Fire and Emergency Services Orientation and

Terminology5 th Edition

Chapter 4 — Fire Investigation, Fire Prevention, and Public Fire

and Life Safety Education

Learning Objective 1

Explain the various responsibilities of fire and emergency services personnel regarding fire investigation.

4–2

Fire investigation has several purposes.

4–3

The investigator has several roles.

4–4

Emergency responders make several observations that are vital to investigations.

4–5

Firefighters should conduct themselves appropriately at a scene.

4–6

The fire scene should be secured unti l the investigation is complete.

4–7

Evidence is any fire scene arti fact that can help determine a f ire’s origin and cause.

4–8

Identify the components of fire prevention.

Learning Objective 2

4–9

REVIEW QUESTION

What position in the fire department usually works to raise public awareness of fire prevention issues?

4–10

Fire prevention includes fire safety surveys and code inspections.

4–11

REVIEW QUESTION

What are two types of documents that help fire prevention efforts by pinpointing observed or past fire safety issues?

How does code enforcement inspection help support fire prevention?

4–12

Fire hazards increase the l ikelihood of a fire.

4–13

Common fire hazards include poor housekeeping and improper storage of combustibles.

4–14

Special hazards may be found in commercial, manufacturing, and public assembly occupancies.

4–15

Target hazards are facil i t ies that have a great potential for l i fe or property loss from a fire.

4–16

REVIEW QUESTIONS

What two types of surveys are included in fire safety surveys?

What is the purpose of a pre-incident survey?

4–17

A pre-incident survey provides essential information that helps during an emergency situation.

4–18

Residential f ire safety surveys can only be accomplished on a voluntary basis.

4–19

Describe public fire and life safety education as it relates to fire prevention.

Learning Objective 3

4–20

Public f ire and l i fe safety education includes a variety of topics.

4–21

There are several steps to presenting fire and l i fe safety information.

4–22

REVIEW QUESTION

What are the three steps a Fire and Life Safety Educator should take when presenting to an audience?

4–23

Fire and l i fe safety presentations should focus on major topics.

4–24

Fire station tours should be supplemented with strong safety messages and relevant materials.

4–25

Summary

• When responding to fires, firefighters must extinguish as quickly and safely as possible, while observing for evidence.

• It is critical that fire departments act to prevent fires by educating the public in recognizing and reducing hazards and in acting effectively when an emergency occurs.

4-26

(Continued)

• Conducting pre-incident surveys, conducting fire and life safety education, and assisting homeowners and tenants with safety information are all a critical part of the firefighters’ job.

Summary

4–27