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'''Firefighting''' is the attempt to minimise injury or loss of life, or damage to property, caused by a [[fire]], either by extinguishing the fire or containing it. '''''Many heroic firefighters in [[New York City]] gave their lives for others on [[September 11, 2001]]'''''.

'''Firefighting''' is the attempt to minimise injury or loss of life, or damage to property, caused by a [[fire]], either by extinguishing the fire or containing it. '''''Many heroic firefighters in [[New York City]] gave their lives for others on [[September 11, 2001]]'''''.

Firefighters or firemen are those whose job it is to attempt to extinguish fires in a given area.  Firefighters can either be paid (professional), or volunteer.  In many rural areas and smaller communities, fire departments are volunteer, while in many large cities they are professional.  In most places, firefighters also perform other [[emergency]] service work, including [[search and rescue]], and emergency [[medical]] services.  Many firefighters are also certified as [[EMT]]s (Emergency Medical Technicians) or [[paramedics]].

Firefighters or firemen are those whose job it is to attempt to extinguish fires in a given area.  Firefighters can either be paid (professional) or volunteer.  In many rural areas and smaller communities, fire departments are volunteer, while in many large cities they are professional.  In most places, firefighters also perform other [[emergency]] service work, including [[search and rescue]] and emergency [[medical]] services.  Many firefighters are also certified as [[EMT]]s (Emergency Medical Technicians) or [[paramedics]].

==Types of firefighting==

==Types of firefighting==

'''Structural firefighting''' is fighting fires involving [[building]]s and other structures.  Most city firefighting is structural firefighting.  Structural firefighting is what most people think of when they think of what their local "fire department" does.

'''Structural firefighting''' is fighting fires involving [[building]]s and other structures.  Most city firefighting is structural firefighting.  Structural firefighting is what most people think of when they think of what their local "fire department" does.

'''Wildland firefighting''' is fighting [[forest]] fires, brush or bush fires, and fires in other undeveloped areas.  The [[United States Forest Service]] and other government agencies which administer public lands hire a large number of wildland firefighters every [[summer]], when fire conditions are at their peak.

'''Wildland firefighting''' is fighting [[forest]] fires, brush or bush fires, and fires in other undeveloped areas.  The [[United States Forest Service]] and other government agencies which administer public lands hire a large number of wildland firefighters every [[summer]] when fire conditions are at their peak.

'''Proximity firefighting''' is fighting fires in situations where the fire produces a very high level of heat, such as [[aircraft]] and some [[chemical]] fires.  Proximity firefighting is not the same thing as structural firefighting and in some (but not all) cases takes place outdoors.

'''Proximity firefighting''' is fighting fires in situations where the fire produces a very high level of heat, such as [[aircraft]] and some [[chemical]] fires.  Proximity firefighting is not the same thing as structural firefighting and in some (but not all) cases takes place outdoors.

All firefighting tactics are based on removing one or more of the three elements in the fire triangle.

All firefighting tactics are based on removing one or more of the three elements in the fire triangle.

Fire fighting involves a range of methods and equipment for fighting fires, depending on the circumstances and availability.

Firefighting involves a range of methods and equipment for fighting fires, depending on the circumstances and availability.

'''Water:'''  The standard method is to pour water onto the fire.

'''Water:'''  The standard method is to pour water onto the fire.

This reduces the heat, hopefully to the point that the fire can no longer burn.

This reduces the heat, hopefully to the point that the fire can no longer burn.

However, water is not suitable for liquid fuel fires, because it is likely to spread the fuel and make the fire larger, nor for electrical fires, because of the risk of electric shock.  

However, water is not suitable for liquid fuel fires, because it is likely to spread the fuel and make the fire larger, nor for electrical fires, because of the risk of electric shock.  

In some cases, water is delivered as a fine mist (using a fog nozzle) to not only cool the area but also produce steam which dilutes the ambient oxygen.

In some cases, water is delivered as a fine mist (using a fog nozzle) to not only cool the area but also to produce steam which dilutes the ambient oxygen.

'''Foam:'''  Foam is put onto fires fueled by liquid fuel.

'''Foam:'''  Foam is put onto fires fueled by liquid fuel.

It works by preventing oxygen getting to the fire, but does not spread the fuel around.

It works by preventing oxygen from getting to the fire, but does not spread the fuel around.

'''Powder:'''  Powder is used on electrical fires<!--I think; is this correct? -->, as it does not conduct electricity.

'''Powder:'''  Powder is used on electrical fires<!--I think; is this correct? -->, as it does not conduct electricity.

'''Gas:'''  Non-combustible gases are sometimes used in fire-suppression systems installed in buildings.

'''Gas:'''  Non-combustible gases are sometimes used in fire-suppression systems installed in buildings.

They work by being heavier than air, thus displacing the oxygen.

They work by being heavier than air, thus displacing the oxygen.

However, because the oxygen is displaced from the building, humans are unable to survive for long either, so gas systems are only used in special circumstances.

However, because the oxygen is displaced from the building, humans are unable to survive for long, so gas systems are only used in special circumstances.

'''Fire beaters and rakes:'''  Fire beaters and rakes are low-tech ways to fight small fire in [[scrub]].

'''Fire beaters and rakes:'''  Fire beaters and rakes are low-tech ways to fight small fires in [[scrub]].

They work by spreading the fire out, thus reducing the concentration of heat, and by removing the source of fuel from the fire.

They work by spreading the fire out, thus reducing the concentration of heat, and by removing the source of fuel from the fire.

See the "Extinguishers" section below.

See the "Extinguishers" section below.

'''Vehicles:'''  Various vehicles are used by fire fighters, including trucks which pump water from a nearby supply onto a fire, and tankers which carry water to the site of the fire when no local supply is available.

'''Vehicles:'''  Various vehicles are used by firefighters, including trucks which pump water from a nearby supply onto a fire, and tankers which carry water to the site of the fire when no local supply is available.

'''Fire breaks:'''  For fires in forested areas, [[bulldozer]]s or other heavy equipment may be used to cut a clear path through the forest in front of an advancing fire, or such fire breaks may be permanently maintained in forested areas.

'''Fire breaks:''': For fires in forested areas, [[bulldozer]]s or other heavy equipment may be used to cut a clear path through the forest in front of an advancing fire, or such fire breaks may be permanently maintained in forested areas.

Fire breaks provide an area with little fuel content, for the purpose of the fire stopping when it reaches the break.

Fire breaks provide an area with little fuel content, to stop the fire when it reaches the break.

However, strong winds might carry sparks from the fire across the fire break to further forest on the other side.

However, strong winds might carry sparks from the fire across the fire break to forested areas on the other side.

Even so, it may slow down the fire enough for fire crews to cope with the rest.

Even so, it may slow down the fire enough for fire crews to cope with the rest.

'''Back-burning:''' Instead of constructing fire breaks, an area ahead of an advancing fire might be set alight and burnt in a controlled manner to remove the fuel from that area, thus impeding the advance of the main fire.

'''Back-burning:'': Instead of constructing fire breaks, an area ahead of an advancing fire might be set alight and burnt in a controlled manner to remove the fuel from that area, thus impeding the advance of the main fire.

'''Aircraft:''' Both fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft (helicopters) are used to drop water onto fires, particularly in areas difficult to reach on the ground.

'''Aircraft:'': Both fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft (helicopters) are used to drop water onto fires, particularly in areas difficult to reach on the ground.

== Extinguishers ==

== Extinguishers ==

==Vehicles==

==Vehicles==

The "fire truck" and "fire engine" are two different vehicles, and the terms should not be used interchangeably.  In general, fire engines are outfitted to pump [[water]] at a fire.  Trucks do not pump water and are outfitted with [[ladder]]s and other equipment for use in [[ventilation]] of the building, rescue, and related activity.  In many jurisdictions it is common to have a ladder (or truck) company and an engine company stationed together in the same firehouse, as was depicted in the movie ''Ladder 49''.

The "fire truck" and "fire engine" are two different vehicles, and the terms should not be used interchangeably.  In general, fire engines are outfitted to pump [[water]] at a fire.  Trucks do not pump water and are outfitted with [[ladder]]s and other equipment for use in [[ventilation]] of the building, rescue and related activities.  In many jurisdictions it is common to have a ladder (or truck) company and an engine company stationed together in the same firehouse, as was depicted in the movie ''Ladder 49''.

==Gear==

==Gear==

* Bunker gear - refers to the set of protective clothing worn by firefighters.  This is made of a modern fire-resistant material such as [[Nomex]], and has replaced the old rubber coat which was traditionally worn.

* Bunker gear - refers to the set of protective clothing worn by firefighters.  This is made of a modern fire-resistant material such as [[Nomex]], and has replaced the old rubber coat which was traditionally worn.

* SCBA, or self-contained breathing apparatus, is worn in any IDLH (immediately dangerous to life or health) situation, which includes entry into burning buildings (where hot air and smoke inhalation present a danger) or any situation involving [[hazardous material]]s exposure.  It consists of a breathing mask and a tank of air worn on the back.

* SCBA, or self-contained breathing apparatus, is worn in any IDLH (immediately dangerous to life or health) situation, which includes entry into burning buildings (where hot air and smoke inhalation present a danger) or any situation involving [[hazardous material]] exposure.  It consists of a breathing mask and a tank of air worn on the back.

* Helmet, boots, gloves

* Helmet, boots, gloves

* Tools: traditional hand tools such as the pike, halligan, pulaski, axe, hydrant wrench; power tools such as saws.

* Tools: traditional hand tools such as the pike, Halligan, Pulaski, axe, hydrant wrench; power tools such as saws.

* Hoses and nozzles

* Hoses and nozzles

* Other equipment

* Other equipment