January 1, 2005 / Fire
Terminology

Apparatus Terminology

The following terminology will be used when referring to units or apparatus of the fire department. Names and explanation will provide system users with a better understanding of what is being referred to:

Engine
/
  • Meets NFPA 1901 requirements
  • 1000 GPM or greater pump
  • Adapters for local conditions
  • (2) 1 ½ or 1 ¾ “ or 2” pre-connected hand line, minimum of 150 feet length
  • 500 feet of 4 or 5” supply line or capable of 500 feet dual 3 or 3 ½ “ supply
Fixed or portable master stream device, minimum 500 GPM
Squirt
/ Engine with elevated master stream
Ladder
/ Meets NFPA 1901 for Aerials
Straight Ladder – minimum of 75 feet.
Tower
/
  • Meets NFPA 1901 for Aerials
  • Tower ladder – telescoping platform
Ladder tower – ladder and bucket combination
January 1, 2005 / Fire
Terminology
Snorkel
/ Meets NFPA 1901 for Aerials
Articulating Boom
Rescue

/
  • Auto rescue:
Unit which has sufficient BVR personnel and must meet the equipment listing for First Response from the Pennsylvania Voluntary Rescue Service Recognition Program
  • Fire rescue:
Unit is to support ladder and engine company operations. This unit will have sufficient equipment to support either function. This unit will be equipped with all the tolls that a Rescue would carry with the exception of the hydraulic power equipment used for extrication. It may also have a generator wit a light tower, air cascade system or hydraulic power equipment used for extrication. This unit will carry 4 or more firefighters.
  • Trench rescue
  • Technical rescue
  • Cliff rescue
Confined space rescue
Tanker
/
  • Meets NFPA 1901 requirements
  • 2000 gallons water capacity or more
  • Recommend portable tank equal or greater than size of tanker up to 4000 gallons
  • Siphon device or low level strainer with siphoning capability
  • (2) Or more direct tank fills with 3” standard storz coupling
(1) Rear dump, consider side dumps minimum of 1000 GPM dump capacity.
January 1, 2005 / Fire
Terminology
Field
/
  • Meets NFPA 1906 requirements
  • 100 GPM minimum pump
  • 200 gallon water tank
  • Chain saw
  • (1) Pre-connected hand line, any size, minimum 150 feet
  • (2) Indian tanks or backpack units or PW
  • Any combination of shovels, rakes, or brush hooks

Tac
/
  • Meets NFPA requirements
  • 1000 GPM and under
  • Adapters for local conditions
  • (2) 1 ½ or 1 ¾ “ or 2” pre-connected hand line, minimum 150 feet length.

Utility
/
  • Pickup truck or van

Special Service
/
  • Apparatus used for specialized fire ground functions: air unit, light towers, generating station.

Chemical /
  • Carries foam, AFFF and other control agents for hazardous materials control.

Squad
/
  • Basic life-support ambulance

January 1, 2005 / Fire
Terminology
Medic
/
  • Advance life-support unit

F.P. /
  • Fire Police Unit

F.M. /
  • County and local fire marshals

Canteen
/
  • Canteen Unit for serving refreshments at a scene

Hazmat
/
  • Carries control agents for hazardous materials control.

Apparatus Terminology

It is recommended that when establishing apparatus numbers the unit identifier and station number only be used. In situations where stations have more than one of a specific type of apparatus, the first unit will be identified by the station number, the second, station number -1, etc.

Example: Engine 3

Engine 3-1, Engine 3-2

Ladder 3

Rescue 3

Tanker 3

Out of county apparatus will be identified using the identifiers used in their normal day-to-day operations preceded by the county from which they are located.

Example: Montgomery County Engine 11 for Bryn Athyn engine.

Mercer County Ladder 33 for West Trenton 's ladder. Etc.