You are awakened by a deafening noise. You look out your window and see that there is a commotion outside. Jaws dropped, they are all staring at your building. Some are screaming. Other have fear painted on their faces. Then you smell something weird — smoke. Your building is on fire. “Who you gonna call?” No, it’s not Ghostbusters — firefighters!
What does a firefighter do?
Firefighters are brave, honorable people. All over the world, fires kill hundreds of people and destroy billions of dollars worth of property every year. Firefighters protect people and property by putting out fires and preventing them from spreading and turning nearby places to ashes. Although it sounds simple, their job is very dangerous and life-threatening. Firefighters expose themselves to several dangers during a fire. Walls can topple on them. Floors can cave in. Flames can burn them. Smoke can suffocate them. They may also come in contact with hazardous materials such as poisonous gases and toxic chemicals. They put their lives at risk to save others. They are people with appropriate skills and abilities, unparalleled determination and a heart for others.
Aside from holding that firehose and shooting water all over the burning area, firefighters are also skilled in emergency medicine. People who are trapped in burning buildings or forests affected by a wildfire need immediate medical attention. Firefighters are also trained to treat people who are injured or hurt.
What do firefighters do when there is no alarm or emergency? They perform fire inspections. They also practice firefighting skills and train even harder. They repair and clean their gear and equipment. They also exercise to keep fit and condition their body in case they are called for an emergency.
Firefighters spend much of their time at fire stations. Most stations have living rooms, bedrooms and a kitchen just like an ordinary house. These are necessary because most of them work for over 50 hours a week. Some of them are on duty for 24 hours straight. When the alarm sounds, they must respond rapidly.