|
Rapid
response places premium on safety
Many people ask why so many trucks respond on fire calls.
Sometimes people believe that the
number of trucks responding on fire calls is overkill. I'm sure it
sometimes seems that way when people see several trucks stop in front of a
building and then a few minutes later they leave without anyone getting out
of the truck.
On a reported building fire, we
send a first-alarm assignment, which is three engine companies, one ladder
truck, one squad truck and a battalion chief. Fires often spread quickly, and
it is crucial that we put enough firefighters on the scene in a timely manner
to start a fire attack. We never want to play catch up with a fire because
once a fire gets ahead of you, it is much harder to limit damage, and there
is an increased chance of injuries for firefighters. Yes, many of the calls
we run are false alarms, but we do not have the luxury of assumption. Until
proven otherwise, every call we receive is an emergency.
There are standard operating
guidelines we follow to limit trucks running emergency traffic as much as
possible and to put trucks back in service as soon as is feasible, which
increases safety for firefighters as well as everyone else traveling the
streets.
It is the responsibility of the first
truck on the scene to determine what is happening and decide how many
trucks and personnel are needed. Of course trucks will continue to respond
with lights and sirens if there is a fire.
A second alarm can be called for if
the person in charge determines the problem is more than a first-alarm
assignment can handle.
This will bring three more
engines, another ladder truck, squad and battalion chief. Other options
available to the person in charge is having the trucks shut off lights and
sirens and respond at normal speed if no problem has been found but further
investigation is needed, or having trucks return to service if it is
determined there is no problem. They can also keep whatever trucks are there
to help them resolve the problem and put unneeded trucks back in service.
As trucks arrive on the scene,
they park and everyone remains on the truck (we call this “staging”) until
they receive orders. If it is determined they are not needed they will be
returned to service so they are available to ride other calls. That is why
you sometimes see a truck park at the scene and then it leaves without anyone
ever getting off the truck. It’s also the reason you sometimes have a truck
pass with red lights and siren and then suddenly the driver shuts off its
lights.
When trucks run emergency traffic it
increases the risk of accidents. Your safety as well as the safety of
firefighters is of utmost importance, that’s why we make every effort to
limit the emergency response of trucks. 24/7/365 you call, we respond.
KENNETH LEE KNIGHT is a battalion chief in the High Point Fire
Department. He can be contacted at kenneth.knight@highpointnc.gov.
 
|
|
