Fire Suppression Terms
Like any other profession, firefighters work with their own specialized language:
First Alarm
Specified amount of equipment and staff needed to extinguish a normal size fire or incident.
For example, a First Alarm response for a house fire is two Engines, one Truck and a Battalion Chief.
Second Alarm
Fire or incident of greater magnitude than a First Alarm. Another complement of
First Alarm equipment is added to the initial response.
Third Alarm
Upgrade of Second Alarm where an additional complement of First Alarm units is added
along with any staff or equipment needed to support a large scale fire, medical emergency
or rescue operation.
Still Alarm
Single fire unit response such as electrical short, fence fire, or wires down.
Rescue Response
Any type of response where a person is trapped and needs specialized equipment or personnel
for extrication such as vehicle rescue, water rescue or cliff rescue.
Wildland Response
A Wildland is an area covered with vegetation, having minimal structures and limited access.
There are three levels of Wildland Response: Wildland Low, Wildland Medium and Wildland High.
The response level is determined by wind speed, the condition of the vegetation and humidity.
Canyon Rim Response
A Canyon Rim Response is used for grass fires in a canyon. A Brush Component
(2 Brush Rigs, 2 Engines, 1 Water Tender and 1 Battalion Chief) is sent to the bottom
and a Structure Component (3 Engines, 1 Truck and 1 Battalion Chief) is sent to the top.
Strike Team
Five like pieces of equipment that, with a Strike Team Leader (Battalion Chief), respond as
a unit to Wildland or Structure fires. Wildland strike teams are typically made up of
(Type 3) Brush Rigs while Structure Strike Teams are made up of (Type 1) Engines.
Task Force
Two or more units assigned to function together as a single unit for a special incident
or purpose. May be any combination of equipment.
High Rise Response
The San Diego Fire-Rescue Department sends a High Rise Response to any
building over four stories. 4 Engines, 2 Trucks, 1 Light/Air Rig and 2
Battalion Chiefs respond to a high rise incident. All hospitals, regardless
of number of stories, receive a High Rise Response due to potential evacuation.
Airport Alerts are incidents involving aircraft.
San Diego International Airport, Montgomery Field, and Brown Field
Alert I
Aircraft approaching with minor difficulty. (Airport units will respond
- notify B1).
Alert II
Aircraft approaching with major difficulty. Airport units, R4 and B1 will
respond, transmit first alarm only if requested by units on the field
(R1, R2, R3) or B1.
Alert III
Aircraft crash on or near the Airport - immediate emergency action required
(Airport units and first alarm if on field, second alarm if in residential
area).
Alert IV
Bomb threat aboard aircraft (one engine company, MAST Captain, EDT Technician, and Battalion Chief initially respond).
- Hijack situation. Hijack is the unlawful seizure of an aircraft. The response to this
situation is controlled by the FAA (in the air) or the FBI (on the ground).
Crashes Off Air Field
Alert V
Aircraft crash in a populated area. Automatic 2nd Alarm, with closest
Crash Rig available, R4 and a paramedic.
Reduced Alert V
Aircraft crash where there is a limited hazard. On a freeway, or city street,
for example, and there is NO FIRE. Automatic 1st Alarm with closest Crash Rig.
Wildland Alert V
Aircraft crash in a wildland, unpopulated area. Crash 2 Rig, R4, Water
Tender, 2 Brush Rigs, Utility Rig and a Paramedic.
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