighters successfully put down the fire at around 5.15 pm. Later, it was observed that the prior reason for the mishap was short-circuiting that broke out at 4th floor. Correspondingly, this particular study intends to discuss about a scenario and analysis of the emergency management factors for mitigating the various components associated with the scenario of fire-fighters responding to residential fire. On further note, the study also presents recommendation and conclusion in detail. Analysis An emergency management represents a program that has been developed in order to examine as well as identify the potential disasters based on various risks. Risk factors associated with the implementation program mainly aims at the reduction of societal impact related to the concerned incidents. Another risk is determined as the disasters that are difficult to be mitigated. In accordance with the emergency management, it incorporates few vital components within it. The components are described as protection/prevention, preparedness, mitigation, response and recovery (FEMA, 2011). Prevention as the emergency component reflects about the actions been undertaken in order to avoid the incident form occurring. Moreover, prevention as components further entails the actions for saving peoples’ lives and the properties. However, this particular component also involves certain countermeasures such as deterrence of operations, improvised surveillance method and advanced inspection (FEMA, 2011). Linking it with the case scenario, it can be determined that residential fire was evoked due to short-circuit inside the apartment. Timely response and the implementation of common procedures by the fire-fighters significantly assisted in responding the fire mishap. Preparedness as components represents the range of activities that frames a vital requirement for sustainability in the midst of hazardous situation. It further improvises the operational abilities associated with prevention of any mishap or incident. Effective training sessions and planning and evaluation among others frame a part of this particular component. In accordance with case scenario, it can be ascertained that preparedness as a component has in-fact helped the fire-fighter’s workforce to deal with the critical situation. After being reached at the spot and screening the situation, they have immediately prepared an Emergency Operation Plan (EOP) for saving the lives of the people (FEMA, 2011). Another important component of emergency management is mitigation. It basically reflects as a mechanism to reduce the long-term risk associated with the person’s life and their properties. Moreover, it also reduces the adverse consequences, laid by the incident. The mitigation measures being undertaken by the fire department are usually associated with the standard mentioned in Hazard Vulnerability Assessment (HVA). In the similar context, the fire-fighters workforce have adapted the mitigation strategies in –order to rescue people who were caught in the fire mishap. Later it was observed that the affected members were allocated with grants in the form of monetary relief by the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) for compensating the loss of life and property they had suffered (FEMA, 2011). In consideration with the component of emergency management, response starts as just after the incident has been occurred. Response mainly entails activities, which fulfils the short-term effects of the hazardous situation. Various activities of response are medical treatment, sheltering, rescue operations and applying incident command among others. The immediate arrival of the fire-fighters on hearing of the incident and taking initiatives for rescuing the people reflects the response components. The fire-fighters have taken immediate measures in providing medical treatment to the injured people. Eventually, fire-fighters were able in putting out the fire on time (FEMA, 2011). Recovery components describes about the government aid and development of plans that lays impact on the communities. In accordance to the case scenario, no information has been revealed about any of aid being provided by the government (Brennan, 2011). Notably, it can be argued that the plan executed during the fire mishap was effective to curtail its more adverse impact and thus it can be considered to fit better in an emergency management framework or a risk management (reduction) framework. The plan was undertaken during the mishap resulted in the timely response to put out the fire breakout which ensured less causalities that would have otherwise not possible. Considering this particular scenario as an example, the loopholes have provided an opportunity and scope for the fire-fighters to implement advanced program, in order to mitigate hazardous fire situation. During this incident, the freighters had failed to implement few strategies that have led to the death of an old lady. The new technologies being adapted in recent scenario are ‘sensor assisted fire fighting’, ‘electrical wave blaster’ and ‘fire watch’ among others. These technologies have eased the operations of the fire-fighters. In-fact, if analysed the implementation of the latest technologies during the time, when the incident occurred would have further increased the response effectiveness (PennWell Corporation, 2014; Brennan, 2011). Conclusion and Recommendation In taking into account the above study, it has been observed that risk mitigation frames a vital part within the societal context. The study discuses about the fire mishap evoked at Penguinstock, where the Bridgefordge County Fire Department played a vital role in putting out the fire. The reason for the fire was short-circuit. The mishap took place in the residential apartment and led to the death of an old lady. The injured people were provided an immediate medical treatment. On further note, the study discusses about the major components of emergency management. In-fact, in this note, the major components being incorporated are precaution, preparedness, mitigation, response and recovery. The study shows the way these components have been applied within the scenario. The components have given the direction to the fire-fighters to implement EOP for immediate result. Considering the scenario, it can be recommended that the individual residential committee must take onus in building a common body for attending training sessions associated with hazardous situations. This training session will provide an opportunity to the society in mitigating hazardous situation caused by fire breakout. Moreover, it can be further recommended that the freighters must consider latest technologies in order to effectively perform the allotted task. Apart from the government aid and safety programs, a local committee can be framed to provide aid to the people those who suffered loss in terms of lives and properties. References Brennan, C. (2011). The combat position: achieving fire-fighter readiness. USA: Fire Engineering Books. FEMA. (2011). Fundamentals of emergency management. Independent Study, 1-10.9. PennWell Corporation. (2014). Future fire fighting technology. Retrieved from http://www.firefighternation.com/article/technology-and-communications/future-firefighting-technology Read More