![]() One of the many adages we have heard since our early time in the fire service is that driver is the busiest person on the fire scene in the first five minutes. These actions are pre-determined for any fire apparatus, but they represent the most critical skills for the first-due driver. This means parking brake, pump gear and proper pump pressure according to the guidelines of effective hydraulics. Once the vehicle is in the most advantageous spot, the driver should know how to operate the vehicle. When we arrive, proper positioning becomes the next priority for the driver. Street and district knowledge is one of the most critical skill sets for all firefighters. And although the tasks are not always met in the same order each time, at the very least engine firefighters approach the scene with fixed objectives.Īt the very heart of the title is someone who must know how to get the crew to the right spot. Regardless of the staffing demands of a particular jurisdiction, this checklist serves to guide the engine company in a logical fashion. But in terms of the fireground and how habits affect the outcome, we can create good habits - or positive repetitive actions - that will more often allow us to deal with the uncontrollable variables associated with a building fire.Ĭreating pre-determined assignments for each member of the engine company gives us a checklist of tasks that must be completed every time for efficient first-due operations. As with any part of our lives, habits can be good or bad. We eliminate unknowns through training and preparation, planning for the worst of situations with the best of readiness.įirefighters are creatures of habit, but habits are just that, a repeated action. We use proper and efficient management of these situations to eliminate as many variables as possible, either prior to an event or as they are presented in an emergent situation. And it takes into account how these actions set the table for other companies later in the event.Īt the very core of our profession are the variables and unknowns that present challenges to any single firefighter of any rank or status. ![]() ![]() Yet our primary goals as first-due engine firefighters should be governed by a sense of purpose to meet very specific tactical objectives.Īs explained in the previous article, the Single Engine Residential Fire program focuses on the first five minutes of fireground action. Just as unique are the firefighters who drive, operate and use the engine. Despite these strict guidelines, the variations of brand, style and manufacturer seem endless. This vehicle meets NFPA 1901, carrying a pump, tools, hose, ground ladders, water and the associated personnel to the fireground. Fire tactics: Single engine residential fireįor our purposes, the engine company is the first-arriving fire apparatus.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |