Fire safety merit badge troop 504

Fire Safety Fire Safety Merit BadgeMerit Badge

Charles R. Jolly•A.S.M. – Troop 504

•Battalion Chief – Suffolk Dept. of Fire and Rescue

•Adjunct Instructor - VDEM

Who I am & what makes me Who I am & what makes me qualified?qualified?

• Requirement 1a:– Demonstrate the

technique of stop, drop, and roll

GET UP AND MOVE!!!!GET UP AND MOVE!!!!

Fire Safety Merit BadgeFire Safety Merit Badge

• Requirement 1a:– Explain how burn

injuries can be prevented

“Before we can prevent, we should understand what types there are.”


• Requirement 1b:– List the most

frequent causes of burn injuries

The following slides are from http://burninjuryguide.com/burn-statistics/most-common-types/

Burn StatisticsBurn Statistics

The American Burn Association states that roughly 450,000 patients receive hospital and emergency room treatment for burns each year. This statistic does not account for burn injuries treated in hospital clinics, private medical offices, or community health centers. Of these burn injuries, roughly 3,400 burn injury deaths occur each year. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), burns and fires are the third leading cause of death in the home. In 2010, a fire-related death occurred every 169 minutes. A fire injury occurred every 30 minutes.

The American Burn Association states that:•44 percent of all admissions to burn centers result from fire or flame burns.•33 percent of all burn center admissions result from scalding injuries caused by wet or moist heat.

•Direct contact with a hot source accounts for nine percent of burn center admissions.•Electrical burns account for four percent of burn center admissions.•Chemical burns account for three percent of all burn center admissions.•The remaining seven percent of burn center admissions are caused by other, miscellaneous sources.

Most Common Types of BurnsMost Common Types of Burns

Flame or Fire - Approximately 44%. These types of injuries can be caused by improperly building an outdoor or indoor fire, complications with cooking, issues with fireworks, cigarettes that have been left unattended, or many other factors. Flames and fire pose a further threat to patients, as the smoke from flames or fire can cause breathing and respiratory problems.

Scalding - About 33%. Scalding injuries are caused by hot liquid or steam coming in contact with the skin. This type of burn most commonly occurs during cooking or food preparation, but can be caused by heating water too high for bathing or when heating liquid for other purposes, such as scented oils. Scalds are the number one cause of childhood burn injuries. Children often overturn hot liquids in pans, bowls, and cups and are more likely to burn themselves on water from a faucet than adults.

Burns from Other Sources - Chemical burns, electrical burns, burns from contact with hot surfaces, and other types of burns make up the remaining 23 percent of burn injuries that occur per year. These types of injuries are less likely to happen at home than scalds and flame burns. Although sun burns fall into this category and are very common, sun burns rarely require medical treatment, as they are often first degree burns.

Risks Factors for Common Burn Types - Severe injury and even death can result from burns in some cases. Children under four and elderly patients are at higher risk for serious complications from burns because of lower immunity and inability to seek medical treatment promptly following burn injuries. Patients lacking transportation or living in rural areas are also at higher risk of burn complications because of timeliness of treatment.

Most Common Types of Burns Most Common Types of Burns (cont.)(cont.)

Burn Statistics Burn Statistics (cont.)(cont.)

Pediatric Burn Statistics•The American Burn Association reports the following pediatric burn statistics for 2000:•Scalding is the most common burn injury in children under four years old, accounting for 200,000 injuries per year.

•An estimated 50 percent of scalds are from spilled food and drinks, while the remainder are primarily from hot tap water and hot objects such as irons, stoves, and heaters.•Each year, roughly 250,000 children under age 17 require medical attention for burn injuries.

•Roughly 15,000 children require hospitalization for burn injuries.•About 1,100 children per year die from fires and burn injuries.

Burn Death Statistics•The American Burn Association states that of the 3,400 U.S. burn injury deaths each year:•2,550 of these deaths are a result of residential fires.

•300 of these deaths result from vehicle crash fires.•The remaining 550 result from other causes, such as flames, smoke inhalation, scalding, and electricity.

Burn Cost StatisticsBurn Cost Statistics

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provides the following statistics for costs related to burns:•Males account for roughly $4.8 billion, or 64 percent, or total fire and burn-related costs each year, while females account for the remaining $2.7 billion, or 36 percent.•Fatal burn and fire injuries cost roughly $3 billion, which accounts for two percent of the total cost of fatal injuries.•Burn and fire hospitalization accounts for $1 billion, or one percent of hospitalized injury costs.

•Non-hospitalized burn and fire injuries account for two percent of non-hospitalized injury costs, or $3 billion.


• Requirement 1a:– Explain how burn

injuries can be prevented

How to Prevent Burn InjuriesHow to Prevent Burn Injuries

• You can do several things to prevent burns: Keep children away from hot cook tops and ovens, and turn pot handles toward the back of the stove.

• Make sure water temperature for personal use is not higher than 120 degrees F. Test the temperature regularly, and check it when visiting someone’s home.

• Keep matches and lighters away from children.• Install outlet covers if young children live in the home.

• Keep chemicals out of reach and wear proper gloves when using chemicals.• Use sunscreen and avoid peak sunlight times to avoid serious sunburns.• Make sure smoking products are put out. Better yet, don’t get close or let

children get close to smoking product use.• Use fireworks responsibly.• Never use gasoline or any other flammable product in any way other than its

recommended use.

• Check smoke detectors monthly and be sure batteries are always working.• Keep the iron in an out-of-the-way, safe place after using it.• Turn the water heater down from 160 degrees F to 120 degrees F. Water at

160 degrees can cause burns in only 1 second!• Turn pot handles toward the center of the stove while cooking. This way, kids

can't pull pots off the stove.

• Heat burns can be prevented by following safety practices that prevent fire and by being careful around sources of heat.

• Chemical burns can be prevented by following safety practices around all chemicals and by following manufacturers’ guidelines when handling chemicals.

• Electrical burns can be prevented by following safety practices around electrical lines and equipment, and by leaving outdoor areas when lightning could strike.


• Sunburn can be prevented by wearing appropriate clothing and using sunscreen. Sunscreen should have a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15.

• Never leave small children alone in the home• Install smoke alarms in furnace and sleeping areas, and check batteries

monthly• Plan several escape routes from the house and conduct home fire drills

• Do not smoke in bed• Keep matches and lighters away from children• Be sure your gas water heater is off the ground. Spilled flammable liquids will

be ignited by the pilot light• Do not clean clothes with flammable liquids• Have your heating system checked and cleaned yearly


• Check electric appliances and cords regularly for wear or loose connections• Place fire extinguishers around the home where the risk of fire is greatest -

in the kitchen and furnace room, and near the fireplace• In case of fire, get everyone outside right away• Call the fire department from a neighbor's house



• Requirement 2– Explain the

chemistry and physics of fire

• Fire: – “The rapid oxidation of

a combustible material, accompanied by the release of energy in the form of heat and light”.

Firefighter I 3–17

Fire TriangleFire Triangle

Fire TetrahedronFire Tetrahedron

Firefighter I 3–18


• Requirement 2– Explain why vapors

are important to the burning process

Combustion of a solid or liquid fuel takes place above the fuel surface in a region of vapors created by heating the fuel surface. The heat can come from the ambient conditions, from the presence of an ignition source, or from exposure to an existing fire. The application of heat causes vapors or pyrolysis products to be released into the atmosphere where they can burn if in the proper mixture with air and if a competent ignition source is present

http://www.interfire.org/res_file/9213-1.asp

Requirement 2e - Requirement 2e - Name the Name the products of combustion products of combustion

1. Heat/heat energy

2. Flame (light)

3. Smoke

4. Fire Gases• Carbon Monoxide (CO)

• Hydrogen cyanide (HCN)

• Carbon dioxide (CO2)• Nitrogen (N2)• Many others

http://data.cteunt.org/content/files/law/firefighter-1/unit-2-safety-and-orientation/2-02-common-products-of-combustion/02.02-products-combustion.pdf

An exothermic reaction is a chemical reaction that releases energy by light or heat. It is the opposite of an endothermic reaction. Expressed in a chemical equation: reactants → products + energy.


• Requirement 2:– Give an example of

how fire grows and what happens

• Why is a fire in a corner more dangerous than a fire in the center of the room?

Stages of Fire GrowthStages of Fire Growth


• Requirement 3:– Name the most

frequent causes of fire in the home and give examples of ways it can be prevented

How do home fires start?How do home fires start?

• Cooking – (#1 cause)

• Smoking – (#1 cause associated

with deaths)

• Improper heating practices

• Electrical problems• Children misusing

fire

Cooking FiresCooking Fires

• Common factors– Stovetop Cooking– Cooking Oil– Unattended– Too much heat

Smoking-Related FiresSmoking-Related Fires

•Discard smoking materials properly

•Keep Matches and Lighters where children cannot get to them

ElectricityElectricity

•Don’t overload outlets or extension cords

•Repair or replace faulty appliances

•Check for appliance recalls at www.cpsc.gov

Heat WiselyHeat Wisely

•Don’t use makeshift heating devices

•Keep combustible items away from space heaters or other heating appliances

•Don’t overload electrical circuits


• Requirement 4:– Explain the role of

human behavior in the arson problem in this Country

“Intentional” fires

• Approximately 210,300 fires are intentionally set each year. These fires represent 13 % of all fires reported to fire departments.

• Intentionally set fires result in approximately 375 deaths, 1,300 injuries, and $1 billion in direct property loss annually.

• Matches (30 %) and lighters (15 %) are the leading heat sources of intentionally set fires.


• Requirement 4:– Explain the role of

human behavior in the arson problem in this Country

• Motives:– Crime concealment– Excitement– Extremism

– Profit/Financial– Revenge/spite– Vandalism/Gang/Delinquent– Wildland firefighter arson

• Financial

• Hero complex

https://www.usfa.fema.gov/prevention/outreach/wildfire_arson/arson_motives.html


• Requirement 5– List the actions that

cause seasonal fires and explain how these fires can be prevented

• Outdoor fires– Burning during unsafe

weather conditions• Fall and spring when

vegetation is dry

– Fireworks• Summer peak


• Requirement 5– List the actions that

cause seasonal fires and explain how these fires can be prevented

– Cold Weather Issues:• Fireplaces & Chimneys• Unsafe Heating


• Requirement 5:– List the common

circumstances that cause holiday-related fires and explain how these fires can be prevented

• Cooking issues

• Use of unsafe decorations

• Christmas Trees

PrerequisitePrerequisite

• Requirement 6: – Conduct a home safety survey with the help

of an adult.• Requirement 6a:

– Draw a home fire escape plan– Create a home fire-drill schedule– Conduct a home fire drill

• Requirement 6b:– Test a smoke

alarm and demonstrate regular maintenance of a smoke alarm

HANDS-ONHANDS-ON


• Requirement 6c:– Explain what to do

when you smell gas

• What are you smelling?• Indoor versus outdoor

smell• Can you safely turn off

the gas?• How to check for a small

leak


• Requirement 6c: – Explain what to do

when you smell smoke

• How bad is the situation?– No smoke visible– Smell and SEE smoke


• Requirement 6d:– Explain how you

would report a fire alarm

• Buildings with alarm systems

• Your house


• Requirement 6f: Explain who should use fire

extinguishers and when these devices can be used.


• Requirement 6g:Explain how to extinguish

a grease pan fire

Let’s take a tourLet’s take a tour

• Requirement 6e:– Explain what fire

safety equipment can be found in public buildings

• Requirement 6h:– Explain what

precautions to take when in a public building

Walking demonstration

Safety Equipment Found in Safety Equipment Found in Public Buildings Public Buildings

HANDS-ONHANDS-ON

• Requirement 7a:– Demonstrate lighting a match safely

• Requirement 7b:– Demonstrate the safe way to start a

charcoal fire

• Requirement 7c:– Demonstrate the safe way to melt wax


• Requirement 8: – Explain the difference between combustible and

noncombustible liquids

– Explain the difference between combustible and noncombustible fabrics.

PrerequisitePrerequisite

• Requirement 9a:– Demonstrate the safe way to fuel a lawn mower.

HANDS-ONHANDS-ON

• Requirement 9b:– Demonstrate the safety factors, such as

proper ventilation, for auxiliary heating devices and the proper way to fuel those devices


• Requirement 10a:– Explain the cost of

outdoor and wildland fires

– and how to prevent them

• An estimated 655,200 outdoor fires occur annually in the United States and result in approximately 50 deaths, 875 injuries, and $154 million in losses.

• The leading cause of outdoor fires is unintentionally set fires.

• The leading factor contributing to outdoor fire ignitions is misuse of materials.

HANDS-ONHANDS-ON

• Requirement 10b:– Demonstrate setting

up and putting out a cooking fire

• Requirement 10c:– Demonstrate using a

camp stove and lantern.


• Requirement 10d:– Explain how to set up a campsite safe from

fire.


• Requirement 11:– Visit a fire station.– Identify the types of

fire trucks

– We’ll have a Virginia Beach Fire Company visit to go over this portion.

• You’re Here?– Finish with the tour


• Requirement 11: (cont.)

– Find out about the fire prevention activities in your community

– To be answered by the Virginia Beach fire crew.

• Educational Presentations

• Annual business inspections

• Public Awareness campaigns


• Requirement 13:– Choose a fire safety related career that interests

you – and describe the level of education required – and responsibilities of a person in that position

– Tell why this position interests you

THIS IS YOUR CHANCE TO ASK AND LEARN!THIS IS YOUR CHANCE TO ASK AND LEARN!

Firem’n ChitFirem’n Chit

The Firem'n Chit is a Boy Scout award and contract, in the Boy Scouts of America program, stating that a Scout may be able to use, tend, and start a fire.

Generally, the process to earn the Firem'n Chit takes about a 4 hours, and is a requirement for certain merit badges.

Firem’n Chit RequirementsFirem’n Chit Requirements

This certification grants a Scout the right to carry matches and build campfires. The Scout must show his Scout leader, or someone designated by his leader, that he understands his responsibility to do the following:•I have read and understand fire use and safety rules from the Boy Scout Handbook.•I will build a campfire only when necessary and when I have the necessary permits (regulations vary by locality).•I will minimize campfire impacts or use existing fire lays consistent with the principles of Leave No Trace. I will check to see that all flammable material is cleared at least 5 feet in all directions from fire (total 10 feet).

Firem’n Chit Requirements Firem’n Chit Requirements (cont.)(cont.)

This certification grants a Scout the right to carry matches and build campfires. The Scout must show his Scout leader, or someone designated by his leader, that he understands his responsibility to do the following: (cont.)•I will safely use and store fire-starting materials.•I will see that fire is attended to at all times.•I will make sure that water and/or shovel is readily available. I will promptly report any wildfire to the proper authorities.•I will use the cold-out test to make sure the fire is cold out and will make sure the fire lay is cleaned before I leave it.•I follow the Outdoor Code and the principles of Leave-No-Trace.

The Outdoor CodeThe Outdoor Code

As an American, I will do my best to

•Be Clean in my outdoor manners.

•Be Careful with fire.

•Be Considerate in the outdoors.

And

•Be Conservation-Minded

The Principles of Leave No The Principles of Leave No TraceTrace

• Plan Ahead and Prepare.• Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces.• Dispose of Waste Properly (Pack It In, Pack It

Out).• Leave What You Find.• Minimize Campfire Impacts.• Respect Wildlife.• Be Considerate of Other Visitors.

How to reach meHow to reach me

Charles R. [email protected]

m757-335-2502

Troop 504Princess Anne

DistrictTidewater BSA

Virginia Beach, Va.

Presentations & Public Speaking

Fire safety merit badge troop 504