Fire Services EMT Terminology

Alarm Headquarters (Fire Communications, Alarm Room, Deployment). Also referred to as FAHQ ( Fire Alarm Headquarters)/

Accounting for the location of all crew members assigned to a unit or incident.

The use of basic life support (BLS) in addition to invasive techniques, cardiac monitoring, defibrillation, drug therapy, and consultation with a base hospital physician by a Certified Emergency Paramedic.

Vehicles that are used to transport fire department personnel, equipment, and appliances to fire or other emergency incidents.

The actual physical fire fighting operation utilizing available crew members and equipment. The implementation of tactical plans on the fire gound in an aggressive manner.

a line of hose, usually from a pump, used to directly fight or attack a fire; in contrast to supply or feeder lines connecting the water supply with the pumping apparatus.

A status, a unit can be selected for dispatch while available.

Maintenance of the ABC's (airway, breathing, and circulation), recognizing and correcting respiratory or cardiovascular system failure.

A brush truck is either a 2 or 4 wheel drive 3/4 ton pick-up truck that carries 250 gallons of water, a small pump and a red line. Used for small grass, brush, and desert fires. Brush trucks are normally not staffed, no one assigned to the rig.

line of hose filled with water ready for use and under pressure.

Code 2 is without lights and siren, following all traffic regulations. Code 3 is driving with lights and siren, only exceeding the posted speed limit by 10 MPH, and making complete stops at ALL red lights.

Basic fire fighting organizational unit headed by an officer - a captain. A company is usually referred to by the type of apparatus is mans; i.e. engine company, ladder company.

Practice fire fighting evolutions such as laying hose, raising ladders, and operating pumps in order to develop teamwork and proficiency.

Emergency Medical Service assignment. This type of assignment consists of a BLS and/or ALS company that responds to render medical care in an emergency setting.

A health care professional with special skills and knowledge in emergency medicine, and who has received first level, or basic certification

Computer system used by the Medic Dispatcher to monitor hospital status (diversions) and Mass Casualty Incidents.

Property that may be endangered by a fire in another structure or by an outside fire.

Spread of fire, usually during the course of fire fighting operations to areas not previously involved. A fire can extend through open partitions, into the attic, or through openings into another room or building.

operational area at a fire; the place where fire-fighting operations are being conducted.

State of a fire building which is so involved with heat, smoke, and flame that access to the interior is not possible until some measure of control has been obtained with hose streams.

line of small hose that is handled manually by fire fighters rather than through fixed heavy stream devices.

Method or sequence of laying hose from the apparatus. Also called "laying a line".

a small 1 1/2 inch (or 1 3/4 inch) diameter hose used for interior fire fighting.

Reduce the flame and heat so as to prevent danger of further extension of a fire. To bring fire under control, but not necessarily out.

Usually refers to a line of fire hose. May mean a length of rope such as a lifeline.

If one or more units are out of service for an extended period, a company or companies will move to another fire station to cover the depleted area. Move-ups are not restricted to the city boundaries but are done for the jurisdictions covered by the PFDRDC

Agreements between municipalities or fire districts to assist each other in responding fire apparatus to incidents in the other's city.

A forward staging position located just outside the immediate hazard zone, safely distanced from the entrance of a tactical position/sector. On Deck crews are supervised either by a Sector Officer of a Company Officer and they will remain On Deck until assigned by the Incident Commander or Sector Officer.

To ventilate a building filled with smoke and heat, so that hose streams may be advanced to extinguish a fire. Also to achieve a forcible entry of a closed, burning building.

A late stage of the fire extinguishment process during which the area involved in the fire and the damaged contents are carefully scrutinized for any remaining traces of fire or embers.

Personnel Accountability Report. All members assigned to a crew are accounted for.

Radio-telephone communications relayed through Alarm by the Paramedics in the field to their base hospital physicians.

Term for a fire hydrant

Parts Per Million - will be reported after a fire, such as CO (carbon monoxide) below 50 ppm.

Positive Pressure Ventilation - To assist in smoke removal, uses fans placed opposite of an existing or created opening in the building, to blow smoke out of the building. It creates a safer environment for all personnel inside the building.

To return companies to service that are not required to handle emergency.

The act of responding to an incident. The entire complement of crews and apparatus assigned to an incident.

Procedures to reduce the incidental losses from smoke, water, fire and weather during and following a fire.

Large diameter hose line used to provide water from a hydrant of key pumper to a forward pumper.

Subjective evidence of a change in body functions which is apparent only to the patient; e.g. "dizziness" or "nausea".

Pick-up type truck that carries 1000 gallons of water, and is used mainly for large grass/brush fires or in areas where there are no hydrants. Normally tankers are not staffed.

Categorize patients based on the severity of their injuries and prioritize their need for treatment and transportation. To sort out in order of priority. On a medical incident units will triage patients into Immediate, Delayed or Minor priorities. Command will report the number of Immediate, Delayed or Minor patients on an incident to Alarm.

Status of apparatus that keeps them from being selected for dispatches.