Safety and Survival Chapter 1 Statistics

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Questions and Answers

How has the average number of firefighter deaths changed since the 1970s?

Increased significantly

Remained the same

Decreased by more than 30% (correct)

Doubled

What was the average number of firefighter deaths per year in the 1970s?

150 (correct)

125

Which type of injury was most common among firefighters according to the NFPA report for 2012?

Strains and sprains (correct)

Burns

Fractures

Smoke inhalation

What is the first priority of firefighting?

Protection of life Signup and view all the answers

Which organization is responsible for conducting fatal firefighter investigations?

NIOSH Signup and view all the answers

Which firefighting tactic presents a higher risk?

Advancing a hoseline Signup and view all the answers

Why is operating above a fire considered dangerous?

Rising flames, heat, and smoke cut off escape routes Signup and view all the answers

What significant change in firefighter safety is highlighted since World War II?

OSHA and NFPA safety regulations Signup and view all the answers

What does BLEVE stand for in the context of fire hazards?

A Boiling Liquid Expanding Vapor Explosion Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of firefighter deaths occur while responding to or returning from alarms?

25% Signup and view all the answers

Which firefighting tactic is notably the second leading cause of firefighter deaths after structure fires?

Wildfires Signup and view all the answers

What makes advancing an attack hoseline a high-risk firefighting tactic?

Firefighters are exposed to direct flame and heat Signup and view all the answers

Which firefighting operation is most dangerous due to risks from roof collapses?

Operating on a peaked roof Signup and view all the answers

What is a major risk factor when operating above a fire?

Increased heat and smoke rising from below Signup and view all the answers

Why are cellar fires particularly treacherous for firefighters?

Limited ventilation and difficult access Signup and view all the answers

What hazard is linked to propane gas tank fires?

Explosion from boiling liquid expanding vapor (BLEVE) Signup and view all the answers

Why is outside venting classified as a dangerous firefighting tactic?

Exposure to falling debris and broken glass Signup and view all the answers

Which firefighting task is particularly hazardous due to the presence of corroded and deteriorated structures?

Operating from a fire escape Signup and view all the answers

During overhauling operations, what type of injuries are most likely to occur?

Injuries from collapsing structures and smoke inhalation Signup and view all the answers

Which firefighting tactic is considered the most dangerous based on investigations?

Collapse rescue operations Signup and view all the answers

What action should firefighters avoid when operating a master stream?

Directing water at a parapet wall Signup and view all the answers

What increased risk is associated with firefighters using aerial ladders?

Falls from ladders or platforms Signup and view all the answers

What hazards are prevalent during forcible entry operations?

Flashovers, backdrafts, and explosions Signup and view all the answers

Why is it crucial for firefighters to know about past fatalities and injuries?

To learn from mistakes of others Signup and view all the answers

What factor is known to increase the danger of a firefighting tactic?

Performing a tactic in close proximity to flames Signup and view all the answers

What makes operating in enclosed spaces like basements notably dangerous?

Poor ventilation and potential gas buildup Signup and view all the answers

What makes early-stage firefighting more perilous than later stages?

A higher risk of flashover and explosion Signup and view all the answers

What is a common recurring cause of firefighter death and injury?

Being trapped in a smoke-filled room without a hoseline Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Firefighter Deaths and Injuries

Since the 1970s, average firefighter deaths have more than decreased 30%.
In the 1970s, the average number of firefighter deaths per year was 150.
In 2012, 64 firefighters lost their lives in the line of duty.
Strains and sprains emerged as the most common injuries for firefighters in 2012.

Firefighting Priorities

Protection of life is the foremost priority in firefighting operations.
Significant advancements in firefighter safety have occurred due to OSHA and NFPA regulations since World War II.

Risk Evaluation and Safety Recommendations

Investigations into firefighter fatalities are conducted by NIOSH, which also provides safety recommendations.
Advancing a hoseline is identified as a higher-risk tactic compared to raising a ladder due to exposure to flame and heat.

Hazards and Risks of Firefighting Tactics

Operating above a fire poses dangers such as heat and smoke obstructing escape routes.
Rising flames create critical risks for firefighters working close to a fire's origin.
A BLEVE (Boiling Liquid Expanding Vapor Explosion) can occur during propane gas tank fires.

Causes of Firefighter Deaths

About 25% of firefighter deaths occur while responding or returning from alarms.
Wildfires are the second leading cause of firefighter deaths after structure fires.
Firefighters risk significant exposure when advancing an attack hoseline and facing direct flames.

Structural Risks

Operating on peaked roofs can lead to falls or roof collapses.
Fighting cellar fires is hazardous due to low visibility and challenging access paths.
Dramatic hazards arise from corroded or deteriorating structures during firefighters' operations.

Common Tactics and Associated Dangers

Outside venting exposes firefighters to potential falling debris and broken glass.
Overhauling operations can lead to injuries from collapsing structures or smoke inhalation.
Collapse rescue operations are deemed among the most dangerous according to NIOSH investigations.

Safety Practices

Master streams should not direct water at parapet walls to avoid structural risks.
The use of aerial ladders significantly increases the likelihood of falls from ladders or platforms.
Forcible entry exposes firefighters to risks of flashovers, backdrafts, and explosions.

Awareness and Education

Awareness of previous firefighter fatalities and injuries is crucial for improving survival rates.
Operating in close proximity to flames raises the danger level of firefighting tactics significantly.
Enclosed spaces, such as basements, are particularly dangerous due to ventilation and gas buildup concerns.
Early-stage firefighting presents a higher risk of flashover and explosions compared to later stages.

Common Recurring Causes of Injuries

A frequent cause of deaths and injuries includes being trapped in smoke-filled environments without access to a hoseline.

High-Risk Matrix

The high-risk matrix serves to compare firefighting tactics based on their associated risk and frequency of occurrence.

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Description

Test your knowledge of Chapter 1 from 'Safety and Survival on the Fireground'. This quiz includes 30 multiple-choice questions relating to firefighter death and injury statistics, dangerous firefighting tactics, and principles of risk evaluation. Assess your understanding of the critical concepts outlined in this chapter.