Death & injury statistics Flashcards
(27 cards)
What were the major types of injuries on the fire ground?
Strains sprains wounds cuts, bleeding, thermal stress and burns
Name a major risk of firefighting
- Explosions
- Collapse
- Falls
- Falling Objects
- Rollover
- Flame over
- Flashover
- Back drafts
- Fire
- Smoke
- Heat
- Disorientation
- Electrocution
What are the major risks of firefighting?
Explosion, collapse, falls, falling objects, rollover, flameover, flashover, back-drafts, fire, smoke, heat, disorientation, electrocution
These risks make firefighting a high-risk occupation.
How does the work environment of firefighters differ from that of miners?
Firefighters enter unpredictable and deadly environments without basic safety measures like shoring or breathable air
Miners have safety measures such as air pumps, structural supports, and electric lighting.
What was the historical attitude towards firefighter risks?
Firefighter risks were considered part of the job, with property protection prioritized over firefighter safety
This attitude changed after World War II.
What organization has contributed to safety improvements in firefighting?
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
OSHA regulations have influenced firefighter safety practices.
What are the three priorities of firefighting as defined in the text?
- Protection of life
- Fire containment
- Property protection and reduction of environmental impact
Protection of firefighters’ lives is included in the priority of life protection.
What role have risk managers and safety engineers played in firefighting?
They have analyzed firefighting practices and classified fireground dangers according to risk
This has led to new insights on firefighter safety and survival.
True or False: All phases of firefighting present equal risks.
False
Some tactics are much more dangerous than others.
Fill in the blank: A firefighter must know the various degrees of danger he or she will be exposed to when given an assignment to carry out, such as that raising a ladder is not as dangerous as _______.
advancing an attack hoseline
Understanding degrees of danger is crucial for firefighter safety.
What must firefighters know to survive the dangers of firefighting?
How other firefighters have died or been seriously injured
This knowledge helps in understanding risks and improving safety.
What factor increases the degree of risk for firefighting tactics performed before the initial attack hoseline is operational?
Higher degree of risk due to greater chance of becoming caught and trapped by flame, smoke, gas, or heat
Firefighters are at greater risk when searching in a fire building without a hoseline.
How does proximity to flames affect the degree of risk for firefighting tactics?
A tactic performed in close proximity to flames has a higher degree of risk
Firefighters advancing a hoseline are exposed to various dangers including flame, radiated heat, and backdraft.
What is the risk associated with firefighting tactics carried out above the fire?
Higher degree of risk due to the rising flame, heat, and smoke cutting off escape routes
Firefighters on floors above a fire face significant dangers.
What is the risk level of firefighting tactics performed inside an enclosed space?
Higher degree of risk due to potential gas buildup and explosion
Dangers include BLEVE, gas explosions, and backdraft smoke explosions.
What is the collapse risk for firefighting tactics performed inside a burning building compared to those performed outside?
Higher collapse risk inside a burning building
Risks include floor, roof, wall, and ceiling collapses.
What stage of a fire presents a higher degree of risk for firefighting tasks?
The early growth stage of a fire
Tasks performed during the fully developed or decay stages have lower risk.
What are the dangers present in the first stage of a fire?
Flashover, rollover, flameover, smoke explosions
These dangers pose significant risks to firefighters during initial fire conditions.
How does the risk of a rarely performed firefighting tactic compare to a regularly performed one?
Higher degree of risk
Experience and training may not be sufficient for rare fire emergencies.
What happens when there is little training information available for a firefighting tactic?
Higher degree of risk due to potential ‘freelancing’ and loss of crew integrity
Lack of defined procedures can lead to confusion and danger.
What is the consequence of not having specific assignments for firefighters?
Increased chance of becoming lost and trapped by smoke and fire
Operating without a defined team structure can endanger firefighter safety.
How does the historical record of firefighter injuries impact the risk of certain tactics?
Tactics known to have killed or injured firefighters have a higher degree of risk
Studies indicate that firefighter fatalities occur from the same causes over time.
What does NIOSH and the fire service require when entering areas of immediate danger?
Firefighters must work in pairs
This requirement aims to enhance safety in high-risk environments.
What can be inferred about firefighting tactics based on risk evaluation principles?
Certain tactics are determined to be dangerous based on firefighter death and injury reports
Sources include NFPA, NIOSH, and historical firefighting experience.
