Browndale Fire Co.
Fire Station 43
Standard Operating Guidelines 

Date of Issue: 1-1-98
Effective Date: 1-31-98
Developed By: Earl Obelenus
Issued by Authority of: Earl Obelenus, Fire Chief

43 ENGINE RIDING POSITIONS
S.O.G. 500-97-6

I. PURPOSE

To establish a standard operating guideline for personnel when riding apparatus (43 Engine) and to pre-determine job assignments upon arrival.

II. SCOPE

This guideline effects all Station 43 personnel who respond to emergency calls.

III. RESPONSIBILITY

Company officers are responsible for supervising fireground operations and the supervision of personnel under their command. All firefighters are responsible to understand each assigned riding position and perform the duties assigned to that position.

IV. BACKROUND

It is imperative to have harmony when arriving on the fireground. Fire officers are too labored with responsibilities to permit individual assignment of tasks. This system is designed to eliminate confusion for the officer and firefighters on the first arriving apparatus. Responsibilities are specific. If followed, teamwork is evident, if not, chaos exists.

V. PROCEDURES

The following procedures are based on the availability of personnel. The basic response is dependent on three (3) firefighters. If additional personnel are present, they will assume the positions in numerical sequence. The officer in charge may deviate from these procedures as circumstances may dictate.
 The numbering of positions are as follows for Engine 43.

1. ENGINEER: safely operates and positions the apparatus on the fireground. Upon arrival, he engages the pump and developes a booster tank operation. A steady water supply shall be acquired as soon as possible by connecting the supply line (5”) to the intake. Communications shall be established with the officer and second due engine. The generator shall be started if required. He will assist, if required, on exterior operations if requested by the officer.

2. OFFICER: Dons SCBA while in-route. Responsible for determining initial apparatus placement. Will transmit size-up upon arrival and may request additional alarms if he deems necessary. Dependent on manpower he may be required to assist in the advancement of the first attack line and/or assist in forcible entry. He should be positioned on the fire floor unless immediate control is not attained. Without a superior officer responding, he shall assume an outside command position. Equipment--- SCBA, radio, hand-light, officers tool.

3. NOZZLEMAN/OS (OFFICERS SIDE)- IRONS MAN: Dons SCBA immediately and advances the initial attack line to the fire floor when the OS line is pulled A line not smaller than 1 ¾” shall be used. If only 3 firefighters are available, this position will be responsible for the layout of he supply line. Once the hydrant wrap is made, the firefighter will re-mount the apparatus and continue to the fire scene to carry out duties. If the DS (DRIVER’S SIDE) line is pulled he will be the irons man and take necessary tools. Equipment--- SCBA, hand-light, hose line with nozzle, radio.
Irons man--- SCBA, irons, hand-light.

4. HYDRANTMAN: This position is responsible for the supply line layout. Adapters and appliances are located on the engine’s tailboard (hydrant bag) shall be removed to make the hydrant connection. Upon sounding of the air horn (3 blasts) by the engineer, the hydrant will be opened completely, if radio is available the engineer will radio  for hydrant to be opened.  Once the water is flowing, proceed to the fireground, help the #5 ladders/ outside vent man. Equipment--- hand-light, hydrant bag, radio.

5. LADDERS/ OUTSIDE VENT MAN: dons SCBA upon arrival and ladders the building, assist in vent operations. Equipment--- SCBA, axe, hand-light, saw if needed.

6. NOZZLEMAN/DS (DRIVER’S SIDE) / IRONS MAN: Dons SCBA immediately and advances the initial attack line to the fire floor when the DS line is pulled. A line not smaller than 1 ¾” shall be used. If the OS line is pulled he will be the irons man and take necessary tools. Equipment---SCBA, hand-light, hose line with nozzle, radio
Irons man--- SCBA, irons, hand-light.
 

VI. SUPERSEDED GUIDELINE

This guideline supersedes memo Riding positions Engine43-1 issued 1994.

      Reviewed 2-19-02