Engine Company Apparatus Placement

• This manual chapter provides general information about engine company apparatus placement.
• Each member is responsible for exercising the appropriate control as dictated by their rank when implementing guidelines.

Arriving Positions

• The first arriving engine company should aim to attack the fire from the front of the building or the address side, known as Side A-Alpha.
• When positioning the apparatus, the collapse zone should be considered, and room should be left for the first arriving ladder company to ladder the building.
• This is typically done by pulling past the address, unless it's known that the ladder company is approaching from the opposite direction, in which case the engine should stop short.
• The second arriving engine company prepares to attack the fire from the rear of the building, Side C-Charlie, generally opposite the first engine company, unless directed otherwise by the Incident Commander.
• The apparatus should be placed on a hydrant.
• If driving down the back alley, taking a wrap with a 5-inch hose line is recommended.
• The second engine company should not enter the address side (Side A) of the block to gain rear access, unless there are no other options.
• Attempt to position the hose bed to face the hose stretch.
• The third arriving engine company positions at a hydrant, reports to Side A-Alpha, and considers positioning for additional responding apparatus like ladder companies.
• The fourth arriving engine company positions at a hydrant, reports to Side C-Charlie, and considers positioning for additional responding apparatus.

Squrt/Water Tower Positioning

• Squirts (rear-mounted) and Water Towers (mid-mounted) are specialty apparatus equipped with elevated aerial waterways that can deliver high volume GPM.
• They are not restricted to aerial operations and can operate at grade and below.
• Priority positioning on the fireground should be given at escalating incidents, extra alarm fires, or incidents deemed necessary by the Incident Commander to maximize effectiveness and stream reach.
• These apparatus may not need to be positioned on a hydrant; another engine may be assigned to supply them to maximize their hydraulic capabilities.

Fire Department Connections

• The first arriving engine designated as the Driver/Pump Operator (DPOP) takes a hydrant, connects to the FDC, and prepares to pressurize any sprinkler/standpipe systems if ordered.
• The second engine DPOP secures a water supply and awaits further orders.
• The third engine DPOP supports the first-in engine company's DPOP by connecting to the standpipe/sprinkler system(s).

Heavy Water Lines

• Engines must be near the building or incident for effective water supply with handlines or portable master streams.
• When operating a fixed appliance, the apparatus must be positioned to allow the fire stream to reach the intended target, all while considering potential structural collapse.
• When practical, using a manifold and a reverse lay is encouraged to conserve time and personnel energy.

Structural Collapse

• Consider structural collapse when determining an attack engine's position.
• Buildings with extensive fire involvement or those in poor condition are more likely to collapse.
• Apparatus and personnel should maintain a safety zone of at least 1.5 times the height of any building likely to collapse.
• The corners of a building are considered the safest position for apparatus placement, especially for aerial apparatus operating master streams.

Overhead Wires

• The presence of overhead wires affects fireground apparatus positioning.
• Positioning apparatus directly below these lines can be dangerous, especially under fire or weather conditions that may cause them to fall.
• Fires with a potential to spread dictate positioning apparatus further away with the open route to withdraw.

Terrain

• Unless ordered otherwise by the Incident Commander, park apparatus on paved surfaces to avoid getting stuck.
• In cold weather, consider the buildup of ice and snow for apparatus safety.
• In incidents involving hazardous or flammable liquids, an uphill position minimizes the risk of liquids flowing underneath the apparatus.
• In vehicle fires, an uphill position protects the apparatus from burning fuel, except when contending with wildland fires.
• In wildland fires, apparatus and personnel should be positioned downhill from the main body of fire, which moves uphill faster than on flat or downhill terrain.

Falling Debris

• Falling debris from buildings, particularly in high-rise fires, presents significant danger to firefighters and apparatus.
• Protection from falling glass and debris may be needed for apparatus, equipment, and personnel operating within 200 feet of the base of a high-rise fire.

Positioning to Support Aerial Apparatus

• When engines arrive before the first aerial apparatus, DPOPs should seek a position that provides the best advantage for their apparatus while considering the needs of incoming aerial apparatus.
• The "inside/outside" placement method may be employed to position ladders and engines if the street is wide enough, meaning more than one lane
• For buildings shorter than five floors, engines are positioned on the side of the street closest to the building, with aerial apparatus placed outboard of the engine.
• It is assumed the aerial device is long enough to reach the top of the building from this position.
• When the fire building is taller than five floors, engines take the outside position to maximize the aerial apparatus' reach.
• Apparatus with rear-loaded ladders must have sufficient space behind them for ladder removal.