Fire Departments
Fire department is one of the most important organizations in a community. Fire departments battle fires that break out in homes, factories, office buildings, stores, and other places. Thousands of volunteer and paid fire departments protect communities from fire.
Volunteer departments provide protection mainly in small towns and rural communities. They are staffed by men and women who serve part time. Some departments have a few paid firefighters but rely chiefly on volunteers. When a fire breaks out the volunteers leave their jobs or homes and run to the fire station. In some departments, the volunteers receive a small sum for their work, but in others they receive no pay.
Many volunteer departments have onlу enough equipment and volunteers for routine fire. Others have excellent equipment. In case of a big fire, departments from neighboring communities help one another. Most volunteer departments are headed by a fire chief, who is either appointed by the mayor or elected by the department.
Paid departments serve chiefly in large cities. Some are organized on a county, district and regional level. All are staffed by full-time fighters. The requirements for becoming paid firefighters vary from one fire department to another. In general, an applicant must be at least 18 years old and in excellent physical condition. The applicant must also pass a written test.
After being accepted by a fire department, a probationary firefighter takes a training program that may last up to six months. The program covers such subjects as fire behavior, firefighting strategy, rescue techniques, and emergency medical skills. The probationary period usually lasts one year. After this period a firefighter may receive more advanced training in such areas as rescue work and fire prevention.
Paid fire departments in large cities have many firefighting companies. Each company is commanded by a captain or a lieutenant. Several companies make up a battalion or a district. Battalions may be further grouped into divisions. Large departments also have separate staff that work in such areas as fire prevention, training, communications, and arson investigations. A fire chief, who is appointed by the mayor or some other city official, directs the entire fire department.
Special purpose departments.
There are firefighting units which watch for and deal with forest fires. Some industrial plants, such as those that manufacture fuels or explosives, organize their own fire departments. All major airports have a fire department to fight aircraft fires.
Дата добавления: 2015-09-18 | Просмотры: 705 | Нарушение авторских прав
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