28 Questions
What served as the impetus to more closely examine the risk of disorientation in firefighting?
A specific injury incident in 1997
What happened to the acting lieutenant during the structure fire at the thrift store?
He became disoriented and suffered critical thermal injuries
What is the first step in the process described?
Recognizing and defining the danger associated with various structures and conditions
What was the outcome for nine other disoriented firefighters during the structure fire?
They barely evacuated before running out of air and before flashover
Which aspect is examined first during the review of past disorientation cases?
Effectiveness of the offensive strategies initially used
What is a constant occupational risk in the American fire service according to the text?
Firefighter fatalities at the scene of structure fires
What is a fundamental operational issue mentioned in the text?
Use of wind-driven fire action plans
What was the number of on-duty firefighter deaths in the U.S. in 2014?
64
What was the largest share of deaths related to for firefighters?
Operating at fires
How many fatalities were caused by rapid fire progression or flashover?
Three
How many fatalities were due to structural collapses?
Two
How many firefighters died in fatal falls?
Three
Did any of the structures in which firefighters died have automatic fire suppression systems?
No, none of them did
In which year did two Texas volunteer fire captains die after becoming disoriented during a fire?
2010
When did a Wisconsin volunteer lieutenant die after a bowstring truss roof collapsed?
2012
When did four Houston Fire Department firefighters die when they were trapped by a collapsing roof?
2013
What aspect does the U.S. fire service need to continue making improvements in according to the text?
Training, personal protective equipment, and operating procedures
What was the focus of the U.S. Firefighter Disorientation Study 1979-2001?
Analyzing structure fires resulting in firefighter disorientation
How many structure fires were analyzed in the U.S. Firefighter Disorientation Study 1979-2001?
17
What is the definition of disorientation as per the study?
"The loss of direction due to the lack of vision in a structure fire."
What types of materials were analyzed as part of the study?
Safety reports, tactical work sheets, videos, interviews, investigative reports, and photographs
According to the study, who is susceptible to disorientation during a fire incident?
Firefighters of all ranks, ages, training levels, and experience
What was found to be unsafe and ineffective at disorientation fires according to the study?
"Traditional methods of operation"
Why must the approach to preventing disorientation fatalities be institutionalized in every department according to the study?
Due to its national scope.
What is required to prevent disorientation fatalities according to the study?
A major operational shift in the fire service including clear communication, training, and preparation of every active firefighter.
What types of structures were included in the U.S. Firefighter Disorientation Study 1979-2001?
Variety including a cold storage warehouse, a supermarket, and a paper warehouse.
What is required for effectively addressing each contributing factor to prevent disorientation fatalities according to the study?
A multipronged approach.
According to the study, where did firefighter disorientation occur?
In departments of all sizes and geographical locations.
Study Notes
- The U.S. Firefighter Disorientation Study 1979-2001 examined 17 structure fires where firefighters became disoriented, resulting in 23 fatalities and numerous injuries.
- The study analyzed safety reports, tactical work sheets, videos, interviews, investigative reports, and photographs.
- The 17 structures included in the study varied widely, such as a cold storage warehouse in Massachusetts, a supermarket in Phoenix, and a paper warehouse in Kansas City.
- Firefighter disorientation occurred in departments of all sizes and geographical locations.
- Disorientation was not limited to any specific category of firefighter, regardless of rank, age, training, assignment, or level of experience.
- Disorientation can be defined as "the loss of direction due to the lack of vision in a structure fire."
- Disorientation requires a multipronged approach to effectively address each contributing factor and prevent fatalities.
- Traditional methods of operation at disorientation fires were found to be unsafe and ineffective.
- A major operational shift in the fire service is required to prevent disorientation fatalities, including clear communication, training, and preparation of every active firefighter.
- The approach to preventing disorientation fatalities must be institutionalized in every department in the country due to its national scope.
Test your knowledge on the U.S. Firefighter Disorientation Study 1979—2001, a three-year study that examined 17 structure fires occurring over a 22-year time span. Explore the challenges facing today's firefighters and how to make enclosed structure fires safer in the future.
Make Your Own Quizzes and Flashcards
Convert your notes into interactive study material.
Get started for free
