NFPA Journal - Fall 2021 - 84

the fire crews to be successful and
safe. Similarly, Chapter 11 addresses
a variety of ways to minimize the
cancer exposure and health risks on
the fireground. Using a science-based
approach, the chapter outlines the
importance of wearing respiratory
protection and full PPE, and why
on-scene decontamination after the
fire is essential-a step that has been
shown to remove more than 80 percent
of the combustion products from
the surface of the gear.
OLD SCHOOL,
NEW SCHOOL
The benefits of using the new NFPA
1700 become apparent when you compare
an " old-school " incident response
to a response informed by NFPA 1700.
Consider a hypothetical fire involving
a two-story dwelling, in this case
an approximately 40-year-old, Colonial-style,
single-family house. It's
1:45 a.m. on a cold January night, and
first-alarm units arrive at the scene
to discover what appears to be a fire
in the cellar of the home. Responders
note that there are two cars in the
driveway. Neighbors tell firefighters
NFPA 1700 online training puts firefighters in an immersive
virtual environment that offers a 360-degree, 3D experience
of responding to and fighting a fire.
NFPA 1700 ONLINE TRAINING
I
N ADDITION TO THE RELEASE of NFPA 1700, Guide for Structural
Fire Fighting, NFPA has launched a free NFPA 1700 online
training course (available at catalog.nfpa.org) for firefighters
to learn safer and more effective ways to handle fire incidents
involving modern-day materials and contents.
NFPA 1700 is the first NFPA document connecting fire dynamics
research to firefighter response strategy, tactics, and best
practices. Similarly, the online training is based on extensive
scientific research and testing on contemporary structures
from the UL Firefighter Safety Research Institute. The course
provides guidance on interacting within a burning structure to
achieve the most successful outcome based on documented
fire investigations, research, and testing; interactive modeling of
residential structural firefighting with simulated training scenarios
and coaching exercises; and concepts based on NFPA 1700
principles and tactical advice for effective search, rescue, and
fire suppression operations, as well as civilian and responder
safety.
" NFPA 1700 and its corresponding free training for the fire
service are prime examples of the investment in safety and
skilled workforce components that are essential in the NFPA Fire
& Life Safety Ecosystem™
, " said Jim Pauley, NFPA president and
CEO. " Both NFPA and UL work to help responders better protect
84 | NFPA JOURNAL * FALL 2021
people, property, and themselves. This provides the nation's 1.1
million firefighters with a way to learn about the new fire dynamics
research in NFPA 1700 as well as the fire-response strategies
that reflect current considerations and concerns. "
NFPA 1700 online training puts firefighters in an immersive
virtual environment that offers a 360-degree, 3D experience
featuring realistic scenarios and requires them to make observations
and decisions on how to respond and fight the fire.
The course covers how to enter buildings, where to apply hose
streams, and when to stand down due to potential life-threatening
situations. The training culminates with an exam to help
firefighters synthesize their learning and test their knowledge.
The training is designed to help firefighters explain why firefighting
tactics are changing based on modern construction,
new on-scene technology, and evolving fuel loads; understand
how to assess and approach the scene of a fire based on the
latest science-based fire dynamics research and testing; and be
better prepared to assess a fire's growth and spread and utilize
up-to-date control methods.
The training considers fundamental occupancy and building
construction while addressing the health and safety of firefighters
by reinforcing the need for personal protective equipment
and methodologies for contamination control.
DANIEL MADRZYKOWSKI/UL
http://catalog.nfpa.org
NFPA Journal - Fall 2021

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of NFPA Journal - Fall 2021
