The following is hopefully going to be a history of breathing apparatus (BA) used within the British Fire Service. This very important piece of the fire-fighters kit has gone through many changes over the years which usually was the result of a fire-fighters death or at the least a recognition of the failings of a procedure.
THE IMPACT ON BREATHING APPARATUS PROCEDURES OVER THE YEARS - 1943 - Initial Recommendations
- 1945 - Further Recommendations
- 1949 - FIRST FIRE at COVENT GARDEN MARKET
- 1950 - Introduction of Nominal Roll Board
- 1954 - SECOND FIRE at COVENT GARDEN MARKET
- 1955 - Issue of Technical Bulletin No 2/1955
- 1958 - FIRE at SMITHFIELD MARKET
- 1959 - Issue of Fire Service Circular 41/1959
- 1960 - Issue of Fire Service Circular 32/1960
- 1961 - Issue of Recommendations for Operational use of BA
- 1962 - Issue of Fire Service Circular 19/1962
- 1963 - Issue of Fire Service Circular 30/1963
- 1965 - Report of Home Office Survey
- 1966 - FIRE at RAF NEATISHEAD
- 1969 - Issue of Fire Service Circular 46/1969
- 1970 - Issue of Dear Chief Officer Letter 13/1970
- 1971 - Introduction of Ultra Lightweight Cylinders
- 1974 - Issue of Fire Service Circular 22/1974
- 1975-77 - Further Recommendations