firefightingn.
/ˈfʌɪəˌfʌɪtɪŋ/, U.S. /ˈfaɪ(ə)rˌfaɪdɪŋ/ 1. The action or process of putting out a fire.
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the world > matter > properties of materials > temperature > coldness > extinguishing fire > [noun] > fire-fighting
firefighting1844
1844 Vermont Patriot 5 Apr. We candidly believe there never was, in any place, such a magnificent exhibition of fire-fighting, as was displayed in this fire.
1903 Daily Chron. 5 May 7/1 The present week is an interesting one in the history of fire-fighting.
1940 Irish Times 9 July 7 Courses for civil servants in auxiliary fire-fighting.
1971 Guardian 9 Jan. 24 The number of pumps available for firefighting at any time.
2014 N.Y. Times (Nexis) 27 Jan. a14 Another pipe near the bottom is used for sprinkler systems and firefighting.
2. figurative. colloquial. The practice of dealing with problems as they arise or become urgent, rather than planning strategically to avoid them.Recorded earliest in firefighting basis at Compounds 2.
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1965 Compar. Managem. & Econ. Progress vi. 78 Planning tends to be conducted on a very short term—often day to day—fire fighting basis.
1968 Industr. Managem. Rev. Spring 78 Items on their lists [of interferences in the effective use of time]: the telephone, meetings, reports, visitors, delegation, procrastination, firefighting, [etc.]
1980 R. R. Blake & J. S. Mouton Versatile Manager vi. 66 Delegation reduces the need for firefighting.
1989 R. Graef Talking Blues v. 147 Policing by Objectives is one of a number of strategies to give the force and each PC a way of doing something positive instead of aimless patrolling and purely reactive ‘fire fighting’.
2014 N.Z. Herald (Nexis) 24 Mar. After three weeks of firefighting aimed at preventing the crisis from worsening, the upcoming summits offer leaders a chance to shape the West's longer strategy.
Compounds
C1. General attributive in sense 1, as firefighting apparatus, firefighting crew, etc.
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1897 Westm. Gaz. 22 Nov. 9/1 Chemical engines, water-towers, and other time-saving and fire-fighting apparatus.
1918 Nation (N.Y.) 7 Feb. 168/1 The completeness of the fire-fighting equipment..constituted a most reassuring factor of safety.
1980 Lethbridge (Alberta) Herald 16 May d10/2 Two..firefighting crews refused to man the lines on one of the worst fires in the province.
2007 V. Dunn Strategy of Firefighting 28/1 Firefighting tactics—such as search and rescue, ladder placement, and venting.
C2. General attributive in sense 2, as firefighting basis, firefighting team, etc.
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1965Fire fighting basis [see sense 2].
1968 Morbidity & Mortality Weekly Rep. 28 Sept. 362/2 The efficacy of periodic mass measles immunization, used either as a ‘maintenance’ or a ‘firefighting’ technique, in sustaining effective control of the disease.
1982 Brandon (Manitoba) Sun 28 July 4/2 The City of Brandon has spent much time in the last two or three years doing firefighting jobs throughout the city administration.
2000 Times 28 Dec. i. 6/7 The Department for Education and Employment has set up a ‘firefighting’ team to help schools that are struggling to fill vacancies.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2015; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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