D/E Manual - Chapter 1: Emergency Vehicle Operations

The act of operating an emergency vehicle with lights and sirens, exceeding the speed limit, and using a siren, but doing so safely and without putting the public at risk.

The distance between two or more emergency vehicles traveling in code 3 should be 300-500 feet.

A warning sound produced by sirens, used in emergency situations.

A warning sound produced by sirens, used in emergency situations. It changes to a higher pitch than a wail warning.

Headlights should be on at all times when an emergency vehicle is in operation.

Emergency vehicle should be on the road for a brief period of time to minimize the risk. This is a decision made by the driver.

Driving into oncoming lanes, a last resort for extreme situations used with slow speeds and extreme caution.

The process of shifting weight within a vehicle, impacting handling and stopping.

When directing traffic at a scene, always use the apparatus, emergency and scene lights, traffic cones, flares and LE personnel.

Avoid using firefighters to direct traffic unless absolutely necessary.

Always wear your bunker gear and helmet when working at accident scenes, never turn your back on traffic and always be aware of your surroundings.

Position the apparatus at a 45 degree angle to the roadway between traffic and the work zone, taking 1.5 lanes of traffic to protect the work area, turning apparatus wheels away from the incident.

To avoid accidents, always have an assigned safety officer to watch for traffic.

On limited access highways, place cones 150' upstream to give adequate warning.

The collapse zone for a building is 1.5 times the height of the building.

When possible, place the apparatus upwind of the incident.

Water flow rate needed for a typical single-family home fire.

The time it takes to connect to the supply source, empty the tender, connect to the fill site, fill the tank, and drive back to the scene.

The minimum water flow rate needed from the supply source for a continuous 2-hour fire fight.

A pump that uses a floating intake to draw water from a static source.

The minimum pump capacity required for an apparatus filling from a static water source.

The optimal arrangement for tenders circulating between the fire scene and the fill site.

The process of flushing water backward through hoses and apparatus to remove debris.

The estimated hose length needed for a standard lot.

A type of nozzle found on fire apparatus, capable of producing variable flows while maintaining a constant pressure of 150 psi.

A nozzle that operates at a constant pressure of 50 psi, providing a fog or solid bore stream depending on the tip.

A piercing nozzle capable of delivering 125 gpm at 100 psi. Flow can be increased with higher pressure, but not exceeding 200 psi.

A tool used for cutting various materials including metal, wood, and glass.

A feature on some reciprocating saws that allows for faster and more aggressive cutting.

A type of chain saw often used for ventilation, which features a safety chain brake.

A mechanical device used to adjust the tension of a chain saw's chain, ensuring proper operation and preventing damage or injury.

A powerful tool used for cutting and breaching, often with a high-volume head capable of delivering 200 gpm at 80 psi.

A tool used for adjusting chain tension on a chain saw, on the opposite side of the tool is the spark plug.

The amount of water an apparatus carries. Engines typically hold 750 or 1,000 gallons, aerials 500, brush trucks 500 or 750, tenders 3,000, 600 series brush trucks 300, and rescue pumpers 300.

The fireground officer must monitor the remaining water in the tank. It's crucial to notify the crew and command when the tank reaches 50% and 25%. This ensures timely refills or evacuation if needed.

Drawing water directly from the apparatus's tank. A 750-gallon tank will last approximately 5 minutes when supplying 150 GPM. It's recommended to limit water usage to 200 GPM for sustainable operation.

A specialized connection point on a fire hydrant designed for large-scale water supply. It's crucial to only use a master stream or FDC when a secure water source is connected.

A method to locate and display hydrant information like pressure and flow rate. Software like 'Water Source Locator' provides a visual representation of hydrants.

Hydrants equipped with two 2.5-inch side ports and a 4.5-inch steamer with National Standard Thread (NST). This configuration is commonly found in fire hydrants.

Hydrants marked with a green symbol denote operational status, while red indicates non-operational. Blue symbols represent drafting sites, and orange indicates dry hydrants. These symbols help firefighters quickly identify hydrant conditions.

The capacity of a hydrant is usually measured in gallons per minute (GPM) and provides information about its potential water flow.

A type of engine that mixes fuel and oil before it enters the combustion chamber.

The type of oil used in the crankcase of a 4-stroke engine.

A large fan used to ventilate areas, typically powered by a Honda engine.

The recommended pressure range for hydraulic tools.

A safety procedure to ensure the hydraulic system is de-pressurized before starting.

A type of coupling that allows tools to be connected and disconnected under pressure.

A type of SCBA cylinder used by firefighters.

The minimum pressure at which an SCBA cylinder should be replaced.