Engine Company Handbook

Question 1

3 Fundamental principles (4-5)

Answer 1

“human life shall take precedence over all other concerns”

“The fire goes as the first line goes.”

“If you put out the fire, everything gets better.”

Question 2

Officer’s tools (4-7)

Answer 2

1. Radio
2. Flashlight
3. Halligan
4. TIC
5. Keys

Question 3

Shocker (4-8)

Answer 3

Size
Height
Occupancy type
Conditions of fire
Kinds of action being taken
Exposure
Resources needed

Question 4

1st due officer initial responsibilities (4-8)

Answer 4

SHOCKER
Operational mode
     -investigation
     -attack
     -command
Request additional resources

Question 5

Additional engine company responsibilities (4-9)

Answer 5

• Assume command
• Get water supply
• Stretch additional lines
• Staging

Question 6

1st due officer fireground responsibilities (4-9)

Answer 6

1. Supervise attack line
2. transmit progress (CAN) reports
3. Assist BUFF with forced entry (if needed)

Question 7

Engineer responsibilities (4-10)

Answer 7

1. Deliver crew to scene safely
2. Operate pump
3. Secure water supply

Question 8

Nozzle FF tools (4-13)

Answer 8

1. Attack line
2. Nozzle
3. Radio

Question 9

NozzPullle FF modes of operation (4-13)

Answer 9

1. Investigating– stand at engine and size up building

2. Working fire– pulling hose, and flaking the first 50’

Question 10

Backup FF tools (4-17)

Answer 10

1. Radio
2. Irons
3. Hook
4. Can
5. Attic ladder
6. Rope bag

Question 11

Fireground priority (5-6)

Answer 11

All life hazards must be addressed by first-arriving units; however, immediate rescue attempts by the first-arriving engine company without simultaneously stretching and positioning a hose line should be attempted only in EXTREME situations

Question 12

“vent for life” (5-7)

Answer 12

drawing fire, heat, and smoke away from the endangered occupants

Question 13

3 phases of firefighting (5-7)

Answer 13

1. Locate the fire
2. Confine the fire
3. Extinguish the fire

Question 14

Fire attack methods (5-9)

Answer 14

1. Indirect– Fog a vent-deficient room and let the steam absorb the heat/fire
2. Combination– Interior attack, using a 30 degree fog directed at the ceiling
3. Direct– a direct attack, with a straight/solid stream coupled with proper ventilation is far better than the combination method in maintaining more tolerable interior conditions.

Question 15

Engine company rules (5-5)

Answer 15

1. Operating nozzles in window should be avoided
2. Remember to protect the stairwells when FFs are operating above the fire
3. As a 1st arriving engine company, put 1 line in service and do it well
4. Never enter the fire area without a charged hoseline
5. Get the hoseline inside to the seat of the fire
6. Extinguish or clear all lower floors of fire prior to advancing above… DO NOT PASS FIRE
7. Make sure hose lines are not operated in opposition to each other
8. Avoid putting a 2.5” in service without first securing a water supply
9. No more than 2 hose lines in a single stairwell.

Question 16

Penciling is an appropriate technique for the application of water” (5-14)

Answer 16

FALSE– It is NOT an appropriate technique and its use is discouraged

Question 17

Fire will not darken down or cool down (5-15)

possible solutions

Answer 17

1. The stream direction to be adjusted to enter a room more completely or an advance of a few or more feet may be necessary to reach the seat of the fire.
2. The gpm may be insufficient from kinks in the line or low pump pressure. A 2.5” may need to be used to replace a 1.75”
3. If there is fire in an area unreachable by the hose line, the engine company must make a stand to hold the fire while a second, longer hose can be stretched.

Question 18

Fire will not darken down or cool down (5-15)

Possible causes

Answer 18

1. The stream is not adequately penetrating into the fire area, or flow may be inadequate for the size/intensity of the fire
2. A heavy body of fire may exist in another area that the stream is not reaching or penetrating

Question 19

Fire has darkened down but will not cool down (5-16)

Possible causes

Answer 19

1. The material/furnishings have not completely extinguished
2. Fire has extended into the walls/ceiling space and continues to burn
3. The is fire uncontrolled below the area
4. Inadequate ventilation

Question 20

Fire has darkened down but will not cool down (5-16)

Possible solutions

Answer 20

1. The areas where the fire was knocked down may need additional water to completely extinguish materials/structure
2. Walls, floors, and ceilings must be opened up to expose and extinguish any hidden fire.
3. Additional hose lines may be stretched to the floor or area below to check for and extinguish this fire.
4. Initial or additional vent must be performed including hydraulic vent by engine co.