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A Guide to the LAFD and assisting agencies....

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A Guide to the LAFD and Assisting Agencies

Due to the overwhelming amount of emails I get, pm's, and posts looking for a better understanding of the LAFD and assisting agencies, I've decided to create a guide to better assist everyone in understanding the different terms, units, and strategies employed by the various agencies in the Los Angeles area. This document is to help those who are unfamiliar with LA to better understand the complex myriad of Emergency Services that function here on a daily basis. The first post will be consistently updated with all of the current information as time permits, and how it relates to the mod. Expect this to be intensive, and huge and I haven't quite figured out what format I will be utilizing, but hopefully it will help stop some of the misinformation and better help with intelligent requests. I had originally written a primer for the LA Mod creators, and this will be an edited/expanded version that will hopefully be useful as time goes on.

  • Los Angeles City Fire Department

    The Los Angeles City Fire Department is the primary Fire Suppression and Emergency Medical Services (ALS and BLS) agency for the incorporated city of Los Angeles and San Fernando. With 106 stations and a 7 helicopter air force capable of air ambulance, rescue, and water dropping, they are one of the largest municipal city departments in the world. They are tasked with serving the citizens of a very diverse area from Hollywood to the Port of Los Angeles, wildland urban interface areas such as Griffith Park and Sunland, industrial areas , 2 major airports, and some of the most dangerous inner city areas in the US as far as crime and violence goes. The incorporated city of Los Angeles covers over 498 square miles of territory and has an estimated population of 3.8 million.

    * Chiefs

    The LAFD is divided into 3 Divisions and 16 battalions throughout the city.

    Divisions are overseen by Assistant Chiefs and encompass a cluster of battalions under their command. Division 1 handles a 121 square mile district around Downtown LA all the way out to the Pacific Palisades and Hollywood areas with 6 battalions. Division 2 is a 107 square-mile district that handles LAX airport, West LA and the Harbor area with 5 battalions. Division 3 is the largest area with 243 square miles of the San Fernando Valley and 5 battalions. Division Chief command teams (division chief and staff assistant/driver) respond to all Greater Alarm incidents and most Brush assignments requiring more then 4 companies. While on scene, they will either take over as Incident Commander replacing the current IC to handle Operations, or assist the IC as needed.

    Battalions are a cluster of Fire stations in a general area and are under the command of a Battalion Chief. Most are around the average size of 4-10 stations and around 20-40 square miles. Battalion Chief Command teams (BC and Staff Assistant/Driver) respond to all major incidents not limited to Physical Rescues, Structure and Brush Fires, and most incidents involving Law Enforcement that require a chief officer.

    Other Chief officers include the Fire Chief and the Bureau of Emergency Services Chiefs, as well as many other admin and staff positions to handle the day to day business required by a fire department of this size.

    Vehicles

    LAFD Chiefs utilize a mix of older and newer GMC and Chevy Suburbans. The oldest ones still in use today are GMC Suburbans with a white over red paint scheme, MX7000 lightbar, and halogen flashers to the sides and rear

    Those were gradually replaced with newer Chevy Suburbans like the one in the game with an all red paint scheme, and similar lights. LED's were gradually introduced into the steady burns in the 2nd level of the bar.

    The latest purchases have a new paint scheme and LED bar on the roof. There are minor differences between the newest models, with some sporting a large designator on the front in white as well.

    These vehicles are outfitted with a customized rear cabinet area with multiple screens, computers, radios, maps, charts, and other incident command gear to function as an Incident Command post on incidents.

    They utilize the same siren that is heard throughout LA, the FedSig Smart siren with Wail and yelp tones, and have airhorns mounted under the front bumper.

    Video of the new lightbars

    Chief Officers Uniforms

    Chief officers wear white helmets and usually a brush jacket and black uniform pants on incidents.

    Staff assistants will generally wear the same brush jacket and navy uniform pants with a yellow helmet with the assignment (B17, D3) on the Panels. While some are paramedic rated, it is not a requirement or a standard. Some are, some aren't. Also all chiefs and assistants have full turnouts and scbas. Rarely will a chief "gear up" unless it is a HAZMAT incident.

    Radio Terminology

    While their job title is actually Battalion Commander, they are referred to as Battalion # on the radio, and as Battalion Command Team # in reports.

    Ex: Battalion 14, respond to the reported structure fire 123 main street, TAC17, incident number 1246.

    Use in Game

    Battalion Chief command teams are useful on major incidents for requesting additional units, hotkeying the Chief and SA so you can quickly jump to that call when multiple calls are in progress, utilize the SA as an extra body or to just move civilians out of the way until PD arrives or standby with an extinguisher. On large incidents, the SA can be hotkeyed with one number, the BC with another so that you can quickly jump from side to side on a call.

    * EMS Captains

    Each battalion is assigned a single EMS District Captain who's job it is to oversee the EMS program and procedures within his district. They coordinate and handle all inspections of EMS apparatus, equipment and supplies, handle the in-service training, evaluate personnel, act as a liaison to hospital staff, and respond to all emergencies requiring medical supervision. The program was created after it became clear that there was a deficiency in having non-paramedic trained captains in supervisory roles over the paramedics without anyone of rank who understands the procedures and protocols outlined by the county and department to act as an overseer district wide or on an incident. Typical responses will be to all incidents in which 3 or more BLS rescue ambulances are assigned, or 2 or more paramedic rescue ambulances. They will also respond to all fires, physical rescue assignments, shootings and incidents involving Law Enforcement that require EMS. Their function is as medical unit leader to the incident commander and will typically keep track of who is being transported and to where, what aid is being given, notifying the incident commander (IC) if more ambulances are needed, and acting as a staging officer for the ambulances. They will also respond to most Air Ambulance calls for documentation, evaluation and supervision. Think of them as similar to a Battalion Chief but on the EMS side. While a BC is a firefighter, he isn't going to be the one with the hose running into a building. Same with the EMS Captain treating patients, they are there to oversee an incident.

    Vehicles

    LAFD EMS Captains drive white over red color Ford Crown Victorias with MX7000 lightbars with two rear amber flashers and wig wag headlights. Standard siren is the fed sig touchmaster or smart siren.

    For a very short time, EMS 14 had a specially built test vehicle that could hold a replacement gurney in the rear to help get ambulances back in service faster when delays occurred in transferring the patient at impacted Emergency Rooms. This test has concluded and the vehicle is no longer in service and there are no plans to purchase any more of them. They were criticized as being too big with limited visibility and many of the compartment doors leaked.

    The future plan before the budget woes was to purchase customized Suburbans similar to the chiefs units. Unfortunately this plan is now on hold. Because of the lack of reserve/replacement sedans, two EMS (of the 16) are utilizing former BC rigs on a temporary basis. EMS 1 is in the former Battalion 1 2003 Suburban, and EMS 13 is also in a former BC 2003 Suburban. Due to the time and needs of removing all of the radios, cabinets and gear from the BC's rigs, it is unlikely that any of the other 14 will be going to SUV's anytime soon especially since not all of the BC's have received their new rigs yet.

    EMS Captains Uniforms

    EMS Captains, much like BC's and Staff Assistants, wear an Orange captains helmet with EM# on the sides and front, Captain in the top rocker, and LAFD in the bottom panel. Normally they'll wear a brush jacket or structure jacket and regular uniform pants while on an incident.

    Radio Terminology

    While their job title is actually EMS District Captain, they are referred to as EMS Captains and EMS Supervisors on the radio by personnel, and EMS# specifically.

    Ex1:

    Rescue Ambulance 78: OCD, RA78… send an EMS supervisor to my location.

    Operations Control Dispatch: RA78, you are getting EMS14.

    EX2: EMS10, to the shooting, 123 Main street, Tac 12, incident #316

    Use in Game

    EMS Captains are useful on major incidents for requesting additional EMS units, hotkeying the Captain so you can quickly jump to the EMS portion of a call when multiple calls or a major call is in progress, and for setting up an EMS triage/staging area at his location away from the fire and danger.

    * Engines

    The fire engine is the backbone of any fire service and functions as its primary vehicle for fulfilling the roles and duties requires of the department. Known as an ICS Type 1 Triple Combination Pumper because it carries a complement of hose, a water tank, and a pump, it also carries various other tools to complete its varied mission. The LAFD has made multiple purchases over the years split 50/50 between both Seagrave and Pierce since 2003. Models still in use include the 1999 Pierce Dash, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007 Pierce Arrow XTs, and 2003 and 2005 Seagraves. All Engines have a 1500gpm pump and carry 500 gallons of water, and 30 gallons of Class A Foam. To fulfill the last requirement of being a triple, all LAFD engines carry a complement of hose in transverse and longitudinal hose beds. In the transverse sections, 500 feet of 1" hose, 400 feet of 1 1/2" hose, and 400 feet of 1 3/4 inch hose is carried. In the longitudinal beds to the rear of the apparatus, you have 750 feet of 2 1/2" and 750 feet of 4" hose. Also carried on each apparatus are sections of Large Diameter Hose with screen filters attached for drafting pools and other bodies of water if necessary. On top of the apparatus is what is referred to as the Wagon Battery. More commonly known as a Deck Gun, this heavy stream appliance is manually operated by a single member and can be used with various brush, smoothbore, and other tips to regulate the flow from 1000gpm to 250gpm as needed. On the rear of the engine attached to a supply line, is a large diameter 4-way hydrant valve made by Akron. It permits the first-in engine to lay a supply line directly from the hydrant to the fire and allows a 2nd engine to attach to the valve and augment the pressure without interrupting the flow. In addition to the hoses, all engines carry numerous nozzles, couplings, Siamese, gated wyes, and other fittings in the engineers side compartments. Other gear carried are EMS bags, Hose packs made up of 2" x 50' hose, TFT Metro 1 nozzle (200gpm), a reducer, and ladder straps, various ropes and tools for pulling ceilings and general firefighting. For ladders, LAFD equips their engines with 20' Extension ladders and 10' roof ladder with hooks.

    They are staffed with a Captain I, an Engineer whose job it is to drive the apparatus ,maintain it, and run the pumps as well, a Nozzle Member (Firefighter) who sits behind the Captain on the right side and whose job it is to grab the nozzle and advance on the fire, and a Hydrant member who sits behind the Engineer and is responsible for laying the line to the hydrant and assisting the nozzle member.

    Regardless of the make and model of the fire engine, various ones throughout the city are either BLS or ALS Assessment engines based on the need of the area. Recently the LAFD has moved away from Paramedic engines staffed with 2 firefighter/paramedics, and instead focused more on the Paramedic Assessment concept due to staffing concerns and evaluations of needs and use. A Paramedic Assessment engine differs from a standard BLS engine in that one of its members is a Paramedic and the apparatus will carry a minor compliment of ALS/ACLS gear to provide rapid treatment and stabilization until a full paramedic unit can arrive on scene. All Paramedic assessment engines are denoted as such on either the rear side compartments or front doors.

    Primary lighting on all LAFD Engines are red Code 3 MX7000's, with a mixture of clear and red intersection lights, and red steady burn lights on the lower section. Along the sides are NFPA compliant halogen lights that slow single flash, or LED lights that either single flash or quad flash. To the rear is an arrow bar on newer vehicles only and rotating halogen amber lights flanking the hosebed. Vehicles also have rear flashing lights similar to the side ones, and wig wag headlights. Sirens are Motorola siren heads and federal Q mechanical siren, along with the air horn. More often then not, you'll just head the Q and not the other siren.

    Vehicles

    The oldest front line rig still in use is the 96 Pierce Dash which has the raised rear cab styling. Most have been relegated to 2-Car status which will be explained in the Task Force/Light Force section

    The Older Pierces have roll up doors, no hi viz striping on the rear, and an open hosebed

    Newer Pierces - Have LAFD written on the grille and hi viz striping, and covered hosebeds,

    Seagraves lack the side AC boxes on the roof that make the Pierce distinctive and have a different grille.

    Newer ones have the HiViz striping and covered hosebed as well

    Rear of Engines showing 4 way valve, hoselay and LDH

    Wagon Battery close ups with various tips

    Various Fittings, Wyes, and Couplings, and gear stored

    Pump Panels, Discharges and transverse hoselays

    Paramedic markings on doors and rear.

    Some Engines will have an additional box added to the hose bed area . These are fabricated in house, sometimes by the station themselves or the shops and are attached to units that actively deal in the Wildland Urban interface and Task Force engines that routinely get assigned to strike teams on brush fires. They hold things like chairs, sleeping bags, an necessities for being on the lines for extended periods without taking up any other storage space.

    The spaghetti of hoses during a working incident

    From above (courtesy of Firetrouble on Flickr)

    Videos of the Engines Lighting

    Radio Terminology

    Engines are simply referred to as Engine # on the radio regardless of BLS or ALS classification.

    Ex: Engine 47 to OCD, we're on scene and are unable to locate the patient.

    Ex: Engine 102 to the Invest, 123 main street, incident #198

    Use in Game

    Engines are your primary response vehicle to most Fire and EMS incidents. With their hoses, Wagon battery, and full compliment of 4 EMT trained members, they can provide numerous uses at an incident from fire suppression, extra manpower, traffic control and rescue. The ALS Engine with 1 Paramedic level trained member is also great for quick ALS responses . By having an ALS Engine and having a BLS ambulance transport, you do not deplete an area of ALS resources during the transportation and return phases. A good example of this is Station 2 in the game. By having an ALS engine and a BLS ambulance for transport, you do not tie up the ALS unit with the long drive to the hospital and back to the area, instead you just treat the patient until the BLS unit transports and you're immediately back in service for the next call be it a Fire, Accident, or anything else .

    * Reserve Equipment

    The LAFD has a life cycle requirement for each apparatus it utilizes. After so many years and miles, an apparatus may be placed into the category of "Reserve Apparatus" or "Ready Reserve Engine/Ambulance/Truck/Other." All reserve apparatus are older vehicles removed from front line service but are still functional for special needs. Reserve Apparatus are maintained on a stand-by basis, but carry no gear, so that they may replace a front line apparatus as a Relief Apparatus in case the primary rig goes down for maintenance or other issues. In this situation, the original apparatus would "change over" and place its gear in the relief apparatus until they receive theirs back. A Ready Reserve Apparatus on the other hand is maintained with a full complement of gear, tools and equipment so that it may be staffed during high hazard days or provide a surge capability should a need arise during a man made (riot) or natural disaster (brush fire, earthquake). The Ready Reserve Ambulances may also be called up and staffed during mass casualty incidents when additional transportation is needed, and additional ALS medical supply caches are maintained to fully equip these ambulances for paramedic functions.

    Vehicles

    As stated before, Reserve Apparatus are mostly older rigs removed from front line service. When functioning as a Relief apparatus, they will take on the ID of the rig they are replacing. For example, T73's truck goes into the shops for maintenance, the relief truck will still be known as T73 while in relief service.

    When not in relief service, Reserve Engines are numbered in the 400's (401, 402, 403), Trucks are numbered in the 500s, Rescue Ambulances are 600, and reserve ARFF and other Special Duty equipment are in the 700's.

    LAFD T73 in relief service

    Unmarked Ready Reserve Rescue Ambulance

    LAFD E402 Ready Reserve as part of a Strike Team LFD 1301A - Sesnon Fire

    Radio Terminology

    Radio designator will be the same as the regular apparatus.

    Use in Game

    Reserve apparatus are not in the game, and the only possible use would be cosmetic. They are all fully functioning and equipped the same as front line apparatus.

    * Trucks / Task Forces / Light Forces

    During the Watts riots of the 1960s, the Task Force concept was born out of necessity here in Los Angeles and has been adopted in various places throughout the US. With hundreds of fires burning all over the city and firefighters having projectiles thrown at them while responding, something needed to be done for safety and efficiency. Thus it was found that a 3 piece, 10 man unit was the perfect element for safely handling a majority of calls , even after the riots had long since passed.

    Today, the basic core element of the Los Angeles City Fire Department is the 10 Man, 3 Unit, Task Force. Everything revolves around this concept from what apparatus are assigned to where, what units respond to which call, and how incidents are handled and managed.

    A Task Force is made up of a Single Engine Company (see above), a 100ft aerial ladder Truck, and a second Engine known as the "Two Car", or Pumper, paired up with the Truck. The Pumper is a fully equipped and capable Engine that is designated by a 2 or a 3 in front of the station number (FS66, would be E266, FS102 would be E302). Since every incident doesn't require 10 men and 3 apparatus, a Task Force is split into two separate companies, the Single Engine Company and the Light Force, which is comprised of the Truck and the 2 car.

    The Light Force is really the KEY element to the Task Force concept. Everywhere the Truck goes, the 2 car will follow regardless of the incident, and it is never dispatched alone or split up under normal circumstances. This allows a company at a Task Force station to respond to an incident (E or LF) and not deplete the area or station of firefighting capable equipment. Also, the Light Force, which has 6 members, can function as either a truck or an engine company on an incident, depending on the operational needs of the incident, since it has both Engine and Truck apparatus and equipment. This gives the department greater flexibility in response and capability since the first in unit can always immediately engage in firefighting efforts regardless of whether it is an Engine or Light Force. In many areas, departments have started to utilize Quints, which are aerial ladder trucks that also carry hose, water and pumps. The LAFD has tested them in the past, but as many will attest to, Quints are truly a jack of all trades and a master of none. There are numerous compromises in the amount of hose, ladders and tools carried on a Quint and the LAFD has felt that the best option is to deploy two fully equipped apparatus instead of making compromises with one. Also, in times of great emergency or disaster, the light force may be split up and the 2 Car can be fully staffed with recalled firefighters or holding the on duty shift firefighters giving the department around 50 extra engines. That along with the Ready Reserve capability gives the department a great surge response in times of need.

    The Truck is staffed by a Captain II, Apparatus Operator, and 2 Firefighters (Tiller member and Top Member). The 2 Car that follows it is staffed with an Engineer of that apparatus, plus a Firefighter known as the Inside Member. The Inside member will constantly bounce from inside the Truck and the 2 car depending on the type of call, and personal want.

    The Captain II is known as the Task Force Captain and is a higher rank then the single engine Captain. When on scene of an incident, the TF Capt. will generally be the incident commander until relieved by a chief officer.

    An Apparatus Operator is equivalent in pay and rank to an Engineer, but the Engineer operates any heavy apparatus with a large capacity pump. A/O's on the other hand drive all of the other specialized equipment such as USAR, HAZMAT Squads, Heavy Rescues, and such. They are also specialists in their rigs functions, such as forcible entry, extrication, roof operations and ventilation, and high angle rope rescue to name a few. Engineers on the other hand are focused more on the tasks of an Engine Companies operations and the science behind hoses, pumping and direct attack firefighting. On a structure fire, the A/O will be in charge of ventilation and roof operations until another truck is assigned with that Captain taking over the assignment. The A/O's primary job will normally be making the cuts in the roof and directing the others on top. During a Ladder pipe operation, the A/O will stay down at the aerial platform and move it where needed.

    The Top member sits behind the A/O and is attached to the A/Os hip for all intents and purposes. If a rookie or inexperienced member is assigned to the light force, they are always put first at the Top member position. Their job is to immediately throw a ladder onto the roof and assist the A/O during roof operations. While the A/O cuts, the Top member will remove the material and keep the operation going.

    The Tiller member's job is to steer the rear of the truck and work closely with the A/O to drive and position the apparatus in the best possible spot. The tiller member receives special drivers training and constantly works with the A/O so that they can work well as a team. On scene, he immediately throws a 2nd (safety) ladder and takes care of the gas and electrical utilities to the structure. The tiller member will then join up with the A/O and Top member on the roof with a 1" protection line.

    The Engineers of the 2 car's function the same way as Engineers of a single engine. Often they will assist the Engine company with pumping operations and supplying water.

    The Inside member is a special position that requires a lot of training, skill and competence. They will usually sit behind the Captain II, or ride with the Engineer in the 2 car depending on the type of call, or personal preference. They are tasked with laying the supply line to the 2 car and forcible entry into the structure and will immediately remove all bars from windows and open all entries and exits into the building for safety. Once inside the structure, their job is to join up with the Engine company doing fire attack and perform inside operations such as pulling ceiling, salvage covers and assist with search and rescue.

    The 2nd in Light Force will operate a bit differently as required by the incident. Because a Light Force operates as a single company, if there is no need for additional personnel on the roof, they can function as an additional 6 man engine company with all members engaging in back up fire attack or they can head up to the roof if needed for ventilation and roof work. The single reason for having the Light Force concept is that you have every member able to function in either role (engine or truck) depending on the needs of the incident. Every member, including the Captains, first started as a Firefighter and is capable of performing the duties needed. A side note, in the LAFD, one does not have to promote in a step by step fashion, a member is allowed to take the Captains test straight from firefighter if he so wishes.

    Because of this interchangeability, firefighter positions within the light force, and often times, the task force, will operate on a rotational basis, with all firefighters working all member positions, including the tiller member spot . Paramedics assigned to the R/A's will also rotate on and off the apparatus as well.

    A Truck is known as the rolling toolbox of the fire department. Whereas the Engines main job is to carry hose, a pump, and water, a Trucks primary function is to transport the various ladders, saws, extrication gear, and all of the other tools necessary for firefighting and rescue operations. The mainstay of the Truck is of course it's ladder compliment. The most noticeable one is, of course, the 100ft mid-mounted aerial ladder and platform which is used to elevate firefighters onto roofs, perform rescue operations from multi-story buildings, as well as allow firefighters to mount a heavy flow master stream appliance. Known as Ladder Pipe operations, the master stream appliance may be mounted on the end of the ladder and attached to a 4" line connected to the pumper in the Light Force. This allows for 1000gpm to be aimed directly into the seat of the fire from a safe vantage point above. Other ladders carried inside are 2 - 35' extension ladders, 2 - 24' straight ladders, 2 - 20' straight ladders, 2 - 16' straight ladders, 1 - 20' roof ladder, 1 - 16' roof ladder, 1 - 14' extension ladder, and 1 - 12' extension/attic ladder. All ladders, save for the 100ft aerial, are wooden in the LAFD. While they require an extremely intense amount of maintenance and upkeep compared to aluminum, and weigh more, the LAFD and LACoFD both feel that they are inherently safer. Unlike aluminum ladders, they show heat/fire impingement and damage much clearer and are not as conductive if they should come into contact with exposed wiring. In addition to that, you'll find numerous tools such as an air bag system for stabilizing vehicles and debris, blowers for horizontal ventilation, generators, rope rescue/high angle rescue equipment, forcecible entry equipment, various saws and hand tools, salvage covers, Holmatro spreaders and power rescue tools, and the rescue air cushion. The LAFD does not currently have any Quints, Towers, or Platform trucks in its inventory, preferring instead to rely on straight sticks for its needs.

    A small handful of Light Forces are currently part of a trial to test the effectiveness of a Paramedic Assessment Light Force. By equipping the pumper as an ALS unit, and staffing the Light Force with a Paramedic, they are trying to spread out the number of medical responses between units in a house so it isn't always just the Engine and RA responding to 90% of the calls. So far, the results have been decidedly negative, with the Light Force being unavailable for calls that require its specialty due to being tied up on additional medical aids.

    Primary lighting on most LAFD trucks are red Code 3 MX7000's, with a mixture of clear and red intersection lights, and red steady burn lights on the lower section. The newest rigs have been equipped with Whelen LED lightbars with red and clear LEDs. Along the sides are NFPA compliant halogen lights that slow single flash, or LED lights that either single flash or quad flash. To the rear is an arrow bar on newer vehicles only and a mix of various lightheads and mini-bars flanking the bucket and mounted on the rear. Vehicles also have wig wag headlights and numerous spot/flood lights that they can use to illuminate a scene. Sirens are Motorola siren heads and federal Q mechanical siren, along with the air horn. More often then not, you'll just head the Q and not the other siren.

    Vehicles

    As the Engines have already been discussed above, I'll focus primarily on the trucks in this section.

    When rolling together as a task force, the Truck, Engine and Pumper will respond together as a single unit

    As a Light Force, it will just be the Truck and the Pumper, with the pumper always following the truck to allow the Capt II to visualize the scene and needs and spot the aerial if needed.

    Currently, the LAFD has in service a mix of 1995/96 Simon Duplex LTI 100ft Tillers, and 2000-2006 American LaFrance LTI 100ft tillers. The older open bucket rear Seagraves are used as reserves and are being phased out with each budget purchase. The Seagraves are only Medium Duty ladders and cannot be used for over the side rescues and rope operations like the LTI's can.

    1995 Simon Duplex Truck 88

    View of the Ladder and Pike Pole storage area on Truck 88

    Showing the side ladder and blowers

    Grabbing a ladder from a side compartment

    Outriggers on Truck 88

    Ladder Pipe assembly

    Earlier ALF/LTI Trucks

    Newest ALF/LTI Trucks

    Blower on Truck 38

    Paramedic Assessment Light Force markings

    Multiple Ladders deployed onto an apt house

    Forcible entry and removing bars from all of the exits

    Deploying and Retracting the 100ft ladder

    Rescue Air Cushion deployed . There are 24 RACs in the LAFD, 18 70ft and 6 100ft.

    From above (courtesy of Firetrouble)

    Uniforms

    Captain Is and II's wear orange Phenix 1500 helmets with their rank on the top rocker. Engineers, A/O's and Firefighters wear yellow helmets with their rank in the top rocker. Side panels and leather front colors have changed constantly over the years leaving a random mix throughout the department. Turnout jackets vary depending on year issued, but are yellow in color for ALL ranks, with lime yellow/silver/lime yellow reflective striping. The easiest way to tell the difference between brush jacket and structure/turnout jacket is the striping. Structure gear will have a reflective box on the back vs just the horizontal striping found on the brush coats. Typically it will say LA CITY FIRE DEPARTMENT or LOS ANGELES FIRE DEPARTMENT stenciled on the rear of the jacket with the newest ones having large LAFD silver reflective patches.

    Radio Terminology

    If the task force is assigned to an incident, it will be referred to as Task Force ## with the Captain II being in charge of both companies.

    Ex: Task Force 98, respond to the automatic alarm at 123 main street, incident #159.

    Ex: Task Force 98, you're assigned to division 2, fire attack.

    Many times, an Incident commander will request additional task forces instead of individual units

    Ex:

    B10: OCD, Oxnard IC, send me an additional Task Force to my location, and have them stage 1 block out.

    OCD: B10, you'll be getting Task Force 88

    One other thing worth noting is that when a request for a task force is made, it can be made up on the fly by combining an available Light force and an additional engine such as:

    Ex:

    B10: OCD, Oxnard IC, send me 3 additional Task Force to my location, and have them stage 1 block out.

    OCD: B10, you'll be getting Task Force 88, Task Force 60, E102 and Light Force 78

    In this case, Engine 102 will respond as a single entity but will more then likely be assigned to assist Light Force 102 in whatever duty they are given.

    By requesting additional task forces, an incident commander knows he will be getting at least 3 trucks and 3 engines and 30 personnel that he can break up and utilize as he sees fit. On the flip side, because of the nature of light forces, they can respond and be requested in additional ways. An incident commander may need additional engines on an incident such as

    Ex:

    B10: OCD, Oxnard IC, send me 3 additional Engines to my location, and have them stage 1 block out.

    OCD: B10, you'll be getting Engine 83, Engine 39 and Light Force 88

    Because Light force 88 has a pumper and the members are fully qualified and trained in Engine Company operations, they can fulfill the need as the 3rd engine company if they are the nearest available 3rd company.

    On the other hand, if the truck is needed, the IC can simply request a light force

    Ex:

    B10: OCD, Oxnard IC, send me an additional Light Force to my location, and have them stage 1 block out.

    OCD: B10, you'll be getting Light Force 39

    Use in Game

    In the game, the best use would be only slightly different. Since there are no real roof operations, the game is set up to give you 4 on the Pumper and 2 on the truck to better manage the peculiarities of the game. Most fires and incidents you'll find can be handled by simply dispatching a Light Force or a Task Force. For most small fires, a Task Force is more then enough resources and manpower. A light force can handle the majority of fire related calls. If a second call breaks out nearby, you immediately have that 10 man unit to quickly handle it as well instead of having to wait for a truck or engine since you have both.

    * Rescue Ambulances

    The Los Angeles City Fire Department is an all risk department that handles not only traditional firefighting, but also rescue and medical emergencies. Unlike many places throughout the United States and the World, in the city of Los Angeles, the emergency EMS response and transport is handled in-house by the members of the LAFD. All members of the department are trained to the Emergency Medical Technician-Basic level with Los Angeles County expanded scope of practice qualification. This enables all members to be able to provide a basic level of EMS care as soon as an Engine, Light Force, or Ambulance is on scene which is greatly beneficial in the care and treatment of the patient. In addition to the standard EMT-B's, some members of the department have taken the time and effort and put forth the dedication required to expand their education and capabilities to achieve an EMT-P Paramedic rating. Paramedics differ from EMT-B's in that they are trained in advance cardiac life support measures, can treat additional injuries and ailments, intubate patients without a patent airway, and give necessary critical medications and drugs in the field. As part of their ACLS training, they are able to utilize the 12 lead EKG to best determine the correct method of treatment for cardiac ailments and utilize a manual defibrillator which is much more capable and advanced then a standard AED. These members are still, first and foremost firefighters, and must maintain their skills and proficiencies in both their Paramedic and Firefighting ratings.

    Having already discussed EMS Captains, Paramedic Engines and Light Forces, this section is focused on the Ambulances and patient transport. The LAFD has long felt that the best way to provide service to the citizens of Los Angeles is to provide patient transport themselves instead of contracting it out to private companies. The backbone of the LAFD EMS system are the 130 Rescue Ambulances assigned to fire stations throughout the city. Split into two categories, the Paramedic or ALS (Advanced Life Support) Rescue Ambulance is staffed by two Firefighter/Paramedics and is able to transport a single patient on a Ferno 28Z PROFlexx gurney chair/cot or the PROFlexx Model 93-PST “heavy lift gurney.” The BLS Rescue Ambulances are staffed by two Firefighters and are designated by an 800 or 900 series number, much like the pumper in the Light Force has a 200/300 series. Both RA's have storage space for all of the splinting, backboards, gauze pads, first aid, OBGYN kits, and everything else needed to handle emergency medical care in the field. The ALS RA is distinguished from the BLS by having additional equipment for the paramedics to utilize, including a locked drug box. Also built into both rigs are storage spaces for the Firefighters SCBA's as they may called on to assist in Fire Attack or Rescue in hazardous conditions. A question often asked is why not just 1 Paramedic and 1 EMT on all of the RA's? The reason is that Los Angeles County EMS Protocols state that for full paramedic aid to be rendered, 2 paramedics must be treating one patient. One is assigned as the "Radio Member" who handles the paper work and base hospital contact, the other is actively involved in patient treatment and assisted by other members. This is why almost all calls will have both a Paramedic RA and a BLS resource for manpower.

    With 106 stations and 130 ambulances, all stations will have either an ALS or a BLS ambulance assigned to it, with a select few having both such as Fire Station 60, which has both Paramedic RA 60, and BLS 860 assigned to it. The goal is to have a unit on scene of all emergencies within 5 minutes 90% of the time, and a Paramedic resource on scene within 8 minutes. By mixing up EMS resources such as Paramedic Assessment Engines and Light Forces with Paramedic RA's, this gives the department greater flexibility in achieving those goals and providing the citizens with excellent emergency medical care. As of the last statistics available to me, there were 726 Firefighter-Paramedics assigned to the LAFD and budgeted for more to go through the school. Their goal is to have an ALS resource and a Fire Suppression resource in every station, and while it has been a long process, they are closer then ever to achieving that goal.

    Some stations that have a high run total of ALS calls may have an additional ALS Rescue Ambulance assigned to it. These will be designated the same way the 2nd engine is designated, by a 200 series number. For example, if fire station 57 has 2 ALS RA's, the first will be RA57, the second will be RA257. Stations with dual ALS RA's are rare, only 3 stations at this time (watts, skid row, and south central), but they are spread out to areas that need the additional transportation resource.

    One thing worth noting is that there are many private care ambulance providers in the City and County of Los Angeles, such as AMR, CARE, Mcormick, ProCare, Westmed and many others. Some of these have contracts with the Los Angeles County Fire Dept to provide emergency and non-emergency transport, but within the City of Los Angeles, there are no private emergency 911 transports. Instead these companies just provide interfacility transport and non-emergency private transports unrelated to the Emergency 911 system. In times of great disaster, such as an Earthquake or the recent Metrolink incident, private ambulances are added in a surge capacity to assist with transport so as not to deplete the city of resources as part of the disaster management protocols of the city. Other then that, you will never find a private ambulance responding within the city to an emergency call.

    Vehicles

    There are currently 4 types of Rescue Ambulances in service with the LAFD at this time. All are staffed/equipped identically, with the only differences being cosmetic changes to the model, lights, and sirens.

    The White over Red currently serves as a reserve ambulance but with the constant wear and tear of equipment, a number of these reserve units see constant duty in the front line, mostly in the BLS capacity as they have more miles on them. As more and more of the newer Rescues are purchased and outfitted, they will become less and less common. Built on the Ford E-350 chassis during the 1990s, they are equipped with all halogen lighting, standard Motorola siren, full length lightbar mounted on the front and rear of the box, and a distinctive Hi/Lo two-to airhorn. One key distinguishing feature is the large CITY in script on the sides.

    White over red Reserve

    Shortly thereafter, around 2002, the City purchased newer E-450 Super Duty Wheeled Coach ambulances with an all red paint scheme. Gone were the Two-Tone Air horns, and a Timberwolf mechanical siren was added along with standard airhorns. Also the full box lightbar to the front was replaced with an MX7000 with dual center sections. The grille lights were set to steady burn red satisfying the California Steady Burn Red requirement and the rest were halogens set to single flash around the perimeter. To the rear were Red rotators and 2 amber flashers, along with a red brake light and clear rear scene lights that activated when the rear doors opened. Also on the 4 corners were flashers in the marker lights with LEDs added to the later boxes. Noticeable was the missing CITY on the sides.

    Older Red Box showing the new side markings and lights including single white/clear spot, and 2 flood scene lights

    Showing the lights including the red intersections in the MX7000

    Rear Light setup with 4 rotators, 2 amber flashers, 2 clear scene lights, 1 brake light, and stop turn, reverse lights

    Later Red Boxes got rid of the Timberwolf due to sound and mechanical issues and added LED's to the side lights.

    Around 2006/2007 the first RA's showed up with the same siren/light package but with bright lime yellow High Vizibility striping on the rear.

    The striping was found to be to bright and cause drivers behind to become fixated as the ambulance moved up and down with the road. It was later toned down and the lighting was replaced with an all LED package. In addition, an EQ2B siren was added so that now it is almost impossible to distinguish, by sound alone, an ambulance from a truck or engine responding.

    Rear of newer ambulance with new LED lights and subdued striping

    Front showing the new lightbar, grille and siren speakers

    LAFD RA's are set up so that both the Paramedic and additional firefighters can work on a single patient in the rear. It is very rare that a 2nd, minorly injured patient would also be also be transported, but can be done in the case of young patients and their parents. Regardless of the make and model, the interior has remained bassically the same.

    The top of the ambulances are painted white to better reflect the sun's heat an keep the interior cool with the units number painted across the rear.

    As stated above the LAFD uses either the standard or heavy lift gurney and carries a full compliment of equipment including the firefighters turnouts and SCBAs

    Older reserve gurney

    Video walk around of the new lighting. Note the change in the steady burns.

    Paramedic Uniforms

    Almost all Paramedics are standard firefighters and wear the same blue uniform and turnout gear as every other firefighter. The one exception are what are known as Single Function Paramedics. In the early years of the paramedic program, some members were hired that could only function as paramedics and did not have the firefighter qualifications or training. A very small handful of these "old-timers" still exist in the department and are a valuable training asset with their wealth of knowledge. They are easily distinguished by a blue helmet. A few other's may be assigned the blue helmet if they are assigned to special duty that precludes them from firefighting duties, but are still allowed to function in the role of a medic. Otherwise the Paramedics will wear a standard yellow Phenix 1500 with the standard leather front and numbers to the side. The main difference is the PARAMEDIC decal affixed either above or below the numbers. Typically though, you will find medics in the same manners of dress common amongst all firefighters . Wearing just the blue work uniform, wearing turnout pants and either work uniform or t-shirt, or wearing a brush jacket or turnout jacket and work pants is all left up to the individual to decide.

    Medics and FF's in brush jackets and work pants

    Medic in ball cap, tshirt and turnout pants after dropping off a difficult breather patient

    Paramedic Decal on the helmet

    Single Function Paramedic

    Radio Terminology

    Rescue Ambulances is the official title but they are referred to by a few names. Typically, you will hear units in the field and dispatchers call them RA's (ar-ay) or just Rescues. Paramedic RA's are referred to as either Paramedic or ALS, with the BLS ambulances referred to as 800's or BLS

    Ex:

    E88: OCD, Engine 88, send an additional RA to my location.

    OCD: Paramedic or 800?

    E88: Paramedic.

    OCD: You'll be getting RA78 from quarters.

    Or

    E88: OCD, Engine 88, send an additional ALS Rescue to my location.

    OCD: You'll be getting Rescue 78 from quarters.

    Or

    E88: OCD, E88, send an additional 800 to my location.

    OCD: You'll be getting Rescue 909 from quarters. Do you need them Emergency or Non?

    E88: Send them emergency.

    The requesting unit has discretion based on the patients status and other circumstances such as traffic/time of day to request the ambulance emergency or non-emergency.

    Use in Game

    Ambulances NEVER patrol Los Angeles city. Frankly, they're just to busy! The few moments spent in quarters at any given time are spent working on paperwork, refreshing and restocking supplies, cleaning the equipment, and training/drilling/working on skill sets. In the game, just as in real life, it is imperative that you send the right ambulance to the right call. Getting ALS care to a patient who needs it is critical which is why the last thing you want to do is ever deplete a station or area of ALS care. It's usually a good idea to maximize the use of your BLS ambulances for transportation duty after the paramedics have work on the patient, and using a mix of the ALS Ambulance, LACoFD Squads, and ALS Engines to do the actual treating. There is no reason to have an ALS ambulance transport a patient that has been treated by a Paramedic Assessment Engine! The patient is already being worked on and can wait the little bit for an 800 to arrive on scene and transport. Also, pay special attention to where the entry points are for the EMS units so that you can be aware of where the closest additional transport units are coming from. On major incidents, it is always a good idea to send an EMS Captain and an ALS ambulance to stage in case of a problem since on fires it isn't uncommon for a civilian car to suddenly explode or even to have a shooter pop up in the middle of another incident. Having a group set away and to the side that is ready to respond to help is critical!

    * Heavy Equipment

    The Los Angeles City Fire Department's Wildland Fuel Management Unit, under the command of the Special Operations Division, is responsible for staffing and utilizing the numerous specialized Heavy Equipment within the department. Due to the specialized nature of the Los Angeles basin, foothills, and mountains ranges, the LAFD has had a long, storied, history of utilizing private citizens, volunteers, contracting to county agencies, and finally re-establishing it's own Heavy Equipment section. They're tasked with maintaining over 40 miles of fire roads within the mountain districts, as well as responding to emergency incidents such as brush fires, flooding, mudslides, entrapment, and even overhaul of large fires. The equipment is currently stationed at LAFD Fire Station 88, but is completely separate from the Task Force operations housed there.

    Currently, the unit has 6 Heavy Equipment Operators, 2 assigned each shift, variably staffed in 12hr and 24hr shifts as needed per weather conditions, and under the command of a Captain II.

    Vehicles

    The department has quite a large selection of heavy equipment assigned to it, with new stuff being added and retired constantly. While not as glamorous as a fire engine or an ambulance, the construction equipment, tractors and trailers, and other heavy equipment provides a valuable resource through out the daily operations of the department.

    While my list is probably not as current as I would like, the latest apparatus I'm familiar with are:

    2002 Peterbilt Truck Tractors with Low Boy Murray Trailers

    2002 D-8R

    1970's D-7F Bulldozers

    The dozers are equipped with fire curtains and screens for working in hazardous brush and forest incidents.

    1980/1985/2006 Caterpillar Track Loaders

    2002 Caterpillar IT 28 Wheel Loader / Fork Lift

    Backhoes

    Dump Trucks

    Stake Bed Trucks

    1968 Caterpillar Motor Grader

    1999 & 2006 Ford F-350 Dozer Tender & GMC Dozer Tender

    Dozer tenders respond with the dozers and carry all of the maintenance and brush fire equipment needed for extended deployments. The newest one is equipped with a Code 3 Excalibur lightbar with LEDs, the rest of the equipment has halogen MX7000,s and halogen side/rear emergency lights.

    Uniforms

    Heavy Equipment operators utilize a nomex jumpsuit and brush helmet.

    Radio Terminology

    Due to the special nature of the unit, often OCD will only voice "Dozer" for dispatch instead of Dozer #, and will landline to confirm who and what is responding. When a Dozer Team is dispatched, it will consist of the Dozer, the transport, and a dozer tender. Often, 2 dozers, 2 transports, and a single tender, will respond as a Dozer Strike Team. All bulldozers are referred to as Dozer then the number, same for Dozer Transports (Transport 1 or 2), and Dozer Tenders (Dozer Tender 1 or 2 or 3), other equipment will go by its designation and usually 88 for Fire Station 88, or just designation, such as Dump Truck 88, or simply Dump Truck.

    Use in Game

    The heavy equipment in the game is only useful for certain missions. In the future it may be possible to utilize the Dozers to create fire breaks and clear vegetation around large fires along with hand crews with tools.

    * Water Tenders

    The Los Angeles City Fire Department currently has two older water tenders in its inventory that are cross staffed by taking another unit, usually a Rescue Ambulance, out of service. Due to their age, and reliability issues, the department has pushed strongly for the purchase of replacement tenders, and two are currently being built by KME for the department. In addition to the two department tenders, the Los Angeles City Department of Parks and Recreation - Park Rangers, also have 2 water tenders that are staffed by specially trained Park Rangers and will usually respond to all brush assignments within the city. These are newer, more capable apparatus, and do not suffer the same gremlins found in the fire WT's, which is why they are usually the preferred tender on an incident, especially since an RA does not have to be taken out of service as well.

    One of the reasons the Water Tenders went so long without replacements is that the City of Los Angeles prides itself on having a good water supply system, even in the outlying Wildland Urban Interface and parks. All residential areas have excellent hydrant pressure and building codes are stringent in the number and location of hydrants. Whereas in some parts of the world, a Water Tender is part of a first alarm dispatch to a structure, here in Los Angeles, it is very rare to run into any sort of water supply issue. They are mostly utilized on fires in the Angeles National Forest, Griffith Park, Sepulveda Basin, and fires in the Santa Monica Mountain ranges.

    Vehicles

    Water Tender 88 is the largest of the two tenders and was donated to the department by the City Department of Water and Power. It's a 1989 Peterbilt 4000 Gallon 6x6 and will usually be staffed and utilized by the Heavy Equipment Operators at FS88

    Water Tender 77 (formerly 86) is a 1989 Ford that can carry 2000 gallons.

    Uniforms

    WT88 will normally be staffed by Heavy Equipment Operators out of FS88 who will wear the standard HFEO/HEO nomex overalls. WT77 will be staffed by members of RA860 or another RA and will wear standard LAFD brush gear.

    Radio Terminology

    Water Tenders are referred to and dispatched simply as either Water Tender 88 or 77

    Ex:

    OCD: Water Tender 88 to the brush assignment, this is a Channel 9 response

    Use in Game

    Currently there are no water tenders in the game. As in real life, there are few instances when they are staffed, called out and utilized, and with the current water system modeled in the game, they would serve no functionality.

    * Brush Patrols

    * Crew Bus

    * Foam Tenders

    * USAR

    * HAZMAT

    * Swift Water Rescue

    * Airport Rescue Firefighting (ARFF)

    * Air Operations

    * Horses

    * Boats

    * Command Posts

    * Rehab Air tenders

    * Volunteers

    * Bike Medics

    * Light Utility Vehicles

    * Arson Investigators

    * Types of Fire Stations

    * Uniforms

    * Types of Responses

    * Radio system

    * Private EMS Providers

    In the County of Los Angeles, the EMS system is a complex mechanism of contracts, boundaries, Private Companies, and Fire Departments. As mentioned above, the City of Los Angeles provides it's own EMS transport and care on both an ALS and a BLS level. Other agencies, such as the Los Angeles County Fire Department, have chosen to try different approaches to providing ALS and BLS care to their citizens. There are currently 30 licensed private ambulance providers in the County, with only 6 of those 30 having what is known as a 911 Emergency contract. The 24 that do not have 911 contracts provide ALS and BLS services to nursing homes, interfacillity transports between hospitals, transfer dialysis patients and critical care patients from private residences to care facilities and other non-emergent type transportation. The remaining six provide contract 911 emergency medical transportation to the Los Angeles County Fire Department and the cities of Covina, Long Beach, Torrance, Santa Monica and Vernon. The LACoFD contract is the most complex and was born out of a 2006 decision to no longer contract with a single company. Until that time, AMR had the entire LACoFD transport contract. LACoFD provided ALS and BLS care via their own firefighters and paramedics, most notably the Paramedic squads. Transportation was done by AMR ambulance for all cities and unincorporated areas that were served by the department. Due to issues with the quality of service, the contract was broken up and the County was split into 7 Exclusive Operating Areas and each area was awarded to a specific company.

    Area 1 - AMR Ambulance (18 Fire stations - Battalions 11 & 17)

    Area 2 - AMR Ambulance (15 Fire Stations - Battalions 6 &22)

    Area 3 – Schaefer Ambulance (23 Fire Stations - Battalions 2, 4, 15 & 16)

    Area 4 – Westmed/McCormick Ambulance (31 Fire Stations - Battalions 1,5, 18 &20)

    Area 5 – AMR Ambulance (20 Fire Stations - Battalions 10,12 & 19)

    Area 6 – Care Ambulance (36 Fire Stations - Battalions 3,8,9,13,21)

    Area 7 – Westmed/McCormick Ambulance (14 Fire Stations - Battalions 7 &14)

    As the numbers show, even with the split in the contract, AMR is still the largest provider of contracted private emergency 911 transport within Los Angeles County, by a huge margin, covering a geographical area the covered by 53 stations. These are all BLS ambulance contracts staffed by EMTs only, with the ALS care and equipment being provided by the LACoFD. The benefit, as seen by the LACoFD, is that with most calls requiring only BLS care, the Fire department resources can go back to being in service and ready to respond to more calls without being tied up on transportation and waiting for a bed at the hospital. This allows more firefighters available for calls instead of holding up the walls at hospitals or stuck in traffic.

    Also within the County of Los Angeles, some smaller municipal Fire departments also contract with private companies to provide not only transport but care as well. The City of Covina (3 stations) contracts with AMR for BLS transport. Long Beach Fire Department (23 Stations) has recently switched to having AMR provide BLS transport, but will transport ALS patients themselves. The City of Vernon (4 stations) contracts with Bowers for both ALS and BLS care and transport, and the cities of Torrance (6 stations) and Santa Monica (4 stations) contract with Gerber for BLS transport.

    Vehicles

    With 30 companies, there are a many different vehicles, colors, types, and paint schemes. The most prevalent type is the Type II van style, with the type 1 and 3 box styles being relegated more towards Critical Care Transport (nurse on board), pediatric transport, and bariatric transport. The exception would be CARE, which I do not believe has any Type II vans.

    McCormick Van with Squad 89

    Interior of McCormick Van

    McCormick Supervisor Truck - Any incident requiring more then 3 ambulances will have a supervisor respond as well to act as a liason with the incident commander. They do not provide EMS care, but function much like the EMS Battalion Captains for the LAFD do.

    McCormick Box and Van

    AMR CCT and Vans at Cedars Sinai

    Newer AMR Vans assigned to LA County area

    AMR and Engine 8 & Squad 8 in West Hollywood before the 2006 shakeup

    Interior of AMR during a call, Notice LACoFD Paramedics in turnout gear. FF/PM on the phone is in contact with hospital base station

    CARE Ambulance Type I

    EMT Uniforms

    Uniforms are dependent on company protocols.

    Radio Terminology

    LACoFD will just refer to them as ambulances

    Use in Game

    As the game centers on the City of Los Angeles, private ambulance companies really have almost no place or bearing on the game. They provide no transport or care for the City of Los Angeles, and unlike LACoFD Squads and other governmental agencies that closely work together with the City of Los Angeles on a daily basis as part of the 911 Emergency System, private companies do not. Also, since only the small City of Vernon (5 sq miles!) relies on a private company for both ALS and BLS care, you do not find the quick response vehicles, and other specialized private company apparatus you might find in the rest of the world. Instead, the Fire Department itself is the initial contact and provider of all care and treatment and as stated above, is onscene within 5 mins most of the time.

Edited by MikesPhotos
Finished the Heavy Equipment
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Hoppah Apprentice

Hoppah

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Nope, this information is related to but not about the mod. MikesPhotos added some links to the LA Mod ("newer Chevy Suburbans like the one in the game"), that's all. This goal of this topic is providing the LA Mod players with background information about the real stuff which might be very interesting to read and to prevent certain questions like the one about USAR divers in the LA Mod topic and prevent blinky light brigade from demanding arrow bars on every car.

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MikesPhotos Newbie

MikesPhotos

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First off, Added pics of the rear area of th Battalion Chiefs vehicle that better shows off the various computers, radios, and command features. Explorer asked about the slide out cabinetry in another thread, hopefully he'll take a look and this will answer his question better.

lol...totally made my day right there... :juggle:

hahahah yeah, I coined the Blinky Light Brigade term on here quite some time ago after various items of misinformation and demands were passed back and forth demanding all vehicles look like xmas trees.

mikey, im looking forward to the engiens section :) i cannot wait!!

Not mikey, that's the other guy. And the Engines section is semi-complete. Reserve Engines and "Two Cars" will be explained in greater detail later.

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Xplorer4x4 Enthusiast

Xplorer4x4

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They are staffed with a Captain I, an Engineer whose job it is to drive the apparatus and maintain it, as well as run the pumps, a Nozzle Member (Firefighter) who sits behind the Captain on the right side and whose job it is to grab the nozzle and advance on the fire, and a Hydrant member who sits behind the Engineer and is responsible for laying the line to the hydrant and assisting the nozzle member.

So are you saying on a single engine, theres only going to be 2 FFs who will actually be extinguishing the firers?

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MikesPhotos Newbie

MikesPhotos

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So are you saying on a single engine, theres only going to be 2 FFs who will actually be extinguishing the firers?

I've wrestled with the answer to this because the answer seems blatantly obvious, but I can imagine for those unfamiliar with firefighting, that maybe it isn't.

When a single engine arrives on scene of a house fire, the Captain becomes the Incident Commander until a 2nd unit or higher ranking unit relieves him, the Engineer stays at the Engine's pump panel and makes sure the hoses maintain pressure, the Nozzle member attacks the fire and the hydrant member lays the supply line and backs him up as stated above. This satisfies the Two In/Two Out Fed OSHA regulation (29 CFR 1910.134) and NFPA guidelines 1500, 1710, and 1720 which basically states that before 2 men can enter a hazardous situation, 2 others must remain outside to provide rescue if needed. (feel free to google it if you'd like more info on the 2 in 2 out rule)

Now that's for a single engine, when you have multiple engines and trucks and such, you don't need multiple Incident Commanders nor is every Engine going to pump. That allows the Captain and crew of that engine to work as a full firefighting team. Even if the engine does pump, that still leaves the Captain to work with the 2 other members in a 3 man group. Usually the 2nd company on scene will be directed to back up fire attack and assist the 2 inside giving you a 5 man group on fire attack as more units arrive on scene.

So, yes, 2 members do the actual firefighting, 1 member commands, 1 runs the apparatus on a single engine incident. As more apparatus arrives, things change to fit the command, safety, and operational needs of the incident.

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Guest Thrill

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this is very good Mikey, you are doing a very good job. keep it up!! :)

so the fire truck driver is not a firefighter?? i thought a firefighter drove truck there with lights and stuff and then helped put out the fire? is this not the case?

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MikesPhotos Newbie

MikesPhotos

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this is very good Mikey, you are doing a very good job. keep it up!! :)

so the fire truck driver is not a firefighter?? i thought a firefighter drove truck there with lights and stuff and then helped put out the fire? is this not the case?

Will you please stop calling me Mikey, next time it'll include a warning increase and a moderator preview on your posts. MikeyPI is Mikey, you can call me Mike, MikesPhotos, or Hey dude, just not mikey.

Ranks and Ratings will be added at a later time.

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Guest Thrill

Guest Thrill

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Will you please stop calling me Mikey, next time it'll include a warning increase and a moderator preview on your posts. MikeyPI is Mikey, you can call me Mike, MikesPhotos, or Hey dude, just not mikey.

Ranks and Ratings will be added at a later time.

ok mike :) no worries.... no offence with Mikey though

so my question is ;

so the fire truck driver is not a firefighter?? i thought a firefighter drove truck there with lights and stuff and then helped put out the fire? is this not the case?

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Guest fireguynh1984

Guest fireguynh1984

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ok mike :) no worries.... no offence with Mikey though

so my question is ;

so the fire truck driver is not a firefighter?? i thought a firefighter drove truck there with lights and stuff and then helped put out the fire? is this not the case?

This is different in many different areas. Usually, the driver of the apparatus is a firefighter. He or she is just as trained as the other firefighters, and also has the knowledge of driving the apparatus, and pumping. In many areas, firefighters usually take turns driving the engines and trucks, while in other cities and towns, the driver is the driver, and that is what his or her primary job is. But to answer your question, yes they are firefighters.

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