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Probably the dumbest question ever...but I'd rather know
Okay. So I am still in my Level 2 class, and not YET working on a dept. I should start the dept in March. I was supposed to start a couple of weeks ago but city is having $ problems.
Okay. Anyways. This is the dumbest question, because I should have learned it in Level 1 and should know by now, but I want to...I suppose clarify some things.
My question is, today in class we had a live burn and we do everything by Truck 1, Truck 2, Engine 1, Engine 2, Ladder 1, and Ladder 2. Now, I know that the engines are in charge of hoselines, but what are the roles that the trucks and ladders have? I thought ladder was to go in and do primary searches. Like...I get the majority of things, but would like to just have experienced firefighters tell me, rather than a book. In real life, what does your department do and all.
I know, "There are no stupid questions" and I know this is on the border, but I'd rather look dumb but know what I am doing and that I am doing correctly.
Thanks!
Okay. Anyways. This is the dumbest question, because I should have learned it in Level 1 and should know by now, but I want to...I suppose clarify some things.
My question is, today in class we had a live burn and we do everything by Truck 1, Truck 2, Engine 1, Engine 2, Ladder 1, and Ladder 2. Now, I know that the engines are in charge of hoselines, but what are the roles that the trucks and ladders have? I thought ladder was to go in and do primary searches. Like...I get the majority of things, but would like to just have experienced firefighters tell me, rather than a book. In real life, what does your department do and all.
I know, "There are no stupid questions" and I know this is on the border, but I'd rather look dumb but know what I am doing and that I am doing correctly.
Thanks!
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Fireyladd - Retired Chief Sharp on
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Julie, there is no stupid question your right! In most Departments Engines, Ladders and trucks do differing things. In our agency we dont have three different vehicles or roles. Sorry I dont have a real answer for you on why there are those differences other then to say where you have the resources and budgets to have specialized equipment and personnel you will have just that. We have Engines/Pumpers, Quick attacks, Rescues, Tenders. These are primary to Volunteer agencies. Normally what you are referring to exists on Full time paid agencies. Hope that helps a little. Sure there will be more responses from those who operate in those agencies. Good luck with your training and carrier.
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Permalink Reply by Marc on
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Engines = fire surpression
Truck = ventilation and search & rescue (trucks are ladders in LAFD talk)
Los Angeles City Fire Department
Marc
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Permalink Reply by Julie on
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okay maybe thats why I was a little confused. My teachers usually say "Ladder" but today they were saying "truck" which threw us all off. That helps me out alot.
And Chief that does help. I wasn't aware volunteer agencies had different terms and all. So thank you for that!
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Permalink Reply by John Rulli Jr. on
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Ladder and truck are about the same. They both have ladders. A true truck has no water on it just a ladder on a turn table, assorted hand/ hydrolic tools, and different variations of ladders. A ladder, quint, tower, or tower ladder carries water in a tank with a pump like the engine.
Hope I helped you out a little bit.
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Permalink Reply by Ben Waller on
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Julie,
Engine companies have two basic jobs - take water from a supply source and put it on the fire.
Ladder or Truck companies (the same thing, just different names depending on where you are) do the other fireground jobs.
Using the RECEO-VS mneumonic, here's the roles and responsibilities:
Rescue (life safety) Firefighter life safety is everyone's responsibility, civilian rescue is normally a truck company job unless an engine finds a victim while advancing a hoseline.
Exposures Exposure protection is normally an engine company responsibility.
Confinement Normally an engine company responsibility
Extinguishment Normally an engine company responsibility, unless the truck company gets it with a water
can extinguisher. There is a Firefighter Nation group based on this -
Cancel the Engine is the FFN home away from home for truckies.
Salvage Truck work, except for the few places that have a dedicated salvage company.
Ventilation Definately truck work.
Forcible entry is everyone's responsibility, but the trucks generally do this, as they usually have more tools and don't use their manpower stretching hoselines.
Good luck with the training and the career.
Ben
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