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490 Questions

Last Answer on June 29, 2022

How do firefighters determine if it's too risky to enter a house or to climb on a roof? It seems like a lot of injuries happen from collapses.

Asked by Beasy about 10 years ago

Some departments have chosen to still cut holes in roofs and videos are abundant showing how dangerous this is. In my 25+ years of firefighting I have only cut a hole in a roof twice. My department uses Positive Pressure Ventilation and has not had a case yet where it didn't meet is goals. Now there are times where cutting holes in roofs are necessary but the risk vs gain has to be looked at. If you have a large strip mall fire and the fire is running the attic due to lack of firebreaks that were not required at the time you may have to cut a trench line across the roof to stop the flames from continuing. Any time a firefighter steps on to a roof the firefighter should sound the roof with and axe to feel if the roof is "spongy" if it is there is risk for collapse. The new construction has not been firefighting friendly, It is now that economics comes first where building components are lighter and fire burns through it faster thus collapse time shortens for us. So burn time prior to fire dept arrival and type of construction should be your big determinants of roof operations.

868 Votes

Hello, again! Apologies, this does not let me type a lot. He was caught with marijuana as an 18 year old. It was a nonviolent encounter, and I just cannot believe that something like that would hold him back from getting a good job and stability.

Asked by Red over 9 years ago

Possession is not a violent crime or crime of moral terpuatude so I don't think it would disqualify

867 Votes

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I recently found out that my local FD (volunteer) has alcoholic beverages for its members at the firehouse. I know that light drinking won't impair someone's ability to respond, but should I be worried about this? What should I do about it?

Asked by 123 over 9 years ago

Back in the day and even today volunteer fire departments were a social club environment, You would be respected in the community if you were a volunteer firefighter. Elections, weddings, marriages, community meeting and parties were held in the fire halls. With that said there were and still are the availability of alcohol in some of these organizations. My professional thinking is that alcohol has no place in a fire dept. We should be at the top of our game and not under the influence of alcohol.

866 Votes

So you're saying I should have the mask on without the regulator attached? i've tried that, but I find it easier to have the mask attached to regulator but not on my face (therefore not breathing from it). Is there anything wrong with that? Thanks

Asked by JuniorFF over 9 years ago

Always protect your regulator. What type of scba do you use. We use Scott and I keep my regulator connected to my mask and have mask around neck with a holder when not being used but in the ready

866 Votes

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How does a person get hired as a firefighter by cal oes?

Asked by Dillion over 9 years ago

Go to caloes.ca.gov, it explains the process.

865 Votes

I forgot to turn off my oven broiler (oven was empty) for about 10 min, but sitting on the top of stove were my Publix Pilgrim salt & pepper shakers. My son said I could burn down our town house.
Is that true? if so how long would take?

Asked by Roxanne almost 10 years ago

I would be amazed to see that happen but with that said stoves are designed to keep the heat in the oven. It is never a good thing to put things on the stove. So yes you could have a fire but it would take a faulty stove or accidently turning on the stovetop burners.

864 Votes

I'm planning on going back to college currently I have a BS in Turf/Soil Science. What is the better option get another BS in Fire Science (I have 12 credits of) or a Masters in Emergency Management. I'm also enrolled to re-cert my expired EMT-B.

Asked by Brett over 9 years ago

Most deifinately the Masters in that it opens more doors since Emergency Management covers many areas, fire, ems, DHS, FEMA to list a few. Broadens your choices.

864 Votes

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Firefighter

Ask me anything!

What do YOU do?

How do firefighters determine if it's too risky to enter a house or to climb on a roof? It seems like a lot of injuries happen from collapses.

Hello, again! Apologies, this does not let me type a lot. He was caught with marijuana as an 18 year old. It was a nonviolent encounter, and I just cannot believe that something like that would hold him back from getting a good job and stability.

So you wanna be a Firefighter?

I recently found out that my local FD (volunteer) has alcoholic beverages for its members at the firehouse. I know that light drinking won't impair someone's ability to respond, but should I be worried about this? What should I do about it?

So you're saying I should have the mask on without the regulator attached? i've tried that, but I find it easier to have the mask attached to regulator but not on my face (therefore not breathing from it). Is there anything wrong with that? Thanks

Also on Jobstr...

How does a person get hired as a firefighter by cal oes?

I forgot to turn off my oven broiler (oven was empty) for about 10 min, but sitting on the top of stove were my Publix Pilgrim salt & pepper shakers. My son said I could burn down our town house.
Is that true? if so how long would take?

I'm planning on going back to college currently I have a BS in Turf/Soil Science. What is the better option get another BS in Fire Science (I have 12 credits of) or a Masters in Emergency Management. I'm also enrolled to re-cert my expired EMT-B.

Firefighter

Ask me anything!

What do YOU do?

How do firefighters determine if it's too risky to enter a house or to climb on a roof? It seems like a lot of injuries happen from collapses.

Hello, again! Apologies, this does not let me type a lot. He was caught with marijuana as an 18 year old. It was a nonviolent encounter, and I just cannot believe that something like that would hold him back from getting a good job and stability.

So you wanna be a Firefighter?

I recently found out that my local FD (volunteer) has alcoholic beverages for its members at the firehouse. I know that light drinking won't impair someone's ability to respond, but should I be worried about this? What should I do about it?

So you're saying I should have the mask on without the regulator attached? i've tried that, but I find it easier to have the mask attached to regulator but not on my face (therefore not breathing from it). Is there anything wrong with that? Thanks

Also on Jobstr...

How does a person get hired as a firefighter by cal oes?

I forgot to turn off my oven broiler (oven was empty) for about 10 min, but sitting on the top of stove were my Publix Pilgrim salt & pepper shakers. My son said I could burn down our town house.Is that true? if so how long would take?

I'm planning on going back to college currently I have a BS in Turf/Soil Science. What is the better option get another BS in Fire Science (I have 12 credits of) or a Masters in Emergency Management. I'm also enrolled to re-cert my expired EMT-B.

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I forgot to turn off my oven broiler (oven was empty) for about 10 min, but sitting on the top of stove were my Publix Pilgrim salt & pepper shakers. My son said I could burn down our town house.
Is that true? if so how long would take?