Junior firefighters online exhibition
Welcome to our Junior Firefighters online exhibition! You will learn more about fire safety and what firefighters do.
Fire
What is fire?
Fire is light and heat that comes from a chemical reaction. Along with fire comes smoke which is a gas made up of hydrogen, carbon, and oxygen. You will also find char which is nearly pure carbon, and ash which is all the unburnable minerals in the wood.
Why can fire be dangerous?
Fires can be dangerous to humans, animals, and plant life. They can burn and damage plants and animals, cause erosion, and open up areas to the impacts of feral animal invasion, human interference and vandalism.
How can we stop fires?
Fires can be stopped by removing its fuel, oxygen or heat. We can remove the fuel source by draining it or taking it away, the oxygen by smothering the fire, and the heat by absorbing it with water. Fire extinguishers are often used to control fires by discharging water, foams, carbon dioxide, dry chemicals and other substances. Firefighters help put out all kinds of fires – from kitchen fires to bushfires.
What causes fire?
You need 3 things to create a fire. Heat, fuel, and oxygen.
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Heat can include a match, focused light, friction, lightning, or something else that is already burning.
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Fuel can be wood, or coal.
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And oxygen is all around us in the air we breathe.
Why can fires be good?
Fire is useful to us for lighting, heating and cooking. It can also be beneficial to the environment when managed correctly. Many Aboriginal peoples have been using controlled fire for thousands of years to create easier access through thick and prickly vegetation, encourage new growth, encourage the development of useful food plants, and for cooking, warmth, signalling, and spirituals practices.
Fire Triangle
Firefighters
Firefighters do more than just putting out fires, they also rescue people, provide basic first aid, educate people on fire safety, and help communities recover after storms and floods. Within New South Wales we have organisations such as Fire and Rescue NSW and the Rural Fire Service.
Who are Firefighters and what do they do?
How can they help me?
Firefighters have lots of special equipment to put out fires and rescue people including tools, hoses, ladders, breathing devices, and heavy-duty uniforms. They can stop the fires or save you in rescue situations such as car crashes and collapsed buildings.
Uniforms
Firefighters wear a specialized uniform that protects them in a fire. Their uniforms weigh 20-30kg and have several layers to stop the fire and steam from burning them. They wear special helmets that have in-built radio communications, and visors to protect their faces. Their uniform and helmets are neon yellow and have reflective elements on them so that they can be easily seen when visibility is low. Although you might see some firefighters wearing different coloured helmets including red for captains, and black for the commissioner. They also wear boots, gloves, a flash hood and an air set.
Have a look at these photos on the right that show an old and new firefighters uniform!