307 - FIRE SUPPRESSION APPARATUS

307.1-1 - ENGINE DEFINITION

"A fire apparatus designed to transport firefighters, water, and equipment to emergency incidents. Fire engines may have specialized roles such as wildfire suppression, aircraft rescue, or technical rescue, depending on departmental needs. They are equipped with preconnected hoses (“pre-connects”) for quick attacks and a mounted deluge gun (deck gun) for high-volume water application. When onboard water is depleted, fire engines can connect to hydrants, water tenders, or natural water sources. Hose lines vary in size - 1½, 1¾, and 2½ inches - and are selected based on the fire’s type and scale. Quick-attack lines are used for small or fast-moving fires, while main attack hoses are used for larger incidents."

Operators must monitor water supply and pump usage, as older engines without electronic governors can sustain permanent pump damage if run dry. 

307.1-2 ENGINE SEAT PLACEMENTS

This standard establishes standard initial assignments for individual firefighters, according to the seat they occupy on the apparatus. These assignments are intended to minimize the amount of individual direction required before going to work when arriving on the fireground.

Seat 1: Company Officer, Engine Captain / Officer – front right seat 

Shall be designated as E##; I.E "Engine 32 Driver, Engine 32 Officer, Come up."

Responsibilities Include:

• Size-Up and report

• Manage & Monitor all ground communication.

• Determine offensive/defensive strategy

• Resource Acquisition and Management.

• Check for victims or further scene hazards.

• Establish IC if it hasn't been done already.

Seat 2: Driver / Pump Operator – front left driver’s seat 

Shall be designated as E##; I.E "Engine 32 Driver from Engine 32 Officer, Come up."

Responsibilities Include:

• Establish the immediate closest water supply.

• Develop Positive water pressure and manage lines.

• Operate as Pump Commander and Monitor.

Seat 3: Senior Crewman or 'Senior' - rear seat immediately behind the driver/pump operator (or middle front seat on three-seat apparatus)

This position is given to non-supervisory members who are experienced. Members may use the apparatus designation or their rank and last name when speaking.

Responsibilities Include:

• Assist the engineer with the water supply.

• Checks all lines for kinks or imperfections on deployment. 

• Performs under the direction of the company or acting company officer.

• Ensure PPE and proper equipment are actively being used by fellow members.

Seat 4: Crewman - rear seat immediately behind the company officer (if present) 

Members may use the apparatus designation or their rank and last name when speaking.

Responsibilities Include:

• Immobilize the apparatus with chocks & blocks.

• Prepare Attack Lines.

• Performs as RIC Team Member if circumstances arise.

  1. • Performs under the direction of the company or acting company officer.

307.1-1 - AIRPORT CRASH TENDER

"A specialized fire engine designed for aircraft firefighting at airports, airfields, and military bases. It delivers higher water and foam pressure and volume than standard engines, with mounted deck guns capable of up to 750 PSI and handheld lines reaching 250 PSI. Crash tenders are geared toward aircraft rescue and vehicle extrication rather than traditional tools like halligans or standard forcible entry equipment, and should operate alongside an engine, quint, or truck. These vehicles carry multiple hoses and rely on multiple water supply lines, consuming significantly more water than standard apparatus"

Crews must keep all personnel at a safe distance, using force if necessary, as the sheer pressure of the stream can instantly rupture internal organs on contact, potentially causing permanent disability or death, with risk influenced by wind, direction, and momentum.

Seat 1: Company Commander or Officer – front right seat 

CR##; I.E "CRASH 32 Driver from CRASH 32 Officer, Come up."

Responsibilities Include:

• Size-Up and report

• Manage & Monitor all ground communications from BCC and Air(base)port Operations.

• Determine attack strategy.

• Resource Acquisition and Management. Determination of HAZMAT deployment is also imperative in this role.

Seat 2: Driver / Pump Operator – front left driver’s seat 

CR##; I.E "CRASH 32 Officer from CRASH 32 Driver, Come up." 

Responsibilities Include:

• Manage pump operations.

• Coordinate the supply and containment plan with other arriving units.

• Supervise the use of hand-lines from the Crash Tender.

Backing Units:

Responsibilities Include:

• Establish Containment of the perimeter, and perform defensive operations where applicable.

• Perform secondary duties in accordance with their assigned unit.

CalFire's Aviation Division handles all coordinated firefighting operations and certifications from the sky, and performs scouting plans over active fires that are not contained. This requires membership in the Air Operations division to activate, along with any general requests or authorizations from command staff or an incident commander.

Helicopters may be fitted with tanks (helitankers or helitacks) or they may carry buckets. Some helitankers are also outfitted with a front-mounted foam cannon. Buckets are usually filled by submerging or dipping them in lakes, rivers, reservoirs, or portable tanks. The most popular of the buckets is the flexible Bambi Bucket. Tanks can be filled on the ground (by water tenders or truck-mounted systems) or water can be siphoned from lakes, rivers, reservoirs, or a portable tank through a hanging snorkel. Water Forward Companies typically functioned with three tankers and a Battalion Chief can establish operation garrisons nearby an active area to eliminate the wait times in half for the deployment of aerial firefighting. However, it takes large periods of time to establish and to pre-connect lines to and from helicopters on the ground-to-air supplement.

AFO focuses on the primary mission of indirect conflict tactics, providing action on large working fires that stretch beyond the direct line of sight of a ground crew, rapid deployment of fire crews, and deployment of chemical-based fire retardants in the case of large fire outbreaks. These personnel are strictly used for the combat of fire, and NOT for rescue means.

The minimum staffing requirements for an Aerial Firefighting Operation are:

• One Command Pilot

• (Optional) First Officer

The official terminology for an apparatus carrying water supply functions is termed as a 'Water Tender', or the east-coast proverbial of 'Tanker Truck'. Regardless of terminology, A water tender is a type of firefighting apparatus that specializes in the transport of water from a water source to a fire scene. Water tenders are capable of drafting water from a stream, lake or hydrant. This class of apparatus does not necessarily have enough pumping capacity to power large hose lines (like a fire engine), though it utilizes a smaller pump to draft from bodies of water. Water tenders are used when there is no working fire hydrant within reach of other fire equipment, potentially supplying the fire engine(s) with a very rapid connection. Most water tenders are designed to carry heavy water payloads of 2,600GPM or more; 1,000 US gallons is the minimum requirement according to National Fire Protection Association standards. Anything below 2,000 is typically a forestry-service engine rated for brush operations.

Seat 1: Company Officer - front right seat 

Shall be designated as T##; I.E "Tanker 4 Driver, Tanker 4 Officer, Come up."

Responsibilities Include:

• Plan in the circumstance if water is all used; and find an emergency access point. (If applicable)

• Manage & Monitor all ground communications.

• Coordinate the scene command and water supply between each other.

• Assist Pump Operator / Driver with duties.

• Establish supply lines to and from the apparatus on-scene.

Seat 2: Driver / Pump Operator – front left driver’s seat 

Shall be designated as T##: I.E "Tender 4 Officer, Tender 4 Driver, Come up."

Responsibilities Include:

• Deploy the apparatus where the supply is most beneficial.

• Establish supply lines to and from the apparatus on-scene.

A hazardous material squad is used by emergency service personnel to respond to calls involving potentially hazardous substances or materials. From local gas stations to nearby chemical plants, hazardous materials can exist in almost every community. Firefighters have basic training in managing the most common hazardous materials, but in some instances, specialized rescue vehicles are required. A hazmat unit is designed to respond to an emergency carrying the tools, equipment, technology, and personnel with the expertise to manage hazardous situations. 

It’s no surprise that many hazmat fire trucks are equipped with special gear to manage hazardous and unknown materials. Because the gear is not required on every call, there may be strategic storage, lockers or cubbies on the apparatus designed to hold various levels of gear to match the emergency situation. Additionally, there may be storage areas that are compartmentalized and sealed from the rest of the truck to quarantine contaminated suits, tools and equipment. Fire Crews should always make an attempt to locate the property owner or agent to determine what hazard is present to determine the best course of action.

For example:

• An overpack drum is a large container designed to go over the top of a 55-gallon drum with a leak. The overpack drum is then flipped and sealed to contain the leak inside the container.

• A plug kit is outfitted with plugs and wedges designed to fill punctures in tanks, cylinders, drums and gas lines to control liquid, gas, or bulk material leaks.

• Containment berms, blankets, and absorbent booms are helpful to control spilled liquid materials, like gasoline. These devices help mitigate the expansion of the hazardous area and prevent hazmat materials from running into sewers and drains.

307.5-2 COMMON HAZARDOUS MATERIALS

Gasoline [Class III Hazardous material - flammable, combustible materials]

Gasoline is one of the most transported hazardous materials and among the most dangerous. Highly flammable, gasoline can cause major injuries and death. Take special care to avoid exposing gasoline to an ignition source since it can ignite. If that happens, you could end up with a serious and possibly fatal injury.

Diesel Fuel [Class III Hazardous material - flammable, combustible materials]

Diesel fuel can also cause major injuries and death. Acute exposure to diesel fuel vapor can cause dizziness, nausea, headaches, and vomiting. The hazardous material can also irritate the skin, eyes, and respiratory system. Avoid contact with diesel fuel when interacting with it unless absolutely necessary.

Propylene [Class I Hazardous material - Explosives]

Propylene has many uses. It’s used to produce packaging, films, and more, and it’s commonly hauled from one location to the next. It’s a volatile flammable gas, making it very dangerous to transport and use. If it’s close to an ignition source, it can explode, causing serious injuries. Propylene accidents can also be fatal, so take special care when transporting it.

Consumer Fireworks [Class I Hazardous material - Explosives]

Shooting off fireworks is an American pastime that isn’t just reserved for the Fourth of July. People celebrate with fireworks throughout the year, creating a need for transportation. Unfortunately, fireworks create a significant fire risk, and drivers must take precautions and follow all regulations, including having the proper labels and markings.

Liquefied Petroleum Gas [Class II hazardous material - NON-FLAMMABLE GAS]

Also known as butane or propane, liquefied petroleum gas is a vital fuel with many uses. It can also explode under certain conditions, meaning that it’s critical to use store it in pressurized vessels. If an accident occurs and the gas explodes, it can be deadly. At the very least, people can expect serious injuries that can reduce their quality of life.

Carbon Dioxide, Refrigerated Liquid [Class II hazardous material - NON-FLAMMABLE GAS]

This gas isn’t flammable, so you might think it’s safe to transport. However, it’s listed as a hazardous material for good reason. The non-flammable gas keeps food cold during transport. It emits hazardous vapors that can make you dizzy or even prevent you from getting enough oxygen. Also, if your body comes into contact with the gas, you could end up with a severe burn or frostbite. This is painful and could cause you to lose an extremity.

Sulfuric Acid [Class VIII hazardous material - CORROSIVE]

Sulfuric acid is used in various industries, including oil refining and fertilizer manufacturing. It’s even used to make cleaning agents. Even though it has so many uses, it’s highly corrosive and dangerous. If you contact it when transporting it, you could get severely burned. Inhaling it is also extremely dangerous and can cause lung damage.

Argon, Refrigerated Liquid [Class VI hazardous material - inhalation hazard]

Because this isn’t toxic or flammable, many drivers think this material is safe. However, the refrigerated liquid form of argon poses a serious risk during transportation. You can suffer serious health problems if you inhale it, and it can significantly damage your tissue if you come into contact with it. You must keep the gas cylinders upright to maintain the proper pressure. Then, you can avoid injuring yourself when transporting it to its destination.

You must be in the fire department's CBRNE section to operate as a Hazardous Materials technician. For more information, seek 307 - HAZMAT Awareness & Operations [NFPA 470, Hazardous Materials/Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)]