Frequent Asked Questions

FIRE DEPARTMENT OPERATIONS

Common Questions

Q. Why are windows broken or holes cut in the roof?

Fires produce temperatures greater than 1200 degrees, along with smoke and hot gases. At times, firefighters must eliminate the heat, smoke and hot gases before they can enter to put out the fire. As a fire burns, it generally moves upward then outward. Breaking the windows and/or cutting holes in the roof (called ventilation) slows the damaging upward and outward movement, helps remove toxic and blinding smoke that is the major cause of fire related deaths and that obscures the actual fire, releases heat trapped in the building and enables firefighters to fight the fire more efficiently and assist in more rapid search and rescue efforts. . The result of this action is less damage to the structure in the long run.

Q. Why are holes cut in walls?

This is often done so that the fire department is absolutely sure that the fire is completely out, Often, firefighters must open walls to find the "hidden" fires, to completely extinguish the fire. We have decreased the amount of damage with the use of TIC’s. Thermal Image Camera’s

 

“Embracing our past, while we prepare for our future”

Glenn Heights Fire Department