JACKSONVILLE FIRE DEPARTMENT

Staffing: Is Jacksonville Beach Fire Department adequately staffed?

Staffing: Is Jacksonville Beach Fire Department adequately staffed?

Introduction

Firefighters are an important and essential part of the world, and are crucial to the general population. Firefighters are those brave men and women who risk their lives, some daily, to help fight home fires, business fires, and forest fires. A firefighter can make a career out of firefighting, volunteer their time, or become one of the many specialists needed in the field of firefighting. Firefighting can be a lucrative career, although salary depends on many factors.

Firefighters and Volunteer Firefighters

A fireman is a person who fights fires in homes, buildings, structures, and outdoors. There are two types of firefighters, volunteers and career. Volunteer firefighting is the most popular type of fireman. Those who make a career out of it get a salary, work full time, work scheduled shifts, and are usually based on a local firehouse.

Most firefighters, however, are volunteer workers. They do a volunteer fire department, or VFD, and make up 73 percent of all firefighters in the United States. Volunteers generally have other jobs outside of firefighting and remain in a state of attention day and night. The call firefighters may also be expected to volunteer and help with other tasks, too. These may include fundraising, training, cleaning, equipment maintenance, and more. Volunteer firefighters must leave whatever they are doing if they are called to a fire. This includes being at work, asleep, or for recreation. A volunteer firefighter is allowed, by law, to leave their workplace if responding to a fire call, and can not get in trouble for it.

Fire Inspectors

Fire inspectors are an important part of fire fighting operations. They perform many duties and help keep the operation running efficiently and smoothly. A fire inspector's many jobs will include inspecting buildings and homes for fire code violations, and locating any hazardous materials or conditions. Any accumulation of combustible materials, electrical wiring problems and lack of fire exits will be reported and cited. Fire inspectors will then help with the actions necessary to correct the problems alongside the owners of the buildings, and help get the house or building until the fire safety codes. Another job of a fire inspector is to inspect all fire protectors, such as smoke detectors and fire extinguishers, and make sure they are in working order.

Fire inspectors' jobs are very important, as they also inspect buildings and businesses that store, manipulate, and use all types of hazardous and flammable materials. They make sure that the company is operating within the proper limits of the law, and are following all codes and regulations concerning fire hazards. A fire inspector can issue permits for public assemblies, making sure the proper fire codes are in force. They also have the authority to issue fines to those who are not obeying the laws and codes. They can help develop fire safety and evacuation plans, which can be of great help to large buildings and ...