Fire safety glossary

This glossary is there to help you understand some of the words that we use in fire safety.

halligan bar

its a noun.

A Halligan bar (also known as a Halligan tool or Hooligan tool) is a forcible entry tool used by firefighters.

Example: I use a halligan bar to open the door.

fr: halligan bar

irons

its a noun

The flathead axe mated with the halligan bar. Firefighters often refer to these as the Crossed Irons, or Married Irons, because the Halligan Bar can fit to the Axe head.

Example: I use irons to open the front door.

fr: ensemble d'outils de forcement

jaws of life

its a noun

Hydraulic spreader used in extrication procedures. Most commonly used, but not limited to, during motor vehicle accidents.

Example: The firefighter uses a jaw of life to cut a car door.

fr: pince de désincarcération

mutual aid

its a phrase

An agreement between nearby fire companies to assist each other during emergencies by responding with available manpower and apparatus.

Example: The fire department of Boisbriand goes in mutual aid in Saint-Therese.

fr: entraide

probie

its a noun

New firefighter on employment probation (a period of time during which his or her skills are improved, honed, tested, and evaluated).

Example: The probie hot prank today.

fr: recrue

pumper

its a noun

A fire truck with a water tank.

Example: The pumper use is canon to put out a fire.

fr: autopompe

pump operator

Person responsible for operating the pumps on a pumper and typically for driving the pumper to an incident.

Example: The pump operator give water in the hose.

fr: opérateur d'autopompe

rapid intervention crew

its a phrase

This is a standby crew whose purpose is to go in for the rescue of firefighters in trouble. While all of these versions of the name for a firefighter rescue crew either have been used or continue to be used in several areas, the National Incident Management System (NIMS) has adopted the term.

Example: The rapid intervention crew got the mission to rescue a firefighter lost in the burning house.

fr: groupe d'intervention rapide

ventilation

its a noun

Important procedure in firefighting in which the hot smoke and gases are removed from inside a structure, either by natural convection or forced, and either through existing openings or new ones provided by firefighters at appropriate locations (e.g., on the roof). Proper ventilation can save lives and improper ventilation can cause backdraft or other hazards.

Example: The firefighter makes a ventilation on the roof to make an exit for the smoke.

fr: ventilation

zone

its a noun

Section of structure indicated on fire alarm control panel where sensor was activated.

Example: The zone "a" of the building is on fire.

fr: zone

class "a" fire

its a phrase

A fire involving combustibles such as wood, paper, and other natural materials. Class B fire: A fire involving hydrocarbons.

Example: A wood fire is a class "a" fire.

fr: feu de classe "a"

collapse zone

its a phrase

The area around a structure that would contain debris if the building were to collapse.

Example: The back of the house is a collapse zone.

fr: zone d'effondrement

direct attack

its a phrase

“Putting the wet stuff on the red stuff.” A form of fire attack in which hoses are advanced to the fire inside a structure and hose streams directed at the burning materials.

code 10-35

its a phrase

It's the code that firefighter gave to call the police to help them.

Example: The firefighter called the 10-35 to help with an angry patient.

fr: code 10-35

nozzle

it's a noun

The attachment at the end of a hose that controls the water stream.

Example: The firefighter adjusts the nozzle to water the fire.

fr: une lance

code 10-34

It's a phrase

It's a code that firefighter gave when they want to call an ambulance.

Example: The firefighter calls the code 10-34 after founding a burning victim.

fr: code 10-34

fire extinguisher

it a phrase

A fire extinguisher is a portable safety device filled with water, gas, foam, or chemical powder. It is used to control or put out small, unexpected fires in an emergency.

Example: I use a fire extinguisher to put out a fire.

fr: extincteur

ladder truck

is a phrase

An extendable main ladder mounted on the truck body that can reach heights of 100 feet or more.

Example: The ladder truck extended to set the victim on top of the house.

fr: camion échelle

smoke detector

is a phrase

A smoke detector is an electronic safety device that senses smoke in the air as an early warning sign of a fire.

Example: The smoke detector makes a noise because there is a lot of smoke in my house.

fr: détecteur de fumé

This glossary was made with the Virtual Writing Tutor glossary maker and grammar checker.