Fire engineering is among top-notch professions making it a lucrative option for those who have good communication skills, are team players and have the ability to make quick decisions and solve problems, says ZS LAKRA
Fire engineering is one of the toughest and demanding fields which deal with the prevention of fire. It is a dangerous profession which requires a strong sense of commitment to public services. It deals with prevention and protection of all living beings and buildings from the fire outbreak.
Fire engineering can be classified into Fire Prevention Engineering, Fire Safety Engineering, Fire Protection Engineering and Fire Control Engineering involving the technological knowledge to prevent deaths loss of property in case of a fire. When fire expands, it is dangerous and can cause a disaster, which is when the services of the such professionals are required.
Fire engineering can be classified into Fire Prevention Engineering, Fire Safety Engineering, Fire Protection Engineering and Fire Control Engineering.
Scope
A fire engineer has to adapt to changes as quickly as possible. Fire engineering also deals with reducing the causality which happens on a day to day basis by providing safety measure and increasing the parameters of the standard of living. It helps one understands the phenomena of fire and the effect of it. Drive fire trucks and other emergency vehicles. Put out fires using water hoses, fire extinguishers, and water pumps. Find and rescue victims in burning buildings or in other emergency situations.
This profession demands commitments to public services leaving aside the personal safety hence it is lucrative on one hand but very risky on the other. Discipline, quickness, reliability, confidence are some of the traits of a good fire engineer. They need knowledge about fire fighting, different types of fires and how to prevent and control them and rescue methods and equipments in case of a fire breakdown.
Skills
Fire engineers should posses some specific skills like physical fitness, good communication, be a team player, practical skills in operating and using tools, skills in evaluating situations, making quick decisions and solving problems, physical agility and mental skills to tackle problems under any circumstance.
Course and Eligibility
There are several certificate, Diploma and degree courses which one can pursue after 10-plus 2 with Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry or its equivalent exam. Certificate programmes are also offered to Class 10 (with Science and Mathematics) pass out students. The course offers practical training in firefighting techniques handling of fire equipment and appliances, life-rescue techniques and more. The students are also taught fire engineering science, safety engineering and management. The curriculum also includes lessons on nuances of Safety Act and law.
Apart from the educational qualification, the candidate should possess specified physical qualification — should be physically fit and free from organic disease to undergo practical training. Minimum acceptable physical standards for the fire engineering course are Height: Minimum 165 cm, Weight: 50 kg. Chest measurement: 81 cm, with five-centimeter expansion, Vision: 6/6, preferably without any aid.
Prospects
Engineers of this field can go in any sector either government or private according to their interest and choices. They can also get employed in other industries such as chemical or inflammable products manufacturing firms like petroleum refineries, petrochemicals, textiles and fertilisers. They can work with business corporations, educational institutions, consultancies and other government organisations around the world. Fire Safety department in MNCs. In these sectors candidate may be posted as Safety Inspector, Safety Engineers, Safety Officer, Safety Supervisor, Safety Auditor, Fire Men/Fire Fighter, Fire Supervisor and Fire Engineer.
Remuneration
An average salary of a fire engineer is Rs 3 to Rs 3.5 lakh per year. This is the starting salary and can increase based on the performance, abilities and experience of the person.
The writer is Director, Delhi College of Fire Safety Engineering