* Extinguishing small fires before they become major fires.

* Preventing additional fires by removing fuel sources.

* Shutting off utilities, when necessary and safe to do so.

* Assisting with evacuations where necessary.

* When a fire is beyond the ability of CERTs to extinguish, CERT members need to protect life safety by evacuating the area, when necessary, and establishing a perimeter.

* Heat: Heat is required to elevate the temperature of a material to its ignition point

* Fuel: The fuel for a fire may be a solid, liquid, or gas. The type and quantity of the fuel will determine which method should be used to extinguish the fire

* Oxygen: Most fires will burn vigorously in any atmosphere of at least 20 percent oxygen. Without oxygen, most fuels could be heated until entirely vaporized, yet would not burn

Electrical hazards

* Natural gas hazards

* Flammable or combustible liquids

* Avoid the “electrical octopus.” Eliminate tangles of electrical cords.

* Don’t overload electrical outlets. Don’t plug power strips into other power strips.

* Don’t run electrical cords under carpets.

* Replace broken or frayed cords immediately.

* Maintain electrical appliances properly. Repair or replace malfunctioning appliances.

* Know where the power shutoffs for electrical appliances are.

* Know where the power shutoff for circuit breakers or fuses is and how to shut off the power.

* Unscrew individual fuses or switch off smaller breakers first, then pull the main switch or breaker.

* When turning the power back on, turn on the main switch or breaker first, then screw in the fuses or switch on the smaller breakers.

*You should not enter a flooded basement to shut off the electrical supply, because water conducts electricity.

* It is an asphyxiant that robs the body of oxygen.

* It is an explosive that can easily ignite.

* Install a natural gas detector near the furnace and hot water tank.

* Test the detector monthly to ensure that it works.

* Locate and label the gas shutoff valve(s). (There may be multiple valves inside a home in addition to the main shutoff.)

* Know how to shut off the gas and have the proper tool for shutting off the gas handy.

* Can my buddy and I fight the fire safely?

* Do my buddy and I have the right equipment?

* Are there other hazards?

* Is the building structurally damaged?

* Can my buddy and I escape?

1.Gather facts. What has happened? How many people are involved (if you know)? What is the current situation?

2.Assess and communicate the damage. Take a lap around the building. Try to determine what has happened, what is happening now, and how bad things can really get.

3.Consider probabilities. What is likely to happen? What could happen through cascading events?

4.Assess your own situation. Are you in immediate danger? Have you been trained to handle the situation? Do you have the equipment that you need?

5.Establish priorities. Are lives at risk? Can you help? Remember, life safety is the first priority!

6.Make decisions. Base your decisions on the answers to Steps 1 through 3 and in accordance with the priorities that you established.

7.Develop plans of action. Develop a plan that will help you accomplish your priorities. Simple plans may be verbal, but more complex plans should always be written.

8.Take action. Execute your plan, documenting deviations and status changes so that you can report the situation accurately to first responders.

9.Evaluate progress. At intervals, evaluate your progress in accomplishing the objectives in the plan of action to determine what is working and what changes you may have to make to stabilize the situation.

* Portable fire extinguishers.

Portable fire extinguishers are invaluable for putting out small fires. A well-prepared home or workplace will have at least two portable fire extinguishers.

* Interior wet standpipes. Interior wet standpipes are usually found in commercial and apartment buildings and consist of 100 feet of 1½-inch jacketed hose with a 3/8-inch nozzle tip. They deliver up to 125 gallons of water per minute. Always work in three-person teams when using an interior wet standpipe. One person handles the hose, another bleeds the air from the line, and the third person controls the water pressure.

* In interior spaces, it is possible to confine a fire and restrict the spread of smoke and heat by closing doors to rooms and hallways.

* Other creative resources may also be available: Swimming pool or spa

water and buckets

Sand or dirt and shovels

A garden hose

The type of fuel that is burning will determine which resources to select to fight a fire.

There are four types of extinguishers:

* Water Dry chemical

* Carbon dioxide

* Specialized fire extinguishers

Ordinary Solid Materials

mnemonic: Ashes

Agent - Method

Water  - Removes heat

Foam - Removes air and heat

Dry chemical - Breaks chain reaction

Flammable Liquids

mnemonic: Boil

Agent  - Method

Foam  - Removes air

CO2  - Removes air

Dry chemical  - Breaks chain reaction

Electrical Equipment

mnemonic: Circuit

Agent - Method

CO2 - Removes air

 Dry chemical - Breaks chain reaction

Combustible Metals

Agent - Method

Special agents - Usually remove air

* Capacity. Standard size is 2½ gallons.

* Range. Standard range is 30-40 feet.

* Pressure. Standard pressure is 110 pounds per square inch (psi).

Use extreme caution when using a water extinguisher to ensure that the water, which is under pressure, does not scatter lightweight materials and spread the fire.

Dry chemical extinguishers have a sodium bicarbonate base and are effective on Class B and C fires. Multipurpose dry chemical extinguishers have a monoammonium phosphate base and are effective for Class A, B, and C fires.

* Capacity. Approximately 10-20 seconds discharge time.

* Range. Standard range is 8-12 feet.

* Pressure. Standard range is 175-250 psi.

* Can I escape quickly and safely if I attempt to extinguish the fire?

* Do I have the right type of extinguisher?

* Is the extinguisher large enough for the fire?

* Is the area free from other dangers such as hazardous materials and fallen debris?

If the answer to all questions are “yes,” CERT members should attempt to extinguish the fire. If the answer to any questions are “no,” CERT members should leave.

* A pressure gauge

* A hose A cylinder

* A carrying handle with trigger

P.A.S.S.

* Pull

* Aim

* Squeeze

* Sweep

Use safety equipment at all times.

Wear your helmet, goggles, dust mask, leather gloves, and heavy shoes.

If you are not equipped to protect your personal safety, leave the building.

Work with a buddy. Buddies serve an important purpose. They protect your safety. Don’t ever try to fight a fire alone.

Have a backup team, whenever possible. A backup team just makes good sense. A backup team can support your fire suppression efforts and can provide help if you need it.

Always have two ways to exit the fire area. Fires spread much faster than you might think.

Always have a backup escape plan in case your main escape route becomes blocked.

Feel closed doors with the back of the hand, working from the bottom of the door up. Do not touch the door handle before feeling the door. If the door is hot, there is fire behind it. Do not enter! Opening the door will feed additional oxygen to the fire.

Confine the fire, whenever possible, by keeping doors closed.

Stay low to the ground. Smoke will naturally rise. Keeping low to the ground will provide you with fresher air to breathe.

Maintain a safe distance. Remember the effective range of your fire extinguisher. Don’t get closer than necessary to extinguish the fire.

Overhaul the fire to be sure that it is extinguished—and stays extinguished.

* DON'T Get too close. Stay near the outer range of your extinguisher. If you feel the heat, you are too close.

* DON'T Try to fight a fire alone. Remember that your first priority is your personal safety. Don’t put yourself at risk.

* DON'T Try to suppress large fires. Learn the capability of your equipment, and do not try to suppress a fire that is clearly too large for the equipment at hand (i.e., a fire that is larger than the combined ratings of available fire extinguishers).

* DON'T Enter smoke-filled areas. Fire suppression in smoke-filled areas requires equipment that CERTs don’t have.

* Corrode other materials.

* Explode or are easily ignited.

* React strongly with water.

* Are unstable when exposed to heat or shock.

* Are otherwise toxic to humans, animals, or the environment.

* Explosives

 * Flammable gases and liquids

* Poisons and poisonous gases

* Corrosives

* Nonflammable gases

* Oxidizers

* Radioactive materials

NFPA 704 Diamond:

* The red quadrant describes the material’s flammability.

* The blue quadrant indicates health hazard.

* The yellow quadrant indicates reactivity.

* White indicates special information:

W - Indicates a material that shows unusual reactivity with water (i.e., should never be mixed with water or have water sprayed on it). Magnesium metal is an example of a material that is reactive to water. OX - Indicates a material that possesses oxidizing properties. Ammonium nitrate is an example of a material with oxidizing properties. ACID - Indicates that the material is an acid. ALK - Indicates that the material is a base. COR - Indicates that the material is corrosive. Radioactive symbol - Indicates that the material is radioactive.

To evacuate persons who are downwind, as necessary, to an uphill and upwind location.

CERT members should consider these placards a “stop sign.”