Ask a Firefighter anything

490 Questions

Last Answer on June 29, 2022

Do FF's tend to have conservative political view, liberal ones, or is it very mixed?

Asked by FDNY almost 11 years ago

Alot of political debate has taken place within the fire department for 100 yrs plus when volunteer fire departments were established. It is a mixed bag but my personal observation has been there have been more republicans and tea partiers. But yes we do have political views and they can create some very interesting conversations.

967 Votes

If firefighters are searching a smokey floor above a fully/very involved floor, are they at a high risk for falling through? Is it safer to be under a floor with fire?

Asked by Hello about 11 years ago

No it isn't safe to be above the fire and when you are dealing with multi story buildings collapse is of the most highest concern. But you shouldn't be above a fully involved floor as it is unless there is a life safety issue. Being under a floor that is on fire is a collapse issue also. Collapse just recently killed two dallas firefighters from a building that was set on fire by an arsonist. Firefighting is a dangerous profession due to all of the unknowns.

966 Votes

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Sorry to ask after you already answered one, but when your on a medical call, are there multiple EMS teams at different places all communicating with dispatch on one channel?

Asked by Bob almost 11 years ago

Yes and when there are multiple calls the radio traffic can get busy.

963 Votes

What are the yellow hoses that are attached to fire engines before they leave the fire station? Do they have water or gas? And why are they connected all the way up until when the engine leaves and the connection breaks?

Asked by FF almost 11 years ago

There are 2 cords that are used usually one ensure that the batteries are charged at all times. We either have to pull them out or they pop out via switch. The larger ones are attached to the muffler so that when the engines are running inside you are not filling the station with carbon monoxide from the muffler. They dtach as soon at the truck pulls out. Most departments utilize this system.

955 Votes

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Looking for a gift for a new recruit graduating from fire academy? any ideas for a gift. I was thinking maybe something he could use while at his station.

Asked by alex about 11 years ago

Small handtools such as multi-purpose tool that has screw driver/Wrench/Wire Cutters can never go wrong

947 Votes

Can the decisions of an FD on whether or not to put FF's into a building to save possible victims depend on who happened to show up? In other words, is it up to the discretion whichever chief got assigned?

Asked by 83 almost 11 years ago

Yes, but even more than that how many show up. Technically according to OSHA regulations for every firefighter that enters the building there must be 2 outside on standby prepared to rescue the two that went in. It's called the 2 in, 2 out law. But manpower is a big issue in the rural areas and even big cities such as Detroit who have seen staffing reductions to save money. This is a problem nationwide with reductions in the amount of firefighters on duty. But remember this, the standard of thought is that risk alot to save a lot but risk little to save little. Which means don't send guys in for useless attacks for instance vacant buildings that have been set on fire before.

947 Votes

Okay so how is backdraft prevented? Do you create a vent on one side of the building so the fire goes that way instead of towards you when you open the door/window?

Asked by 123 almost 11 years ago

When we attack a fire and it hadn't vented and we are seeing signs such as smoke that appears to be sucking in and out of the eaves we have a door or window opened up at the same time we enter thus the pressure is released away from us.

944 Votes

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Firefighter

Ask me anything!

What do YOU do?

Do FF's tend to have conservative political view, liberal ones, or is it very mixed?

If firefighters are searching a smokey floor above a fully/very involved floor, are they at a high risk for falling through? Is it safer to be under a floor with fire?

So you wanna be a Firefighter?

Sorry to ask after you already answered one, but when your on a medical call, are there multiple EMS teams at different places all communicating with dispatch on one channel?

What are the yellow hoses that are attached to fire engines before they leave the fire station? Do they have water or gas? And why are they connected all the way up until when the engine leaves and the connection breaks?

Also on Jobstr...

Looking for a gift for a new recruit graduating from fire academy? any ideas for a gift. I was thinking maybe something he could use while at his station.

Can the decisions of an FD on whether or not to put FF's into a building to save possible victims depend on who happened to show up? In other words, is it up to the discretion whichever chief got assigned?

Okay so how is backdraft prevented? Do you create a vent on one side of the building so the fire goes that way instead of towards you when you open the door/window?

Firefighter

Ask me anything!

What do YOU do?

Do FF's tend to have conservative political view, liberal ones, or is it very mixed?

If firefighters are searching a smokey floor above a fully/very involved floor, are they at a high risk for falling through? Is it safer to be under a floor with fire?

So you wanna be a Firefighter?

Sorry to ask after you already answered one, but when your on a medical call, are there multiple EMS teams at different places all communicating with dispatch on one channel?

What are the yellow hoses that are attached to fire engines before they leave the fire station? Do they have water or gas? And why are they connected all the way up until when the engine leaves and the connection breaks?

Also on Jobstr...

Looking for a gift for a new recruit graduating from fire academy? any ideas for a gift. I was thinking maybe something he could use while at his station.

Can the decisions of an FD on whether or not to put FF's into a building to save possible victims depend on who happened to show up? In other words, is it up to the discretion whichever chief got assigned?

Okay so how is backdraft prevented? Do you create a vent on one side of the building so the fire goes that way instead of towards you when you open the door/window?

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