The workplace of today’s firefighter is very different than it was even 25 years ago. New building construction materials and the composition of home furnishings are drastically different. Today’s home contents contain large quantities of petroleum-based products and synthetics that burn faster and hotter versus traditional, more natural materials. Prefabricated materials and lightweight construction components are now the norm in homes and buildings constructed in the United States. These construction styles while cheaper to build and stronger under normal circumstances don't hold up as well or as long when exposed to fire. Hotter, faster moving fires, with greater amounts of toxic smoke are the industry standard. These modern materials are releasing heat at exponentially faster rates leading to fire compartments reaching flash over faster than ever. These combined factors have drastically reduced the time frame of occupant survivability. The modern fire environment has become even more dangerous for firefighters as well, despite technological advances in firefighting tactics, firefighter gear, fire detection and suppression systems.

Please review the video at the link below from the Today Show.

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