If you ever find yourself in a burning building the golden rule is: Get out and stay out!
If there is smoke in the building the rule still applies but you need to: Get down, get low and get out!
That's so you breathe in as little smoke as possible because smoke is really harmful to your lungs and throat.
Once you're out of the building do not go back inside for anything. You shouldn't stop for anything on your way out either. You need to get out as quickly as possible and stopping for a favourite toy or game will only slow you down.
Smoke alarms can save lives by beeping when they detect smoke and warning you that there's smoke and possibly a fire nearby. The New Zealand Fire Service recommends every house in New Zealand should have a smoke alarm in every hallway, bedroom and living area and on every level of your home.
In lots of firefighting stories and movies, firefighters are often seen with dalamatian dogs. Dalamatian dogs are orginally from southern Europe and were bred to assist with herding livestock and to run along beside horses. About 100 years ago fire engines were powered by horses, the horses were unharnessed when firefighters arrived at the fire and the Dalmatians would lead/direct the horses to a safe place to wait until the fire was out. Dalmatians also filled the role of protecting the horse's feet from other dogs as the fire equipment was being transported to the fire scene.
The history of firefighting goes all the way back to ancient Egypt where hand-operated water pumps were used to put out fires. . In Ancient Rome the roman fire brigade was formed by the emperor Augustus in AD6 and was called the Vigiles. They would form lines of people who would pass buckets of water down the lines to put out the fires. But they also used hooks, ladders and ballistae (a giant crossbow) to knock buildings down before they caught on fire. Not only were the Vigiles firefighters they would patrol the streets looking for fires and they also acted as the police force too.
There are 436 fire stations and 800 fire engines in New Zealand *
The busiest fire station in New Zealand in 2004 was Auckland City with 7,268 call outs. Christchurch had 3,855 and Wellington City Station 3,242 *
Fires start quietly and grow quickly. If you are asleep you are unlikely to smell smoke and detect a fire
Smoke alarms can save lives and property by alerting you when the fire is still small.
A smoke alarm works by smoke particles breaking a circuit in the smoke detector, which then triggers the smoke alarm signal, and keeps sounding until the smoke clears.
* New Zealand Fire Service Website Figures