When should a firefighter use a fire blanket?

Using a fire blanket to extinguish flames on a person's clothing is the most appropriate action because fire blankets are specifically designed for this purpose. When a person's clothing catches fire, the blanket can be swiftly wrapped around them, smothering the flames by cutting off their oxygen supply. This helps to mitigate burns and reduce the severity of the injuries sustained by the individual. Firefighters are trained to use blankets in emergency situations where rapid action can save lives, and the blanket's material is effective in preventing further ignition.

In other scenarios like covering a small fire on the ground, using a fire blanket may not be the best approach as other techniques, such as using a fire extinguisher or a class A fire extinguisher (soil or water), could be more appropriate. Additionally, while a fire blanket can potentially smother a grease fire, the risk of the flames flaring up when the blanket is removed makes it a less ideal choice for that specific situation. Lastly, while a fire blanket can help shield against flames, it does not protect against smoke inhalation, which requires other protective measures, such as wearing a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA).