![]() Unfortunately, the next few centuries saw organized fire suppression decline as towns and cities throughout Europe fell to various conquering nations. Rome’s invasion of Britain during this same period brought with it the concept of fire brigades. Legend has it that “Rome burned while Nero fiddled.” This rudimentary system of fire brigades kept Rome safe until AD 64 when two-thirds of Rome was destroyed by fire. If the tenants agreed to terms, buckets would be passed along from the nearest water supply to the fire. Building owners and shopkeepers had the choice of paying for suppression or selling the ruined structure after it burned. In AD 60, under Emperor Nero, this protection service, now provided by noblemen, became one of profit. Keeping watch for fires and crime, they were given badges to identify them to the guards who were tasked with killing runaway slaves. ![]() Over 500 slaves known as the “vigilant corps” were dispatched every night throughout the city. EARLY FIRE BRIGADESĪlthough the first evidence of firefighting equipment dates back to a portable water pump found in the ruins of ancient Egypt, the first organized fire service we know of began in Rome under the rule of Augustus Caesar over 2,000 years ago. I encourage all firefighters to study fire service history, its progress, nomenclature, and the evolution of policies and procedures guiding it today. ![]() Soon we will extinguish fires by light particles and sound waves. Fires are located by infrared cameras, not hooks and ladders, and size-up can be conducted with drones. Rubber boots and leather helmets have been replaced by vapor barriers under fire-resistive coats and composite helmets compatible with SCBA. More information about her charity, Rescue4PTSD, is available online.Today, instead of steam pumpers drawn by horses, there are diesel-driven engines with dual-stage pumps capable of delivering over 1,500 gpm to the fire. The initiative aims to help firefighters recognize the symptoms of PTSD and gain access to resources for job-related PTSD management. Woolf hopes to raise $25,000 for the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) to support Life Safety Initiative #13 for Psychological Support. Here I am saying, ‘I have PTSD, but I'm still strong enough to do an Ironman.’ You’re not weak.” That's why I'm doing this - so the world knows that you can say it. “There are more firefighters killing themselves than dying in the line of duty,” notes Woolf. ![]() For her, the 37 pounds of gear symbolizes the weight of PTSD that many firefighters carry with them, but for which very few seek help. Woolf, also a part-time Highland Hills firefighter, plans to run the marathon portion of the races wearing turnout gear (pants, jacket, helmet, and tank). Woolf completed a Half Ironman in Haines City, Fla., earlier this month, and is now training six days a week, either in Aurora or the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, to ready herself for full triathlons this summer and fall. “I will be the first woman in the world to do an Ironman and Half Ironman in full firefighter gear,” says Woolf, whose work here includes the implementation of UA’s Chemical Hygiene Plan and safety training for students and faculty.Īn Ironman race is a triathlon consisting of a 2.4 mile swim, a 112-mile bike and a 26.2 mile marathon. It’s easy to forget that our hometown heroes encounter tragedy every day, and sometimes they also need our support.ĭiana Woolf, full-time safety officer at our College of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering, is fighting PTSD on the home front, and she is using an unusual tactic to bring attention to the cause. We are all familiar with the term post-traumatic stress disorder, though we often associate it with the effects of war and violence.
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