Glossary of firefighting

From WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia

This glossary contains a list of terms and jargon used in firefighting and emergency response.

A[edit | edit source]

  • Aerial ladder - A turntable ladder, which is a large, telescoping ladder mounted on a fire truck for reaching high elevations.
  • Arson - The criminal act of deliberately setting fire to property.

B[edit | edit source]

  • Backdraft - A phenomenon in which a fire that has consumed all available oxygen suddenly explodes when more oxygen is introduced, often upon opening a door or window.
  • Bunker Gear - The personal protective equipment worn by firefighters to protect them from the heat, flames, and smoke during firefighting activities.

C[edit | edit source]

  • Combustion - The chemical process of burning, the basic chemical process in firefighting.
  • Controlled Burning - The process of burning small, manageable areas of land to reduce fuel load and prevent larger fires.

D[edit | edit source]

  • Defensible space - An area around a building that is modified to reduce fire hazard.
  • Drafting - Drawing water from a natural source for firefighting purposes, such as a pond or lake.

E[edit | edit source]

  • Extinguisher - A portable device that discharges a jet of water, foam, gas, or other material to extinguish a fire.

F[edit | edit source]

  • Flashover - A near-simultaneous ignition of most of the directly exposed combustible material in an enclosed area.
  • Foam - A firefighting substance formed by mixing a foam concentrate with water and air, creating a foamy blanket that smothers a fire.

H[edit | edit source]

  • Hazardous materials (HazMat) - Dangerous substances that may include chemicals, fuels, or biological contaminants.
  • Hydrant - A source of water provided in most urban, suburban and rural areas for firefighting purposes.

I[edit | edit source]

  • Incident commander - The person responsible for all aspects of emergency response, including developing objectives and managing resources.

J[edit | edit source]

  • Jaws of life - A hydraulic rescue tool used by emergency rescue personnel to assist vehicle extrication of crash victims.

K[edit | edit source]

  • Knock down - To reduce the visible flames in a structure or an area.

L[edit | edit source]

  • Ladder company - A team of firefighters specialized in using ladders for rescue operations and to gain access to fires occurring at heights.

M[edit | edit source]

  • Mop up - Operations carried out after the main fire has been extinguished to ensure a fire is completely out and unable to reignite.

N[edit | edit source]

  • Nozzle - The device at the end of a fire hose that directs, shapes, and regulates the flow of water or firefighting agent.

O[edit | edit source]

  • Overhaul - The practice of searching a fire scene to detect hidden fires or sparks which may reignite.

P[edit | edit source]

Q[edit | edit source]

  • Quint - A firefighting apparatus that serves the dual purpose of an engine and a ladder truck.

R[edit | edit source]

S[edit | edit source]

  • Salvage - Operations that involve saving property from fire and water damage during firefighting operations.
  • Smoke Detector - A device that senses smoke and provides an early warning of a possible fire.

T[edit | edit source]

  • Turnout gear - Another term for bunker gear. The protective clothing worn by firefighters during emergency operations.

V[edit | edit source]

  • Ventilation - The process of removing hot gases and smoke from a fire and replacing them with fresh air, typically to improve visibility and lower temperatures.

W[edit | edit source]

  • Wildland firefighter - Firefighters who specialize in suppressing fires in vegetation and rural areas.

Firefighting related terms[edit | edit source]

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Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD