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By Fire Chief David Peterson,
Plainfield Charter Township Fire Department
The firefighters at the Plainfield Fire Department spend many hours training and preparing for firefighting so that they can react wisely even in the most dangerous situations. One of the reasons for this extensive training is because studies show that people often make poor decisions when faced with fire. This shouldn't be too surprising, since the carbon monoxide that all fires give off takes its toll on our bodies, making us disoriented and confused. Studies indicate that when smoke is present, about 60 percent of the people attempted to move through the smoke. The more the smoke spreads, the more likely people were to use an exit other than the normal one. Depending on where the nearest exit is located, this behavior can be either good or bad. However, in many cases, poor judgment because of a lack of knowledge caused individuals to attempt to fight the fire as a first option.
Studies found three types of reactions to a fire situation. In the following order, people's primary concerns were: Evacuating the building (a good choice!), fighting or confining the fire, and alerting others. Although some of these behaviors are proper in many circumstances, the study also found that many people feel they should reenter the burning building, delaying fire department notification. Untrained people reentering burning buildings without the personal protection equipment that firefighters wear is almost certain to be a poor choice.
In terms of priorities, females were found much more likely to warn others about the fire situation, followed by leaving the building, requesting assistance, and evacuating their families. Males were inclined to stay and fight the fire, followed by taking actions to minimize the risk, such as closing doors. The males then ranked leaving the building and evacuating others next on the list, followed by calling for assistance as their last choice. Although many of us can understand the desire for a person to protect their home from the worst, it is not worth the risk.
The more frequently people received fire training or instruction on what to do in a fire, the more likely those folks were to raise the alarm or organize evacuation as a first action. This is where the Plainfield Fire Department comes in. Since the beginning of 2006 to the time this article was posted, the Plainfield Fire Department has spent 514 hours educating 14,675 citizens of Plainfield Township about the importance of fire safety and emergency evacuation plans.
One kindergarten class in the township was challenged by a firefighter to come up with an emergency evacuation plan for their family. When the drawings were turned in, it was apparent that the families spent time discussing their plan together and many had decided on a meeting place outside of the house following the evacuation. What a fabulous activity to prepare your family for the unexpected!
Recently there was another situation in the township where a carbon monoxide detector went off in a daycare facility. Due to the diligent planning of this caretaker and the weekly practices with fire drills, the children immediately lined up and filed out the door chanting “Call 911.” Great Job!
When a fire occurs or fire alarm sounds, the proper action is to take your family and exit the building. Once outside, citizens should call the fire department to inform them of the emergency. Adults need to be proactive, planning ahead and quizzing their families concerning the proper reaction to a fire occurring while out to dinner, riding in the car or at a sporting event. If a child or young person has no idea what to do in a fire, the probability of devastating results is higher. It is of extreme importance for citizens and families to be prepared for an evacuation in the event of a fire; it could literally save your life.
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