In just the past 30 years, many changes have occurred in the area of firefighting.
Osage Fire Chief Kurt Angell has seen many changes since he began as a firefighter with the Osage Department 30 years ago.
“In some sense, fires have changed and are getting hotter,” he said. “Materials used in buildings and furnishings in the structures are more petroleum based, so fires burn hotter. Even, the bunker gear we now have is far different from the rubber boots and coats we used to wear.”
One big change has come with the design of homes today.
“Many homeowners are building open concept houses and fire spreads rapidly in these homes, because fire can go anywhere it wants. With older compartmentalized homes, with walls and doors, fires are more contained. That is why it’s important to close doors, if a fire occurs.”
Another change is the amount of water available to firefighters.