Fire Department admission questions

[aragx6]

Water will spread the grease fire making your house burn down even more quickly. You call 911 and hope that they get there in time. Go ahead, give it a try. See what happens.

[cdc3217]

Originally Posted by KevK

I did and it was a great movie but in that movie, those guys did what firemen do- knock down doors, recuse little kids and spray water on fires. Again they are heroes for doing that. I would not run into a burning building so they are braver than I am. I am only questioning what it is that a college degree does for a firefighter. What exactly is studied in "Fire Science"? If Axe (Backdraft) had a degree in Fire Science and Bull had only his Fire Academy and on the job training, would Axe be a better firefighter than Bull?

Wasn't there that whole plot-thingy with Robert De Niro trying to, you know, figure out what started the fire, how to advise the firefighters as to what to look out for in the arsons (like "backdrafts") and generally keep firefighters alive inside a burning building? They're not just brave - they're trained.

You can compare the merits of a degree in fire science against enginering and come up wanting, I suppose, but there are also degrees in recreation and art history. THere is always a debate over "street smarts" vs "book smarts".

[Avengerfire]

Originally Posted by cdc3217

Wasn't there that whole plot-thingy with Robert De Niro trying to, you know, figure out what started the fire, how to advise the firefighters as to what to look out for in the arsons (like "backdrafts") and generally keep firefighters alive inside a burning building? They're not just brave - they're trained.

You can compare the merits of a degree in fire science against enginering and come up wanting, I suppose, but there are also degrees in recreation and art history. THere is always a debate over "street smarts" vs "book smarts".

Jeez and I thought knowing not to put water on a grease fire was street smarts! Shows how much I know.;-)

[Avengerfire]

Originally Posted by KevK

Oh?? So what do you do if you do not have an extingusher? Let it burn down the house?

Well you can turn off the burner and let the grease cool off. Cover the pan if possible and put baking soda on any area that is on fire.

Always keep the stovetop and other areas (including pots,pans,ect...)clean of grease after and prior to cooking.

If you do those things you should be in good shape. If the fire gets out of control,yes call 911 and vacate the house asap.

[KevK]

Originally Posted by cdc3217

Wasn't there that whole plot-thingy with Robert De Niro trying to, you know, figure out what started the fire, how to advise the firefighters as to what to look out for in the arsons (like "backdrafts") and generally keep firefighters alive inside a burning building? They're not just brave - they're trained.

You can compare the merits of a degree in fire science against enginering and come up wanting, I suppose, but there are also degrees in recreation and art history. THere is always a debate over "street smarts" vs "book smarts".

When it comes to firefighters, I will take street smarts anyday! Same with cops too.

[KevK]

Originally Posted by aragx6

Water will spread the grease fire making your house burn down even more quickly. You call 911 and hope that they get there in time. Go ahead, give it a try. See what happens.

I didn't know that. I thought only an electric fire was not supposed to have water put on it.

[Avengerfire]

Originally Posted by KevK

I didn't know that. I thought only an electric fire was not supposed to have water put on it.

Well now you know and that is a good thing.

[KevK]

Originally Posted by Avengerfire

Well now you know and that is a good thing.

It is and I verified the info is actually correct on another site. In fact I checked the extingusher in the kitchen to insure that it is class A-B-C as the site said. Learn something new everyday! Maybe I need a little "fire science" huh?

[via chicago]

In regards to fire science...theres a whole range of things firefighters deal with when combating a blaze which probably looks to you just like "spraying water around". You have to be aware of each buildings structural makeup (would you fight a fire in a skyscraper the same you would a wood frame house, or an industrial warehouse?), what routes are safe, things might potentially explode, have to be aware of situations where backdrafts may occur, etc. There are tactics, just like any other "fight". You also probably learn some forensic skills.

They are also first responders for a number of emergencies unrelated to fire, and have to know how to handle each situation...hazmat, chemical spills, etc.


And yes, fire fighting jobs in Chicago are extremely competitive and rarely open up. The exam last year was the first in a decade, and 25,000 applicants showed up....