Fire Fighting

What We Do at a Glance | Firefighting | First Responder | Rescue | Hazmat | Dispatch | Prevention| Customer Service| Pre-Incident Planning |

Firefighting – and more

Surrey ’s Professional firefighters handle all types of structure fires, including house, industrial, garage, school, apartment, drug lab and high-rise. We also fight vehicle fires, from cars and motorcycles, to trucks and tractor-trailer rigs. Other types of fires include rail, marine, grass or brush and garbage container fires. The number of firefighters responding to fires varies and depends on the number of units dispatched based on potential severity of the fire. It is recommended and recognized by the NFPA and the WCB that each initial response vehicle be staffed with a minimum of four firefighters. This is to allow two firefighters to immediately start an interior rescue procedure knowing there are two firefighters outside as backup for their personal safety. This is known as "The two in two out rule". Firefighters perform many tasks when fighting a structure fire. These include attacking, containing, controlling and extinguishing the fire. Firefighters wear special protective turnout gear and self-contained breathing apparatus and carry a charged hose line to enter hostile fire environments. This turnout gear weighs approximately 75 pounds dry; a typical fire hose charged with water weighs another 75 pounds.

Firefighters enter the burning structure for a systematic search and rescue of potential casualties, to locate and remove them to a safe area. Once a fire is controlled, fans are set up for ventilation. The fans push clean air in, which expels the hot smoke and fire gases. Tarps are often used to protect people’s furniture and personal belongings from water damage. Firefighters give the scene a complete overhaul. Checking for hidden fire and removing large pieces of debris as part of the salvage operation. Fire investigators then try to determine the cause of the fire, which helps prevent future fires and exposes fraud.

Saving lives is a firefighter’s primary concern. In turn they put their lives at risk every time they fight a fire. Extreme stresses are put on firefighter’s bodies while they fight a fire. Wearing turnout gear and carrying equipment taxes a firefighter during the long periods of exertion. A firefighter’s pulse rate can double during fire ground operations. At larger fires, firefighters must take breaks. They are checked for blood pressure, pulse and temperature before they receive the OK to return to fighting the fire. They must also replenish fluids and take nourishment, as heat exhaustion is a common cause of firefighter injury.

Fire Officer’s Responsibilities

Fire Officers are responsible for accessing an incident, planning ways to attack a fire, or lessening the severity of an incident. They look out for the safety of the firefighters who work under them. They request and allocate additional resources to help bring an end to the incident. Once an incident is dealt with, the officer (usually a Captain) is responsible for filing a complete report.

Safe Staffing Levels

Staffing levels should be set to provide the public with an effective firefighting crew, at the same time ensuring that firefighters personal safety is not unduly risked. The WCB and National Fire Protection Agency both acknowledge and recommend that each fire truck have an officer in charge and a minimum of three firefighters. In high hazard or densely populated urban areas additional firefighters are appropriate.

Public Service Calls

Firefighters often perform public service calls. Calls include responding to fire alarms in schools, apartment buildings, business’s or private residences. Attending nuisance burning complaints or general assist calls to elderly citizens who have fallen and are unable to get up. These calls are part of the day-to-day work of a firefighter.

Training

The Fire Department has two full time Training officers and approximately 20 relief training officers. The Training branch organizes all skills maintenance training for existing staff and some new learner training for recruit and junior fire fighters.