| Terminology |
Usage |
| Emergency Speed |
Respond with all warning devices and at safe maximum speed |
| Proceed in and Standby |
Proceed at “Emergency Speed” obtain and flush a hydrant, and have all members remain with the apparatus and await further orders |
| Reduced Speed |
All warning device should be turned off and proceed to alarm location |
| Standby |
Pull to the side of the road and stop. Remain in the apparatus and await further orders |
| Silent Alarm |
No warning devices employed within the last three blocks unless fire or smoke is visible |
| Local Alarm |
A dictated response made at “Emergency Speed” |
| Tactical Box |
Automatic response of first two engines, two ladders, and first assigned Battalion Chief to a box, which must be investigated and restored |
| Box Alarm |
Full automatic response of 4 engines, 2 ladders, 2 battalion chiefs, and 1 medic unit to a box, which must be investigated and restored |
| Investigation |
A single unit response |
| Limited Response |
Unit(s) dispatched to a school or prison facility to investigate a fire that was extinguished. Units will respond to this type assignment at reduced speed |
| Spill Response |
A dictated response made at reduced speed |
| Alarm Level |
Response |
| Rubbish / Brush / Autos |
1 engine company |
| Fire Alarm |
Either 1 engine OR 1 engine and 1 ladder |
| Tactical Box |
2 engine companies
2 ladder comapnies
1 Battalion Chief
1 medic unit (if reports of people trapped are received) |
All Hands Tactical Box
2&2 in service on a box |
When all of the original companies on a tactical box are placed in service, or the first 2 engines and ladders on a full box the following will be added:
1 RIT (rapid intervention team) Ladder
1 medic unit
1 SOC (special operations command) unit - Squad-47 OR Squad-72 OR Rescue-1
FM-21 (acting shift fire marshall) |
| Full Box |
4 engine companies
2 ladder companies
2 battalion chiefs |
| All Hands Box |
When all hands are placed in service on a full box, the following will be added (minus any units that may have been added if 2&2 went in service first):
1 RIT (rapid intervention team) Ladder
1 medic unit
1 SOC (special operations command) unit - Squad-47 or Squad-72 AND Rescue-1
1 Division Chief - Deputy-1 OR Deputy-2
FM-21 (acting shift fire marshall)
1 EMS supervisor - ES-4 OR ES-5 |
| 2nd Alarm |
In addition to the units on the full box, the following will be added (the balance of the 2nd alarm may be filled out if additional units were requested prior to the 2nd alarm being struck out, i.e. 2 additional engines & ladders may have been requested):
5 engine companies
1 ladder company
3 Battalion Chiefs
1 additional Deputy Chief
The 3rd SOC company Squad-47 OR Squad-72 OR Rescue-1
1 medic unit
Field Comm Unit
ES-4 OR ES-5 |
| 3rd Alarm |
4 engine companies
1 ladder company
1 Battalion Chief |
| 4th Alarm |
4 engine companies
1 ladder company |
| 5th Alarm & Greater |
4 engine companies are added on every alarm of fire over 4. |
