Fire Dept Terminology 

“Switching to Tac” – Fire crews stay on the dispatch channel until the first unit arrives on scene, then they switch to a tactical channel so that the dispatch channel can be used to dispatch other units/stations as needed. (Ex. “Waterloo Pump 3 on scene, nothing visible, switching to Tac.”)

“Patient contact” – This  is what a crew will say at a medical call once they have arrives on scene and are with the patient. (Ex. “Fire dispatch, Elmira Rescue 4 we have patient contact.”)

E1, E2, E3, E4 – When referring to an area of a building/property each side is given an number.  E1 is always the side that faces the street, and E2-E4 are clockwise from E1 (see diagram below)

Working Fire – A structure fire that is big enough to require multiple units/stations to be called and for the incident command system to be used.  In layman’s terms it means it’s big enough that it can’t be put out quickly by a single fire crew (Example.  A grease fire on a stove is not a working fire.  A grease fire on a stove that spread to the whole kitchen is a working fire.)

Fully involved – A working fire that has spread to more then half the building

MVC – Motor Vehicle Collision

CO – carbon monoxide

VSA – Vital Signs Absent (if someone is VSA they are not breathing and have no pulse)

Tiered response – when more then one agency responds to an incident.  Usually referred to in medical calls where Fire, EMS and Police are dispatched.

EMS – Emergency Medical Service (Paramedics)

RIT – Rapid Intervention Team.  This is a team of firefighters at a fire scene whose sole responsibility is to enter a structure and rescue any firefighters who become injured or trapped an call for assistance.

PAR – Personnel accountability report.   At a working fire, dispatch will call for a Par which means the incident commander and accountability will verify the location of every single person at the scene to make sure nobody is missing

Ventilation – The process of removing smoke, heat, and other dangerous fumes/gases from a building.  This can be done by opening windows/doors, with fans, or by cutting holes (often in roofs).

Hazmat – Hazardous materials.  A hazmat call is one that that involves hazardous materials that require special equipment and/or procedures.  A Hazmat unit is a unit of firefighters with the specialized training and equipment to deal with Hazmat calls.

Exposure – a building or object (Ex. Forest, a fence, neighbors house) that is close to a working fire and could be at risk of the fire spreading to it.

Heavy Hydraulics – Cutting and spreading tools that are powered by high pressure hydraulic fluid.  These tools are most often used to free people who are trapped in vehicles after an MVC.  (Ex.  The “Jaws of life” is a brand name of heavy hydraulic tools).

Evacuation – When a working fire becomes too dangerous to continue working inside the incident commander calls for an evacuation and ALL personnel inside the structure must drop what they are doing and immediately exit the building, leaving behind any tools or equipment they do not require to escape.  (Ex.  Over the radio you will hear the words “Evacuate! Evacuate! Evacuate!”, at the scene you will hear them blast the air horns on all of the trucks on scene for a minute straight)

Mayday – When a firefighter becomes trapped, injured, or in need of assistance at a scene they will call a mayday to request assistance and the RIT team will be sent to rescue them. (Ex. Over the radio you will hear “Mayday! Mayday! Mayday!”)

Forcible entry – When access to a locked area must be gained immediately and a key is not available, forcible entry is the use of various techniques to use tools and force to open the locked door.  (Ex, breaking a padlock, prying a door or Window, cutting a door).  The least destructive methods are always tried first “try before you pry”.

Staging – This is where firefighters get ready and wait for assignments.  When work needs to be done and officer will call a firefighter from the staging area to perform the task.

Hot Zone – The hot zone is the area where the incident is happening.  (Ex. At a working fire the hot zone is inside the building.  At a hazmat call, the hot zone is the area containing the hazardous material)

Rehab – Fighting a fire is very physically demanding work so to make sure firefighters don’t over exhausted or dehydrated they are sent to rehab after being in the hot zone so they can rest, cool down, and re-hydrate.

Box 690 – A volunteer organization that provides food and refreshments to firefighters at a scene.  They will setup at the rehab station. (http://www.box690.com)

Offensive Attack -  When firefighters are sent into a burning building to put it out.

Defensive attack – When it is too dangerous for an offensive attack, the fire is fought from the outside.  This strategy is nicknamed “surround and drown”.

Extension – If a fire spreads from it’s point of origin, perhaps into a wall or into the ceiling, this is referred to as an extension.  (Ex. “checking for extensions” means they are confirming that the fire is completely out and has not spread).

RP – Responsible Party.  The person responsible for the property on which the incident is occurring. (Ex. The property owner, a company representative.)

Primary search – a rapid search of a building to locate any persons who are unaccounted for.  This can be done before or during fire suppression.  Primary search is conducted when there it has not already been confirmed that the building is empty.

Salvage – Removing or covering personal property inside 

For more terminology please refer to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glossary_of_firefighting