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Taking Charge: The Evolution of Fire ground Command
by Paul Hashagen
Today's firefighters are armed with
elaborate flow charts that delineate the chain of command and define
responsibility on the fire ground. Even so, the modern fire ground commander
ultimately faces the same responsibilities and problems his or her Colonial
counterpart had more than 200 years ago.
Since the beginning of organized firefighting in the U.S., it became obvious
that centralized command was needed - someone would have to take charge and
coordinate the efforts of those attacking the fire, salvaging goods and
preventing fire extension. More>>
The Development of Breathing Apparatus
by Paul Hashagen
Early American firefighters had to face not only fire
and the effects of heat with little or no water supply, but also the
debilitating effects of smoke with nothing at all to protect them. As was the
case for firemen all over the world, they could not effectively operate under
the heavy smoke conditions encountered during structure fires.
 Fire service folklore recounts the practice of firemen
growing long beards to help them breathe heavy smoke. The theory was a fireman
would dip his whiskers in a pail of water, then clinch his wet beard between his
teeth and breathe through his mouth, using the wet beard as a filter.
As a practical answer
to overcoming the difficulties of breathing smoke, many seemingly strange and
unusual inventions were tried. One of the earliest recorded attempts was in
France, where the "Apparatus Aldini" was tested in 1825. This was a thick mask
of asbestos worn over the head. Another mask made of woven iron wire was placed
over the first. The device provided a small margin of heat protection, provided
the wearer was able to maintain the air space between the two masks and not
allow the iron mask to touch the inner mask. It is believed this mask provided
the wearer only the small amount of trapped air within for breathing.
More>>
The Development of Fire Hose
by Paul Hashagen
The earliest
firefighting operations in America saw lines of buckets being passed back and
forth between a water source and the structure on fire. This method, the best
available at the time, was both labor intensive and ineffective. Large amounts
of water were lost as the heavy buckets passed from hand to hand and the actual
delivery of the extinguishing agent to the seat of the fire was poor and
unreliable.
The
introduction of hand-pumping engines greatly improved water delivery to the fire
area, but the crude machines still had to be filled by bucket brigades.
Gooseneck delivery nozzles on the engines did allow streams to be directed with
some accuracy into the burning structure. More>>
History of the Dalmatian
Most historians
agree that the Dalmatian breed was originated in Dalmatia, a section of
Yugoslavia that was once part of Austria. But these spotted dogs were also
reported in India, France and Australia. Reference has also been found in Greek
& Roman writings. So it is difficult to say were these beautiful black and white
dogs were first originated.
History shows that
at first the Dalmatians were hunting dogs, proving themselves equal to
Labradors, hunting for ducks. Before the invention of automobiles, Dalmatians
were known as coach dogs. Back in England
these dogs would sleep together with horses in the stables, protecting the
horses. And during the day they would run next to the coach and horses clearing
the way. Later, Dalmatians became associated with firehouses. It is because
horses ran the fire wagons, and when there was a fire, the Dalmatians, wearing
red hats, would clearing the way by running ahead of the fire wagons. With the
invention of fire trucks they lost their job but still to this day Dalmatians
are the mascot of fire stations.
History of the Maltese Cross
The
insignia of the fire service is the Cross Pattee-Nowy, otherwise known as the
Maltese Cross (see left). The eight-point Maltese Cross is the international
symbol of the fire service's willingness to make great sacrifices in order to
protect others from the ravages of fire. It is a badge of courage and honor and
its story is centuries old.
This honored symbol
originated with a group of eleventh century knights who were serving in a
Jerusalem hospital. The Knights of St. John of Jerusalem (Knights Hospitallers),
a charitable, non-military organization, helped the sick and poor in setting up
hospices and hospitals. Later, they assisted the Knights of the Crusades through
their goodwill and military assistance. More>> |
