Basic Procedures

The primary responsibility of an Engine Company is the extinguishment of fire with water. Staffed by a company officer (Captain/Lieutenant), engineer(Lieutenant/Driver), and two firefighters.

 The fire engine typically arrives at the scene of a fire to lead out hose lines that direct water at the seat of the fire. Progress or forward movement of the engine company is dependent on the amount and volume of fire, as well as the condition of the building. In addition, engine companies are used at large fires to pump water into snorkel and tower ladders implemented to deliver large amounts of water to a fire.

 A truck, or hook and ladder company is staffed by a company officer(Captain/Lieutenant), driver(Lieutenant/Driver), and two firefighters.. At the scene of a fire, the members of a truck company typically are involved in raising ladders to windows and making entrance to the structure in the primary search and rescue operation.

 A very important job of the truck company is to provide ventilation of the fire building by breaking windows, doors and sawing through the roof. It often is misunderstood by the public what purpose is served by taking these actions; ventilation is extremely important in the successful extinguishment of fire. As fire burns fuel, it releases a variety of toxic gases that remain aloft in ceiling or attic spaces and open areas of the structure. These gases are incompletely burned, but may be reignited and present a dangerous and explosive condition when oxygen is reintroduced to the space which they occupy. When these gases do explode, the phenomenon is referred to as a "backdraft." Ventilation allows the evacuation of these gases and the accompanying smoke, lessening the danger of a potential explosion and allowing the firefighter to see and complete the primary goal of search and rescue.

 Although firefighters are trained to operate in such circumstances, these conditions prohibit the success of a rescue while endangering the life of the rescue personnel. By cutting a hole in the roof and venting smoke and gas from windows, fire damage can be minimized and the fire companies are able to attack and extinguish the fire more rapidly, as well as halting further fire spread.

 The use of Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) is a mandatory policy of the department for all internal firefighting procedures. The SCBA is a vital piece of equipment which allows the firefighter to operate in the presence of toxic-filled environments. The SCBAs are filled with as much as 4500 p.s.i. of compressed air and will last for 20 to 30 minutes before a refill is required.

 Hazardous Material Response Team (HAZMAT): Although the department has been responding to incidents involving chemicals from the beginning, the latest technology is the Hazardous Material Response Team (HAZMAT). The team is a group of uniquely trained firefighters using a specialized vehicle with state-of-the-art technology, equipment and protective clothing designed specifically for such incidents. The HAZMAT team responds to any suspected chemical leak--or unknown leak of any sort--and to transportation accidents involving the shipment of chemicals or toxic substances, and all fires where toxic chemicals are suspected. Examples of a fire that would require the use of the HAZMAT team would be one in a paint factory or an auto body shop where chemicals typically would be part of the inventory.

 Emergency hazardous incidents are becoming more common as more chemicals are introduced and as more transportation accidents involving the shipment of these substances occur.

 Incident Command Communications: Incident Command is a fire ground-radio procedure used uniformly throughout the department since the late 1980's and early 1990's, when the use of portable, hand-held radios became common equipment on the Chattanooga Fire Department.

 Incident Command is used at fire and non-fire emergencies alike. The value of this system of communication is its adaptability to various situations and different types of structures, i.e., single family bungalow, high-rise buildings, large complexes of one or more buildings, as well as outdoor incidents involving non-fire emergencies such as vehicular accidents and construction or industrial accidents which involve multiple victims.

 The Incident Command procedure is well suited for incidents involving toxic chemical leaks or spills where the necessity for possible evacuation is important in the overall strategy. The Incident Commander assumes control of an incident at a command post. From this command post, the Incident Commander can direct all operations while advising the Communications Center of conditions at the scene.

  Use of the Incident Command procedure allows the Communications Center to direct communications at more than one incident simultaneously, without disruption of normal service to the rest of the population.

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Primary Development and Author of this site:
Gary R. Anderson
Lt./CFD

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