American Fire Extinguisher
American Fire Extinguisher
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 Fire Extinguisher Antique Display Decoration WS 900  US $29.71
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 SET 2 VINTAGE FIREFIGHTER FIREMEN POSTER FIRE EXTINGUISHER MEMBER PRINT NEW P270 US $14.98
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 1930 American LaFrance fire extinguisher 2 models vintage trade print ad US $8.49
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 Antique Pyrene Brass Copper With Wood Handle Pump Fire Extinguisher OLD Heavy US $170.95
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 PICKERS BRASS PUMP FIRE EXTINGUISHEREMPTY WITH HANGER US $15.00
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 Vintage LaFrance Fire Gun No 3 Fire Extinguisher Emptied US $49.99
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 Vintage American LaFrance Fire Extinguisher 2 1 2 Gal Elmira NY EMPTY US $45.99
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 1962 AMERICAN LAFRANCE FIRE EXTINGUISHER UNUSED PDC 275 US $95.00
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 Vintage American LaFrance No 0 One Quart Fire Gun Extinguisher w Bracket US $44.95
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 OLD FOAMITE AMERICAN LaFRANCE COPPER FIRE EXTINGUISHER US $449.99
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 Vintage Large Ansul 150lb Fire Extinguisher on wheels General Motors Factory US $2,000.00
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 Antique Buffalo Better Built Soda Acid Fire Extinguisher Steel US $59.99
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 ANTIQUE COPPER EMPTY OLD RARE FIRE ENGINE RED FIRE EXTINGUISHER US $164.72
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 Antique MINT American LaFrance Foamite Fire Gun No 0 Fire Extinguisher 1 Quart US $107.89
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 REAL FireFighter Fire Extinguisher No vavle on top Model B10M 17 inch tall US $9.99
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 American Lafrance Fire 200 Dry Chemical Fire Extinguisher NOS Rated 5 BC US $19.99
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 RARE MICHIGAN GRENADE HEALYS HAND FIRE EXTINGUISHER NEAR MINT US $1,995.00
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 OLD VINTAGE AMERICAN LA FRANCE FIRE EXTINGUISHER EMPTY US $69.99
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 Vintage Presto Brass Fire Extinguisher Made for Car Motorcycle in Box In Plastic US $64.95 |
 ALERT FIRE EXTINGUISHER MADE BY AMERICAN LaFRANCE FIRE ENGINE CO ELMIRA NY US $499.99
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 VTG AMERICAN LA FRANCE FIRE EXTINGUISHER MODEL PWA 51 COLLECTOR RESTORE USA US $50.25
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 Ansul Dry Chemical Wheeled Fire Extinguisher fldr 1968 US $17.00
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 ALERT Fire Extinguisher US $40.00
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 C N W RY GLASS FIRE GRENADE with MOUNTS US $225.00
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 Antique Foamite Fire Extinguisher US $3,900.00 |
 A PAIR OF FIRE EXTINGUISHER LAMPS CHICAGO AND NEW YORK POLISHED LACQUERED US $169.00
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 ANTIQUE EMPIRE COPPER AND BRASS 24 FIRE EXTINGUISHER 2 1 2 GAL GREAT CONDITION US $12.50
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 LAFRANCE FIRE TRUCK EXTINGUISHER LA FRANCE EMPIRE FIRE FIGHTERS COPPER TANK US $9.99
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 Ranger dry chemicals fire extinguisher by American fire extinguisher co US $5.99
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 VERY RARE Historic Antique Essanay Soda Fire Extinguisher Fire Fighting Treasure US $55.00
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 FOAMEX FIREFOAM Fire Extinguisher American LaFrance Foamite Corp Elmira NY US $89.50
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 Antique Essanay Soda Acid Fire Extinguisher US $9.95
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Why America Still Burns!
Back in the day, Firefighting was all about racing to the scene, donning a tin helmet and aiming the nozzle at the flames and smoke. And that's pretty much how the general public still perceives the job. But times have changed, and today there’s an art, not to mention a science, to fighting fires.
In terms of extinguishing blazes, today’s firefighters are trained to go face-to-face with the beast, inside the burning building for an "offensive" attack. Some fire training experts say that the trick is to tame the fire, before extinguishing it, and there are dozens of tactics for doing so. But these strategies often come with extreme risk. Bottom line -- firefighters must make crucial life and death decisions quickly.
During the past 30 years, annual civilian fire deaths have been reduced by 50%. But firefighters deaths continue to rise, with 112 being lost in the line of duty last year alone. Even more disturbing are OSHA and the National Fire Protection Association’s predictions that fully one-third of the current firefighting force of 1,100,000 will be injured on the job during they year 2009. Of those who will be injured, it is estimated that over half do not have adequate insurance coverage to attend their needs. Is this any way to treat the Bravest?
Change Comes Slowly to America's Firehouses
Our firefighting counterparts of just 50 years ago were leather-lunged old salts who were overworked, under trained and poorly equipped. Without adequate personal protection, or proper equipment, a "career" in the fire service back then was a sure fire invitation to an early grave.
Thankfully, our job as firefighters has evolved into a high-tech profession. During the last generation alone, the fire-rescue service has seen more change than it did in its first 250 years. In the years immediately following World War II, some of the technology that had been made available to the armed services was brought home to fire stations by the soldiers and sailors who actually used it.
Tools and equipment like Chem-Ox masks, fog nozzles, even 1.5 inch hose were all born from military uses during the War. Imagine the culture shock that existed among veteran 1950's firefighters, when these "wet behind the ears" probies introduced their new toys. Hell, the old-timers we're just growing accustomed to motorized apparatus.
But the post War techno-revolution was short-lived, and our counterparts of the late 50's and early 60's found themselves falling way behind the rest of society. The World was changing, and so were our first-alarm districts. In homes and businesses, wooden furniture and cotton products were replaced by plastics and hydrocarbons, which changed the way we did business at fires. The DuPont slogan, "Better Living Through Chemistry," brought new meaning to America's Bravest.
Without proper equipment and training, fighting these "new wave" fires was a tough game. By 1965, we'd lost possession of the ball and our forward momentum had stalled. Our coaching staff was perplexed and the spectators were beginning to lose their interest.
The Fire Act of 1972
President Richard M. Nixon (a Republican) made a bold move by appointing a special commission to study the fire problem here in the United States. His directive was simple -- determine the fire problems, and make suggestions on how to fix them. Nixon was determined to make the Commission succeed, and he did so by enlisting and recruiting the nation's movers and shakers of the fire-rescue services.
Once together, theirs was no small task. The commission took on some very controversial issues including rising civilian deaths, firefighter safety, the high-rise dilemma, and fire prevention. Their report "America Burning" was a harsh, and very critical review of the fire situation here in America.
"It is appalling,' the report began, 'that the most technologically advanced nation in the World, reports the highest per-capita fire deaths and monetary fire loss." They pulled no punches in their treatment of the issues, and those of us who serve today, owe a great deal to the men and women who recommended the changes most of us take for granted.
35 Years Later
However, now 35 years later, the fire problem here in the United States has once again raised its fiery head. And according to fire administrators, the situation seems to be getting worse, instead of better.
“To a great extent, the fire problem in America remains as severe as it was 30 years ago.” That’s the very first sentence in the updated report, “America Burning Recommissioned.”
Even with the introduction of the smoke detector, the incidence of fire in this nation has increased to an alarming rate. Why? Some say it’s public apathy.“Americans have always been neglectful of safety and loss prevention,” says investigative journalist Herb Denenberg, He adds, “Perhaps we are more focused on producing wealth than preserving it.” The most recent commission agrees. “The indifference with which Americans confront the subject, which the 1973 Commission found so striking, continues today.”
Fire is the most common of all home disasters and the third leading cause of accidental injury and death in the home. Fires spread very quickly, but it isn’t the fire itself that kills! Deadly smoke and poisonous gases snuff the life out of victims long before the flames reach them. There's no time to stop and think and wonder what's the best thing to do. The situation can change in seconds. Half a minute after the smoke alarm goes off, an entire floor of your house could be filled with dense smoke.
More than 4,500 Americans die each year in fires and over 100,000 are injured. An overwhelming number of these life-threatening fires occur in the home. However, there are time-tested ways to prevent and survive a fire. It's not a question of luck - it's a matter of planning ahead. Too many fires are caused by carelessness and ignorance of fire safety principles that have been, until now, thought to be obvious. Education about the fire hazard should not only reach children, but to the adult community as well – the caretakers.
But one of the problems for fire departments is finding necessary funding to conduct adult oriented public education programs. Fact is, there are few fire safety informational programs designed for secondary education and adults.
Do you know what you should do if there's a fire? Are you sure? Does everyone who lives in your home know?
About the Author
Lou Angeli, the writer, provides the reader a riveting peek at life deep inside the trenches of emergency response. He has been referred to as the firefighters' storyteller, and his written work includes breaking news, features, fiction - but most importantly articles dealing with firefighter safety.