Pages

Monday, July 18, 2011

Research Paper on Firefighting

Research Paper on Firefighting

Fire Fighters were really the unsung heroes until recent incident where terrorist hijacked two airplanes and crashed them into the World Trade Center in New York City on September 11, 2001. This was the largest terrorist attack ever established on U.S. soil. The Fire Fighters were sent to rescue the civilians and risked their lives to try to save the lives of the people that were trapped in the two buildings. The structure collapsed with many of the fire fighters and civilians still in the building. The courage, loyalty and strength it takes to carry on this career are shown by this heroic action performed by the fire fighters who will forever be in our hearts and minds. Fire fighters risk their lives daily to help the public. They are on call 24 hours a day seven days a week. Their jobs range from fighting fires to dismantling bombs. The fire fighters of today have to be certified not only to fight fires but as paramedic first responders as well. It is a career that requires a high mental and physical demand. In order to become a Fire Fighter you would need to be in the right physical and mental state. Fire Fighters aren?t made, they are born. They are there own race so to speak. The career as a fire fighter has always been a dream of mine and now know that this is what I want t to do with my life, become a fire fighter.

The process to become a fire fighter is continuous. According to the (Occupational Outlook Handbook 342), the requirements to be accepted to a fire academy are to be at least eighteen years of age and a high school graduate. After these requirements are met, the applicant will under go a written and physical exam. The article explains that once accepted to the fire academy, the training begins. The training includes fire fighting techniques, emergency medical procedures and first aid (Bureau of Labor Statistics 342-343). Another article on the U.S. Department of Labor web site states that after the classroom instruction an apprenticeship is required. The apprenticeship program includes hands-on training and awareness of fire fighting equipment; this can last up to five years. Once the apprenticeship program is completed the applicant is then assigned to a firefighter department. The article goes further to say that education continues from this point forward. Frequently, once assigned to a fire station, the fire fighters attend seminars to gain knowledge on new fire fighting techniques and equipment. They also attended conferences in order to get a better insight of the fire fighting community (Occupational Outlook Handbook online 3). Therefore the learning of a fire fighter is never-ending.
__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

In the field of fire fighting, the compensation package depends where he or she is stationed. According to the article ?Fire Fighters? Encyclopedia of Careers and Vocabulary Guidance (17), the typical salary of a full-time fire fighter was $23,753 in 1995. Fire fighters who have more experience can earn on a median of $31,615 a year. The earnings of a fire fighter varied depending on the size on the city and/or region of the country. In the smaller cities there was an average earning was $25, 500; however in larger cities the gross income is $35, 400 a year. In the article it also states that the higher in rank receives a larger net income. Fire lieutenants, captains, and fire chiefs average can range from anywhere in between $47,000 to $55, 000. Fire Chiefs in larger cities can produce as much as $80,000 per year or more. According to the article ?Firefighting Occupations? Careers for the 90?s. Research and Education Association (1991 288), fire fighters receive a variety of peripheral benefits that would include medical and liability insurance, vacation and sick leave, and some compensated holidays. Virtually all fire departments provide the protective clothing needed for a fire fighter, which includes helmets, boots, and coats. Departments also include a breathing apparatus and dress uniforms. Fire fighters are covered on a usual basis by liberal pension plans that endow with a retirement at half pay at age 50 after 25 years of service or at any age if disabled on the job. Thus, in the field of fire fighting the compensation package can vary on the location of which you are stationed.

Assessment for the future need for the career as a fire fighter is projected to grow fairly stable. According to the article ?Fire Fighters? Encyclopedia of Careers (17), there are currently 300,000 personnel employed as fire fighters, with several thousand jobs anticipated annually. The job opportunities available are of a result of those who have died, retired, or resigned from the occupation. Replacements are required more in this line of work than most other jobs because fire fighters have the opportunity to retire at an early age. Most of the new jobs will be created from small growing communities that combine volunteer and career fire fighters. In large urban cities there is little growth expected. In most cities the competition for jobs opportunity is keen. The occupation as a fire fighter attracts many people because a high diploma is sufficient, a high income, and good retirement plan. The number of able applicants often is greater than the jobs that are available. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (343) states that many people are attracted to fire fighting as a career because it challenges and gives people the chance to perform a public service. The job opportunities are expected to increase more slowly than other jobs through 2010. Most of the job increase will result from volunteer firefighting converted into paid positions. Fire protection is an important service, and citizens are likely to put more pressure to local officials to maintain the level of fire protection. In conclusion, the assessment for the future need for the career is projected to fairly stable.

The field fire fighting requires a high physical demand and various skills needed for this occupation. According to the article ?Fire Fighter? in Eureka (1, 2 of 9), fire fighting requires the ability to handle and operate objects, tools and machinery. First you would need to be in good health, physical ability, strength and stamina. Secondly you would need to have an above average manual dexterity, with good hand eye coordination; the ability to climb, stoop, reach, and hear. Thirdly, you need to be able to lift up to 50 pounds or more. Fourthly, it is important to be able to work under high levels of stress, willingness to risk death or injury and work well with others. In the article ?Fire Fighters? (Encyclopedia of Careers 15-16), it states that to become a fire fighter one would need to go through rigorous physical exams. Intrapersonal skills are a necessity in this line of work. One would need to be able to handle the emotions of those he or she is helping; emotions can range from distraught homeowners to burn victims. Therefore, the field of fire fighting requires a high physical demand and various skills needed for this occupation.

The typical days worked, duties and responsibilities of a fire fighter can range on a wide scale. In the article ?Careers for the 90?s? (Research & Education Association 286-288), it states that a fire fighters work long hours compared to most other workers. They usually work 50 hours a week. In some cities they are on duty for 24 hours and off 48 hours. They typically work a day shift of 10 hours for 3 or 4 days. Then fire fighters work a night shift of 14 hours; have 3 or 4 days off. According to the online article Bureau of Labor Statistics (1 of 6), Fire fighters have numerous responsibilities. When on duty fire fighters they must be ready at all times for any types of call. On emergency scenes fire fighters are given specific duties handed to them by there superiors. At fires, they connect hoses to hydrants, where they connect the hoses to the pumps to send the water to high pressure hoses and they set up ladders in position to deliver the water to the fire. Fire fighters also rescue victims and give medical attention needed. They have assumed a range of responsibilities, including emergency medical services. Most of the calls that fire fighters receive are medical emergencies. In conclusion, the typical days worked, duties and responsibilities of a fire fighter can range on a wide scale.

The career as a fire fighter has its drawbacks and is stressful. In the article ?Firefighting Occupations? (Occupational Outlook Handbook 342), it states that some of the drawbacks include responding to calls regardless of weather or hour, risking death or injury on the job. Fire fighters also could be exposed to flames or smoke. They can come in contact with poisonous, flammable, or explosive gases and chemical. According to the article ?Fire Fighters? (Encyclopedia of Careers 17), fire fighting as an occupation can be stressful. Stress can occur on any job. Fire fighting is stressful because someone?s life can hang in the balance. The job includes long hours with 24 hour shifts. Therefore, fire fighting has its drawbacks and is stressful.

In conclusion, fire fighters risk their lives daily in order to keep the public safe. They show a great deal of courage, loyalty and strength. Fire fighting as an occupation requires a special kind of person who will risk all they have for the job and the people they are sworn to protect. Fire fighting has always been a dream of mine. When I was six years old, I remember the house across the street caught on fire. I was amazed by the fire fighters and how they came a handled the situation with ease. I saw them save the lives of the couple still in the house and extinguish the fire. Since then I knew that fire fighting is what I wanted to do with my life.

___________________________________________________________
Warning!!! All free online research papers, research paper samples and example research papers on Firefighting topics are plagiarized and cannot be fully used in your high school, college or university education.

Order Custom Research Paper on Firefighting
If you need a custom research paper, research proposal, essay, dissertation, thesis paper or term paper on your topic, EffectivePapers.com will write your research papers from scratch. Starting at $12/page you can order custom written papers online. We work with experienced PhD. and Master's freelance writers to help you with writing any academic papers in any subject! High quality and 100% non-plagiarized papers guaranteed!
___________________________________________________________