This report identifies relationships between city characteristics and the causes of residential fires, with special emphasis on climate, demographic, and socioeconomic factors.

Apply the experience of dozens of leading authorities with the new Organizing for Fire and Rescue Services. This special fire service edition of NFPA's Fire Protection Handbook is comprised of 35 informative chapters that present the big picture in a single volume. All the topics fire service managers and fire and life safety educators need to know about are here including: Fire and fire science basics including fire data collection and databases, and use of incident data and statistics Information on fire and life safety education including how to reach high-risk groups, understanding media, and evaluation techniques Guidance on fire department administration and operations, pre-incident planning, EMS, training, apparatus and equipment, PPE, managing response to haz-mat incidents, rescue operations, fireground operations, and more! Order your copy today and put time-tested knowledge to work for you!

Urban conflagrations, such as the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 and the Great Boston Fire the following year, terrorized the citizens of nineteenth-century American cities. However, urban rebirth in the aftermath of great fires offered a chance to shape the future. Ultimately residents and planners created sweeping changes in the methods of constructing buildings, planning city streets, engineering water distribution systems, underwriting fire insurance, and firefighting itself. Crucible of Fire describes how the practical knowledge gained from fighting nineteenth-century fires gave form and function to modern fire protection efforts. Changes in materials and building design resulted directly from tragedies such as fires in supposedly fireproof hotels. Thousands of buildings burned, millions of dollars were lost, the fire insurance industry faltered, and the nature of volunteerism changed radically before municipal authorities took the necessary actions. The great fires formed a crucible of learning for firefighters, engineers, architects, underwriters, and citizens. Veteran firefighter Bruce Hensler shows how the modern American fire service today is a direct result of the lessons of history and a rethinking of the efficacy of volunteerism in fighting fires. Crucible of Fire is an eye-opening look at today's fire service and a thorough examination of what firefighters, civic leaders, and ordinary citizens can do to protect their homes and communities from the mistakes of the past.