DOP Ch. 4

Positioning Apparatus

Learning Objectives

• Describe positioning of pumpers for fire attack. (NFPA 1002, 2014: 5.2.1, 5.2.2, 5.2.4 & NFPA 1002 2011: 5.2.4, 5.2.5, 5.2.7)

• Describe positioning water source supply pumpers. (NFPA 1002, 2014: 5.2.1, 5.2.2, 5.2.4 & NFPA 1002, 2011: 5.2.4, 5.2.5, 5.2.7)

• Summarize apparatus positioning considerations for wildland fire attack.

• Identify considerations for special positioning situations. (NFPA 1002, 2014: 5.2.1, 5.2.2, 5.2.4 & NFPA 1002, 2017: 5.2.4, 5.2.5, 5.2.7)

• Position pumper and make large diameter intake hose connections. (NFPA 1002, 2014: 5.2.1, 5.2.2, 5.2.4, Skill Sheet 4-1 & NFPA 1002, 2017: 5.2.4, 5.2.5, 5.2.7, Skill Sheet 4-1)

• Position pumper and connect to 2½-inch (65 mm) hydrant outlets. (NFPA 1002, 2014: 5.2.1, 5.2.2, 5.2.4, Skill Sheet 4-2 & NFPA 1002, 2017: 5.2.4, 5.2.5, 5.2.7, Skill Sheet 4-2)

• Position pumper and make multiple intake connections. (NFPA 1002, 2014: 5.2.1, 5.2.2, 5.2.4, Skill Sheet 4-3 & NFPA 1002, 2017: 5.2.4, 5.2.5, 5.2.7, Skill Sheet 4-3)

• Position pumper and make connections for a dual pumping operation. (NFPA 1002, 2014: 5.2.1, 5.2.2, 5.2.4, Skill Sheet 4-4 & NFPA 1002, 2017: 5.2.4, 5.2.5, 5.2.7, Skill Sheet 4-4)

• Position pumper and make connections for a tandem pumping operation. (NFPA 1002, 2014: 5.2.1, 5.2.2, 5.2.4, Skill Sheet 4-5 & NFPA 1002, 2017: 5.2.4, 5.2.5, 5.2.7, Skill Sheet 4-5)

Case History: Auto Body Shop Fire

• First-arriving engine company faces challenges positioning on a narrow dead-end street.

• Considerations:

  • Allowing access for the first-arriving ladder company's aerial device.

  • Accommodating the second-arriving engine with a 5-inch (125 mm) LDH supply line from the same direction.

• Driver/operator positioned the apparatus well past the building to accommodate the aerial device.

• Back-stretched supply hose from the attack pumper's hose bed to a point just past the rear of the ladder truck, facilitating hose lay.

• Driver/operators must apply size-up skills, considering both immediate tasks and needs of other units.

• Repositioning a pumper in operation is nearly impossible.

• Position apparatus for safest and most advantageous use of its features.

• Driver/operators must be well-trained and knowledgeable in local policies and procedures.

• Chapter focuses on proper positioning for fire attack, water supply, wildland operations, and special situations.

• Note: Relay pumping and water shuttle operations are discussed in Chapters 12 and 13.

Key Definitions

• Preincident Planning: Act of preparing to manage an incident at a specific location or type of incident before it occurs.

• Size-Up: Ongoing evaluation of influential factors at the incident scene.

• Incident Commander (IC): Person in charge of the Incident Command System, responsible for managing all incident operations during an emergency.

Positioning Fire Department Pumpers

• Primary function is to provide water directly for fire streams or support other apparatus.

• Driver/operators must know how to properly position apparatus in various scenarios.

Fire Attack Pumpers

• Placement determined by local policies, company officer, and driver/operator.

• Preincident planning and district familiarization assist informed decisions.

• Considerations include fire attack, supporting aerial apparatus, and supporting fire department connections.

Positioning for Fire Attack

• Incident scene size-up determines the most advantageous position.

• Consider initial attack strategy and department policy.

• Initial company's position sets the scene for later-arriving apparatus.

• Safe position includes an exit route for withdrawal.

• When arriving with no fire evident (investigation mode), pull the apparatus past the front of the building to view three sides.

• Consider the best access point for personnel and equipment.

• Remain with the apparatus based on local policy to make connections for water supply or assist with hoselines.

• Notify incoming apparatus of any circumstances prohibiting standard placement.

Specific Situations and Considerations

• Rescue Situations: Position to facilitate efficient deployment of ground ladders or aerial device.

• Exposures: Position apparatus to protect exposures from fire spread, considering the apparatus itself as a potential exposure, avoiding high radiant heat.

• Water Supply: Prioritize establishing water supply. Lay supply lines where accessible to later-arriving apparatus. Only consider on-board tank after proper size-up. Lay supply line if the first-arriving pumper is in a difficult-to-access area.

• Method of Attack: Position pumpers close to the building for handlines or portable master streams. For fixed appliances, position safely with consideration for structural collapse.

• Hoseline Deployment: Position to support deployment of hoselines for fire attack or supply lines to fire department connections.

• Wind Direction: Position upwind to avoid needing protective breathing apparatus and reduce exposure risk.

• Terrain: Park on hard surfaces to avoid getting stuck. Consider ice and snow. Uphill position minimizes hazardous liquid flowing underneath the apparatus during incidents involving hazardous or flammable liquids or vehicle fires (except in wildland fires where apparatus should be downhill).

• Roadway Response: Position apparatus safely, protecting personnel from oncoming traffic. Block lanes with an additional lane for a safety zone. Lay supply hose to the side of the street.

• Structural Collapse: Maintain a collapse zone of at least one and a half times the height of potentially collapsing buildings. Corners of buildings are generally safer positions.

• Preincident Planning: Identify buildings with high collapse potential.

• Indicators of Potential Collapse: Buildings with reinforcement rods, bulging walls, traveling exterior cracks, falling bricks, and interior collapses.

• Overhead Utility Lines: Avoid positioning directly below utility lines.

• Falling Debris: Protect apparatus, equipment, and personnel within 200 feet (60 m) of high-rise fires from falling debris.

• Equipment Removal: Park in a position where compartment doors may be fully opened and ground ladders or other portable equipment may be removed safely and efficiently from the apparatus.

Positioning to Support Aerial Apparatus

• Pumper driver/operators must consider the needs of aerial apparatus.

• Yield optimum position close to the building for aerial apparatus.

• Consider the "inside/outside" method:

  • Buildings less than five floors: attack pumper(s) inside, aerial apparatus outboard.

  • Buildings greater than five floors: attack pumper(s) outside, aerial apparatus inside for maximum reach.

• Consider the spread of the stabilizing system of the aerial apparatus and placement of ground ladders.

• Apparatus with rear-loaded ladders must maintain clear space behind the vehicle.

• Position pumpers providing water supply for elevated stream operations as closely as possible to the aerial apparatus.

• Consider friction loss due to distance and elevation.

• Renovated urban districts may hamper apparatus access.

Positioning to Support Fire Department Connections

• Position pumper as closely as possible to the water source, ideally determined through preincident planning.

• First-arriving pumper may support the fire department connection (FDC).

• Often, a fire hydrant is located near the FDC.

• If using a static water supply, pumper may need to locate at the source; a relay or water shuttle may be necessary for longer distances.

Cautions

• Do not cross-contaminate a non-potable water source with a potable water supply.

Water Source Supply Pumpers

• Pumpers may need to position at a distant water source and pump water to the fire scene.

Drafting Operations

• Required when a pumper must be supplied from a static water supply source (dry hydrant, storage tank, lake, or stream).

• Pumpers may supply apparatus at the fireground directly or serve as source pumpers for relay or water shuttle operations.

• Common in rural areas.

• During preincident planning, identify suitable drafting sites, recording location, approximate volume, and access.

• Give preference to accessible drafting locations from hard surfaces with minimal hard intake hose length or lift.

• Bridges and boat ramps may be suitable drafting locations.

• Be wary of drafting from locations that are off hard surfaces.

• Waterway banks may be unstable.

• Conduct a risk/benefit analysis for questionable locations.

• Dry Hydrant: Permanently installed pipe with pumper suction connections at static water sources to speed drafting operations.

• Flow test dry hydrants to determine capabilities.

• Chapter 10 contains specific information about operating a pumper from draft.

Cautions

• Personnel near bodies of water must wear a personal flotation device (PFD).

Hydrant Operations

• Common source of water.

• A pumper may be connected to a fire hydrant in several ways.

• Hard intake hose:

  • Designed to withstand vacuum associated with drafting operations.

  • Some are not designed for positive pressure conditions; may experience coupling failure or hose rupture with high static pressure.

• Only use hard intake hose designated to withstand positive pressure.

• Place gate valves on small diameter discharges of dry barrel hydrants before connecting to the large diameter discharge.

• Large diameter intake hose:

  • Preferred type of hose for hydrant connection.

• Driver/operator must know the position of the intake hose on the vehicle's side.

• Judge the proper distance from the hydrant, not the curb.

• Skill Sheet 4-1 explains how to position the pumper to make large diameter intake hose connections.

• Side intake connections:

  • Stop close to the curb with the pump intake a few feet short of being in line with the hydrant.

  • Slightly curve intake hose to prevent kinks.

  • Counter-clockwise twist in the hose can also minimize kinking.

  • Stand behind the hydrant when opening to prevent injury from coupling disconnection or failure.

• Front and rear intakes:

  • Stop either a few feet short or beyond the hydrant.

• Connection to 2½-inch (65 mm) hydrant outlets:

  • Use when maximum flow is not required or large diameter intake hose is unavailable.

  • Connect one or two 2½ or 3-inch (65 or 77 mm) hoses from the hydrant to the pump intake.

• Skill Sheet 4-2 describes how to connect the pumper and supply water quickly.

• Multiple intake connections:

  • Use a large diameter intake and smaller hoselines from an exceptionally well-pressurized (strong) hydrant.

• Skill Sheet 4-3 provides the steps for making multiple intake connections.

Dual Pumping Operations

• One strong hydrant supplies two pumpers.

• Pumpers are typically close together as attack pumpers.

• Skill Sheet 4-4 outlines the steps for a dual pumping connection.

Tandem Pumping Operations

• A form of relay pumping with pumpers positioned close together.

• Needed when pressures higher than a single engine can supply are required, such as supplying a high-rise sprinkler or standpipe system.

• The attack pumper is a distance from the fire.

• Apparatus may be located up to 300 feet (90 m) apart.

• Higher pressure due to the two pumpers acting in a series relay pumping increases water volume.

• Tandem pumping primarily increases water pressure. Skill Sheet 4-5 explains how to position the pumper and make connections for a tandem pumping operation.

• NOTE: Be aware of exceeding the pressure limits of fire hose and adapters (refer to NFPA 1962).

Positioning Wildland Fire Apparatus

• Differs greatly from structural fire considerations.

• Apparatus seldom positioned in the same location for the duration of incident.

• Some wildland fire apparatus are capable of conducting mobile (pump and roll) attack operations.

• Guidelines must be more flexible than those for structural fire apparatus.

• Structural fire pumpers assist with water resupply, direct fire attack, and structure protection.

Structure Protection

• Protection of property is second to life safety.

• The wildland/urban interface is challenging.

• Structures may be on rural lanes, at the end of long narrow driveways, and surrounded by dry vegetation.

• Back the apparatus into position from the last known turnaround point and note the location of landmarks along the route.

• Position for safety and efficiency:

  • Park off the roadway if possible.

  • Clear nearby brush to act as fuel.

  • Position on the leeward side of the structure.

  • Place at a safe distance to keep hoselines short.

  • Keep doors and windows closed.

  • Use air conditioning on recirculation mode.

  • Avoid close proximity to power lines, large trees, LPG tanks, or exposed structures.

Wildland Fire Attack

• Apparatus operate from several different positions.

• Be constantly aware of location and direction of spread.

• Begin attack with the apparatus positioned in an anchor point (natural or man-made barrier).

• Brush, vegetation, and smoke may limit driver/operator's ability to see; reduce speed appropriately.

• Anchor points include roads, lakes, ponds, or previously burned areas.

• A spotter may be needed to walk ahead of the apparatus to help avoid obstacles.

• Spotters must be equipped with hand lights, wear high visibility clothing, and remain within the driver/operator's field of view at all times.

• Stationary apparatus should be placed in an area that affords maximum protection from heat and flames.

• Give consideration to falling trees, incoming air drops, as well as access points for other equipment in the area.

• A short attack line should be deployed and charged for protection of the apparatus.

• Position the vehicle facing the direction of an exit path, with its front wheels straight and always parked with its wheels chocked and the emergency brake engaged.

• Apparatus driven on steep hillsides or on loose or unstable ground surfaces may slide or overturn.

• Do not drive apparatus over bridges unless its weight is known to be within the capacity of the structure.

• Do not attempt to ford streams with a vehicle unless it has been specifically designed to operate in such conditions.

• Driving along the shoulders of railroad beds is a dangerous tactic.

• Keep hoselines short to facilitate movement.

• Keep a portion of the onboard water tank for protection of the vehicle and its crew.

• Extinguish the fire completely with multiple apparatus working in tandem.

• Use additional personnel and apparatus to mop up after the initial fire attack and patrol the fire line.

  • The ability of an apparatus to traverse a body of standing water.

  • Apparatus specifications should list the specific water depths through which trucks must be able to drive.

  • Wildland Fire Fighting:

• Mop Up:

  • Overhaul of fire or hazardous material scenes.

  • In wildland firefighting, the act of making a fire safe after it is controlled by extinguishing or removing burning material along or near the control line, felling dead trees (snags), and trenching logs to prevent rolling.

Wildland Firefighting Safety Guidelines

• Position apparatus in a safe area and do not leave apparatus unattended.

• Communicate with the entire fireground organization for safe and efficient operations.

• Keep headlights on whenever the engine is running.

• Back apparatus into a position facing an escape route.

• Close all windows and doors to prevent burning embers from entering the cab.

• Establish an anchor point before beginning fire attack.

• Draw apparatus and crews to the flanks of the fire rather than attempting a frontal attack if the fire is spreading rapidly upslope.

• Position apparatus to maximize protection from heat and fire, taking into consideration overhead power lines, heavy fuel load areas, and incoming airdrops.

• Keep a charged line ready for apparatus protection.

• Do not drive apparatus into unburned fuels higher than the vehicle's underside clearance.

• Position apparatus using previously burned areas whenever possible.

• Attacks made from the unburned side must allow sufficient distances to accommodate loss of water supply or mechanical failure.

• Consider the location of operating crews when moving apparatus. Do not drive into smoke near the location of other crews.

• Whenever driving through smoke, proceed very slowly, sounding the horn or siren intermittently.

• NOTE: IFSTA's Wildland Fire Fighting for Structural Firefighters manual offers additional information about operating fire apparatus at wildland fires.

Special Positioning Situations

• Crucial for staging, highway operations, hazardous materials incidents, control zones, operations near railroads, and emergency medical incidents.

• Standardized procedure by which responding to a fire or other emergency incident are held in reserve at a location away from the incident while awaiting assignment. *Levell Staging:

  • Used on all multiple-company emergency responses.

  • First-arriving units proceed to the scene, and the others stand by a block or two from the scene and await orders.

  • Units usually stage at the last intersection on their route of travel before reaching the reported incident location.
    *Level II Staging:

  • Used on large-scale incidents where a larger number of fire and emergency services companies are responding.

  • These companies are sent to a specified remote location to await assignment.
    *Staging Area Manager:

  • Company officer of the first-arriving company at the staging who takes command of the area and is responsible for communicating available resources and resource needs to the operations section chief.
    *Base:

  • Location at which the primary Incident Management Logistics functions are coordinated and administered.

  • The Incident Command Post may be co-located with the Base.

  • There is only one Base per Incident.

Staging

• Locally developed apparatus staging policies govern the placement of apparatus at an incident scene.

• Follows Level I and II Staging protocols.

• Level I Staging: Used on any multiunit response of two or more units. Units stop (stage) approximately one block away from the scene in their direction of travel and await further instructions. Engine companies typically stage near a hydrant or water source. Maintain an unblocked position.

• Level II Staging: Numerous units are responding to operate at the same incident. One or more apparatus staging areas are designated by the Operations Section Officer. Units respond directly to that location (parking lot or field etc). Staging Area Manager is appointed. Apparatus in staging should shut off emergency warning lights but maintain readiness to deploy rapidly when requested.

Base

• May be established as an area from which large numbers of personnel and quantities of equipment may be deployed. This area serves as the primary point outside the incident area to which responding units report and receive initial orders for action.

Highway Operations

• Incidents on roadways include traffic collisions and vehicle fires, some involving hazardous materials.

• Long hose lays or water shuttle operations may be required when hydrants are not available or are spread at wide intervals.

• Some jurisdictions have established a policy that calls for a second-alarm pumper to respond to the nearest over/underpass during a highway incident.

• This unit will assist the pumper on the highway by establishing water with an off-highway source.

• It may also be necessary to send a ground ladder or aerial device to supply water to the level of the elevated highway.

• Limited access highways and rural roadways issues.

• Apparatus should not travel opposing the normal flow of traffic on highways or ramps unless the police have closed the road.

Traffic Control

• The U.S. Department of Transportation Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) advises that emergency vehicle warning lights should be used as necessary to reach the incident, but once on scene their use should be reduced as much as possible.

• Driver/operators must be knowledgeable concerning their jurisdictions' policies regarding the display of emergency lights when responding to and positioned at incident scenes.

• Cooperation between fire departments and law enforcement agencies is critical.

• The placement of the apparatus shields the firefighters from oncoming traffic.

• All firefighters must exercise extreme caution when exiting the apparatus.

• Apparatus equipped with side-mounted pump panels should position facing the incident scene, if at all possible, so that the driver/operator at the pump panel controls has a view of the incident scene.

Hazardous Materials Incidents

• Possibility should be considered during every transportation incident.

• Obtain wind speed and direction.

• Approach from upwind and uphill.

• Do not drive the apparatus directly to the scene until the material involved can be identified. Control Zones:

  • Once on scene, a series of hazard-control zones may be established to organize the incident. These zones assist in regulating the movement of response personnel for safety reasons and prevent unauthorized entry.
    Hot Zone:

  • (also called restricted, exclusion, or red zone) Is the area closest to the release of material. This area is exposed to gases, vapors, dust, or runoff of the hazardous substance.
    Warm Zone:

  • (also called the limited access zone or yellow zone) is the area abutting the hot zone and extending to the border of the cold zone. The warm zone is used to provide support for operations in the hot zone and to decontaminate personnel and equipment exiting the hot zone.
    Cold Lone:

  • (also called the support or green zone) surrounds the warm zone and is the area where all incident support functions are conducted. The Command Post, Staging Area, and Triage/ Treatment area are located in the cold zone.

Incident Scene Control Zones

*Hot Zone:
* Closest to the release, requiring appropriate protective clothing and equipment.
* Limited to only technical personnel.
*Warm Zone:
* Surrounds the hot zone, containing the decontamination corridor.
* Requires a lesser degree of personal protective equipment than the hot zone.
*Cold Zone:
* Safe area for staging equipment and personnel.
* Command Post and support functions are located in this zone.

• Driver/operators will stage their apparatus in the cold zone.

Operating Near Railroads

• Consider all railroad tracks "live".

• Do not position on railroad tracks.

• Cross railroad tracks only at designated crossing points.

• Park on the same side of the track as the incident in order to avoid stretching hoselines across the track and to keep firefighters from making repeated crossings of the track.

• Notify the rail company to confirm that rail traffic has been halted along the section in question if stretching a hoseline across a track is absolutely necessary.

• The hose may be run underneath the rails or an aerial apparatus may be used to provide access for a hose line over the top of a track location.

• Use consideration for railroads that operate using high-voltage overhead wires.

• Maintain a clear zone of at least 30 feet (9 m) from railroad tracks to prevent contact with objects on the railroad cars.

Emergency Medical Incidents

• Driver/operator positioning impacts personnel safety and tactical deployment.

• Some jurisdictions require that fire apparatus and EMS vehicles park off the street or highway whenever possible, shutting off all emergency warning lights.

• When an incident requires the driver/operator to position the apparatus in a street or highway, use the vehicle as a shield between the work area and oncoming traffic.

• Place larger apparatus (pumpers) between the now of traffic and smaller vehicles (ambulances).

• Use traffic cones or other traffic control devices when possible to warn drivers of the incident before they drive upon it.

• Consider the proximity of exhaust discharge from parked apparatus relative to patient location.

Chapter Summary

• Apparatus positioning requires understanding the apparatus's role in the overall Incident Action Plan (IAP).

• This understanding is based on preincident planning, knowledge of department policies, and communication from the IC.

• Position apparatus to support the safety of firefighters and civilians based on incident type, terrain, and potential exposures.

Review Questions

1. What size-up factors affect positioning of the apparatus at an incident? (pp. 136-141)

2. What situations may require tandem pumping operations? (pp. 144-145)

3. What safety guidelines should be followed when positioning pumping apparatus in wildland fire attack? (pp. 148-149)

4. What is the difference between Level I Staging and Level II Staging? (p. 150)

5. What basic principles should be considered when responding to any potential hazardous materials incident? (pp. 153-154)