Positioning Apparatus

1
Positioning Apparatus

• Mississippi Fire Academy
• Certification Division

2
Outline

• Positioning Fire Department Pumpers
• A. Fire Attack Pumpers
• B. Water Source Supply Pumpers
• Positioning Wildland Fire Apparatus
• Structural Protection
• Making Fire Attack
• Breathing Air Supply Apparatus
• Emergency Medical Service Vehicles
• Special Positioning Situations
• Staging
• Operation on Highways
• Hazardous Materials Incidents
• Operating Near Railroads
• Emergency Medical Incidents

3
Introduction

• Apparatus should be positioned to allow maximum
  use.

4
Positioning Fire Department Pumpers

• Pumpers may supply hand lines or supply in relay.

5
Fire Attack Pumpers

• Positioning should be based on SOPs.
• Begins during size-up
• Considerations
• SOP
• Rescue
• Water supply
• Exposures
• Wind
• Terrain
• Relocation potential

6
Positioning to Support Aerial

• Engines must allow room
• Use Inside/Outside rule
• Less than 5 stories, park close to building
• More than 5 stories, aerial should be parked at
  building
• Pumpers supplying aerials park as close as
  possible

7
Supporting Fire Department Connection

• Position as close as possible
• Consider pre-incident planning/SOPs

8
Water Supply Pumpers(Drafting Operations)

• Should be identified during pre-incident planning
• Pumpers should stop before reaching the water
  source
• Connect hard suction
• Strainer should be kept off bottom

9
Water Supply Pumpers(Hydrant Operations)

• LDH connections
• D/O should be familiar with lengths
• Judgment of distances is a must
• Park at angles
• Side intake connections
• Stopping short
• Front rear connections
• Stop short or beyond
• Angle vehicle towards hydrants

10
Water Supply Pumpers(Hydrant Operations)

• Connection to 2.5 inch connection
• Maximum flow not needed
• LDH is not available
• Advantage
• Management
• Time
• Delay
• Disadvantage
• Limits water
• Higher friction loss
• Limit total flow
• Multiple Intake connection
• Determined by shortest line

11
Water Supply Pumpers(Hydrant Operations)

• Dual Pumping operations
• Utilizes available water
• Tandem Pumping
• Used when pressure is higher than 1 engine is
  capable of

12
Positioning Wildland Fire Apparatus

• Wildland Apparatus seldom stay in same position

13
Structural Protection

• Apparatus should be backed in
• Position in safety and convenience
• Off road ways
• Remove fuel
• Park near structures for attack
• Keep doors closed
• Recirculate A/C
• Avoid hazards

14
Making a Fire Attack

• Beware of conditions
• In poor visible areas use scouts
• Operate for maximum protection
• Avoid steep hills, loose ground
• Use shorter lines
• Use general engine operating guidelines

15
Positioning Support Apparatus
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Rescue/Squad Apparatus

• Positioning is not crucial
• Close but not blocking access

17
Command Vehicles

• Critical for incident management
• Guidelines
• Maximum visibility
• Position to allow others responding
• Out of immediate danger
• Avoid blocking or movement
• Display signs of command

18
Breathing Air Supply Apparatus

• Same as rescue
• Close enough to the scene
• Consult SOP requirements

19
Emergency Medical Service Vehicles

• Two primary types
• Paramedic/Quick response
• Ambulance
• Should be parked to allow other vehicle access
• Rehabilitation areas most likely spot

20
Special Positioning Situations
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Staging

• Level 1
• Used on every emergency with two like functioning
  engines

22
Staging

• Level 2
• Used for numerous emergency vehicles or multiple
  alarms

23
Operation on Highways

• Accessing the scene
• Long distances
• Bridges
• Water supply
• Rural or limited access highways
• Infrequent hydrant placement
• Use judgment in use of warning devices
• Consider parking additional apparatus 150-200ft
  behind shields

24
Hazardous Materials Incident

• Identify before entering
• Set defensive zones
• Bomb threats- avoid parking in same location

25
Operating Near Railroads

• Never park on railroad tracks
• Park on same side if possible
• If line must be stretch
• Consult rail company

26
Emergency Medical Incidents

• Park off street if possible
• Use apparatus for shielding