Introduction to the Fire Officer
Professional qualification standards for fire officers are documented in NFPA 1021, Standard for Fire Officer Professional Qualifications. At the Fire Officer I level, the emphasis is placed on accomplishing the department’s goals and objectives by working through subordinates to achieve the desired results. The officer is a part of management and is responsible for the conduct of others. The officer has to apply policies, procedures, and rules to subordinates and to different situations.
History of the Fire Service
The fire service originated as communities of citizens who responded when a fire broke out.
In 24 BC, the Roman Emperor, Augustus Caesar created what was probably the first fire department, called the Familia Publica.
Richard Newsham developed the first hand-powered water pumper in 1720 in London, England. By 1829, more powerful, steam-powered pumpers had been developed and began to replace the hand-powered pumpers.
During the Colonial period, a fire warden or night watchman patrolled neighbourhoods and sounded the alarm if a fire was discovered. Some towns built a series of fire towers where wardens would watch for fires.
Although the first building codes, developed in ancient Egypt, focused on preventing building collapse, building codes were quickly recognized as an effective means of preventing, limiting and containing fires.
Many early volunteer fire departments were funded by donations or subscriptions and many volunteer departments continue to rely on this source of revenue to purchase equipment and pay operating expenses.
The first firefighters needed just muscular strength and endurance to pass buckets or operate a hand pumper. As equipment became more complex, the importance of formalized training and good judgement increased.
Today, the chain of command creates a structure for managing the fire department as well as for directing fire-ground operations.
As time moves on, so, too, will fire service organizations evolve as departments grow, the leadership changes, and communities determine which services and activities are needed from the fire department.
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