Fire Department Engine Company Operations Quiz

Engine Company Functions and Responsibilities

• Engine Company responsibilities include obtaining a positive water source, hose lead-outs, and confinement and extinguishment of fires.
• The 1st Due Engine is tasked with positioning the engine to lead out hose lines and secure a hydrant, regardless of the structure's size.
• Offensive fires require the 2nd Due Engine to relieve the company on the first hose line or lead out a back-up hose line, while the 3rd Due Engine can lead out a 2nd or 3rd hose line.
• Defensive fires call for the 2nd and 3rd Engines to assist with water supply and heavy caliber hose lines to confine the spread of fire.
• The Engine Company's mission is to confine and extinguish fires, with a tactical mission to put into operation a hose line for an immediate coordinated fire attack.
• The Engine Company's responsibilities include life safety, pump operation, search and rescue, and obtaining a positive water source.
• Recommended topics to be covered during Roll Call include riding position and tool assignments, scheduled apparatus maintenance, and weather and road conditions.
• Riding positions for the Engine Company include Officer, Driver, Pipe, and Hydrant, with specific tool assignments for each position.
• Radio assignments and signatures are used for efficient and effective accountability measures within the Engine Company.
• The apparatus and associated equipment undergo thorough checks and inspections at the start of each shift by the Driver and other company personnel.
• Engine Company operations have general response guidelines for structural fires, with a different size-up approach compared to Truck Companies due to their differing missions.
• Continuous training and strong skill-sets are required for mastering all Engine Company functions and responsibilities, which encompass various tasks such as water supply to fire protection and extrication scene protection.

Fire Department Engine Company Operations Summary

• The Engine Company must receive immediate assistance from the 1st Due Truck or Squad Company in evaluating fire conditions and any risks in larger buildings.
• For fires in commercial and industrial buildings, if the Engine Company cannot operate on the roof, they should not operate under the roof.
• The Engine Company should connect to the standpipe system if available and needed for fires in commercial and industrial buildings.
• A 2” hose line is recommended as the preferred initial attack hose line for fires in commercial and industrial occupancies.
• The 2nd Engine is recommended to combine and operate with the 1st Due Engine and remain as a cohesive unit until otherwise assigned for apartment, commercial, and industrial building fires.
• It is imperative for any Engine Company to be assigned a Truck or Squad Company for support operations during the fire attack and to remain together as a cohesive unit unless certain conditions demand their separation.
• The Engine Company must respond to activated fire alarms as though the alarm had activated for a confirmed fire and presume that a fire is likely until determined otherwise.
• The Engine Company should be charged with the responsibility of scene protection and fire suppression for extrication incidents to assure safety for rescuers and victims.
• The Truck Officer should communicate and coordinate extrication operations with the Engine Officer and be assigned as the officer-in-charge of the extrication operation.
• A 1” hose line with a combination pipe set on partial fog and an ABC extinguisher shall be in position and charged anytime the hydraulic tools are in use unless otherwise determined by the Incident Commander for extrication incidents.
• The engine should attempt to pull past the possible to allow for full scene access and easily take off the hose bed as needed for additional hose lines or supply lines for extrication incidents.
• The Engine Company must consider safety precautions, such as approaching and passing traffic during extinguishment, possible electrical hazards, and unknown hazardous items stored in vehicles during vehicle fires.

Firefighting Tactics and Radio Protocol

• Engine and Truck Company officers have different priorities in assessing a fire scenario; Engine officers focus on hose and water needs, while Truck officers prioritize ventilation and search opportunities.
• Initial size-up examples include details on the type of structure, fire condition, and planned actions.
• Command Officers and Battalion Commanders carry two portables to monitor the main FIRE frequency and Fireground White; company Officers can also use SCAN to monitor the main FIRE frequency.
• Drivers of fire suppression and medical apparatus keep their radios on the main FIRE frequency unless directed to switch to Fireground White.
• The 1st Due Engine Company is responsible for confinement and extinguishment of fire, hydrant positioning, and supplying large caliber devices.
• The primary function of an Engine Company is to locate, position, and secure a primary hydrant, operate an adequate size hose line, and cover exposures.
• The first hose line is placed between the fire and any endangered persons, serving as a base for confinement and extinguishment, and allowing for evacuation and search.
• The general rule for estimating the number of hose lengths in the fire building is one length per floor plus one length for the fire floor.
• Upon arrival, the 1st Due Engine should position itself to lead out a hose and provide room for the 1st Due Truck Company if possible.
• For a reverse lay lead-out, the initial Engine position should allow room for the 1st Due Truck and potential aerial ladder positioning.
• Correct positioning of the 1st due Engine involves accommodating the 1st Due Truck behind the Engine, leaving room for aerial ladder positioning.
• Apparatus should be positioned to allow for efficient firefighting operations, considering factors like hydrants, parked cars, and trees.