One of the most complicated types of facilities that a firefighter will ever respond to is a healthcare facility, according to an article on the Fire Engineering website.

In addition to the problems posed by patients who cannot leave on their own, there are surgical procedures that cannot be stopped because of a fire. 

Other hospital challenges may include helipads; laboratories with significant quantities of flammable and potentially hazardous chemicals; equipment that requires specialized response; full-service commercial kitchens; large, complex central energy plants and hazardous materials storage.

The good news is that healthcare facilities usually have a very knowledgeable staff where fire protection features are in good working order.

The key to being successful in fighting fires in hospitals is to understand how the buildings are designed to operate and how the fire safety features function during a fire or other type of emergency response, the article said.

Read the article.