By: FF Patrick MacKay

After responding to a recent house fire and encountering companies that were less than receptive to a ladder truck operating in a rural setting, I became motivated to write this article. This was not the first, and I’m certain it won’t be the last instance where I encounter this situation. However, I believe through education and a cooperative understanding amongst companies, operations can improve and be conducted as effectively as possible. The first step to this process, and often the most difficult for some folks, is acknowledging that fireground operations need to be improved upon. After responding to any incident, firemen should analyze what strategies and tactics worked and what strategies and tactics could be improved upon.

In order for fireground operations to be conducted efficiently and effectively, operations need to be coordinated. In order for coordination to occur, companies must understand each others roles and responsibilities. My company responds to a predominantly suburban environment however on a frequent basis we respond as the first due Truck Company to rural areas. An attitude that is often encountered in these areas is “ we don’t need a ladder truck out here!” and “Truck positioning is not important because this is a rural water supply operation”. These attitudes are neither correct nor progressive, and I attribute this directly to a lack of understanding Truck Company operations. The mindset more often than not, is that a Truck Company simply brings a big ladder to the scene. However those who understand and practice solid Truck Company operations, know this couldn’t be further from the truth. So where do we go from here? The answer is simple: We educate! We educate the companies with the negative attitude towards Truck Companies on all of the operations a Truck Company conducts.

As stated earlier, a major misunderstanding of Truck Company operations pertains to the aerial ladder itself. More often than not, it is stated that an aerial ladder is not needed to access the roof and thus positioning of the ladder truck is not important. The statement pertaining to the aerial ladder not being needed is often correct. However the Truck Company contains a large compliment of portable ground ladders, that are deployed to windows and the roof. These portable ladders vary in weight, however nobody wants to carry them an excessive distance if it can be avoided. The effective deployment of these portable ladders is essential to firefighter safety, civilian safety, and various fireground tasks. In addition to portable ladders, the Truck Company brings numerous other tools to accomplish essential fireground tasks. There are many acronyms that have been developed to identify Truck Company operations, I will utilize FLU LOVERS to identify these:

Forcible Entry
Ladders
Utilities

Lights
Overhaul
Ventilation
Elevated Master Streams
Rescue
Salvage

Hopefully by identifying the responsibilities of the Truck Company, companies should have a better understanding of why positioning of the ladder truck is critical, even if the aerial ladder is not being utilized.

Now that we have identified Truck Company operations on the fireground, it is necessary for the Truck Company to understand other fireground functions. The most important thing for Truck Company firemen to understand is that water(obviously) is essential for successful fireground operations. With that said, it is imperative the Truck Company does not hinder water supply operations and the application of water on the fire. When positioning the Truck Company, thought needs to be given towards the Engine Company and their sustained water supply. In order to accomplish this, the Truck Company must understand the components of Rural Water Supply operations. These components include placement and utilization of pumping apparatus, fill site locations, and dump site locations. In addition to knowing and understanding the components of Rural Water Supply operations, the Truck Company should know the various tactics used to conduct Rural Water Supply operations and what these tactics entail. Some of these tactics include relay pumping, water shuttling, and tank nursing.

After companies understand each others respective fireground functions, a cooperative approach needs to be taken to ensure efficient and effective fireground operations. This cooperation can be developed through various methods including training, post incident critiques, and pre planning. Training is probably the most effective of these methods to improve fireground operations.

In conclusion, understanding different company functions and cooperation amongst companies are essential components of an effective and efficient fireground. It is important for companies to understand that Truck Company operations and Rural Water Supply operations can be conducted simultaneously, and without inhibiting one another. It is the responsibility of everyone on the fireground to recognize needed improvements, however the company officer needs to ensure these improvements take place. We need to continuously look at how we do business and ask ourselves if it is being conducted in a professional, efficient, and effective manner. Stay safe!