Fire & EMS General Order Notes – Street Alarms and Single-Family Dwelling Fires

Vocabulary flashcards summarizing key terms, unit responsibilities, reports, and operational concepts from the Prince George’s County Fire/EMS General Orders for Street Alarms and Single-Family Dwelling Fires.

1st Due Engine (Street Alarm)

First-arriving engine that establishes water supply, positions on Side Alpha, supports or connects to the FDC, gives on-scene, 360° and CAN reports, announces operational mode/entry/line size, controls ventilation, and advances the initial 150-gpm (or larger) attack line.

2nd Due Engine (Street Alarm)

Engine that normally Level-1 stages; ensures the 1st engine’s water supply, completes the 360° if needed, assists the first line or stretches a 150-gpm back-up line, and can support the FDC.

1st Due Truck

Truck company that operates on Side Alpha, performs obvious rescues, ladders/lights/ventilation for Alpha & Bravo, assists the 1st engine, conducts primary search of the fire area, secures utilities, and whose OIC becomes Fire-Floor Division Supervisor.

Search Company

Unit designated to perform systematic searches; Level-1 stages until assigned, its OIC is Search Group Supervisor, prioritizes primary searches (fire floor, floor above, top floor, downward), communicates status, and performs secondary searches as ordered.

360° Report

A complete walk-around size-up that identifies building layout, fire location, hazards, and victim egress; must be communicated to command—if not completed, the fact is radioed.

CAN Report

Progress update format—Conditions, Actions, Needs—transmitted to Incident Command to maintain situational awareness.

Tactical Command

Initial command function assumed by the 1st Due Engine officer until formally transferred to an Incident Commander (IC).

FDC (Fire Department Connection)

Exterior inlet where engines supply a building’s standpipe or sprinkler system; 1st engine supports or assigns support to another engine.

Side Alpha

The front or address side of a structure; reference point for apparatus positioning and reporting (followed clockwise by Bravo, Charlie, Delta).

Level-1 Staging

Procedure where incoming units stop one block out, remain ready, and await orders unless otherwise directed by command.

Operational Modes

Strategic approaches announced by the 1st Due Engine: Offensive (interior attack), Defensive (exterior operations), or Investigating (unknown conditions).

Flow-Path Control

Managing openings to limit air flow and fire spread; includes controlling doors, windows, and ventilation points.

Primary Search

Rapid, systematic search for victims in immediately dangerous areas before fire control is established.

Secondary Search

Thorough, methodical search conducted after fire control to ensure no victims remain.

Water Supply – Primary

First hydrant or source secured by the 1st Due Engine to ensure uninterrupted water for the initial attack line.

Water Supply – Secondary

Backup source established by the 3rd Due Engine (or others) to support additional lines and provide redundancy.

Reverse Lay

Hose-lay technique where an engine lays supply line from the fire scene back to a water source, used when the first engine already has a supply line laid forward.

RIC (Rapid Intervention Crew)

Dedicated standby engine crew (4th Due) positioned with uncharged hose and RIC pack, ready to perform firefighter rescue on a Mayday.

RIG (Rapid Intervention Group)

Expanded RIC that includes the 4th Engine crew plus a Working Fire Dispatch Special Service and other assigned resources, supervised by the 4th Engine OIC after face-to-face with IC.

Working Fire Dispatch Engine

Additional engine sent on declaration of a working fire; parks in an uncommitted spot and reports to Incident Command for assignment.

Working Fire Dispatch Special Service

Additional truck or rescue squad that brings RIC equipment, reports to the 4th Engine OIC, and integrates into the RIG.

EMS Group

Functional group led by EMSDO; includes BLS ambulance and ALS unit crews that provide patient care, account for occupants, and assist with rehab.

Rehab Unit

Apparatus dedicated to firefighter rest and medical monitoring; parks clear of traffic, informs IC when rehab is ready to receive personnel.

Safety Officer

Officer who performs Incident Safety Officer duties: hazard assessment, air monitoring, PPE compliance, scene safety planning, and forward deployment with RIC if needed.

Side Charlie Report

Information provided by the 3rd Due Engine from the rear (Charlie side) confirming conditions, fire extension, and basement status.

150-gpm Attack Line

Minimum flow rate for initial and back-up handlines specified by the orders to confine, control, or extinguish fire in residential structures.