Engine Company Operations Flashcards
When should members begin preparation for engine company responses?
Members should begin preparation for Engine Company responses as they enter quarters
What responsibilities might be assigned during the rollcall or shift lineup?
At a minimum, the nozzle firefighter and back up firefighter positions shall be assigned.
Additional duties may include radio assignments, meter bump testing, expectations and safety considerations on highway incidents
What type of information should be reviewed from the pass on book at shift lineup in regards to Engine operations?
Out of service hydrants or mains, inoperable standpipe or sprinkler systems, and equipment deficiencies or changes on the apparatus.
When should all tools in appliances on the engine company be inspected?
Immediately following shift lineup, members assigned to the engine company should inspect and examine all tools and appliances associated with the apparatus
What should the engine company driver remain proficient in regarding the first do response area?
Roots of travel, unit blocks, specific building addresses, and they’re associated fire department connection locations and hydrants
During the pre-planning process, what 3 apparatus should be considered for positioning?
The first two engine companies and the first truck.
Where should information such as preplanned hose line stretch lengths be noted?
Preplanned information should be noted in the book, first do app, and disseminated to neighboring companies as well.
When might a well hole stretch be considered in a stairwell? How is it measured?
A well hole stretch between the handrails in a stairwell may be considered if a firefighters fist does not touch either hand rail.
During an emergency situation, how does the brain recall information?
The brain reverts to knowledge, previous experiences, and training to make decisions during an emergency situation
What is the classical decision making method?
A step by step, logical sequence that the decision maker uses to reach the best decision. This process includes analyzing the situation, identifying the problem, developing solutions, weighing advantages/disadvantages and choosing the best option.
What is the naturalistic decision making method
Aka- Recognition Primed Decision Making (RPDM)
An intuitive reaction to the problem. Decision maker recognizes sights, sounds, smells and other sensory clues that trigger the memory of similar situations. Actions are chosen quickly based on previous actions that were successful.
What is the only way to develop muscle memory and learned experience (RPDM) for basic skill sets?
Through Repetition 
In order to plan and facilitate training, fire service training falls into three categories:
Self study.
Company training.
Multiunit training.
How often should company training be conducted?
On a daily basis in an informal setting
How often should multi unit training be conducted?
On an annual basis and should include neighboring companies and mutual aid companies.
The purpose is to practice and coordinate general strategies and specific tactics for structure fires.
What is the most important part of pre-incident planning for firefighters an officers?
The most important part of pre-incident planning is to learn about buildings that could cause problems or injury to civilians or firefighters
How often should companies attempt to conduct a building walk-through?
At least once a tour
What should be included in a general pre-incident template
Occupancy name in address.
Occupancy type.
Construction type. (Usage)
Combustibility of contents.
Accessibility. (Doors, Knox, stairs)
Fire hydrants.
Fire protection systems.
Fire alarm systems.
Utility shut off locations.
Building specifics.
When pre incident preplanning, what should building specific information should include?
Building specifics should include: number of floors.
Roof access stairways.
Potential Target hazards.
Fire fighter safety hazards.
Civilian safety hazards.
Unique problems encountered.
What are the five building construction types?
Type I- Fire Resistive
Type II- Non combustible
Type III- Ordinary
Type IV- Heavy timber
Type V- Wood frame ( lightweight wood truss)
When responding to alarms, what are the first due engine companies responsibilities?
-Proceed ahead of the truck or rescue. -Lay primary supply line.
-Deliver on scene report.
-Perform a 360.
-Communicate results of 360 lap and make command statement.
-Force entry, if without a special service and control entry door.
Advance the initial attack hose line and extinguish fire.
Perform search and coordinated ventilation if needed.
When responding to alarms, what are the second due engine companies responsibilities?
-Ensure the primary water supply is established.
-Assume command of the incident if assigned.
-Ensure a successful deployment/advancement of initial attack line. -Deploy a second hose line.
When responding to an alarm, what is the third due engine companies responsibilities?
-Position on the opposite side of the end of all structure from the first two engine company.
-Lay the secondary supply line. -Performed a visual inspection of side Charlie and report findings to command. -Deploy a third hose line.
When responding to an alarm, what are the fourth due engine company responsibilities?
-Ensure the secondary water is established.
-Assume the role of the rapid intervention team.
-Take proactive measures to increase the safety of members operating inside the IDLH such as placing ladders, forcing doors, cutting security bars off windows ,while maintaining readiness if a RIT activation occurs.
When responding to fire alarms, what should the engine company personal bring if the building is standpipe equipped?
The responding personnel should bring their respective high rise packs while investigating.
The engine operator should identify a water supply and prepare to lay out if needed
When responding to fire alarms, what should personal obtain prior to entering the structure, if present?
Personnel should obtain Knox box keys prior to entering the structure, as they may be needed to obtain access to other areas of the structure.
Personnel should locate fire control room and or annunciator panel and verify location type in number of alarms activated
When responding to a fire alarm, where should arriving truck or rescue company personnel report to?
Truck or rescue company personnel should travel to the reported fire floor or area of the alarm. They must notify the engine company of false alarm or exact location of fire.
When responding to fire alarms, if the Engine arrives without a special service, what shall the engine officer consider if the unit is staffed with four personnel?
The officer should consider leaving one fire fighter at the apparatus. If a fire is found, the officer can radio the remaining fire fighter and engine driver to initiate the deployment of the correct hose line.
How much faster do fires burn with rapidly increasing heat compared to fires just 20 years ago?
Today’s fires burn at a rate 10 X faster
What are the four components of the fire tetrahedron?
Oxygen.
Heat.
Fuel.
Chain reaction.
What is a flash over?
The stage of a fire which all surfaces and objects have been heated to their ignition temperature and simultaneously ignite.
At what stage of a fire does a flashover occur?
Flashover occurs at the point between growth in fully developed stages
What is a Backdraft
An explosion that occurs when additional oxygen is introduced into a smoldering fire as heated gases enter their flammable range and ignite with explosive force
At what fire stage does a Backdraft occur?
Backdraft conditions typically exist during the decay stage after the fire has consumed all available oxygen
What is a roll over?
Rollover is observed when flames present in layers of smoke as a result of heated gases that are pushed under pressure from the Fire area into uninvolved areas
What is thermal layering?
Thermal layering is the tendency of gases to form into layers according to temperature
What is stratification
Stratification is layering of smoke and gas clouds
What is pyrolysis?
As solid fuels are heated, combustible gases are driven from the substance – this process is called paralysis
What are the four fire growth stages?
The incipient stage.
The growth stage.
The fully developed stage.
The decay stage.
What is the incipient stage of fire growth?
The incipient stage begins when heat, oxygen, and a fuel source combine and have a chemical reaction resulting in fire
What is the growth stage of a fire?
The growth stage occurs when the fire increases in size from small flames to full fire that involves the entire room.
*During the growth stage, fire develops and rollover is often seen in an adjacent compartment. 
What is the fully developed stage of a fire?
During the fully developed stage, the entire room and contents are involved in fire. The fire will continue to burn until the available fuel in oxygen are consumed or extinguished
What is the decay stage of a fire?
The decay stage occurs once all available oxygen is consumed. Visible flames start to diminish, and the fire continues to smolder.
- high heat remains and a backdraft can occurs if oxygen is introduced.
Modern materials, such as plastics synthetics, polyurethane in polyester have a high heat release rate. What is Heat Released Rate (HHR)?
Heat release rate is simply defined as the amount of energy released over time
During a structure fire, when should the needs for ventilation first be identified by the fire officer?
Ventilation needs should be identified when the fire officer completes their size up. This occurs as the 360 lap of the structure is conducted in the fires location is predicted, access points are identified, and the ventilation points are determined.
In a structure fire, what are considered ventilation openings?
Ventilation openings are air intakes and exhausted into in out of a structure that are created by an open window or door, by the fire, or by fire department personnel operating at the scene.
On most fire grounds, when is the first ventilation operation conducted?
The first ventilation operation conducted is performed by the initial company arriving on scene as they forced entry.
How should a properly conducted structural ventilation process be developed?
A properly conducted structural ventilation process typically consists of the engine officer and outside vent crew exchanging information about the size up, the engine companies hose stretch, and the ventilation openings that should improve conditions for the engine company advancing the hose line.
When using a quick attack monitor, a wide fog pattern will reach about _____ feet.
25 feet
On a wire fog pattern, the Mercury monitor which is approximately 25 feet.
