Question:

My house has a natural gas, hydronic (circulated hot water) baseboard heat system.

How would a switch help in an emergency? The only things electrical are the water circulation pump, the zone valves and the "clicker" to ignite the pilot.

Are the switches (for gas furnaces) meant for the forced hot-air type?

(I can understand an oil furnace having a switch--the oil is burnt by having it spun into a fine mist, correct? Stop the spinning and no more burning oil?)