Unit_VI_Journal.docx FIR 2303 Unit VI Journal Columbia Southern University- FIR 2303 G

Unit_VI_Journal.docx  FIR 2303  Unit VI Journal  Columbia Southern University- FIR 2303  Great progress has been made within the fire service in the development and use of protective equipment.  The days of firefighters not wearing air masks are long gone.  When I first started the fire service, there were still some older firemen on the job who had experience with not wearing SCBAs, but they were nearing the end of their career in the fire service.  Today, for a fireman not to use an air mask is mostly unheard of.  Occasionally, a face mask will come dislodged from the users face and the seal will be broken.  The positive pressure of the mask will then flow enough air to keep smoke and other partials out of the users air.  Todays fire service has improved greatly over the years.  Personally, when I started in the fire service, I wore an air mask on the initial attack and would be quick to take it off for the remainder of the overhaul and salvage work.   Several times in my early career, I would experience a headache or light headiness, but would continue to work due to pride and wanting to be accepted by my peers.  Today, we know that even after a fire, a lot of the partials are still present in the air.  Typically, major carcinogens are present after a fire is extinguished.  Also, the presence of carbon monoxide is relevant.  My department requires that air monitoring be conducted after extinguishment and during overhaul.  These air readings are logged and use of SCBA is mandatory while working