Firefighting is an important public safety practice used to protect lives and property. Firefighters use a variety of tools and methods to extinguish fires, control combustible materials and other hazardous objects, and rescue people. Firefighting works by cutting off the oxygen supply to the fire and cooling down the hot objects so that the fire will die out. There are five primary components to firefighting: applying water to the fire, control of the combustible materials, preventing re-ignition, protecting property, and rescuing trapped persons. Firefighters use specialized tools such as hoses, ladders, pumps, and specialized firefighting chemicals to fight fires, as well as personal protective gear to protect themselves from extreme heat and smoke. Firefighting is a dangerous job that requires a lot of dedication and skill.