Fire Department Operations and Command Structure

Organization

• Fire department has a chain of command, formal line of authority
• Documentation of issues is required
• Span of Control defines the number of people a supervisor can effectively manage
• Heavy Rescue, HazMat, Airport Fire and Rescue (AFAR) are specifically stationed
• Hydrants are located at the airport
• The department has 26 engine companies
• Mutual Aid is used to get support from other cities
• Rules, regulations, policies, and procedures govern operations
• The incident commander has authority at fire emergencies
• Paramedics have authority at medical incidents
• First arriving engine establishes command and water supply
• Rescue and Intervention Crew (RIC) are part of the first units
• First alarm dispatches 3 engines and a truck, plus battalion chief.
• Second alarm dispatches 6 engines, 2 trucks, PIO and safety officer
• Public Information Officer (PIO) and Incident Commander (IC) are key roles
• Staging areas are usually established on the next street over
• The department was established in 1869
• NFPA provides recommendations
• There are more than 33,000 fire departments
• Municipalities are the most frequent type of fire department
• Probationary period for new hires is 18 months
• Fire engines carry tools like irons, EMS equipment (pulse oximeter, BP cuff, gauze, AED)

Equipment and Procedures

• 5 items carried by truck company: ladders, ropes, irons, Jaws of Life, Flathead axe.
• A side of the building is determined by the address.
• A 4 foot hose line connects to the fire line (jumper line)
• Two people are needed to move a 2-inch hose
• Maximum alarms are 6
• Memorandums of Understanding (MOU) are agreements with cities
• City Council and Fire Marshall are supervised by specific roles
• Work trades or shifts are common
• Roll call determines assignments and tasks
• Bird-dog is a position behind the officer on the truck, responsible for shutting off the gas supply
• SCBA – Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus, 45 minute use time
• Hydrant connection procedures are outlined
• Ventilation techniques (top side and cross-ventilation) are described
• Tools like circular saws/chainsaws are used
• Auxiliary power (generators) should be grounded
• Exposure buildings are at risk for catching fire from different means (conduction, convection, and radiation)
• Water curtains are a fire fighting technique
• Working fires are defined conditions
• Usage of pipe poles is addressed