The fire service is proudly steeped in tradition. As the saying goes, “centuries of tradition unhampered by progress.” But progress is happening, and a focus on the natural sciences, mathematics and technology will be essential through the changes. This is especially true as the fire service becomes a more evidence-based discipline.
Why it matters
Evidence-based firefighting will require firefighters to have a strong aptitude for math and science like never before. Improving science literacy of firefighters will help ensure that responders have the basic knowledge to enhance critical thinking on the fireground and develop training and education programs based on validated research. Knowledge and understanding of the basic sciences will result in better situational awareness and improved risk awareness and avoidance. Educated members of the fire service also provide an opportunity to “professionalize” the service. In short, having the proper education and knowledge simply raises the capacity to provide service within the community and to address dynamic and ever-changing threats within our community. With this in mind, let’s look closer at some of these disciplines that will have an impact on fireground operations.
Basic chemistry and physics
The study of fire involves mathematics and the physical sciences of chemistry and physics. Chemistry and physics are relatively similar in that they both study matter and energy and how they interact. Fire dynamics is the study of, and the science behind, the behavior of fire. It is a combination of several disciplines, including chemistry, fluid mechanics, aerodynamics, physics, construction materials and structural design.
National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 921: Guide for Fire and Explosion Investigations defines fire as, “A rapid oxidation process, which is a chemical reaction resulting in the evolution of light and heat in varying intensities.” While chemistry explains the process that causes the rapid release of heat and energy, physics is the study of how these processes interact with other natural elements and developing an understanding of materials.
Physics research includes an analysis of mechanics, radiation of energy, such as heat, light, sound, electricity and so much more. The branch of physics that studies the behavior of objects as forces are applied is known as mechanics. Another branch of physics that is relevant to the fire service is thermodynamics. Thermodynamics focuses on heat and radiated energy, such as temperature. As with all sciences, research is based on observation, computer modeling and the development of experiments to better understand how fire and energy behave and how they are influenced by suppression operations.
Modern residential fires
Research is helping provide a better understanding of fire behavior in specific types of buildings as well as the equipment needed to protect firefighters and civilians alike.
New construction materials and synthetics have changed the rate of fire development. Smoke is now considered and appropriately treated as a fuel that is readily flammable. Open design concepts have changed fire behavior—and how firefighters determine how best to attack that fire. Every firefighter needs to be able to address how rapidly fuel is being consumed by the reaction, and understand the intensity and influence of the energy being released in the form of heat and light.
According to research scientists and engineers at the Underwriters Laboratories (UL) who are studying Modern Residential Fires (newscience.ul.com/articles/modern-residential-fires), today’s residential environments are the perfect mix of conditions, fuels and design features to create greater risk to both occupant and firefighter safety. UL reports that the average modern home may reach flashover eight times faster than traditional or legacy residential designs of the past. Much of the reason is related to modern building open-concept designs, new construction materials and changes in fuel load due to the increased use of synthetics.
In addition, UL studies show that the time for failure of structural elements of modern homes is as much as one-third or half the time it is in legacy construction. With the threat of collapse within 10 minutes, firefighters engaging in fire suppression and rescue operations in modern homes must have a solid understanding of structural design and the chemistry of fuel types. There is simply far less time now for size-up and rescue operations, so firefighters must be able to think critically about these issues upon arrival.
The UL Residential Study shows us that fires today and in the future are far different from just 50 years ago, and they are far more dangerous. This underscores the importance of firefighters having a better knowledge of the chemistry, physics, technology, math and their application to building design and construction and fire dynamics.
Change is needed
If the scientific evidence is clear that modifications are needed for training and fire suppression operations, why is there so much resistance to change what has been proven to expedite suppression and improve safety? Why does tradition trump progress?
According to Assistant Professor Jim Brinson, School of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math at American Public University System (apu.apus.edu/lp2/school/science-and-technology), there is a sensitivity and even distrust of science. Professor Brinson attributes this distrust to three predominant factors, which may provide some insight into why there is difficulty with the acceptance of science in changing fireground tactics and strategies.
First, scientific discoveries, by their nature, can create conflict because discoveries can contradict previously held beliefs. It is easier to question the relevance of the science than to modify long-held beliefs.
Second, scientific findings may contradict previous scientific claims and cause firefighters to question the validity and reliability of previously trusted sources of information. Lastly, people may view science as a large collection of complex theories, wordy concepts and difficult mathematic equations. The reports of new findings may be overwhelming to the non-scientist. As such, they may find it easier to dismiss the findings than to develop the knowledge to understand and incorporate the findings.
Dismal Scores
Education for tomorrow’s firefighters begins as early as high school. Students in the United States have lagged significantly in science and math literacy. As a result, many school districts, colleges and universities are working to more fully incorporate Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) literacy into their curriculum—and it is easy to see how much this is needed.
The Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) conducts a study of the competency of young students in math, science and reading. The last study was conducted in 2012. A 2013 Wall Street Journal article titled “U.S. High-School Students Slip in Global Rankings” by Stephanie Banchero reviewed the test scores, and reported that scores from the United States have generally remained stagnant since 2000. The United States dropped four places, from 20th to 24th in science literacy. However, when it came to mathematics, the drop was much more significant, and the United States dropped from 25th to 31st place.
Fire prevention visits and working with Explorer post or junior programs are great opportunities to begin the discussion of the math and science skills that are needed to better understand fire dynamics. And learning the science behind fire behavior will lead to a better understanding of appropriate fire suppression operations and more informed decision-making on scene.
What’s next?
In 2002, the National Fire Science Programs Committee’s Fire & Emergency Services Higher Education (FESHE) program developed a model curriculum. The curriculum identifies core courses that should be offered as part of an associate and bachelor’s degree program in several fire- and EMS-related specialties. However, the model curriculum does not include studies in natural sciences or math. These elements are usually part of the general education requirements of a college’s degree requirements. The FESHE Model Curriculum can be found at usfa.fema.gov/downloads/pdf/nfa/higher_ed/ems_curriculum.pdf.
Given the need for an understanding of natural sciences, fire science curriculums should consider incorporating basic science courses to introduce fire science students to the basic concepts of matter and energy. After all, the focus on these topics is only going to increase as firefighting continues to become a discipline more deeply rooted in evidence-based tactics that are driven by research.
