Glossary of Common Fire Fighting Terms

 

Permission Granted To Copy These Terms For Your Own Use or For Training Aids
This list is incomplete. You can help by adding to it. Please make sure the entry is not already
Glossary

Firefighting jargon includes a mix of both common and idiosyncratic terms. One problem that exists in trying to create a list such as this is that much of the terminology used by a particular department is specifically defined in their particular SOPs, such that two department may have completely different terms for the same thing.

Alphabetical Listing

A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K , L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, W, X, Y, Z

A

Back

B

Back

C

  • Cellar Fire - Cellar fires are difficult to attack directly because firefighters have to pass through the hot gasses and smoke accumulated on the cellar's ceiling to gain access to the cellar space. Cellars typically do not have good emergency egress points, adding to the danger.
    • .

  • Cellar Pipe - Cellar Nozzle. A distributing type nozzle that is inserted through an opening in the floor and into the space below, typically a basement or cellar. The nozzle directs a broken stream horizontally, either extinguishing or controlling the fire enough to allow a direct attack to be safely made. Can also be used on top of other containers.

  • Charged Line - firehose under pressure from the pump at the engine.

  • Chimney fire - Fast and intense fire in a chimney flue in which accumulated creosote and other combustion byproducts ignite.

  • Closet hook - Pike pole under 5 ft long .

  • CO Detector - Fire departments have battery operated devices that can measure gasses in the air. These are often used to determine the presence of Carbon Monoxide in structures after fires have been determined ";Under Control";. They can also detect the presence of CO in homes and some other gasses.

  • Cockloft - structural space above ceiling and below rafters, often connecting adjacent occupancies and permitting fire to spread laterally, often unseen.

  • Collapse zone - The area around a structure that would contain debris if the building where to collapse.

  • Clear - This is the same as "In Service" for some departments.

  • Code One - Traveling to a location with no lights or sirens. Or Responding to the call

  • Code Three - Traveling to an emergency location WITH lights and siren It should be noted that in most states there is no such thing as ";Code Two"; However you may see apparatus traveling through residential areas at night without the siren on. This is just a courtesy to the people in the area.

  • Code Four - This is a signal that some police departments use to convey that everything is under control. Fire departments almost never use this term.

    • Note: These codes are not to be confused with the complicated codes used by some police departments. Some police and even some fire departments do use a system of number codes in an effort to talk privately or quickly on the radio. The widespread knowledge of what these codes mean and the use of cell phones have caused many cities to abandon the practice in favor of plain language. Responding, On Scene, Available, In Service, In Quarters, Out of Service, Etc.

  • Combustion or burning - Is a complex sequence of chemical reactions between a fuel and an oxidant accompanied by the production of heat or both heat and light in the form of either a glow or flames.

  • Command - Command exists for every incident. The person in charge of the incident.

  • Command Staff - The command staff consists of the information officer, safety officer and liaison officer. They report directly to the incident commander and may have assistants.

  • Compartment Fire - An "Isolated" fire, or a fire which is "boxed in" or "closed off" from the rest of the structure. An example of this is a fire in a room where all the windows and doors are closed preventing the fire from spreading to other rooms

  • Complex - Two or more individual incidents located in the same general area which are assigned to a single incident commander or unified command.

  • Contain a fire - A fuel break around the fire has been completed. This break may include natural barriers or manually and/or mechanically constructed line.

  • Control a fire - The complete extinguishment of a fire, including spot fires. Fire line has been strengthened so that flare-ups from within the perimeter of the fire will not break through this line.

  • Control Line - All built or natural fire barriers and treated fire edge used to control a fire.

  • Confined space - Is a term that refers to an area whose cramped conditions make it dangerous. Confined spaces present special hazards to workers, including risks of toxic gas accumulation, fires, falls, flooding, and entrapment. A utility tunnel, the inside of a boiler (only accessible when the boiler is off), the inside of a fluid storage tank, and a small underground electrical vault could all be classified as confined spaces.

  • Conflagration - -A large, typically urban, fire involving numerous structures; loosely defined as enveloping an area equivalent to one or more square blocks. Compare with firestorm.

  • Crash Truck or Tender - A pump capable of spraying foam used at airports.

  • Cross lay - Arrangement of hose on a pumper such that it can be quickly unloaded from either side of the apparatus; often pre-connected to a pump outlet and equipped with a suitable nozzle.

  • Crown Fire (Crowning) - The movement of fire through the crowns of trees or shrubs more or less independently of the surface fire.

Back

D

  • Dalmatian - "Firehouse dog."
    The Dalmatian's reputation as a firehouse dog appears to be rooted in its popular use as a carriage dog; that is, a dog whose role was to run alongside, and sometimes even under, horse-drawn carriages (therefore also known as Spotted Coach-dog). Carriage dogs were useful for clearing the way in front of the carriage, possibly for helping to control the horses when at a full run (such as for horse-drawn fire engines), and undoubtedly because they were attractive and eye-catching. This use might have transferred to horse-drawn fire engines, although it is unclear why this link is made in the United States and not other countries. It is less well known that Dalmatians were also used as guard dogs, protecting a firehouse and its equipment from its rival firehouses.

  • Deck Gun - A large water nozzle attached to a engine. Deck guns deliver larger amounts of water than hand-held hose. (See also Master Stream). This is also sometimes called a "deluge nozzle".

  • Defensive Operations - This is what usually appears on the news. This is a fire ground strategy based on firefighter safety and the protection of exposures. The goal is to simply confine the fire to the building/area of origin. No aggressive interior fire fighting operations take place in the defensive mode. All fire streams are operated onto the fire from the outside. This strategy is employed when a fire has advanced to the point where attack operations  are too dangerous, and/or the fire is beyond the capabilities of on scene resources.

  • Direct Attack - Putting the wet stuff on the red stuff." A form of fire attack in which hoses are advanced to the fire inside a structure and hose streams directed at the burning materials.

  • Discharge Flow - The amount of water flowing from a fire hydrant when it is opened; compare to static flow and residual flow

  • Dispatch - Refers to person or place designated for handling a call for help by alerting the specific resources necessary.

  • Dispatch Center - A facility from which resources are directly assigned to an incident.

  • Dispatchers - Are communications personnel responsible for receiving and transmitting messages, tracking vehicles and equipment, and recording other important information.

  • District (or District Chief) - This is subdivision within a fire department This is usually comprised of several battalions. Some fire departments use the term "district" to describe a group of resources made up of companies. This is more commonly referred to as a battalion in the US. In Canada the word district is usually used in place of the word battalion.

  • Double Female - firehose adapter for connecting two "male" couplings together; may also adapt different sizes on either side.

  • Double Male - Hose coupling adapter with two male-threaded connectors back-to-back; used for connecting two female couplings together.

  • Dry Chemical - A fire extinguishing agent. It works by breaking the chemical chain reaction in the "fire tetrahedron".

  • Dry Hydrant - A fire hydrant with a valve located at the bottom of the barrel, near the water main. The barrel of the hydrant remains dry until used. The prevents the hydrant from freezing in sub-zero temperatures. Also maybe a hydrant that is out of service.

  • Dry Powders - Fire extinguishing agents for use on flammable metals. Each agent is typically designed for use on either a single metal or very similar metals.

  • Dry Sprinkler - A sprinkler system having pressurized air (rather than water) in the distribution pipes until a heat-activated sprinkler head opens and releases the pressure, which opens a water valve (and possibly an accelerator valve) to flow water to the open head; used where the protected premises are not heated during freezing temperatures or where pressurized water in overhead sprinkler pipes could create another hazard.

  • Drafting - Pulling water from a source other than a hydrant or another fire apparatus. Cisterns, lakes, ponds and swimming pools are often used in drafting operations Many departments in rural areas and without fire hydrants use drafting.

  • Drills - Training during which an emergency is simulated and the trainees go through the steps of responding as if it were a real emergency.

  • Drip Torch - Hand-held device for igniting fires by dripping flaming liquid fuel on the materials to be burned; consists of a fuel fount, burner arm, and igniter. Fuel used is generally a mixture of diesel and gasoline.

Back

E

  • Eductor - Suction device operated by hose pressure to pull fluid from a reservoir and mix it with the hose stream; often used to add foam or other materials to water streams.

  • Elevator Key - Control panel override key to take elevator car to desired floor. May also refer to special tool used to open elevator shaft-protection doors from outside.

  • Electrical Fire - A fire in which the primary source of heat is electricity, resulting in combustion of adjacent insulation and other materials; may be hazardous to attempt to extinguish using water.

  • EMS - The Emergency Medical Service system (known by the acronym "EMS" in the USA, Australia and Canada) is responsible for providing pre-hospital (or out-of-hospital) care by paramedics, emergency medical technicians (EMT's), and medical first responders EMS is also synonymous with: First Aid Squad, Emergency Squad, Safety Squad, Rescue Squad, Ambulance Squad, Life Squad or its initials spelled out, Emergency Medical Service. They usually all do the same thing but with different names, all representing the same basic thing: emergency patient care.

      The goal of EMS is to provide early treatment to those in need of urgent medical care, and ultimately rapid transportation to an Emergency department. Stabilizing patients early (within the golden hour) significantly increases their chances of survival, particularly in the event of a heart attack, diabetic emergency, or severe physical trauma. Many EMT responsibilities also require the EMT to extricate the patient from where they are - whether it is in a tight location in a home, or from a vehicle using the jaws of life.

  • Emergency responders - Are persons who respond to a call for help to an emergency telephone number. Typically they are sent by an emergency dispatch center. Many countries have special emergency numbers, such as 911 in North America, 999 in Britain or 000 in Australia.

  • Engine - This is an apparatus designed for fire attack. It is the most common vehicle in fire departments. This apparatus carries, hose and usually about 500 - 1000 gallons of water. It also has a fire pump. Modern fire pumps can pump over 1500 GPM (Gallons Per Minute). These vehicles can also have the ability to supply foam and usually carries 3-4 personnel. Some departments, especially in Canada, refer to these apparatus as "Pumpers". Some departments, even in the US may refer to their engines as "Pump 2" etc. at times. They can be just about any color. You can see apparatus colored: Red, Blue, Black, Lime Yellow, Yellow, or White, just to name the more common colors.

  • Engine Company - A group of firefighters assigned to an apparatus with a water pump and equipped with firehose and other tools related to fire extinguishment.

  • Engine house - A firehouse housing an engine company.

  • Engineer - In most departments, the engineer is the person that drives the Fire Engine or Ladder Truck. They can be known by several names. "Driver" "Fire Equipment Operator" (FEO) "Chauffeur" and others. The engineer is also responsible for all of the equipment that is on the apparatus and making sure that it is clean and in good working condition. They also run the pumps, etc. when they are at a fire. If they are the driver of a truck, they are responsible for running the aerial device (ladder etc.) and other tools such as generators or extrication tools.

  • Enhanced 9-1-1 - Electronic system for automatic correlation of physical telephone lines with information about the location of the caller - a useful tool for dispatchers when the caller has an emergency but cannot speak.

  • Evacuation - Removal of personnel from a dangerous area, in particular, a HAZMAT incident, burning building, or other emergency. Also refers to act of removing firefighters from a structure in danger of collapsing.

  • Entrapment - A situation where personnel are unexpectedly caught in a fire behavior-related, life-threatening position where planned escape routes or safety zones are absent, inadequate, or compromised. An entrapment may or may not include deployment of a fire shelter for its intended purpose. These situations may or may not result in injury. They include "near misses."

  • Escape Route - A preplanned and understood route firefighters take to move to a safety zone or other low-risk area, such as an already burned area, previously constructed safety area, a meadow that won’t burn, natural rocky area that is large enough to take refuge without being burned. When escape routes deviate from a defined physical path, they should be clearly marked (flagged).

  • Evolution - Uniform sequence of practiced steps by squad carrying out common tasks such as selection and placement of ladders, stowing hoses in hose bed, putting hoses and tools into service in particular patterns; intended to result in predictability during emergencies.

  • Exothermic Reaction - Chemical reaction giving off heat in the process, such as combustion.

  • Exposure - These are all the endangered structures or other property that can be subsequently damaged by a fire traveling from another fire. This can include anything from autos to other buildings to stacked products to crops. The protection of exposures is a prime concern for any fire. Something that many people may not realize is that large fires can radiate intense heat. This can cause objects 100 feet away or more to burn. This is why you may see firefighters applying water to structures or objects across the street from heavy fires. There does not have to be direct flame contact for an object to apparently burst into flames. Fires from petroleum products such as natural gas, propane, or gasoline can be especially intense sources of radiated heat. Vehicles are common victims of radiated heat. Paint can be damaged or plastic parts melted great distances from the actual fire.

  • Extrication - The systematic and safe freeing or removal of persons who are trapped or pinned. This can be accomplished by highly technical means or may be a easy as opening a locked door.

  • Extension ladder - A 20-60 foot ladder with one or more movable sections that extend beyond a base section, typically using a halyard rope and pulley mechanism for lifting and locking cams to latch the moving sections at a selected height.

  • Extinguisher - Device containing fire suppressant, often pressurized to expel suppressant when triggered by operator or an automatic release mechanism. Important to properly select type of extinguisher appropriate to type of material burning (wood, grease, electrical, etc). May be portable or permanently installed for special suppression purposes, such as fires in aircraft engines, restaurant exhaust hoods, or computer rooms.

Back

F

  • FAST (or F.A.S.T.) - Firefighter Assist and Search Team (also called Rapid Entry Team or Rapid Intervention Team) — firefighters assigned to stand by for rescue of other firefighters inside a structure; an implementation to support the Two-in, two-out rule; may have specialized training, experience and tools.

  • Fire Alarm Control Panel - System for receiving and announcing location of fire based upon input from smoke, flame or heat detectors, or manual call points or pull stations. Marked in Zones. This way the fire department can find the location of the alarm where the problem is.

  • Fire Break - A natural or constructed barrier used to stop or check fires that may occur, or to provide a control line from which to work.

  • Fire Classification - Fires are generally classified into four groups: A, B, C, and D.:
    1. Class A: Fires that involve wood, cloth, rubber, paper, and some types of plastics.
    2. Class B: Fires that involve gasoline, oil, paint, natural and propane gases, and flammable liquids, gases, and greases.
    3. Class C: Fires that involve any of the materials found in Class A and B fires, but with the introduction of an electrical appliances, wiring, or other electrically energized objects in the vicinity of the fire.
    4. Class D: Fires that involve combustible metals, such as sodium, magnesium, and potassium.

      • A fifth group, Class K, is sometimes added. It refers to fires involving large amounts of grease or oil. Although, by definition, Class K is a subclass of Class B, the special characteristics of these types of fires are considered important enough to recognize.

  • Fire Department Connection - A location in which pumping apparatus hooks to a buildings standpipe and or sprinkler system. Usually a 3" female connection.

  • Fire District - This is different from a district within a city or a District Chief. See "District Chief". A fire district is an established tax district. This may include several cities or towns. It may also be a rural area. You can almost think of this as a co-op. Many volunteer fire departments are set up as districts that serve several communities. But this is not always the case.

  • Fire Door - A fire door is a type of door, or closure used as a passive fire protection item within buildings to prevent the spread of fire. It is usually the only means of allowing people to pass through a fire-resistance rated wall assembly. It is made of a combination of materials, such as steel, gypsum, vermiculite-boards, which, together, form a system.

  • Fire Engineering - Scientific design of materials, structures and processes for fire safety

  • Fire Escape - A building structure arranged outside to assist in safe evacuation of occupants during an emergency; may connect horizontally beyond a fire wall or vertically to a roof or (preferably) to the ground, perhaps with a counter-weighted span to deny access to intruders.

  • Fire Flow --The amount of water being pumped onto a fire, or required to extinguish a hypothetical fire. A critical calculation in light of the axiom that an ordinary fire will not be extinguished unless there is sufficient water to remove the heat of the fire.

  • Fire Hazard - Materials, structures or processes that may result in creating a fire, permitting a fire to grow undetected, or preventing people from escaping a fire.

  • Fire Hydraulics - is a science that, in its broadest terms, deals with water and other fluids while at rest and in motion. In the Fire Service, the scope of this definition is usually limited to the study of water used for firefighting purposes. The study of pumps, hoses, pipes, accessories and tools for moving water or other extinguishing agents from a water supply to a fire. Theory and practical application of principles of water and fluid flow under pressure

  • Fire Inspector - A person responsible for issuing permits and enforcing the fire code, including any necessary premises inspection, as before allowing (or during) a large indoor gathering.

  • Fire Intensity - A general term relating to the heat energy released by a fire.

  • Fire Line - A boundary of a fire scene established for public safety and to identify the area in which firefighters may be working.

  • Fire load - (Btu/sq ft): An estimate of the amount of heat that will be given off during ordinary combustion of all the fuel in a given space; e.g., a bedroom or a lumberyard.

  • Fire Marshal - Is a member of a Fire Department responsible for investigating fires. Fire Marshals are generally both sworn law enforcement officers and experienced firefighters..

  • Fire Point - Temperature at which materials give off flammable gases that will sustain fire, typically higher than flash point. Temperature at flash over.

  • Fire Prevention - It concerns safety measures to prevent the effects of fires and is the result of proper use of fire protection measures.

  • Fire Resistant - Materials designed or treated to have an increased fire point.

  • Fire Safety Code - (Fire safety code): regulations for fire prevention and safety involving flammables, explosives and other dangerous operations and occupancies.

  • Fire Shelter - An aluminized tent offering protection by means of reflecting radiant heat and providing a volume of breathable air in a fire entrapment situation. Fire shelters should only be used in life-threatening situations, as a last resort.

  • Fire Shelter Deployment - The removing of a fire shelter from its case and using it as protection against fire.

  • Fire Storm - .Violent conflagration of convection caused by a large continuous area of intense fire. A great enough proportions to noticeably create its own wind conditions Often characterized by destructively violent surface in drafts, near and beyond the perimeter, and sometimes by tornado-like whirls.

  • Fire Service - The fire service, also known in some countries as the fire brigade or fire department, is one of the emergency services

  • Fire Sprinklers - Are an active fire protection measure subject to stringent bounding. They are connected to a fire suppression system that consists of overhead pipes fitted with sprinkler heads throughout the coverage area. Fire sprinkler systems for high-rises are usually also equipped with a fire pump, and a jockey pump and are tied into the fire alarm system. Although historically only used in factories and large commercial buildings, home and small building systems are now available at a relatively cost-effective price.

  • Fire Tetrahedron - The fire tetrahedron is based on the components of igniting or extinguishing a fire. Each component represents a property necessary to sustain fire: fuel, oxygen, heat, and chemical chain reaction. Extinguishment is based upon removing or hindering any one of these properties.

  • Fire Triangle - Model for understanding the major components necessary for fire: heat, fuel and oxygen. See also fire tetrahedron for a more comprehensive model.

  • Fire Wall - Building structure designed to delay horizontal spread of a fire from one area of a building to another; often regulated by fire code and required to have self-closing doors, and fireproof construction.

  • Fire Whirl - (Dancing Lady) Spinning vortex column of ascending hot air and gases rising from a fire and carrying aloft smoke, debris, and flame. Fire whirls range in size from less than one foot to more than 500 feet in diameter. Large fire whirls have the intensity of a small tornado.

  • Firefighter - A firefighter, fireman, or fire woman, is a person who is trained and equipped to put out fires, rescue people, pets, aid and assist during natural disasters and, increasingly, provide emergency medical services. Firefighters are occasionally nicknamed "Jake", "bucket head" (often used a mildly derisive term), "hose jockey", "smoke eater," or "leather lungs." The three main goals in firefighting are (in order) protection of life, the environment and property.

  • Firefighting - Is the process and profession of extinguishing fires. Firefighting and firefighters have become ubiquitous around the world, from urban areas to wildland areas, and on board ships. Not all firefighters are paid for their services. In some countries, including the United States, Canada, Finland, Australia, and New Zealand, there are often paid, or "career" ("professional" is falling out of popular usage due to the perception that non-paid volunteers would thus be termed "unprofessional"), firefighters working alongside volunteer and "call" or "retained" (firefighters who are paid for the specific time they are responding to emergencies) firefighters
    Firefighting is an inherently dangerous occupation. As such, the skills required for safe operations are regularly practiced during training evolutions throughout a firefighter's career.

  • Firefighting Resources --All people and major items of equipment that can or potentially could be assigned to fires.

  • Fire Ground - The operational area at the scene of a fire; area in which incident commander is in control. Also used as name of radio frequency to be used by units operating in the fire ground, as in “Responding units switch to fire ground.”

  • Firehouse/ Fire Station - A firehouse or fire station is a building or other area set aside for storage of firefighting apparatus (i.e, fire engines and related vehicles), personal protective equipment, firehose, fire extinguishers, and other firefighting equipment. It may also have dormitory living facilities and work areas such as meeting rooms, workshop, or laundry. Living areas are sometimes arranged above the garage bays and firefighters may have special means to allow entry to the ground floor quickly when a call for help is received such as sliding down a brass pole (called a fire pole). This arrangement also allows for a raised area to hang hoses to dry to prevent damage. In a one floor station, a tower like structure is sometimes used specially for hose hanging.

  • Fit Test - Periodic test of how well the face piece of an SCBA fits a particular firefighter.

  • Flammable range, limits - The percentage mixture of fumes with air that will sustain fire; outside the limits the mixture is either too lean or too rich to burn.

  • Flare-up - Any sudden acceleration of fire spread or intensification of a fire. Unlike a blow-up, a flare-up lasts a relatively short time and does not radically change control plans.

  • Flash point - Lowest temperature at which a material will emit vapor combustible in air mixture. Lower than fire point of same material.

  • Flash Over - simultaneous ignition of combustible materials in a closed space, as when materials simultaneously reach their fire point; may also result in rollover.

  • Foam - This is a mixture of water and a product that causes foam OR reduces the surface tension of the water. In the movies you think of airports "foaming the runways." Today, foam is use more often for structure fires and protecting exposures. The mixture of foam concentrate can be from as much 6% to as little as .3%. The lower concentrations are to cause the water to be able to penetrate burning substances by reducing the surface tension. This is especially valuable in situations where there are debris. It is difficult to extinguish bails of hay or tires without foam. A mixture of 3% might be used for a liquid hydrocarbon fire while 6% is used for burning alcohol. In the past it was only specialized apparatus that had the ability to pump foam at will. It is now common for fire engines to be able to provide foam at the flip of a switch in many communities. There is more than one type of foam.

  • Fog Nozzle - A nozzle that discharges water in small droplets. Oftentimes, the nozzles are adjustable, permitting the pattern to range from a straight stream to a narrow fog to a wide fog stream. Can also be designed to automatically adjust pressure depending upon selected pattern.

  • Fog Stream - A fire stream characterized by small droplets of water. The droplets are unable to travel very far, but absorb heat very quickly because of the high surface area they present.

  • Forcible Entry - gaining entry to an area using force to disable or bypass security devices, typically using force tools, sometimes using tools specialized for entry (e.g., Halligan, K-tool).their fire point; may also result in rollover.

  • Forward Lay - Procedure of stringing water supply hose from a water source toward a fire scene; compare with reverse lay. their fire point; may also result in rollover.

  • Freelancing - dangerous situation at an incident where an individual carries out tasks alone or without being assigned; violation of personnel accountability procedures. their fire point; may also result in rollover.

  • Friction Loss - Reduction of flow in a firehose caused by friction between the water and the lining of the hose. Depends primarily upon diameter, type and length of hose, and amount of water (GPM) flowing through.

  • Forcible Entry - This is a term often heard in news interviews. It is the act of gaining access to a structure or vehicle through means other than an open window or door. Frequently, firefighters must force open doors that are locked or blocked in order to enter a structure to search for victims & extinguish a fire. A wide variety of hand, power & hydraulic tools can be used for forcible entry.

  • Fuel - Combustible material. Includes, vegetation, such as grass, leaves, ground litter, plants, shrubs and trees, that feed a fire. (See Surface Fuels.).

  • Fuel Bed - An array of fuels usually constructed with specific loading, depth and particle size to meet experimental requirements; also, commonly used to describe the fuel composition in natural settings.

  • Fuel Reduction -Manipulation, including combustion, or removal of fuels to reduce the likelihood of ignition and/or to lessen potential damage and resistance to control.

  • Fully Involved - Term of size-up meaning fire, heat and smoke in a structure are so widespread that internal access must wait until fire streams can be applied.

  • Fusee/Flare -A colored flare designed as a railway warning device and widely used to ignite suppression and prescription fires. Used on roads and highways to warn on coming traffic at an accident scene

Back

G

  • GPM - Gallons Per Minute. Everything we do, with regard to extinguishing fires with water, is about GPM. We talk of the amount of GPM's we will need to extinguish a theoretical fire or while formulating strategy on a working fire. A large apartment or warehouse fire may require thousands of gallons a minute to stop the spread and extinguish. A simple formula we might use is: length X width = (area) X .33. Using this, a 6000 sq ft structure would need a minimum of approximately 2000 GPM, per floor, to extinguish. This is more than the average fire hydrant or fire engine can provide.

  • Grease Fire - A fire involving any manner of cooking oil or other flammable cooking or lubricating materials.

Back

H

  • Halligan - An all-purpose steel prying bar used as a forcible entry tool. It looks like a adze with a point on the side. The story is that it was invented by a New York City firefighter named Huey Halligan. In some circles it is known as a "Pro Tool". Often this tool is married together with an ax. Together with possibly some other forcible entry tools, this is often referred to as "Irons".

  • Hard Line - A smaller hose about one inch in diameter used by firefighters to clean apparatus. Usually called a booster line. It is carried on the unit on a hose reel.

  • Hazard - A source of danger of personal injury or property damage; fire hazard refers to conditions that may result in fire or explosion, or may increase spread of an accidental fire, or prevent escape from fire. Under worker safety and health regulations, employers have a general duty to provide a workplace free of hazards. See also fire prevention, and HAZMAT.

  • HAZMAT - Hazardous materials, including solids, liquids, or gasses that may cause injury, death, or damage if released or triggered.

  • High Pressure System - A supplemental pump system used to pressurize the water supply, sometimes used during a large fire, or whenever more than one hydrant is being used.
    •

  • High Rise Building - Any building taller than three or four stories, depending upon local usage, requiring firefighters to climb stairs or aerial ladders for access to upper floors.

  • High Rise Pack - A shoulder load of hose with a nozzle, A spanner wrench, 2 1/2" to 1 1/2" cone reducer and other tools necessary to connect the hose to a standpipe. Usually 100 to 200 feet of 1 3/4 or 1 1/2" hose.

  • Hose or Pipe - Flexible conduit for moving liquids under pressure; made of various materials including cotton, rubber or plastic (such as PVC); construction may be braided, woven, wrapped or extruded, often in layers (liner and jacket); hose construction and size differs according to its intended use (e.g., hard suction, attack, forestry, booster); typically stocked in standard lengths and coupled together with standardized fittings

  • Hose Bed - part of fire engine (or hose wagon) where hose is stored for transport and easy access; stocked in layers or rows for quick selection of the desired length, diameter and type of hose; may include hoses "pre-connected" to pump outlets on the engine.

  • Hose Bridge - mechanical ramps permitting vehicle tires to roll over top of hose without pinching or damaging the hose. Sudden hose-pinch can cause dangerous back pressures in a running hose and at the pump and release of the pinch can cause a staggering surge at the nozzle end.

  • Hose Cabinet - Usually in a stairwell or hallway of a multiple story building or a large open area building. Often accessible by breaking glass to unlock secure enclosure. Has a ON/OFF valve, Very thin fiber cloth hose, and a nozzle all which is attached to a standpipe or plumbing system. To be used by occupants in case of a fire. The fire department can attach its own hose (See High Rise Pack) that they carry up with them.

  • Hose Clamp - A hose clamp or hose clip is a device used to attach and seal a hose that maybe leaking or ruptured. Can be used to change nozzle or other appliance to the hose, or replace a damaged section of hose.

  • Hose Coupling - rigid interlocking end-pieces on firehose; used for connecting hose to hydrants or fire engine pumps and other hose appliances (nozzles, wyes, manifolds, strainers, etc); standardized sizes and threads or other (non-threaded) pressure-sustaining interlocks (e.g., "Storz" or other "quarter-turn" connectors); lugs, cams, or pins are used to tighten and loosen couplings by hand or with a hose wrench.

  • Hose Roller - rigid frame with rollers designed to fit over windowsill or roof parapet to prevent chafing as hose is pulled across it. Can also refer to a machine designed for rolling hoses in preparation for storage.

  • Hose Tower - structure for hoisting hoses to permit them to drain and dry.

  • Hotshot Crew - An extensively trained group of approximately twenty people which specializes in wildfire suppression with little or no outside logistical support.

  • Hot zone - contaminated area of HAZMAT incident that must be isolated; requires suitable protective equipment to enter and decontamination upon exit; minimum hot zone distance from unknown material with unknown release is 330 feet (United Nations Emergency Response Guidebook); surrounded by "warm zone" where decontamination takes place.

  • Hurst Tool - This is the common manufacturer of something the public refers to as ";The Jaws Of Life";. There are several manufacturers of similar devices but many departments use the Hurst brand and will refer to theirs as "The Hurst Tool", "The Jaws" or simply as part of their "Extrication Tools"; etc. Jaws of Life is a trademarked line of tools originally developed by Hurst Performance, later owned by Hale Products, for use in auto racing. A hydraulic spreader was originally developed in 1972. "Because the tool reduced the time to extricate a victim from a car crash, literally snatching them from the 'jaws of death', the tool earned the name Jaws of Life."[1] Hurst later developed a cutter, and a hydraulic ram.

  • Hydrant - A fire hydrant (also known colloquially as a fire plug in the USA or as a johnny pump in New York City), is an active fire protection measure, and a source of water provided in most urban, suburban and rural areas with municipal water service to enable firefighters to tap into the municipal water supply to assist in extinguishing a fire.

    • Back

    I

    Back

    J

    Back

    K

    Back

    L

    • Ladder company - A group of fire fighters, officers and engineers that staff a ladder truck.

    • Ladder Pipe - This is the process of pumping water to a nozzle mounted on an aerial ladder. This can be a ladder with plumbing built in or it can be the process of laying hose on the ladder and attaching it to a nozzle and the rungs.

    • Large Diameter Hose - ";LDH"; - This is usually hose that is 5 inches in diameter. Using this hose, large volumes of water may be transported, under relatively low pressure. Many departments have converted to LDH from 3 inch. Some may carry both on their apparatus to give them flexibility and options You may hear this referred to, on the radio, as ";LDH"; or ";5 inch";. You can't drive over this stuff or move it. It is too big and heavy. If a fire department has time, you may be able to get them to place hose bridges so you can get over this hose. Do not get caught on the wrong side of it. You may be there for the duration it you do.

    • Level I, II, III Incident - A HAZMAT term denoting the severity of the incident and the type of response that may be necessary, where Level III is the largest or most dangerous.

    • Life Net - Portable net for attempting to catch victims falling or jumping from upper floors of burning structure. Not sure if many departments still use. Has been replaced by large inflatable bags like stunt men use.

    • Life Safety Code - NFPA publication.

    • Life Line - A rope used where its failure could result in serious injury; a rope used for connecting a firefighter/rescuer to a fixed anchor point or to another person.

    • Litter - Or Stretcher used to carry a patient

    • Loose Line - A firehose under pressure from a pump. Also, an energized electrical line that may cause a hazard to firefighters.

    • Loaded Stream - A hose stream that has had a surfactant added to assist in penetrating burning materials.

    Back

    M

    • Mass Casualty - Any incident that produces a large number of injured persons requiring emergency medical treatment and transportation to a medical facility. The exact number of patients that makes an incident "mass casualty" is defined by departmental procedures and may vary from area to area.

    • Master Box - An alarm system in which a local fire-alarm system triggers a fire alarm box (the master box) to signal the fire condition to a central monitor.

    • Master stream - A large nozzle, either portable or fixed to a pumper, capable of throwing large amounts of water relatively long distances.

    • Means of Egress - The way out of a building during an emergency; may be by door, window, hallway, or exterior fire escape; local fire codes will often dictate the size. location and type according to the number of occupants and the type of occupancy.

    • MICU or TCU - (Mobile Intensive Care Unit) This is what many people mistakenly refer to as an ";ambulance";. Many fire departments will still write the word ";ambulance"; on these vehicles because people expect it. A MICU is capable of Advanced Life Support (ALS). In the past, the job of the ambulance was to transport the patient to medical care as soon as possible. The term "ambulance" comes from the word "ambulate" which means "to move about" Today the goal is to bring advanced medical care to the patient as quickly as possible. With the exception of some procedures, such as blood replacement, surgery and some lab tests, the paramedics on the MICU can perform just about any procedure you would get at a hospital emergency department in the first thirty minutes of care. There are some variations on the name of this vehicle. In Canada they may be labeled, "Advance Life Support Ambulance, Ministry of Health". I have also seen "ALS Ambulance" on the side of vehicles.

    • Mop Up - To make a fire safe or reduce residual smoke after the fire has been controlled by extinguishing or removing burning material

    • Monitor, Multiversal, Master-stream - A large ground or apparatus mounted nozzle through which large amounts of water can be flowed. This device can often be remotely operated or it can be set up and allowed to run unattended.

    • Multiple Alarms - A request by an incident commander for additional personnel and apparatus. Each department will vary on the number of apparatus and personnel on each additional alarm.

    • Mutual Aid - This is an agreement between jurisdictions for the mutual assistance in the event of major events. Even the largest departments may need help from time to time. There is usually a pre-agreed upon procedure for implementing mutual aid. There can be pre-established automatic mutual aid. A city may agree to always take the runs for another in some remote location. Smaller departments depend upon mutual aid agreements.

    • MVA or MVC - Motor Vehicle Accident, Major Vehicle Accident, Motor Vehicle Collision. While most departments still use the term "MVA" some have gone to "MVC". It is felt that the word "accident" has some meanings that reflect blame or the lack thereof. Perhaps they feel that "collision" is a more accurate description of what has happened.

    Back

    N

    • NFPA - The National Fire Protection Association, which sets a number of standards for *firefighting, equipment, and fire protection in the United States, and also adopted in many other countries.

    • NIOSH - National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. A U.S. agency responsible for investigation of workplace deaths, including firefighters.

    • Nomex ® - Trade name for a fire resistant synthetic material used in the manufacturing of flight suits and pants and shirts used by firefighters.

    • Nozzle - A device attached to the end of a firehose that directs, shapes and regulates the flow of the water or fire fighting agent pumped into the hose. May have a control valve.

    • Nozzle Flow - :

    • Nozzle Pressure - Pressure in a firehose measured at the nozzle as the water is discharged..

    • Nozzle Reach - The distance a fire stream will travel from the nozzle tip before breaking up or evaporating due to air friction or heat.

    • Nozzle Reaction - The force felt when water is pumped through a nozzle, e.g., 350 US gallons per minute (22 L/s) would produce a force of 40 pounds force (180 N) against the firefighter holding the

    • Nozzle Tip - Portion of firehose that forms the fire stream as it leaves the hose. Can be solid, fog, or other specialty nozzle (e.g., piercing, Bresnan cellar nozzle, wand tip, etc).

    Back

    O

    • O2 - Is term for oxygen used in stead of saying oxygen, It is stored in tanks. that are usually painted GREEN. They are used to supply patients with oxygen

    • Occupancy - Zoning and safety code term used to determine how a structure is permitted to be used and occupied, which in turn dictates the necessary safety structures and procedures.

    • Occupancy Class - General categories of structures for purpose of safety planning, such as for hospital, assembly, industrial, single-family dwelling, apartment building, commercial, etc. Further broken down by types of hazards associated with particular occupancies, such as gas stations.

    • Occupant Use Hose - Light-weight firehose coupled to standpipe for emergency use by building occupants prior to arrival of firefighters. Often accessible by breaking glass to unlock secure enclosure.

    • Offensive Attack - Method of firefighting in which water or other extinguisher is taken directly to the seat of the fire, as opposed to being pumped in that general direction from a safe distance.

    • On Call - Personnel who can be summoned (and paid) when necessary to respond to an incident; a type of "volunteer" fire department.

    • OSH - U.S. government agency concerned with regulating employee safety, particularly in hazardous occupations such as firefighting.

    • Out - This is a radio term meaning, "Out at the emergency location." When you are "out" you are out of service.

    • Out of Service - This is a radio term meaning, you are not on the call, or your unit is broken down, unavailable for calls.

    • Outside Stem and Yoke Valve (OS&Y) - Type of gate valve actuator arranged such that the valve stem moves in and out of the handle, thus externally indicating whether the valve is open or shut, unlike the more common gate valve wherein the stem rotates and only the gate moves up and down inside the fixture.

    • Overhaul - is more complicated. It refers to seeking out and extinguishing any remaining fires, eliminating rekindles, stabilizing the incident scene and securing the structure. This phase of fire control can be very time consuming, and personnel may be involved for hours. Overhaul may also appear to be relatively risk-free, and that is one of its dangers. CO levels in smoldering fires and during overhaul operations can be very high, certainly high enough to cause impairment. Often coincides with salvage operations to prevent further loss to structure or its contents, as well as fire-cause determination and preservation of evidence.

    • Oxygen Mask or O2 Mask - An oxygen mask provides a method to transfer breathing oxygen gas from a storage tank to the lungs. Oxygen masks may cover the nose,mouth or the entire face. Oxygen masks are made of plastic silicon and rubber. Plastic masks are used primarily by medical care providers for oxygen therapy as they are disposable and reduce cleaning costs. As they are light in weight they are accepted by many patients whom may feel uncomfortable wearing an oxygen mask. Plastic masks also allow medical care providers to see through the mask to the face of a patient and determine if they are in distress.

    • Oxidizer - A hazardous material containing oxygen that can combine with adjacent fuel to start or feed a fire.

    Back

    P

    • Pass Device - This is one name given to the device all firefighters wear for locating firefighters in trouble. This device senses if a firefighter has remained motionless for a short period of time. It may also sense if the firefighter has been exposed to a rapid rise in temperature as may occur with a collapse. A piercing alarm is sounded under any of the conditions for which it is designed to detect. They are usually attached to the SCBA You will often hear this device sounding because a firefighter has laid down his SCBA . These devices often do not have a simple way to turn them off and they will become active when the firefighter simply removes the SCBA from the apparatus or turns on his air supply. This solved the problem with earlier versions where the firefighter had to remember to turn it on.

    • "PAR" or "PAC" - etc.- Personnel Accountability Report (Check) etc. At various points during a operation command will call for a "PAR" (or some similar acronym). This might also be referred to as a "Roll Call". All company officers will report that they have their crew in sight or physical contact. They will respond with, "Engine 3 has PAR." or "Truck 9, PAR." An accountability report happens at timed intervals or when they situation has changed. Examples would be: Partial structure collapse, Fire Under Control, Change in tactics, Report of lost or injured firefighter.

    • Patrol Truck - It seems that small vehicles, designed for fighting grass or brush fires can be called anything. (See, A-wagon, Brush Truck, Grass Wagon, etc.) In some communities, a small water tank (around 200 gals) mounted on a pick-up, with a one inch line and a 200 GPM auxiliary pump, is called a patrol truck. This is used to patrol large grass fires. The truck will also usually carry tools like shovels and axes, etc. Patrol trucks appear to be most common in California, but can be found in other regions as well.

    • Pickheaded Axe - Standard fire axe having a 6 or 8 pound steel head with a cutting blade on one edge and a square, pointed pick on the opposite side. Come in various handle lengths.

    • Pike Pole - A pike pole could be any number of designs for a piece of equipment used for overhaul. Most often it is use for the opening of ceilings. It is often a staff with a hook and point on the end. A pike pole could be any number of designs for a piece of equipment used for overhaul. Most often it is use for the opening of ceilings. Of all the tools of the fire service, the pike pole is probably among the most often used. It is often the practice to have one carried in by a firefighter at all structure fires. The most common design is a hook with a point..

    • Platoon - A subdivision of a fire company, led a fire officer of either the rank captain or lieutenant, such that one of several platoons is assigned to duty for a specified period. Also called a "watch".

    • Positive Pressure - Pressure at higher than atmospheric; used in SCBA facepieces and in smoke-proof stairwells to reduce entry of smoke or fumes through small openings.

    • Positive Pressure Ventilation (PPV) - Fire departments may use ventilation blowers or fans to pressurize a structure prior to suppressing a fire. This pressurization or positive pressure ventilation (PPV) tactic can assist in the venting of smoke and high temperature combustion products and make attacking the fire easier than without PPV.

    • Post Indicator Valve (PIV) - A type of valve used for underground sprinkler shutoff, having a lockable actuator atop a post with a window indicating "open" or "shut" status of the valve.

    • Pre-connect Firehose - On a fire engine which has one end connected to a pump outlet, and usually a nozzle attached to the other end. May also be a pre connected inlet hose (e.g., soft suction). Reduces steps at scene of fire.

    • Pre-fire, Pre-Incident Planning - Information collected by fire prevention officers to assist in identifying hazards and the equipment, supplies, personnel, skills, and procedures needed to deal with a potential incident.

    • Preplanning - Fire protection strategy involving visits to potentially hazardous occupancies for inspection, followup analysis and recommendations for actions to be taken in case of specific incidents.

    • Probie's - Or rookie, newbie, new firefighter. jeep on employment probation for a period of time during which his or her skills are improved, honed, tested, and evaluated.

    • Primary Search - Very early in any fire or hazardous environment search or rescue Command will call for a "Primary Search". This is a quick search of all compartments in a structure for victims. The crews involved in the search should report, "Primary Search, All Clear."

    • Public Alarm - Means for public to report a fire, includes telephone, street-corner pull-boxes, building pull-stations, and manual bells or sirens in rural areas.

    • Public Information Officer (PIO) or Media Information Officer - In all cases, media information will be handled by command This is a defined and designated responsibility of the incident commander. This position will be filled or staffed by command. The ";Incident Commander"; will be the person to give the media information and answer questions or they will detail someone to do this. At times the incident commander will not have time to talk with the media. But you can rest assured, that as soon as possible, someone will be speaking to the press. Many departments have a full time PIO that is on call to incidents.

    • Pulaski - A combination chopping and trenching tool, which combines a single-bitted axe-blade with a narrow adze-like trenching blade fitted to a straight handle. Useful for grubbing or trenching in duff and matted roots. Well-balanced for chopping.

    • Pump Operator - Technician, also a chauffeur or engineer, the person responsible for operating the pumps on a pumper and typically for driving the pumper to and from an incident.

    • Pumper - Another term for an "Engine". More commonly used in other parts of the country but you can find this term in some use almost anywhere.

    • Pumper Company - Squad or company that mans a fire engine (pumper) and carries out duties involving getting water to the fire.

    • Pyrolysis - Process of converting a solid substance to combustible fumes by raising its temperature. See also vaporization of liquids.

    Back

    Q

    • Quad - Apparatus that has four capabilities. While not as common as a "Quint" some departments do use such vehicles.

    • Quint - A piece of firefighting apparatus that can perform five of the major functions of fire apparatus. These include: Carry hose Carry water Pump water. Aerial ladder/water tower operations Should also carry large amounts of ladders of to be considered a truck.

    Back

    R

    • Rehab (or Recuperation or R & R, Rest and Recovery) - Is achieved by periodic, supervised rest periods for firefighters; it is care given to firefighters and other emergency personnel on scene. Fighting fires places personnel at risk for CO poisoning, but there is also the danger of heatstroke, dehydration and cardiac problems. Incident commanders assess the risk and ensure that responders have access to rest, fluids, food, medical attention and CO monitoring. Note: The U.S. Fire Association (USFA) has specific guidelines that specify how rehabilitation services should be set up and provided. .

    • Radiated Heat - (Infrared Radiation) - Fire can produce intense radiated heat. This "radiated" energy travels through clear mediums (i.e. air & glass) without a problem. But when it strikes an opaque surface this energy excites the molecules and warms the surface. This can cause the object to combust even though it may be many feet from actual flame contact. See: "Exposure"

    • Rapid Intervention Team (RIT) - Rapid Intervention Back Up Teams

      1. The back up team must prepare themselves for the task at hand. This will include properly equipping themselves not only for the entry but also to help the rescue team that gets in trouble. Back up team actions and preparedness should include:

      2. Gathering known data on the space, including updated information from outside sources and the entry team as it becomes available.

      3. Identifying potential problem areas in the space including entrapment hazards such as machinery and fall hazards within the space.

      4. Preplanning extrication methods, tools, and alternatives for potential entrapment issues.

      Preparing equipment to initiate air resupply to the entry team in the event of an airline failure or other breathing apparatus failure. This may include having an available SCBA, supplied air breathing apparatus, or egress bottle available to take into the entry team See FAST.

    • Rappelling - is essentially sliding down the rope in a controlled manner. When you want to descent there are basically two options:
      1. you can walk down or climb down
      2. you can rappel.
      When the terrain is easy walking or climbing down is the best choice. But when the terrain becomes too difficult rappelling is the faster, easier and safer solution.

    • Rate of Spread - The relative activity of a fire in extending its horizontal dimensions. It is expressed as a rate of increase of the total perimeter of the fire, as rate of forward spread of the fire front, or as rate of increase in area, depending on the intended use of the information.

    • Recovery - Location and removal of deceased victims. Also, the time needed for a firefighter to spend in rehab before being considered ready to continue working the incident.

    • Reflash - A situation in which a fire, thought to be extinguished, resumes burning.

    • Rehab - Rehabilitation sector: An area usually equipped with a canopy tent, misting fans, shade, water and Gatorade, and chairs. This rest area enables firefighters to relax and regain hydration by way of preventing injury. B/P monitoring.

    • Rekindle - is a dirty word in the fire service. A rekindle is a term used by firefighters to describe a blaze that re-ignites after they leave a scene. It describes a situation where after salvage and overhaul have been completed and a blaze is officially declared extinguished, firefighters go back to the firehouse and are later called back to the burning building to again fight the re-ignited fire. Sometimes, the second fire is much larger than the first. And worse yet, sometimes the second fire kills people who assumed the first fire was extinguished.

      A rekindled fire is an indicator of a poor firefighting operation. Fire chiefs and fire officers have been subject to legal action, and in some instances forced to resign, when in command of a blaze that was officially declare extinguished, but after leaving the scene, it re-ignited. A rekindle is a nightmare of chiefs, officers and firefighters.

      Firefighters perform overhauling operations to prevent a rekindle after they leave the scene. Frequently, we are criticized unfairly for damaging a person's house or business because we must insure the fire is not smoldering in concealed spaces or furnishings. Firefighters with pike poles, pry bars and axes must break open plaster walls, pull apart mattresses and throw out smoldering stuffed chairs. We cut up expensive floors and roofs after a fire has been extinguished to insure the blaze does not reignite.

    • Rescue - Freeing from imminent danger by prompt or vigorous action.

    • Residential Sprinkler System - Using quick response sprinklers and approved piping, homes can be built or even retrofitted to include low-cost automatic sprinkler systems connected to the domestic water supply. Residential sprinklers are designed to respond to a fire much faster than currently available standard commercial and industrial sprinkler systems. The new home sprinklers react automatically to fires more quickly because of their improved sensitivity.

    • Residual Pressure - The amount of pressure in a hydrant system when a hydrant is fully open, such as during a fire; should be engineered to provide domestic supply of water to homes and businesses during a large fire in the district.

    • Retardant - A substance or chemical agent which reduced the flammability of combustibles.

    • Reverse Lay - The process of stringing hose from a fire toward a source of water, i.e., a fire hydrant.

    • Rig - An expression used, in some parts of the country, to describe a piece of apparatus. This is the entire vehicle. You may hear about connecting "the supply line to the rig." This describes the engine or pumper in this case. Firefighters develop a personal attachment to their rigs. While some areas used this term often, others will never use it.

    • Rope Hose Tool - Short strap or rope with a hooks at both ends for wrapping around a charged hose to secure it in position or to assist in moving it.

    • Roof Ladder - A single-section ladder with hooks on one end. The hooks are put over the ridge or peak of a roof to hold the ladder in place or to hang from a wall edge or window opening.. This allows a firefighter to be on the ladder and have his hands freeso as to cut open a roof to vent hot gasses and flames for easier extinguishment

    • Run Card System - A system of pre-planning for fire protection in which information about specific detectors, hazards, or other emergency response plans is indexed by location, for rapid reference during an alarm.

    Back

    S

    • Salvage - The procedure whereby property is protected or saved. This can commence at the same time as firefighting or it can occur later. Salvage operations often include the covering of furnishings with tarps known as ";Salvage Covers"; or it can be as simple as placing a pan under a water drip to protect the apartment below. Salvage operations and Overhaul can occur at the same time

    • Salvage Cover - Heavy-duty tarpaulins treated with a fire and water resistant finish. Can be either folded or rolled for quick deployment to cover personal property subjected to possible water or other damage during firefighting.

    • SAR or Search and Rescue - The objective of a SAR Team is to entering a fire building or find and rescue these lost or injured people before it is too late. Search-and-rescue involves the location, rescue, extrication, and initial medical stabilization of victims trapped in confined spaces. Structural collapse is most often the cause of victims being trapped, but victims may also be trapped in transportation accidents, mines and collapsed trenches.

    • SCBA (Self Contained Breathing Apparatus) - This is the breathing apparatus firefighters wear. A common mistake is to think that there is only oxygen in the cylinder. There is not. The cylinder the firefighter wears is filled with the same air everyone breathes. Imagine the amount of air in a box measuring four feet in every direction. That is about how much air each firefighter has. Each cylinder is rated for a specific amount of time, usually 30 - 60 minutes, but that is based upon little or no exertion. A 30 minute SCBA may only last 10 minutes under some conditions. Some departments may refer to their SCBA's by their brand names such as "Scott's" or "Dreager's" or "MSA's".

    • Secondary Search - Once the fire is under control a second search of the structure will be conducted. The searching companies should report, "Secondary Search, All Clear"

    • Sector -A physical or operational division of an incident; an area supervised as a branch in the Incident Command System. A typical system for structure fires names the "front" of the building "sector A", and continues clockwise around the building (B, C, D), with interior sectors denoted by the floor number (1, 2, 3, etc.). A "rehab" sector is one example of an operational division at an incident, where personnel are assigned after strenuous work in another sector.

    • Sector Officer, Sector, Sector Command - Often various operations subdivisions must be established. This can be fire area sectors or other divisions. For high rise fires each floor of operations will likely be a sector. In some incidents there may be an EMS or triage sector. The officer in charge of each sector will direct operations within his or her sector without giving specifics to Incident Command. If a fire structure is divided into sectors they will often be set up by sides. They may be referred to as "A" or "B" sector etc. Some departments may set up "North" or "South" sectors for some incidents.

    • Shoulder Load - The amount of hose a single firefighter can pull off a hose wagon or pumper truck and carry toward the fire.

    • Siamese - Hose coupling for merging two streams into one, i.e., two female coupling inlets and one male coupling outlet.

    • Sides A, B, C, and D - Terms used by firefighters labeling the multiple sides of a building starting with side A or Alpha being the front of the structure and working its way around the outside of the structure in a clockwise direction. This labels the front side A or Alpha, the left side B or Bravo, the rear side C or Charlie, and the right side D or Delta.

    • Single Resource - An individual, a piece of equipment and its personnel complement, or a crew or team of individuals with an identified work supervisor that can be used on an incident.

    • Size Up - This is the procedure and the report of the situation. The first arriving officer on the scene will "give a size-up" over the radio. This will include a description of the structure and the initial plan of attack. It's been said that size-up starts even before you leave the station. The time of day, the weather conditions, the availability of water and what you may already know about this structure are examples of factors that go into size-up. Once you arrive you don't just look at the fire. Are there cars in the driveway? Are there toys in the yard? Are the newspapers piled up? Many things go into size-up.
      • .

    • Smoke Detector - Part of a fire alarm system that detects and signals presence of smoke; Self-contained household device for same purpose but with its own noise making device.
      • .

    • Smoke Ejector - Powerful fan for moving large amounts of air and smoke as part of ventilation task while fighting fire in a burning structure. May be operated by electricity or gas motor for positive or negative pressure ventilation.
      • .

    • Smoke Explosion - See backdraft.
      • .

    • Smoke Proof Stairwell --Building structure which isolates escape stairwells with relatively fireproof walls, self-closing doors, and positive pressure ventilation, to prevent smoke or fumes from entering the stairwell during evacuation of occupants during a fire or other emergency.
      • .

    • Smoldering Fire - A fire burning without flame and barely spreading.

    • Snorkel - Sometimes people refer to any water tower, aerial ladder or elevated platform as a "Snorkel". This is inaccurate. A Snorkel is a brand name of articulating boom with a platform. It will usually have the ability to spray water from the platform permanently plumbed into the system. There are several types of aerial devices. Some are just large extension ladders. Some are ladders with a platform on the end. The articulating boom has the most versatile reach but rescue efforts are slowed because the platform must be raised and lowered to bring people to the ground. A ladder or a platform on a ladder has the ability to allow a steady stream of people to exit the upper floors of a building without the need to go up and down itself. Just about any aerial device can be configured to be an elevated nozzle.

    • Spot Fire - A fire ignited outside the perimeter of the main fire by flying sparks or embers.

    • Spanner Wrench - A spanner wrench is a tool used to remove fire hydrant caps and open the valve of the hydrant. They are usually adjustable so as to fit different sized hydrant nuts. The shape is sometimes adapted so it can be used as a tool for other purposes; There are several types of hydrant wrenches.

    • Solid Stream - Fire stream from round orifice of nozzle. See straight stream.

    • Sprinkler Head - A fire sprinkler head is the part of a fire sprinkler system that allows the extinguishing medium to discharge. A fire sprinkler system consists of a network of overhead pipes that release a fluid, foam or gas automatically through sprinkler heads when a predetermined temperature has been reached. Most sprinkler systems extinguish with water. They are called wet systems which use pipes filled with water. Sprinkler bulbs are colour-coded to indicate their operating temperature. Typical activation temperatures vary and correspond to the type of hazard the sprinkler system protects against. Life safety hazards, such as residential occupancies, use a lower (therefore quicker) activation temperature.

      • Modern sprinkler heads are designed to direct a spray downward. When one fire sprinkler head goes off to fight a fire the entire sprinkler system does NOT activate unless the system is a special deluge system. Sprinklers heads react to temperatures in individual rooms.

    • Squirt- - A smaller, articulating boom, usually mounted on an engine. The main purpose is to have an elevated fire stream. This does not make an "engine" a "quint" or "quad".This gives the engine's deck gun more reach and versatility. This is not a Snorkel, although the Snorkel company did manufacture such devices in the 1960's and 70's.

    • Staging - Sector of incident command where responding resources arrive for assignment to another sector. Often an essential element in personnel accountability program.

    • Strategy - The science and art of command as applied to the overall planning and conduct of an incident.

    • Standard operating procedure - Or S.O.P. guideline: Rules for the operation of a fire department, such as how to respond to various types of emergencies, training requirements, use of protective equipment, radio procedures; often include local interpretations of regulations and standards.

    • Static Pressure - is defined as the pressure exerted by a still liquid or gas, especially water. The pressure in a water system when the water is not flowing or at rest.

    • Steamer Connection - A Siamese inlet to a standpipe or sprinkler system. Named for early application of steam engines for pumps.

    • Steamer Outlet - Large outlet of fire hydrant.

    • Still Alarm - Not every department uses this term and some will have a slightly definition, but for the most part, this is basically an alarm that isn't a structure fire or more specifically, it does not get a box. In some departments this is any alarm not sent by the dispatcher. Usually a walk in to the station or when a unit comes up on a incident that has not been dispatched. Ex. Still Alarm "Man Down at the station, or Still Alarm Auto Accident.

    • Straight Stream - Round, hollow stream formed as water passes a round baffle through a round orifice (e.g., on an adjustable nozzle.) Compare solid stream.

    • Storz Coupling - A type of coupling used on firehose. The coupling is sexless, and secures with a 1/4 turn of the coupling. The coupling may or may not have some sort of locking device.

    • Stretch - command to lay out (and connect) firehose and nozzle.

    • Structure Fire - FFire originating in and burning any part or all of any building, shelter, or other structure

    • Suction Hose - A large, semi-flexible and non collapsible hose used to move water from a static source such as a pond, pool or storage tank to a fire pump by means of suction. The whole process is often known as "drafting". Should not be used to connect pressurized hydrants to pumps.

    • Supply Line - supply hose, large-diameter hose: firehose, usually larger than 2.5 inches in diameter, used to transport water from one source to another, such as from a hydrant to a fire engine or from one engine to another. Short pieces of this hose used to attach to a hydrant are often called "Soft Suction" (see above).

    • Suppressant - An agent, such as water or foam, used to extinguish the flaming and glowing phases of combustion when direction applied to burning fuels.

    • Suppression - All the work of extinguishing or containing a fire, beginning with its discovery.

    Back

    T

    • Tactics - Deploying and directing resources on an incident to accomplish the objectives designated by strategy.

    • Tanker and/or Water Tender - A truck to carry large amounts of water 1000 - 10000+ gals of water. Used in areas where there is no hydrants. I some departments they are also used to hold drinking water for after a disaster, such a s a Hurricane, tornado of floods.

    • Tailboard - Portion at rear of fire engine where firefighters could stand and ride (now considered overly dangerous), or step up to access hoses in the hose bed.

    • Thermal Imaging Camera - This is a camera that can be used to seek out hidden fires or see through smoke. It uses thermal imaging technology to detect the heat given off by objects. It can detect a difference of 1/10th of a degree. Some cameras have the ability to transmit the image back to command where it can be viewed or even recorded. The camera can also tell you the temperature of the object in the cross hairs. Some versions are helmet mounted. This device is so sensitive that it could help us find a victim who is is completely under many layers of bed covers. You may hear a fire crew ask for the camera by requesting ";the TIC"; or some other acronym. In most departments the cameras are not carried by every piece of equipment Battalion chiefs or trucks may have them.

    • Triage - A method of determining priority of treatment. This involves a quick treatment of those life threatening conditions that can be corrected in seconds. The actual requirements placed upon triage can vary depending upon the situation In the worst of situations, with multiple patients CPR is not performed. In situations where there is adequate manpower, CPR may have been considered in a similar patient. Often a officer who is an EMS supervisor is placed in the position of ";Triage Officer";. But any EMS person may be given this task.

    • Truck - This vehicle carries equipment and ladders. The equipment may include:
      • Lights.
      • Generators.
      • Salvage equipment.
      • Overhaul
      • Tools. Forcible
      • Entry tools.
      • Rescue tools
      • Ladders
      It may also transport personal to the scene. See "Aerial Truck" above.

    • Truck Company - a group of firefighters assigned to an apparatus that carries ladders, forcible entry tools, possibly extrication tools and salvage covers, and who are otherwise equipped to perform rescue, ventilation, overhaul and other specific functions at fires; also called "ladder company".

    • Turnout Gear - The protective clothing worn by firefighters same as term Bunker Gear.

    • Two In Two Out - (or "two in/two out": Refers to the standard safety tactic of having one team of two firefighters enter a hazardous zone (IDLH), while at least two others stand by outside in case the first two need rescue — thus requiring a minimum of four firefighters on scene prior to starting interior attack. Also refers to the "buddy system" in which firefighters never enter or leave a burning structure alone.

    • Two Way Radio - Radio equipment with transmitters in mobile units on the same frequency as the base station, permitting conversation in two directions using the same frequency in turn.

    • Type I, II, III, IV, V Building - U. S. classification system for fire resistance of building construction types, including definitions for "resistive" Type I, "non-combustible" Type II, "ordinary" Type III, heavy timber Type IV, and "frame construction" Type V (i. e., made entirely of wood).

    Back

    U

    • Uncontrolled Fire - Can be extremely hazardous both to living things and to structures, and it can propagate rapidly to other structures.

    • Underground Storage Tank - Underground water storage in places where there are no hydrants. A pumper can drafted from it to supply itself or other firefighting units with extra water.

    • Universal Precautions - The use of safety barriers (gloves, mask, goggles) to limit an emergency responder's contact with contaminants, especially fluids of injured patients.

    • Urban Search and Rescue - (also known as Suburban Search and Rescue as USAR Teams often relates to structural collapses and other technical rescue) operations are Search and Rescue operations conducted in a city. One of the most common is searching for people buried as a result of a building collapse, as might happen after an earthquake. Sometimes, urban searches are performed for missing persons with certain criteria (example, a missing Alzheimer's patient with a history of wandering away from their home). Also, a wilderness search may transition into an urban search. This is common when lost children are involved.

    • Utility Rope - A rope not designed or maintained for life safety purposes. Hoist tools, seal off a scene, tie down.

    Back

    V

    • Valve -mechanical means for stopping and starting flow in a conduit; many types used in firefighting, including gate–, foot–, clapper– (backflow preventers), sprinkler-heads, etc.

    • Vapor Pressure - is the pressure of a vapor in equilibrium with its non-vapor phases. Most often the term is used to describe a liquid's tendency to evaporate.

    • Vapor Suppression - Process of reducing the amount of flammable or other hazardous vapors, from a flammable liquid, mixing with air, typically by careful application of a foam blanket on top of a pool of material.

    • Ventilation - Important procedure in firefighting in which the hot smoke and gases are removed from inside a structure, either by natural convection or forced, and either through existing openings or new ones provided by firefighters at appropriate locations (e.g., on the roof). Proper ventilation can save lives and improper ventilation can cause backdraft or other hazards.

    • Ventilation Saw - A high-powered saw with metal-cutting teeth or disc for quickly making large openings in roofing materials
      • .

    • Venturi Principle - The Venturi effect is a special case of Bernoulli's principle, in the case of fluid or air flow through a tube or pipe with a constriction in it. The fluid must speed up in the restriction, reducing its pressure and producing a partial vacuum via the Bernoulli effect. A venturi can also be used to mix a fluid with air. If a pump forces the fluid through a tube connected to a system consisting of a venturi to increase the water speed (the diameter decreases), a short piece of tube with a small hole in it, and last a venturi that decreases speed (so the pipe gets wider again), air will be sucked in through the small hole because of changes in pressure. At the end of the system, a mixture of fluid and air will appear. This is how firefighters produce foam for fighting fires

    • Vertical Ventilation - is a tactic used in the initial stages of fire operations and is employed for a variety of reasons. When done properly, it relieves the uppermost portions of the building of heat, smoke and gases. It can also prevent mushrooming; a condition caused when heat and smoke spread horizontally and push down to lower areas of the structure assisting fire extension.

    • Voids - (building): Enclosed portions of a building where fire can spread undetected.

    • Volunteer Firefighter or Vollie - Is a person like y that is willing to "volunteer" a portion of their time to their community. The individual may be retired and have extra time; they may have a full-time job and only be able to respond at night or on weekends; or they may be self-employed

    • Volunteer fire department - A group of part-time firefighters who are not paid when on-call, during incidents, or drills. Often professionally trained and equipped with state-of-the-art equipment.

    Back

    W

    • Wall Indicator Valve - Type of control valve for sprinkler systems which is mounted to an outside wall and indicates "open" or "shut" in an indicator window on the valve body.

    • Water Curtain Nozzle - A nozzle designed to throw a fan of water droplets to form a "curtain" in an attempt to reduce radiated heat from igniting a nearby exposure.

    • Water Drop - A forest fire fighting technique when an aircraft drops a supply of water onto an exposed fire from above.

    • Water Flow Alarm - An audible alarm indicating that one or more sprinkler heads have been activated.

    • Water Hammer - Large, damaging shock wave in a water supply system caused by shutting a valve quickly, or by permitting a vehicle to drive across an unprotected firehose.

    • Water Thief Valve - Type of gated wye having one or more outlets smaller than the largest outlet.

    • Water Tower - This is the name given to operations where the aerial on the truck is used to provide an elevated fire fighting nozzle. Just about any apparatus mounted aerial device can be used for this. Most ladders or articulating booms now have a water pipe built into the system. But even one that does not can quickly be adapted. In these cases a hose of 2 1/2 to 3 inches s laid on the ladder and secured to the top fly. A nozzle is clamped to the top rung and you are in business. The nozzle angle or pattern can be fixed or it might be changeable from the ground by cables.

    • Wedges - Wooden blocks for temporary shut-off of activated sprinkler heads or holding doors open during firefighting or rescue operations.

    • Wet Pipe Sprinkler System - Sprinkler system containing pressurized water rather than air, such that water will flow immediately upon release of a heat-sensitive head.

    • "Wet Water - Water into which a surface tension reducing agent has been introduced. The resultant mixture, with its reduced surface tension, is more able to penetrate burning product more deeply and extinguish deep seated fire.

    • Wildfire or Wildland fire - Fire in forests, grasslands, prairies, or other natural areas, not involving structure fires (although wildland fires may threaten structures or vice versa - see interface zone.) For a complete list of terms used in wildland fire, see Glossary of wildland fire terms.