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Example research essay topic: Fire Department Water Supply - 1,308 words

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... ions that took place throughout the fire ravaged area. Along the eastern ridge of the fire, many high voltage power lines were burnt which eliminated power to homes in the surrounding communities and also presented complications with the fire department's electrically run hydrant system pumps. The fire companies resorted to using water from local swimming pools to put out some of the encroaching flames instead of using the pumped water from the hydrants. Fatigue, injury, and a feeling of vulnerability faced many of the firefighters as they were faced with a major fire that continually jumped from one structure to another. Some fire personnel worked 24 to 36 hours straight in order to prevent homes from being torn apart by the blistering inferno.

Even beyond fatigue and injury, firefighters dealt with problems that they had no control over. Many streets in the city of Malibu are closely intertwined with the environment. Dense overgrowth crowded the narrow streets which made it virtually impossible for fire crews to challenge some of the house fires with the appropriate equipment. Ornamental plants and overgrowth also added to the intensity of the fire making it hard for firefighters to get close to the burning houses.

The topography of Malibu presented the biggest problem to the firefighting effort. Much of Malibu consists of steep canyon walls that drop down to narrow roadways. 'With a fire burning with as much as 22, 500 BTU per foot per second, firefighters often had to abandon a position before their path of egress was involved with flames (Firestorm 1993, p. 2 sec. 5). ' This fire burned an average of over 1, 000 acres per hour and traveled seven miles in six hours to reach the Pacific Coast. Started by an arsonist, the fire destroyed 384 structures and burned over 16, 516 acres of land. Although 384 structures were destroyed, fire personnel managed to save over 7, 000 homes. At the height of the fire, 7136 fire personnel were involved with the protection of structures (Firestorm 1993, p. 6. sec. 1).

Over 400 different firefighting agencies from all around Southern California participated in fighting this fire. 565 firefighters suffered injuries, 21 civilians were injured and three civilians died as a result of this massive inferno. Despite the care taken in preventing fires, they are inevitable. Fires that occur naturally or under carefully monitored circumstances can be beneficial to the environment. Unfortunately, many fires result from human error and carelessness, and do not positively affect the environment. It would be extremely difficult, if not impossible, to completely rid of dangerous and damaging fires, but mitigation of the problem should be looked into and pursued. Every time there is a forest fire, a brush fire, a residential fire, or any fire that affects a niche / ecosystem , a concerted effort should be taken to study its effects and analyses should be conducted in hopes of getting prepared for 'the next time. ' There are many lessons to be learned from the Malibu Fires, especially concerning water supply, vegetation, brush clearance, and building / fire codes.

An area that is troubled by low moisture levels and high temperatures, the hillsides of Malibu were perfect targets for wildfires. The fact that the fires occurred in mountainous terrain complicated matters because the water supply is broken down into several isolated systems, unlike the network system that exists in many urban areas. The mountainous water systems were designed to fight structure fires, not wildfires. This is due to a less concentrated water supply to fight fires.

Another problem faced by Malibu was that the water systems were not capable of storage at the levels needed to fight a wildfire. This is because huge storage tanks are more susceptible to breakdown than smaller ones due to technical issues and damage caused by earthquakes. Vegetation posed another problem during the Malibu fires. Due to its dry brush-like vegetation the fire grew stronger and more uncontrollable, as it fed on its 'fuel. ' A solution to this problem is to investigate plant species that are less flammable.

For example, the eucalyptus tree, which is highly susceptible to fires due to its high concentration of oil, should be avoided in the design of landscapes. In addition, a balance between soil erosion protection and fire hazard reduction must be met through the choice of appropriate vegetation. Protecting the soil from erosion should improve its quality, which in turn is necessary for healthy vegetation. Vegetation has the potential to increase the moisture content of an environment, and also to decrease temperatures.

These two outcomes would be beneficial to the environment, as long as vegetation that is least susceptible to fire is found. In addition to planting the appropriate vegetation, proper brush clearing must be practiced. Densely planted vegetation spurs a fire on, as its flames can hop from plant to plant. In general, the Fire Department recommends that vegetation within 30 feet of structures be eliminated completely or thinned of dead material. Acacia, Cedar, Cypress, and Eucalyptus trees are specifically pointed out, as are dry annual grasses, shrubs, and Juniper, which are all highly flammable. Vegetation within 30 to 100 feet should be thinned as appropriate, planted in isolated 'islands' of vegetation, and dead materials should be removed.

These are all measures that can be taken by individual homeowner, if they so choose. In addition, independent contractors can be hired to do the job. Brush clearing can be an aesthetic advantage as well as promote healthy vegetation growth. Building structures must also be analyzed to abate wildfires. For example, instead of using wood roof shingles, residents should use light- colored, non-combustible roof coverings. This will increase albedo of the environment, thus reducing the environment's temperature.

Also, swimming pools are a worthwhile investment, for the Fire Department can incorporate drains that will allow water to be used during fires. In addition, the area will experience increased moisture level, and albedo will increase due to the reflective nature of water. Best of all, a pool can be refreshing on hot summer days. In order to quell firestorms, there are many measures that must be taken simultaneously. It is not enough to have an outstanding water system, or a well trained Fire Department. Fires naturally rage out of control.

Therefore, people must be educated on the aspects that they can help control, such as those mentioned above. If the people of Malibu plan on continuing their stay on a naturally fire-prone environment, they must learn to adapt their lives to it. These measures, however, are not limited to Malibu residents. Everyone can learn something from their tragic experience. Human beings attempt to fight nature by trying to change or disturb its natural surroundings for the sole benefit of consumption. This is not only bad for the environment, but also for its inhabitants.

When Malibu was home to the Chumash Indians, old vegetation was periodically burned to foster growth of new vegetation. The Chumash, who were more closely connected to nature than we are now, learned how and when to cause fires. 'A long time ago the Chumash were here and they used to burn the brush every once and a while. It did wonders for the vegetation. the flowers were so beautiful.

Then we built houses in their way. we really should not be here (Resident of Malibu). ' Perhaps we should learn from their techniques: rather than allowing the chaparral to dry out and die (causing a high fire risk), we should clear out old vegetation to prevent massive fires and learn to respect the environment in which we live in, not abuse it. Nature is not man's enemy, but should be seen as an ally. Humans need to learn about their environment in hopes that a better understanding of natural processes will help humans to peacefully coexist with it.


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Research essay sample on Fire Department Water Supply

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