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Permalink Reply by Marc on January 5, 2009 at 10:54pm

Engine: 4

Engineer (drives and conducs pumping Operation)
Capt II (Capt. and goes in with the Nozzel Member--if nozzel Member is a Rookie)
Nozzel Member (the one putting the wet stuff on the red stuff)
Hydrant Member (attaches 4-way/hose to the hydrant and then assist the nozzel member)

Permalink Reply by SMOKEnPipesJim on January 15, 2009 at 2:03pm

On My Job , manning is pretty simple we run with 4 minimum. My house is unique we have two engines assigned so often we have responses that the officers and engineers can discusss tactics as we are mounting up.. we have SOG's sure, but in some situations, it makes much more or in some cases less sense to eitherlet the 1st due go straight in and allow the 2nd due make up a water supply while other times The fire load calls for each company to secure a supply.. we have 2 , 1 and 1 responses which can be filled out giving us 4,2, 1 (the 4th is the RIT) and on life safety boxes They can and often do send it right of the bat. That being said the driver engineer obviously runs the pump or when RIT gears up, The officer and 4th take the line, the 3rd is the hydrant man or wrap and hop backon depending on the senerio, if he rides into the scene, then he's kink man, and backs up the pipe guy, allowing the LT. a more flexiblity as Combat Command, sometimes If the truck is delayed he may act as OV (outside or horiziontal ventman) or even VES (vent entry search man) which in either situation means he may act to search and ventilate ahead of the nozzle man, allowing the fire to be pushed out the venthole, rather the forcing it to mushroom around the enclose space and back at cha... VES maybe required to gain access forceably, do a quick primary search "before" the line is opened and ruins any possible visablility in the thermal layers as the nozzle man stretches towards the seat of the fire
and before he opens the nozzle... remember if you dont see the fire you cant put it out... if after searching you cant find the fire, or its fairly compartmentized once the room has been searched and evacuated then you can begin to use steam or fog to reduce the heat if that happens to be your departmental tactic.

A large percentage of our dwellings are balloon frame construction this being said, Lines have to be aggressive and mobile Lines will be going above automaticly, so typically the next engine in will stretch and the 3rd will grab a second line off the 1st due pump... That may be confusing but if the 2nd due is back from the hydrant duties Theytake a line off the 1st and the third does its own thing.. grabbing a hydrant, laying in if nessisary, the RIT reports to the Batt Chief vehicle, with hand tools (the irons, etc) to get the RIT kit(s) which are various rope bags,an Hour SCBA and bottles, a dedicated TI Camera, which are usually then staged somewhere near the CP. The RIT is allowed and expected also act to deal with obvious exterior safety concerns including throwing ladders to provide secondary egress, and from all the various levels, as well as size up and often provide relief if nessisary. Its not uncommon that we have two or three engines special called as RIT, and if the incident is nearly undercontrol, they have been known to swap the RIT for the working company (s)...although this isnt the most popular concept can work

Permalink Reply by Lou Angeli on February 24, 2009 at 11:56pm

4-Person Engine Company: The first-in Engine lays a 5" supply line into the scene, regardless of the conditions. Driver's side jump seat firefighter (hydrant man) makes the connection at the plug, but 2nd due Engine will charge the hydrant if needed. First-in hydrant man then responds to the Engine to assist in moving a 1 3/4" or 2" attack to the structure. If there are fire conditions, the officer passes command to the BC, so he can focus on the interior. Driver/Operator breaks the pre-connect attack line, and connects it to the discharge. Then he deals with making the supply line connection. The truck or squad are usually on scene by then, make entry and begin their search, performing horizontal ventilation tasks along the way. The nozzleman and officer move in to search for the seat of the fire, with the hydrant man maneuvering line at the front door, tight turns and stairs. The company officer has the option of using a smooth bore or combination as the attack line -- but in most cases it's a TFT combo.