Firefighting: Firefighter and Extreme Dedication

Being a firefighter is no easy job, but somebody has to do it. The job is both mentally and physically challenging and it requires extreme dedication. Fire fighters put their life in danger every single day to help and save the public. Fire fighters must be prepared for the dangers they encounter and be able to respond immediately to a fire or any other emergencies that arises. Because fighting fires is so complex, it requires organization and teamwork. Fire fighters have one of the most dangerous of all occupations. "In the United States, a higher percentage of fire fighters are killed or injured on the job than are workers in any other occupation" (Sesil, 2). Fire fighting is a dangerous job that should not be taken lightly; a volunteer or paid fire fighter has a time consuming job that requires proper training and maintenance of equipment. This requires a man or woman to be extremely dedicated and courageous. Firemen never know what a day or night at work will hold in store for them. A fireman has many different responsibilities. A fireman Responds to fire alarms with a company, drives and operates pump and ladder trucks and similar types of fire rescue equipment. He uses pumps, aerial ladders and auxiliary equipment, lays and connects hoses, holds nozzles and directs fog or water streams, raises and climbs ladders, uses chemical lines, power tools and extinguishers, uses bars, hooks, lines and other equipment, and he controls hazardous materials. There are many more responsibilities and duties that come with firefighting that most people do not realize.

Invesigation the Fireground; Phillips, Calin C., Fire Engineering Books + Videos; Saddle Brook, NJ; 1996 4 000 000 862