For Kim Woods Only

Variables That Affect Statistics Variables from country to country, and even within a particular country, make it

difficult to assess comparative fire loss figures. Following are some of the al-

:owances that must be made in evaluating statistics.

PLACEMENT OF FIRE STATIONS AND EQUIPMENT

In reviewing the total fire loss figures and the loss-per-fire figures, the

placement of fire stations has been mentioned as a factor. Countries in Europe as

well as in Asia generally have very few fire stations considering the size of the

city; cities in the United States and Canada maintain many more.

Equipment used in the control of fires is another consideration. European fire

srations, especially those on the continent, are provided with a much greater

number of units per station. It is not unusual for a continental fire station to have

six or seven pieces of apparatus operating out of the same station. This

arrangement is seldom found in U.S. and Canadian fire stations. The

single-engine substation found in many North American cities is less common in

Europe.

Although the European system involves far fewer stations, a larger number

of active firefighting companies are found in each station. The American system

usually provides for earlier application of water on the fire; however, difficulties

may be encountered in getting major operations underway. This has an effect on

loss experience as well as on fire prevention practices. The neighborhood fire

station concept should bring about a greater awareness of fire safety in a

neighborhood.

CONSTRUCTION PRACTICES As previously mentioned, construction practices vary from continent to continent

and even within countries, states, and provinces. However, a higher percentage of

fire-resistive and noncombustible construction is employed in Europe than in the

United States and Canada. European construction practices prevail in Central

and South America. Even though a majority of European structures, including:

those for residential occupancy, are primarily of noncombustible outer wall con.-

struction, many have wood-frame interior construction. This construction is in-

tended to prevent conflagrations. The tenant, owner, or occupant has a personal

interest in fire safety, thereby mitigating results of fires from within. Experiences

of the European countries during World War II further emphasized the need for

fire-resistive outer wall construction. Conflagration potential is also considered typical of older European cities is Prague, Czech Republic. The national fire chief, Major General Miroslav Stepan, stated that the 500- and 600-year old

buildings in Prague, though architectural treasures, are difficult for fire control.

Many are of the noncombustible/combustible construction type (ordinary con-

struction) referred to above. 12

The United States and Canada have a high percentage of combustible COI:-

struction. This type of construction has been prevalent throughout the history o~

both countries and has been responsible for major conflagrations. Included are

many fatal fires in which construction was a factor.

Availability of materials is a factor in construction practices. In the United

States and Canada, building methods also vary according to availability of mate-

rials within given areas. As an example, the ready availability of wood in the Pacific

Northwest states has resulted in a higher percentage of wood-frame construction

than is found in eastern cities.

OCCUPANCY FACTORS A study of housing ownership may shed some light on fire experience. A fairly

high percentage of people living in European countries die in the same house in

which they were born. It is not uncommon for citizens of most countries of the

continent to live their entire lives in the same structure.

The average American or Canadian, on the other hand, moves from dwelling to

dwelling several times during a lifetime; studies indicate an average of seven moves,

in fact. It is unusual to hear of people who die in the house in which they were born.

An individual who lives an entire lifetime in the same house is probably more

apt to value the home and its contents than is a more transient individual. Renters

usually have less interest in home maintenance than do owners. The level of in-

come necessary to purchase furnishings and other personal properties is less in

this country and therefore decreases the significance placed on the loss of such

materials in a fire.

British fire brigades are faced with a problem similar to what some U.S. fire

departments face in dealing with overcrowded, often unlicensed, housing for mi-

grant workers. Language problems accelerate this condition as well as fear that

fire inspectors will force undocumented persons out of the country.i ' Another

factor is that of reliance on the fire department. With neighborhood fire stations,

the American or Canadian may feel less resistant in summoning the fire depart-

ment. A higher percentage of emergencies are reported to the fire department in

the United States and Canada than in other countries.

On several occasions fire departments in the United States have had to make

public announcements that they were unable to respond to alarms because of severe

weather conditions. In recorded cases, fire alarms dropped off to practically nothing.

In one case, in Milwaukee, emergency storm conditions lasted for more than

48 hours, during which time it was practically impossible for apparatus to move

out of the stations. The public reacted to radio announcements, and no serious

fires occurred during the critical time. There is no way to know how long this re-

straint could be sustained. Indianapolis had a major flood in 1913 that lasted for

four days. During this time normal water supplies were knocked out, and the fire

chief announced that the fire department was helpless. No fires occurred during

that time; however, they resumed when fire protection was restored. 14

Fire re-

sponses did not decrease, however, in Des Moines, Iowa, when the 1993 flood

overtook its waterworks.

AUTHORITY IN INSPECTIONS In an exchange visit, the fire chief from St. Petersburg, Florida, visited St. Petersburg,

Russia, in 1992. He found that the fire department, which is operated by the

national government, has a strong fire prevention program, which includes plan

reviews, issuance of certificates of occupancy, and strict code enforcement.

Including the ability of a fire inspector to immediately close down a business

in violation. Fire inspectors are disciplined when a preventable fire occurs in the

territory. The city of almost 6 million population loses about 200 people a year in

fires. 1s