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.
13.
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.
17.
18.
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.
21.
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.
23.
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.
Editor's Notes
Approaching the scene, the driver and officer should observe the incident conditions to determine the best place to park the apparatus.
This allows the fire company to enter the structure and investigate the situation. The driver should remain with the apparatus and prepare to make connections to the water supply or FDC or pull attack hoselines if needed.
There are a variety of considerations that influence this decision.
Approaching the scene, the driver and officer should observe the incident conditions to determine the best place to park the apparatus.
This allows the fire company to enter the structure and investigate the situation. The driver should remain with the apparatus and prepare to make connections to the water supply or FDC or pull attack hoselines if needed.
There are a variety of considerations that influence this decision.
1) If the apparatus is located in a position that is difficult for other apparatus to access, a supply line should be laid into the scene as the apparatus moves into position, such as up a narrow lane or driveway.
1) If the apparatus is located in a position that is difficult for other apparatus to access, a supply line should be laid into the scene as the apparatus moves into position, such as up a narrow lane or driveway.
Avoid parking the apparatus in a location that subjects it to high levels of radiant heat, falling embers, or other products of combustion. Any position which requires wetting the apparatus to prevent damage is not a good position.
This negates the need for the driver to wear an SCBA while operating the pump. It also reduces the chance of the apparatus becoming an exposure. Lastly if haz-mat is involved in the fire, parking upwind will lessen the chance of contaminating the vehicle and personnel assigned to it.
This eliminates the chance of the apparatus getting stuck. Parking uphill eliminates having to overcome elevation pressure, thus reducing wear on the pump. Parking uphill from a haz-mat eliminates the chance of the product flowing underneath the truck. Position uphill from a vehicle fire in case the burning fuel begins leaking from the vehicle. The exception to the uphill rule is when positioning at a wildland fire. Wildland fires move faster uphill than on even terrain.
Avoid parking the apparatus in a location that subjects it to high levels of radiant heat, falling embers, or other products of combustion. Any position which requires wetting the apparatus to prevent damage is not a good position.
This negates the need for the driver to wear an SCBA while operating the pump. It also reduces the chance of the apparatus becoming an exposure. Lastly if haz-mat is involved in the fire, parking upwind will lessen the chance of contaminating the vehicle and personnel assigned to it.
This eliminates the chance of the apparatus getting stuck. Parking uphill eliminates having to overcome elevation pressure, thus reducing wear on the pump. Parking uphill from a haz-mat eliminates the chance of the product flowing underneath the truck. Position uphill from a vehicle fire in case the burning fuel begins leaking from the vehicle. The exception to the uphill rule is when positioning at a wildland fire. Wildland fires move faster uphill than on even terrain.
The philosophy here is that the building is low enough to be reached by the aerial device even if it has to go over the closer engines.
This allows for the aerials’ maximum reach ability.
The incident commander can then use the staged unit as necessary. (Lay additional lines, send crew only to the scene, proceed to the scene and set up, chase sparks,etc.)
A parking lot or open field can serve as a staging area. Generally, the company officer of the first company to arrive at the staging area becomes the staging officer. Company officers should report to the staging officer as they arrive and park.
Problems associated with simply accessing the scene can be a challenge to emergency responders. (Long distances between exits and entrance ramps).
The apparatus should be parked on an angle so that the operator is protected from traffic by the tailboard. Front wheels should be turned away from the firefighters working highway incidents so that the apparatus will not be driven into them if struck form behind.