View Full Version : 1 alarm fire, 2 alarm fire, etc???
what does it mean?
if the answer differs by location im mainly asking about FDNY, but would still be interested in how other depts define a X alarm response.
DoD NucE
07-11-2003, 06:58
Essentially FD's pre prepare for certain conditions. Particular structures that warant special attention, or HAZMAT alarms, or structures in particular areas, or certain accidents etc. have pre planned responses. These pre planned responses are called "Box Alarms." Each box alarm will have a 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th etc. alarm. Each Box alarm will designate which aparatus from your department, or mutual aid, or specialized assistance will respond or standby to the call. When I pulled up to the scene and noticed a working fire, instead of telling the dispatcher I need 3 engines, a rescue and a ladder to the scene, I would simply tell the dispatcher I need a second alarm assignment. The dispatcher will have the box alarms handy and will dispatch the correct equipment where I need it. Also it essentially allows the chief officer to leave his mark on the response, even if he isn't there, since he will have determined an appropriate response for the incident already. As far as the historical stuff, JB has it right. Any other questions feel free to ask or PM.
you two answerred my question just fine, thanks.
MrJim911
08-03-2003, 09:52
In my area, (Northern IL), 1st, 2nd, etc.. refers to a MABAS Box. MABAS is Mutual Aid Box Alarm System. It is used for incidents where a single entity with the normal contingent of local mutual aid will not be able to handle an incident. My 911 center is MABAS Division 13 and responsible for handling these types of incidents for about a dozen local agencies. Incident command will determine what level box (or alarm) we will be dispatching depending on his evaluation of the incident, be it fire, hazmat, ambulance, etc...
Depends on the department.
Where I'm from:
1st Alarm
3 Engines
1 Truck
1 Rescue
1 Duty Captain
Confirmed fires have an additional Engine(s), Truck and Rescue Respond.
vengeance05
08-04-2003, 20:54
Originally posted by nyfo
Depends on the department.
Where I'm from:
1st Alarm
3 Engines
1 Truck
1 Rescue
1 Duty Captain
Confirmed fires have an additional Engine(s), Truck and Rescue Respond.
No offense, but it sounds a bit over zealous to have 5 vehicles and a senior officer respond before even confirming that it's a working fire...
JimSpoor
08-04-2003, 21:15
It may seem obvious but one thing to remember is that you do not have to initiate alarms sequentially. For any resaon the Incident Commander or a senior officer enroute can order additional alarm assignments as s/he sees fit. A Chief can order a 3rd, 4th, etc alarm based on dispatch and pre-planned information alone. You don't have to have alarm,wait.....,2nd alarm, wait some more,.....give me a third alarm, etc.
For example: Today our VFD got dispatched to a reported attic fire in a single family residence. Because it was mid-afternoon the responding Asst Chief ordered a 2nd alarm before ever arriving on scene. In this instance this gets him mutual aid from an adjoining department. This was done primarily because he would probably need more personnel than he would get from the primary dept.
I can understand your point that may be over zealous. Also be aware that volunteer engines and support units may arrive also...yes it's over kill in some ways but I doubt they will ever pull up on scene and feel that pucker factor because they have inadequate amout of manpower!
If you were in a department that was unstaffed I'm sure you wouldn't complain if you went to a department that have more than enough staff so in the long run it's really not a bad thing at all!
And like Jim said, based on dispatch / incident information the supervisor can escalate or de-escalate the apparatus response.
KYEMT325
08-10-2003, 07:35
Where I was living before moving to Seattle, a fire alarm generated the following response:
2 Engines
1 Aerial
1 District Major (Command Officer)
1 EC (Emergency Care or Paramedic) Unit
After arrival of the first apparatus on scene, then they could disregard any of the other units (except the district major of course).
I have no idea what a fire alarm in Seattle generates, but I know it's more than 1 piece of equipment because there was an alarm at the apartment across the street from mine and I'm pretty sure at least 3 pieces of equipment rolled up before the sirens stopped waking me from my sleep :D
As far as being overzealous goes, I was always told that it's much better to have everyone respond and it end up being a cat in a tree, than to have 2 men in an engine respond to an industrial fire alone.
spyder007
11-22-2003, 23:53
On a reported non-targeted structure fire we send 2 engines, a truck and a district cheif. If it is called a working fire, we send HazMat, the Trauma squad, and Heavy rescue to deal with RIT, rehab, safety/accountability, etc.
FD likes to oversend and would rather send companies back than have to find companies to respond if needed.
JimSpoor
11-24-2003, 20:39
Please do not respond to threads that are over a couple weeks old. In this case the thread was over three months old. If you feel you have new or pertinent info please use the PM function or simply start a new thread.
We all get caught doing this in error once in a while. Just try not to make it a habit.
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