Cook County Fire and Cocoanut Grove Nightclub Fire Paper Example

Question 1: Cook County Fire

On October 17th, 2003, the Chicago Fire Department was brought to a new test when a 35-story Cook County Administration Building's broke into the fire from the supply room. Even though the fire was containable, the fact that the supply room was next to one of the stairwells important for employees' evacuation exposed the users to smoke leading to suffocation. According to the code's requirement, the building was supposed to have pressurized stairwells to prevent the inflow of smoke, as well as smart-locks for emergency unblocking to seize the smoke in the course of evacuation. The Cook County building lacked these important fire protection systems. In addition, the absence of the sprinklers above the lobby for fire emergencies led to the delays in putting off the fire in the time leading to casualties.

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At the same time, the fire department response contributed to the failures, in this case, streamlined communication with the security personnel in the building would have played a crucial role in ensuring the correct evacuation procedure in case of such small fire outbreak. Also, determination of the right fire intervention and rescue approach, in this case, the use of the southwest stairwells was an inconvenience in the rescue operations.

In addition, the emergency voice communication system would have served a critical purpose in directing and guiding the employees on the evacuation plan. For instance, since it was just only the 12th floor on fire, the people in the top floors would have remained intact for the fire to be contained to reduce congestion in the stairwells.

In accordance with the fire protection systems, the F.D. responded inadequately towards rescue plan in the stairwells. Despite many story buildings instituting necessary measures to avoid the smoke inflows, it would have been a mandatory requirement for the F.D. personnel to check through the stairwells and ensure all employees were safe. However, due to inefficiencies, six members succumbed to death while seven were revived.

Question 2: Identify a Major Loss Fire Event

The Cocoanut Grove Nightclub Fire of 1942 was a major loss, despite the detrimental historical encounter with the Triangle Shirtwaist Fire that adjusted fire emergency preparations, the owners of this nightclub failed to adhere to the new fire safety standards. On a tragic day, more than 1000 people were present against the 600 required limit when a lit fire touched a piece of decor razing the place in flames within 12 minutes and claiming over 492 lives. However, out of these deaths, 200 were claimed due to scrambling at the exit revolving door that was not spacious. As a result, National Fire Protection Association were prompted to adjust the codes requiring the use of signs, loose chairs, appropriate lighting systems, and safety stairway enclosures to prevent smoke and fire impact.