Translation guide
The activity of extinguishing fires or the profession of doing so. In Japanese, this is expressed through specific nouns and verbs depending on whether you refer to the profession, the act, or the organization.
fire fighting (profession/activity)
fire fighting (extinguishing)
Referring to fire fighting as a job or general activity.
Describing the action of putting out a fire.
Referring to the fire department or fire service.
消防 (shōbō) is broader, covering fire prevention and fire fighting as a system. 消火 (shōka) specifically means extinguishing a fire. Use 消防 for the profession or department, and 消火 for the act of putting out flames.
Fire fighting operations continued all night.
Emphasizes the act of extinguishing fires. Slightly more technical.
Firefighters engaged in fire fighting.
The fire fighting team arrived quickly.