Salisbury Fire Department
Quint Concept
"Here's How We Roll" by: Chief Parnell
The Salisbury Fire Department operates from 4 stations. Our standard response to structure fires includes 4 Quints, 1 Rescue Engine, 1 Squad, 1 Safety Officer, 1 Battalion Chief, and a Division Chief with a minimum of 19 firefighters. To gain the most effective use of our Quints without losing the typical truck company functions, we use pre-designated company assignments that are based on the order of arrival and the type of apparatus. All major companies (Quints and Engines) are staffed with a minimum of 3 personnel. The below Pre-Designated Company Assignments (PDA is the term often used around here) Operational Guideline is structured for medium commercial properties and large residential dwellings. A separate operational guideline is in use for high-rise (over 4 floors). These have served us well. All the companies know their primary jobs before they arrive and our companies go “right to work,” meaning on “Smoke Showing” and “Working Fire” conditions, our crews announce that they are on the scene and announce the tasks that they will work based on the operational policy. No waiting for an officer to figure out what to tell you to do, and no need to stage just to be forgotten. The Battalion Chiefs and Division Chiefs have the ability to take-in the whole scene and focus on the progress of the crews. On arrival of the Division Chief, the Battalion Chief is assigned as “Interior Operations” coordinating the crews inside and providing an objective size-up of the interior conditions. Let’s face it, with a minimum staffing of 3, we need all hands on the interior in a coordinated and accounted for manner. As you review the PDA, you will see that the first in Quint is the Engine-work crew and the Rescue teams up with them to perform primary engine work and a primary search of the immediate fire areas. The second Quint is the first truck-work crew. It splits to form the Inside Team and Outside teams. The inside team conducts primary search of the remaining areas. The Squad teams with the outside team to form the outside/VES (Vent-Enter-Search) team and do the outside work to include ground ladders, utility control, aerial, and roof and window work.
We fully understand that the use of Quints instead of traditional Engine-Truck combination is a controversial subject in the fire service. In fact, we had a lot of pride and we thrived in our “Truck-work” here in Salisbury for a long time. We studied Quint concepts extensively (we didn’t haphazardly advance to it). We visited Richmond, VA Fire Department to view Quints in action. As we decided that Quints were the way to go for our town, we made the statement - “If we are going Quint Concept, we are going FULL Quint Concept.” And we did. All four stations have Quints although all four has different attributes. We have (2) 75’ straight sticks, (1) 103’ stick, and (1) 95’ Platform. They are equipped with either a 1500 or 2000 GPM pump and all have 500 gallon booster tanks. Rescue Engine 1 serves as both a Rescue and an Engine.
We use Squads to run the majority of the medical calls city wide. Our squads are staffed with 2 personnel. The most critical medical calls based on EMD criteria still receive the closest Quint or Rescue. Each of our four stations has a reserve engine. If the Quint goes down mechanically, the engine takes its place in the dispatch. The Engines are also our call-back units. Second alarms bring in pre-arranged volunteer companies and the third alarm brings in our off-duty members who staff the engines. Our run cards go to the 6th alarm.
Hey, it works for us! Try it, it may work for you.
PRE-DESIGNATED COMPANY ASSIGNMENTS
Introduction
The Salisbury Fire Department, through the utilization of
this SOG, provides a standardized fire scene operations based on traditional
Engine and Truck company functions as recognized by the National Fire Protection
Association and years of local experience.
Purpose
The purpose of this Standard Operating Guide is to unify
and standardize Fire Company assignments used on all typical structural fires.
Scope
This SOG details the foundation of all structural fire operations; pre-fire plans specific to various occupancies or construction types supersede this SOG. The Pre-designated Company Assignment procedure heightens the need for company officers to coordinate actions with other companies and to communicate actions to the Command Officer.
First Arriving Quint:
(Engine)
The first arriving company, assuming First Engine duties will initiate a size-up of the scene upon arrival and function as the first due engine. In cases where smoke is showing or working fire conditions are present the first arriving company should complete the following task:
Second Arriving Quint: (Truck)
The second arriving company will function as the first due Truck Company. The Captain and Firefighter are to function as the inside team completing forcible entry, primary search of the most endangered areas, and horizontal ventilation.
The 1st
due truck should be positioned on the “A” side of the structure for aerial
operations if possible.
Third Arriving Quint: (Engine)
The third arriving company will function as the second engine. In cases where the first arriving engine has confirmed a working fire or heavy smoke showing the following task should be completed:
Fourth Arriving Quint: (Truck)
The fourth arriving company will function as the second truck. The second truck where practical will position opposite (usually on the “C” side) of the 1st due truck and will complete the following task:
The first arriving commander will establish command of the incident and if necessary expand the command structure to include division and groups.
Division Chiefs upon their arrival may assume command and reassign Battalions or other commanding officers to Divisions or Groups as required.
A safety officer will be established with the on duty safety officer/inspector. The Safety Officer will don full equipment and be prepared to assume interior safety operations.