What do I need to know; Fire Marshal

[andrewmizzi]

Hi guys.

Wondering what I need to know about fire marshalling?

I'm part of a club now, but I want to know anything relevant to my job. Of course I'll get the experience from on the job, but I want to know as much as I can.

My first official event is a National C'Ship so I want to be prepared.

[Bob Pearson]

Bloody hell,
It's not like that in this country is it? I have been racing since 1970 thinking you guys and girls were all trained up

[andrewmizzi]

I should probably say I'm a trainee (since my signature doesn't do it that well...)

[EvilPumpkin]

Bob, if people join during the year then we train them on the banks - we do not have the manpower or financial resources to run regular training courses. However, trainees are looked after and supervised.

andrew - are you a fire specific marshal or a course marshal with fire duties?

[andrewmizzi]

Fire specific.

[EvilPumpkin]

ok - well I think rule number one is

Marshals are not fireproof!

We may be vaguely fire retardant, but definitely not fireproof. Have you been supplied with a list of PPE you need to have? Requirements do vary from country to country.

[andrewmizzi]

PPE?

[EvilPumpkin]

Personal Protective Equipment - overalls, gloves, boots, etc.

[andrewmizzi]

Yep. They have their own uniform but don't give it out until you're a full member (6 months probationary) which is fair enough, keeps a high standard of professionalism.

At the moment its just blue overalls, steel-capped boots and riggers gloves (which I thankfully already had).

[sss]

remember the fire triangle, petrol, wood & matches

also, if its a small fire, wait 5 minutes till you have a big fire, makes for a better story in the bar. dont trip over with the fire extinguisher especially when on television, pull the pin b4 you get there, put pin in pocket in case you dont use it. dont squirt up wind.

[Cynic]

Q: What steps do you take when dealing with a fire?

A: Bloody great big ones in the opposite direction.

[QuickBrownFox]

And don't forget to put out your cigarette before arriving at the scene of the fire (if you can still afford to smoke cigarettes post-Budget).

[EvilPumpkin]

Originally posted by QuickBrownFox
And don't forget to put out your cigarette before arriving at the scene of the fire (if you can still afford to smoke cigarettes post-Budget).

What for - it's already burning...like it's going to get even more lit....?

[Woolley]

The best piece of advice I was given is that if there is a fire, it's very important to get there very quickly ... otherwise someone else will get to put it out.

Seriously, the important thing is not to get too close. Most beginners rush in, fire powder in all directions, and generally look exciting, but ineffective. Fire extinguishers work from a reasonable distance away, and if you're feeling the heat, you're too close. Short bursts are the most effective. Squirt, look, move and repeat. If you are too far away, you can move in. Moving out is more difficult.

The triangle of fire is imprortant(interesting variation, sss) heat, fuel, oxygen. Remove one, the fire goes out.

Finally, don't wear anything that will melt if you get too much heat - plastic trainers, polyester socks or nylon underwear can all have interesting shrink-wrap tendencies!

[Dave Brand]

Originally posted by sss
dont trip over with the fire extinguisher

Now who is it I've seen do that?

Ah, now I remember.....KayBee!!!!!!

Lucky she didn't fall on the bottle......could have flattened it!