Firefighter fit why?
The job of the firefighter is extremely varied, working in a vast array of situations and environments calling upon reserves of mental, muscular strength, endurance and flexibility including:
Very hot, humid and damp atmospheres.
Working in full firefighting kit and breathing apparatus set in oxygen deficient atmospheres.
Dark and confined spaces such as a tunnel, roof void or in the wreckage, at a road traffic collision.
Carrying out training drills on station.
Working at night when you body needs rest
Running out and dragging charged lengths of hose.
Holding hose under pressure for prolonged periods of time.
Climbing ladders and stairs of high rise buildings.
Pitching heavy ladders and carrying portable pumps across rough ground.
Searching, crawling on hands and knees in a smoke filled building in full fire fighting clothing and breathing apparatus set, whilst dragging hose.
Using breaking in tools to effect an entry into a property.
Carrying an unconscious person rescued from a property fire or road traffic collision.
Handling heavy hydraulic cutting equipment at road traffic collisions.
Wearing hot and humid chemical protection suits over normal firefighting kit.
Extinguishing acres of grassland fires with hand beaters.
Pulling out vast amounts of hot humid straw at a barn fire.
Working at anytime as a firefighter calls for prolonged periods of metal and physical activity. However at night when the body should be recharging itself during rest, it is naturally more of an effort to stay focused when you feel tired. Our two scenarios will demonstrate how a firefighter calls upon reserves of mental, muscular strength, endurance and flexibility.
On route to an incident a firefighter will be mentally preparing from reading the tick sheet (computer information, regarding the incident sent via a printer, to station, from the fire and rescue control centre) or being told by the officer in charge, whilst dressing in full firefighting kit.
If it is a house fire the firefighter;
Will be donning breathing apparatus set.
On arrival, the firefighting hose reel has to be dragged from its locker or lengths of hose will have to be run out.
An entry may have to be made using breaking in tools.
Once inside a search has to be made for the fire and any missing persons in extremely high temperatures and humidity.
As soon as water is applied to the fire the temperature rises causing the conditions to worsen.
With water applied and in complete darkness a firefighter will be crawling around carrying out a detailed search negotiating obstacles (tables and chairs etc) in tight spaces, while trying to conserve air.
If a casualty is located the firefighter has to carry that person from the building, even if they are heavier than the firefighter.
If it is a road traffic collision the firefighter;
Will be donning, a high visibility vest.
On arrival will quickly have to assess the situation for casualties or a fire in inclement weather conditions.
Carry and handle heavy hydraulic cutting gear or hose reel.
Hold and lift various parts of the vehicle wreckage that have been removed, roof, doors and seats.
May have to squeeze into a tight space to reassure, extract or protect a casualty from the wreckage.
Help lift carefully the casualty from the vehicle to a stretcher and into an ambulance.
As you will see fitness to a firefighter is very important, helping to combat fatigue and tiredness on a regular basis. During a 15 hour night shift, a firefighter may attend numerous fire calls in working conditions that are mentally and physically exerting.
