Duties By Position Truck Company
By Capt. Polikoff
When it comes to a fire, I think one of the busiest unit’s on the fire ground has to be the truck company. Why you ask? Well for starters if your department is like most others you are forced to do the job with 3 people (this was discussed in an earlier article). This article, like the one I wrote for Engine Company Page will deal with duties by position, for the truck company. My goal is to help the officer and his crew be on the same page once on the fire ground. This is important when you have detailed people in your station for the shift. Unlike the engine the truck company must be able to think independently. When running with 4 or more on the truck you may split up into teams, it is critical that you are able to accomplish your tasks without the guidance of an officer. This is where duties by position comes into play. Think of it as a checklist in your mind of your job.
3 Man Truck
Driver- Position the truck as ordered by the officer. Wear full PPE. Operate the aerial if necessary. Ensure ground ladders are thrown for the crews inside. Start ventilation. Maintain communication with your crew.
Officer- Lead crew. Bring 4ft hook and can. 200ft search line, TIC, Full PPE, SCBA, hand light and portable radio. Assist with search and rescue. Vent as you go. Open walls and ceilings for Engine Company. Update command of conditions.
Entry Man- Work with officer. Bring irons, 4ft hook and force entry bag. Full PPE, SCBA hand light and radio. Force entry for Engine Company if necessary. Assist your officer with search and rescue vent as you go Open walls and ceilings.
4 Man Truck
Driver- Same as above
Officer- Same as above minus the can
Entry Man- Same as above
Hook and Can- Work with officer and entry man. Bring full PPE, SCBA, 4ft hook, and can, hand light and portable radio. Search and rescue, vent as you go, open walls and ceilings.
6 Man Truck
Driver- Same
Officer-Same
Entry Man-Same
Hook and Can-Same
Outside Vent Man (OVM)- Work with driver with ladders. Do outside ventilation. Team with driver to do VES (vent entry search) Bring Full PPE SCBA, 6ft hook, hand light radio.
Roof Man- Team with 2nd due truck to do roof work. Bring full PPE, SCBA hand light, radio, saw, 6ft hook. Advise command conditions of roof as well as sides of building that can not be seen by command.
As you can see some jobs might not get done when you have a small crew. It is up to the officer to do a good size up and perform the jobs that need to be done right away. It is my opinion that only experienced firefighters and officers should be assigned to the truck company. There are many jobs that must be done, that are critical to achieve a favorable out come on the fire ground. If there is poor truck work on the fire ground the chances of having a favorable out come on the fire ground are very slim.
I hope this helps you, please remember this is not cast in stone, this is just a model. Tweak it to suit your needs.
How does your truck company rate?
First Due Truck with Reduced Staffing
TRUCK COMPANY OPERATIONS
By John Mittendorf
TOOLS OF THE TRADE
By Richard Fritz
FIRE OFFICER'S HANDBOOK OF TACTICS 2nd edition
By John Norman
Click here for books 