Utilizing Research to Enhance Fire Service Knowledge
Author
Summary, in English
This thesis explores the fire service workplace through full-scale experiments. Evidence-based information has been developed to be combined with firefighter experience to improve their knowledge of fire dynamics and the cause and effect impact of their tactics on life safety, property conservation, and incident stabilization. Multiple series of experiments examined how residential fire dynamics changed as firefighters deployed tactics such as horizontal ventilation,vertical ventilation, interior fire suppression, exterior fire suppression, and search & rescue. In addition, the fire service improvement model was analyzed and changes are offered. The two main changes include incorporating a foundation of fire dynamics knowledge and utilizing research to fill the existing gaps. Fire dynamics knowledge is imperative to ensure that as firefighters apply their Standard Operating Guidelines (SOGs) at emergency incidents, what is experienced is both reliable and scientifically sound. Further benefits provided by research include understanding the impact of changes in the fire service work environment, better incorporation of evolutions in technology and tools, resolving conflicting experience, and understanding chronic health hazards, implications, and solutions. This integration of science-based knowledge and experience enables the fire service to better evaluate its strategies, tactics, andtasks, ensuring firefighters remain as efficient and effective as possible as they carry out their mission.
Department/s
Publishing year
2020-08-13
Language
English
Full text
Document type
Dissertation
Publisher
Lund University Faculty of Engineering, Lund, Sweden
Topic
- Civil Engineering
Keywords
- fire dynamics, fire service, fire safety engineering, firefighting, firefighter safety
Status
Published
Supervisor
- Stefan Svensson
- Patrick van Hees
- Marcus Runefors
ISBN/ISSN/Other
- ISBN: 978-91-7895-555-8
- ISBN: 978-91-7895-556-5
Defence date
15 September 2020
Defence time
12:00
Defence place
Lecture hall V:B, building V, John Ericssons väg 1, Faculty of Engineering LTH, Lund University, Lund. Join via Zoom: https://lu-se.zoom.us/j/67832804452?pwd=QVgycUtTTTVUK3R1ZVgvUExSQTlBZz09
Opponent