Final answer:
The excerpt's structure emphasizes the consequences of inadequate firefighting equipment through detailed descriptions of malfunctions and insufficient resources, particularly in the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire where firefighters could not reach the trapped workers.
Step-by-step explanation:
The structure of the excerpt contributes to the central idea that the firefighters did not have the proper equipment to fight the fire by explaining the effects of the steamer malfunctioning and the hose bursting. It vividly describes how these malfunctions prevented the firefighters from effectively combating the fire and saving lives. For instance, the description of the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire points out how the firefighters' ladders were insufficient to reach the higher floors, demonstrating a lack of adequate resources. This intense and detailed imagery underlines the severe consequences of not having the proper firefighting equipment during a catastrophic event.
In the portion of the excerpt discussing the Triangle Shirtwaist Company, the narration of the locked doors and inadequate fire escape coupled with the illustration of firefighters' helplessness due to their short ladders invoke a sense of urgency and highlight the human cost of the tragedy, underscoring the necessity for proper equipment and safety measures in firefighting and industrial settings.
Additionally, by showcasing examples of engineering considerations in the face of a mine fire, the excerpt queries the reader about the most costly, environmentally damaging, and effective solutions, ultimately admitting that the chosen solution was to let the fire burn, symbolizing a failure in equipment or strategy to deal with such emergencies.