Fire Extinguisher

Welcome to the Community Emergency Response Training Refresher video series.

Today we are going to practice fire suppression. In this session we will practice the steps of a pass.

Remember to match the extinguisher to what is on fire.

To invert the extinguisher, make sure the fire suppressant material is evenly distributed, if necessary.

To pull the pin, to aim, and to squeeze, and to sweep that extinguisher so you operate adequate. But before we do any activity, let’s talk safety.

Before considering any CERT response, three issues must be determined. Am I working in a buddy system, do I have the appropriate equipment, and have I conducted size-up?

No CERT response should occur, unless all responders have considered these issues. Safety is critical in every serve response. Never respond alone, always respond using a buddy system. Evaluate your equipment.

No CERT response should be attempted unless all CERT responders are wearing safety equipment.

Good footwear, with thick soles and if possible a toe cap. A safety vest, with highly visible reflective tape.

Protect your hands, no CERT respond should occur unless both hands are pairs of gloves are being worn. Surgical gloves to protect the responder and heavy work gloves to protect the surgical gloves.

Wear a dust mask to prevent dust and body fluids from entering your body that may come from the victim. A helmet, be sure to adjust this helmet so that it sets high on your head, so you may take the most advantage of the suspension system that the helmet offers.

Wear eyewear to prevent dust, debris, and body fluids that may come from the victim from getting them in your eyes.

A whistle, to signal to others that you need their attention.

Additional items to consider adding to your response kit, a secondary flashlight, a note pad and ink pin, duct tape and water proof marker, a crescent wrench for turning off the gas, and protective knee pads, and finally, but most important do not forget to turn on your CERT brain.

  As you learned in class, an end of every CERT responds, the conductor must conduct size up.

Size up includes asking, what is the situation? Have you identified all risks that may occur to the responder?

Where could this situation go?

Is the situation headed in a good or stable direction?

Or is the situation headed in an unstable or unsafe direction?

Next, what do I as a responder need to do to stop this situation and to return it to a more stable or safe environment?

And finally, can I and my buddy safely respond without adding to any of the problem?

Remember your primary objective, you as the responder wish to be part of the solution not add to the problem.

This is your choice. Be safe.

During this CERT training session we will watch a CERT team use a dry chemical and extinguisher to put out a fire.

Here we see the CERT team leader matching the extinguisher with the fire that he is preparing to fight.

Note, in the background we can also see a backup CERT team.

Once assured the extinguisher will work on the fire, our team leader inverts the extinguisher, clears the pin, and test the extinguisher is working properly. Is the buddy, attaching himself at the shoulder with his arm communicating it is safe to approach the fire.

Our firefighter always maintains his attention on the object that is on fire.

Using good technique he sprays the fire where the flames meet the fuel or at the base of the fire.

Sweeping the fire suppressant material back and forth to get the most efficient use of the firefighting material.

Once, the fire is out, our team proceeds moving backwards and our buddy communicates things are safe.

Good job team!