https:\/\/youtu.be\/rSuWL-lF0PE<\/p>\r\n
Introduction to the Fire Officer <\/strong><\/p>\r\n Professional qualification standards for fire officers are documented in NFPA 1021, Standard for Fire Officer Professional Qualifications.\u00a0 At the Fire Officer I level, the emphasis is placed on accomplishing the department\u2019s 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.<\/p>\r\n History of the Fire Service<\/strong><\/p>\r\n The fire service originated as communities of citizens who responded when a fire broke out.<\/p>\r\n In 24 BC, the Roman Emperor, Augustus Caesar created what was probably the first fire department, called the Familia Publica.<\/p>\r\n 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.<\/p>\r\n 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.<\/p>\r\n 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.<\/p>\r\n 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.<\/p>\r\n 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.<\/p>\r\n Today, the chain of command creates a structure for managing the fire department as well as for directing fire-ground operations.<\/p>\r\n 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.<\/p>\r\n\r\n