CONNECT with the CityFire Suppression Terms
Like any other profession, firefighters work with their own specialized language:
Alarms
First Alarm
A specified amount of equipment and staff is needed to extinguish a normal-size fire or incident. For example, a First-Alarm response for a house fire involves four engines, one truck and two Battalion Chiefs.
Second Alarm
Fire or incident of greater magnitude than a First Alarm. Another complement of First Alarm equipment is added to the initial response.
Third Alarm
Upgrade of a Second Alarm where an additional complement of First Alarm units is added along with any staff or equipment needed to support a large-scale fire, medical emergency or rescue operation.
Still Alarm
Single fire unit response such as electrical short, fence fire or wires down.
Responses
Rescue Response
Any type of response where a person is trapped and needs specialized equipment or personnel for extrication, such as vehicle rescue, water rescue or cliff rescue.
Wildland Response
A "wildland" is an area covered with vegetation, having minimal structures and limited access. There are three levels of Wildland Response: Wildland Low, Wildland Medium and Wildland High. The response level is determined by wind speed, the condition of the vegetation and humidity.
Canyon Rim Response
A Canyon Rim Response is used for grass fires in a canyon. A Brush Component (two Brush Rigs, two Engines, one Water Tender and one Battalion Chief) is sent to the bottom, and a Structure Component (three Engines, one Truck and one Battalion Chief) is sent to the top.
High-Rise Response
The San Diego Fire-Rescue Department sends a High-Rise Response to any building over four stories. Four Engines, two Trucks, one Light/Air Rig and two Battalion Chiefs respond to a high-rise incident. Due to potential evacuation, all hospitals, regardless of their number of stories, receive a High-Rise Response.
Teams
Strike Team
Five like pieces of equipment that, with a Strike Team Leader (Battalion Chief), respond as a unit to wildland or structure fires. Wildland strike teams are typically made up of (Type 3) Brush Rigs, while Structure Strike Teams are made up of (Type 1) Engines.
Task Force
Two or more units are assigned to function together as a single unit for a special incident or purpose. May be any combination of equipment.
Airport Alerts
Airport alerts are incidents involving aircraft at the San Diego International Airport, Montgomery Field and Brown Field.
Alert I
Aircraft approaching with minor difficulty. (Airport units will respond - notify Battalion 1).
Alert II
An aircraft is approaching with major difficulty. Airport units, Rescue 4 and Battalion 1 will respond. They will transmit the First Alarm only if requested by units on the field (Rescue 1, Rescue 2, Rescue 3) or Battalion 1.
Alert III
If an aircraft crashes on or near the airport, immediate emergency action is required (airport units and First Alarm if on the field, Second Alarm if in a residential area).
Alert IV
There was a bomb threat aboard an aircraft (one engine company, MAST Captain, EDT Technician, and Battalion Chief initially responded).
A hijack situation is the unlawful seizure of an aircraft. The FAA (in the air) or the FBI (on the ground) controls the response to this situation.
Crashes Off Air Field
Alert V
Aircraft crash in a populated area. Automatic Second Alarm, with the closest Crash Rig available, R4 and a paramedic.
Reduced Alert V
Aircraft crash where there is a limited hazard; for example, the crash is on a freeway or city street and there is no fire. Automatic First Alarm with closest Crash Rig.
Wildland Alert V
Aircraft crash in a wildland, unpopulated area. Crash 2 Rig, Rescue 4, Water Tender, two Brush Rigs, Utility Rig and a Paramedic.
