Introduction
The fire rescue teams are often regarded as the national heroes, especially after fires where people die or stay homeless. On the one hand, the development of heroism is the necessary aspect of devotedness to nation and kindness to people, however, it would be better, if the instances, where this heroism were needed, were as rare as possible.
The aim of this paper is to analyze the fire incident, and write an analysis reflection on the matters of the concerns associated with the incident, and provide the thorough in-depth analysis of the personal thoughts, feelings, considerations and opinions concerning this situation. As for the matters of the analysis, the context and the details of the incident will be analyzed from the perspective of possible (or real) impacts and consequences, and the scales of these consequences.
Context of the Incident
The incident itself is closely associated with the negligence and carelessness towards the personal life and health. In general, the accident could cause serious consequences and be the reason of tragic deaths and numerous destructions. In spite of the fact that the incident itself did not cause the fatal consequences, the negligence and carelessness of the main participant should be prevented in future. Independently on the reasons of the incident, the context may be described from the perspective of further prevention of the similar situations.
Actual Incident
In general, the situation may be described briefly. A female student had fallen asleep with the lit candle on her desk. As the paperwork was on the same desk, it caused fire, as the candle had fallen. Luckily, the girl was awakened by the fire and smoke and managed to escape. The most essential detail is that the firefighter’s team arrived in time, and no essential damages had been caused by the fire.
Considering the fact that the fire alarm signal was traced at 3.13 am, and the team returned to base at 3.55 am, there were no serious efforts needed. Nevertheless, the firefighters had a breathing apparatus with them, which signifies that the smoking was essential. Luckily, the breathing apparatus was not required, as the student was alive and in conscious.
On the other hand, the fire could spread very quickly, and touch the neighbouring houses. Even if these houses were made of stone, the slight damage of the surrounding objects would be inevitable.
Significance of the Accident
In fact, this accident in particular is not significant to me; however, something similar could have happened to my sister. She likes reading late at night and often lights a candle in order to create a special atmosphere. As she reads either fantasy books or horrors, the twinkling and shimmering light of the candle helps to create the mystic atmosphere.
Once, she fell asleep while reading, and the candle was standing near the opened window. A curtain had been waving by the wind, and luckily, I came in time, when the fire had already started touching the curtain. Nothing serious happened that evening, however, my sister has not been using candles since that time. Additionally, a black stain reminds her of the possible tragedy.
On the one hand, such an accident could be avoided, as a fire alarm system in the house is reliable, and the firecock would inevitably stopped the fire. Nevertheless, the risk was essential, as my nephew and my sister’s husband were also at home, however they were sleeping, and I was walking to the kitchen, when I heard the howl of the wind, and decided to come and see whether everything is fine in the “reading room”. Actually, no one, except my and sister, knows about the events of that night, however, she promised me that she would never read with the lit candle.
Concerns of the Accident
My own concerns are closely linked with the fact that that the fire in the student’s house was conquered with the one hose only. However, I am afraid that my sister’s house would require much more effort, as the fire could have started in the library, where thousands of books are gathered. In fact, any incident caused by a lit candle would be avoided if people used high safety level candles with a safety lamp-shade that protects the surrounding objects from direct contact with fire and does not shade the light.
Additionally, the safety rules should be observed while using the open fire. This is the concern of the fire services and social advertisement. In general, the actual importance of the safety rules is defined by the statistics of fire incidents that require the involvement of rescue teams. The states and regions where the anti-fire safety advertisement is intensive, the amount of fires is lower in comparison with those where the advertisement is not popular, or where the government does not care of launching the social propaganda.
As for the more detailed matters of propaganda, the only thing that should be emphasized in the ads, is the nature of fire, the main reasons of fires and how the accidents could be avoided. On the one hand, everything depends on people and their attitude towards their lives. On the other hand, those who care of their life, and the lives of those who live next to have the right to know, while the others have the right to choose.
In general, the main concerns that may be discussed based on this candle incident are linked with the necessity to make people know the possible consequences of their negligence; explain the main components of fire, including the chemistry of burning, the nature of flame, physics of fire and heat. Hence, people should know the components of fire in order to find the required solutions of fire fighting:
Fires start when a flammable and, in combination with a sufficient quantity of an oxidizer gas, is exposed to a source of heat or ambient temperature above the flash point for the fuel. Fire cannot exist without all of these elements in place and in the right proportions. For example, a flammable liquid will start burning only if the fuel and oxygen are in the right proportions. Some fuel-oxygen mixes may require a catalyst, a substance that is not directly involved in any chemical reaction during combustion, but which enables the reactants to combust more readily. (Chow, 13)
Additionally, the key measures of firefighting may be explained, for people could resist fire and survive till the arrival of the rescue team. The main types of fire extinguishers may be explained for people know how to use them, what are the key technical requirements of their service etc. These educational measures are needed not to simplify the tasks of the rescue teams, but to offer people a chance to survive. In fact, the student who was rescued did not know the safety rules, however, she knew that a wet cloth may be used in order to prevent suffocation with smoke.
Thoughts and Feelings
Actually, I felt nothing after I had heard the story of this student except pity. In fact, this incident is not the only, and, unfortunately, it similar incidents will repeat in other corners of the world, as while some people like the shady atmosphere of the candlelight, the others do not have another option, as electricity is still unavailable in some regions, or the delivery is scheduled.
As for the thoughts and considerations when this incident could have happened in my family, the thoughts were numerous. I did not know what to start with, however, my sister knows the main types of fire extinguishers, observes the safety rules and keeps candles, matches and lighters in an unavailable place for children. I was grateful to holy heavens that I came exactly on time, and the fire did not have enough time to spread and cause serious consequences.
I was angry with my sister, as she had never minded my objections against her use of candles, and never believed that every year candles cause more then fifteen thousand of home fires. I was afraid that I could lose close people, and lots of other considerations, feelings and emotions. Surely I did not put a list of candle rules on a wall for her, however, the detailed instructions were given. She purchased a safe electric desk lamp which helps to create similar to candle-light atmosphere, and now, we are not afraid of a candle-caused fire.
Afterwards, the feeling of emptiness, sorrow and gladness were chasing me. This mix of feelings was something strange, and could not be explained by simple reasoning. I do not know what would be the consequences if I did not entered the room, as I never entered it later than 1 am as I was afraid to wake my sister who liked sleeping in their family library.
Demands
As for the demands of the research project which is closely linked with the legislative approaches towards fire and rescue services, it should be emphasized that the actual importance of the analysis of this incident is closely linked with the importance of modifying the community safety rules and implement the changes into the legislation. The legislation changes should be closely linked with promoting the safety policies as well as regulating the activity of rescue teams, and creation of the literacy campaign groups responsible for arranging public lectures and promo campaigns.
Additionally, the new legislation principles should be closely linked with the numerous aspects such as creation and operation of fire and rescue authorities, responsibilities and power of these authorities as well as the submission of these authorities to higher bodies. The key functions of the authorities will not be restricted to rescuing and fighting, however, their functions will be road traffic safety associated with fire fighting measures, as well as accepting the emergency signals. (Deng and Hsieh, 405)
The international experience of emergency and firefighting measures should be considered in order to create the reliable and highly effective system of firefighting and rescuing. In general, these aspects involve the necessity to restructure the firefighting teams and unite them with other emergency services. As for the matters of technical advancement, the new legislation should consider the aspects of state legislation as well as the improvement of fire alarm infrastructure. As it is pointed out by Matarese and Straub (83):
The fire service will remain primarily a local responsibility, but because of the added homeland security responsibilities the fire service has assumed and the mobility of today’s society, politicians need to understand the obligations that all levels of government must assume to train, equip and staff our nation’s fire and emergency services. Hence firefighters across the country should have an opportunity to unite and speak as one voice on issues that affect the fire service.
In the light of this statement, it should be emphasized that the legislation demands associated with restructuring of the rescuing teams require the thorough analysis of the international experience and intensive lobbying of this legislation by the representatives of emergency services in Parliament.
Impact on Studies and Future Role
The studies will not change essentially, however, the incident itself made me think over the changes in the direction of my research paper. The requirements towards the legislation changes should be outlined in order to have the completed format, and for this outline could be offered either to emergency organizations or to lobbying groups. Considering the fact that propaganda itself can not be regarded as an effective tool, it should be emphasized that legislation, restructuring of rescue services, social awareness, unification of emergency services in general will be helpful in increasing the effectiveness of firefighting and rescuing services in general. As it is emphasized by Wise and Freitag (493):
Fire and rescue services (FRS) are organized on a metropolitan or county basis, mainly owing to the reorganization of the counties in 1974. In Scotland and Wales they are on a regional basis, with eight and three FRS respectively. Northern Ireland has a single brigade, the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service. The term fire brigade is largely historical with only a few FRS, including the London Fire Brigade keeping it in use. As well as responding to emergencies, UK FRS also have a legal obligation by various acts of parliament covering different parts of the UK, to respond to any emergency, which can pose a threat to life, and the environment.
However, independently of the actual importance of restructuring and analyzing the international legislation, it should be emphasized that the necessity of outlining the direction of my research will be an inevitable part of accomplishing the graduation requirements as well as defining the unique way of legislation development, as few researchers think over the possibilities of emergency legislation development. Hence, the in-depth research of structures and legislations in other countries, it should be emphasized that most States that use Roman legislation basis have the paramilitary structure of emergency services associated with rescuing. Firefighters, in their turn, take the oath and act in accordance with the drill regulations. As it is stated by Gebhart and McCurley (447):
Rank-and-file firefighters are equivalent to enlisted personnel; supervisory firefighters are command officers with ranks. Fire departments, especially larger ones, may also be organized into military-style echelons, such as companies, battalions and divisions. Fire departments may also have unsworn or non-uniformed members in non-firefighting capacities such as administration and civilian oversight, e.g., a board of commissioners.
Consequently, this structure may be used as an instance of a reliable structure for further improvement of firefighting and rescue structures. In spite of the fact that the importance of this restructuring may be denied by the authorities, the role of the research in my future career will be closely associated with the experience of creating reliable, effective, and working legislative projects.
As for the role of this incident in the future role of studies and research in general, it should be emphasized that few have mentioned it, as there are thousands of other incidents that should be studied and researched by the fire experts. This was just an event that caused a chain reaction in my brain, and that may be regarded as a drop in the ocean of other incidents.
Conclusion
The reflection on the matters of a fire and rescue incident is closely linked with the thorough analysis of emergency services structure. In general, the main aspect of safety is the avoidance of similar situations. Hence, social advertisement and safety propaganda should be regarded as the key preliminary measures associated with firefighting and rescuing. While these are the matters of enthusiasts’ anxiety and rare concerns of the government, there will be no results observed. Hence, the emergency services should be restructured in order to perform the educational activities within the population, as people need to have the choice and additional chance for survival in fire. These changes should be confirmed legally.
References
Chow, K. “Fire Safety Management: Replacement Procedure of Fire Doors for an Existing Building.” Architectural Science Review 46.1 (2003): 13
Deng, Tzu-Jeng, Charng-Horng Hsieh, Chyan Yang, and Her-Jiun Sheu. “A Conceptual Framework for Improving Fire-Fighting Service Quality of a Public Fire Department.” International Journal of Public Administration 24.4 (2001): 405.
Gebhart, Gary M., William C. Duffe, and Roger A. McCurley. “Fire Service Testing in a Litigious Environment: A Case History.” Public Personnel Management (1998): 447.
Matarese, Leonard, Kenneth Chelst, Frank Straub, and Robert Forezzi. “Bringing a Higher Level of Productivity to the Fire Service.” Public Management Mar. 2008: 83.
Wise, Charles R., and Christian M. Freitag. “Balancing Accountability and Risk in Program Implementation: The Case of National Fire Policy.” Journal of Public Administration Research and Theory 12.4 (2002): 493.