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Suppression Strategy / Training This section is designed to give added information on suppression. The information contained here is only a small part of the available information on any given subject. Additional information can be found through web searches and library research. A) Suppression Strategy: Knowing when to fight a fire is important. The average person should never attempt to suppress any type of fire that they are not adequately trained and prepared to fight. Before attempting suppression, all occupants of the building should be evacuated. Next, the fire department should be called. Then the proper extinguisher must be obtained. Now the fire can be extinguished if it is small and confined to the immediate area where it started, there is a safe escape route, the operator of the extinguisher has been properly trained and is confident in how to use the extinguisher and the extinguisher is sufficient to put the fire out. If any of these criteria is absent, suppression by anyone other than trained firefighters should not be attempted. B) Training: Fire suppression training is not something to be taken lightly. Many people have dedicated their entire lives to be professionals at fire suppression and even then the conditions must be acceptable before an attach is attempted. Most firefighters now days have some type of degree in fire science and or suppression or have graduated from a fire training academy. The requirements to become a firefighter are becoming more and more stringent every year and current firefighters are required to attend continuing education classes on a yearly basis. Fire fighter training is extremely in-depth and impossible to cover with out many hours of study. Firefighters are trained on everything from how to size-up a fire and put it out properly to how ladders work and what each knob on the truck or other apparatus they are using does. More information on training is available through many resource, but the best is probably a visit to your local fire station.
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C)
How to use an Extinguisher: Even though extinguishers come in
a variety of sizes, shapes and styles, they all operate in a similar
manner. The acronym for extinguisher use is P.A.S.S. This stands
for Pull, Aim, Squeeze and Sweep. First, Pull the pin at the top
of the extinguisher that keeps the handle from being depressed.
Next, Aim the nozzle toward the base of the fire. Then, Squeeze
the handle to discharge the extinguisher while standing about 8
feet away from the fire. Now, Sweep the nozzle back and forth at
the base of the fire. After the fire appears to be out, watch is
carefully since it could re-ignite. If there are any doubts about
the fire being out or if there is the possibility of other problems
evacuate the area immediately and call the local fire department.
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