Firefighter Scout Interest Badge

Badge requirements

Firefighter

1. List the first steps that should be taken on the outbreak of a fire, or hazardous situation. Show that you know:
   1. How to contact the relevant emergency services by cell phone or landline.
   2. The way of reporting a fire, the procedure to be followed and the information to be given when reporting a fire or hazardous situation to any of the above emergency services.
   3. Demonstrate the phonetic alphabet and spell both your name and your street address by memory.
2. Explain the "Fire Tetrahedron" and how taking away one of the factors will put out the fire. Explain the ways in which fires can spread. Explain the principles of ventilation at the scene of a fire.
3. Draw up a list of the main causes of fires in the home. Explain how to guard against each.
4. Make a fire-safety inspection of your home. Ask your parents to help and then prepare the following:
   1. List the things that could start a fire. Use a home fire-safety checklist. Get one of your parents/guardians to sign this.
   2. List how much and where there is any petrol, cleaning fluid, paint thinners, or other flammable materials which could start a fire.
   3. List which materials in 4(b) were stored unsafely. Explain what you did to correct this.
   4. List the things in your home that could be used to put out fires.
   5. Plan for the evacuation of your home.
5. Show an understanding as to why one does not throw water on a pot of burning oil and demonstrate this to your Patrol using an already available YouTube video (not made by you).
6. Describe five different classes of fire and know the different types of extinguishing media that may be used on each.
7. Explain how to use the following common types of extinguishers:
   1. Carbon dioxide.
   2. Dry powder.
   3. Foam.
   4. Water-type
8. Explain:
   1. How to assist in preventing panic.
   2. What action to take to minimise injury to yourself when caught in a closely- packed crowd (e.g. when in a cinema and a fire alarm is sounded).
9. Discuss the hazards and the correct storage of liquids and gasses which could cause fires in the home. List the extra precautions to take if such liquids and gasses are known to be present in a house which is on fire.
10. Do the following:
    1. Explain how to set up camp so that it is safe from fire.
    2. Describe the fire equipment you need before lighting a fire in camp or in the veld.
    3. Explain how veld and forest fires start. Explain what is done to prevent them. Tell how you can help.
    4. Explain what to do if fire breaks out on a camping or hiking trip.
    5. Explain how a veld fire can be fought, particularly with improvised equipment and the correct use of a fire beater.
    6. Demonstrate the fireman's drag and fireman's lift.
11. Discuss the dangers of smoke asphyxiation and show how to move through a smoke-filled building.
12. Demonstrate the following:
    1. How to conduct a search in a simulated smoke-filled room. i.e. there is no smoke involved
    2. How to save a person whose clothes are on fire?
    3. How to improvise and how to use a line to lower persons (by demonstrating the boatswain's chair/scaffold hitch, the fireman's chair, and a prussic knot).

Requirements in PDF

• Firefighter (PDF)

See also

• Scout Interest Badges
• Fires and Cooking Scoutcraft Badge
• Fire Safety for Cubs