This document discusses considerations for positioning fire apparatus at an incident scene. It explains that fire pumpers supply water and their placement depends on standard operating procedures and the incident commander's judgment. Proper positioning considers rescue needs, water supply, attack method, exposures, wind, terrain, relocation potential, aerial apparatus needs, and staging procedures to efficiently utilize responding units. The safety of firefighters is prioritized by placing apparatus between them and oncoming traffic on highways.

1. Positioning Apparatus
Chapter 5

2. Positioning Apparatus
 The primary function of a fire
department pumper is to provide
water for fire fighting operations.
 The pumper may provide water
directly to fire streams or it may
supply water to other pumpers or
aerial apparatus.

3. Fire Attack Pumpers
 There is no one set rule for
positioning pumpers supplying
attack lines on the fireground.
 Standard operating procedures and
the judgment of the responsible
officer or driver/operator should be
the deciding factors when
committing the apparatus

4. Fire Attack Pumpers
 Determining the proper positioning
for the attack pumper begins with
sizing up the incident.
 If the apparatus arrives at the
location where no fire conditions are
evident, it is generally advisable to
park near the main entrance to the
occupancy.

5. Fire Attack Pumpers
 When fire conditions are evident
upon approaching the scene, look
for the best tactical position in which
to place the apparatus.

6. Considerations For
Apparatus Placement
 Department SOP’s – Many departments
have procedures for the placement of
each initial apparatus.
 Rescue situations – Rescue is always the
first tactical priority and if there is an
obvious rescue situation then the
apparatus should be parked in order to
facilitate the timely deployment of
ground ladders or aerial device

7. Considerations For
Apparatus Placement
 Water supply – IF an external water
supply is required then this must be
considered before parking in the
final position.

8. Considerations For
Apparatus Placement
 Method of Attack – Positioning
depends on the method of attack;if
pre-connected hoselines are to be
used, the apparatus must be close
enough for them to reach.
 If the deck gun is going to be used,
the apparatus must be positioned so
the fire stream will reach its
intended target.

9. Considerations For
Apparatus Placement
 Exposures – If the fire has the
potential to threaten exposures, the
apparatus must be parked in a
position that allows fire streams to
protect those exposures.
 Wind direction – Whenever possible,
attempt to park the apparatus
upwind of the incident.

10. Considerations For
Apparatus Placement
 Terrain – Given a choice, always
choose a paved surface over an
unpaved surface.
 It is also desirable to be uphill from
the incident whenever possible

11. Considerations For
Apparatus Placement
 Relocation potential – Always leave
yourself an out. Never position the
apparatus in a location that does not
allow an easy retreat should
conditions warrant.
 Make sure that fire hose is laid to
the side of the street if at all
possible.

12. Considerations For
Apparatus Placement
 Apparatus should be parked far
enough away so that they are not in
the collapse zone should one occur.
 Try not to park beneath power or
utility lines , particularly if there is
any chance that the fire will cause
the lines to fall.

14. Positioning to Support
Aerial Apparatus
 Driver/Operators of pumping
apparatus must not only seek a
good tactical location for the rig they
are driving, but they must also keep
in mind the needs of aerial
apparatus that will soon arrive on
the scene.

15. Positioning to Support
Aerial Apparatus
 It is best to give the aerial
apparatus the most optimum
operating position and to locate the
pumping apparatus a little further
away.
 The aerial apparatus has a fixed
length while the engine has in
excess of 1000 feet of hose.

16. Positioning to Support
Aerial Apparatus
 In order to facilitate the proper
placement of pumpers and aerial
apparatus, some departments
choose to use the “inside/outside”
method of apparatus placement.

19. Staging
 An apparatus staging procedure
facilitates the orderly positioning of
apparatus and allows the Incident
Commander to fully utilize the
potential of each unit and crew.
 An apparatus staging procedure in
two levels has been developed that
can be used for any multi-company
response.

20. Level I Staging
 Level I staging is used on every
emergency response when two companies
performing like functions are dispatched.
 The first due engine ,truck, rescue or
squad, and command officer proceed
directly to the scene. Later arriving
companies stage at least one block away
from the scene in their direction of travel.

22. Level II Staging
 Level II staging is used in greater
alarm situations where a large
number of emergency vehicles are
responding to an incident. Level II
staging must be initiated by the
incident commander.
 Companies are informed of the
staging area location when they are
dispatched and respond directly to
that location.

24. Operations on Highways
 At least one lane next to the incident
lane should be closed. Additional or
all traffic lanes may have to be
closed it the extra lane does not
provide a safe barrier.
 Fire apparatus should be place
between the flow of traffic and the
firefighters working on the incident
to act as a shield.