Apparatus Placement Questions

23Jan/101

What are the primary considerations in regards to the placement of apparatus on scene? A fellow contributor recently submitted an article dealing with the importance of aerial apparatus placement on scene. The writer also asked some questions attributed to the most effective placement of the aerial on scene. This article is intended to encompass the placement of any apparatus on any scene.

So, what are we looking for from our drivers? Often, novice drivers are numb to or unaware of the proper placement for their rig on any given call. Any response may warrant a different placement depending on what rig you are on and in which order you arrive. However, there are a few givens that apply all the time. The first would be the most effective placement to provide a safe working environment for your crew, civilians and other firefighters responding.

The second would be to place the rig in the most functional location to allow members of your company to perform their duties quickly and effectively. A third consideration is placing your rig in the most beneficial location as to not hinder other responding companies from performing their duties. Though there are several options for rig placement on various calls, I leave you with a few rhetorical questions to think about.

1. How would you position the pumper if you arrived on scene of a vehicle fire on a residential street , as opposed to a vehicle fire on a six lane divided interstate?

2. How do you position the first due pumper on a confirmed working structure fire? How about the ladder, the rescue, and the 2nd and 3rd due pumpers? Where should the Chief managing the operation be located?

3. How about a gas leak, entrapment, or woods fire?

These questions are generic in nature as every call presents different hazards and variables. The focus while reading this should be to prepare yourself for different scenarios prior to mounting the rig. You should not be baffled when you pull up on something that is burning or concurs with what dispatch has already relayed. Apparatus placement should be second nature and executed without a hitch on most occasions.

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FDSH24
January 28th, 2010 - 07:55

2. How do you position the first due pumper on a confirmed working structure fire? How about the ladder, the rescue, and the 2nd and 3rd due pumpers? Where should the Chief managing the operation be located?

My A: Out of an urban fire dept in NY state, 1st engine on the block pulls past the fire building. 2nd engine on the block backs down and forward lays from the 1st engine to the hydrant. The 1st truck on the block positions it’s turn table for optimum maneuverability and least amount of over head obstructions. (My dept runs a mid mount truck) 3rd engine on the block positions at a separate hydrant in case of a hydrant failure, ready to lay in or feed the T/L. 2nd truck on the block positions on the 1/2 side. 3rd truck is the FAST Team and parks half way from the cross street and the fire. The Rescue parks on the street side of the lawn.