Parking Fire Apparatus

Gordon Graham here with Today’s Tip from Lexipol. Today’s Tip is for my friends in the fire service. We’re going to talk about apparatus placement on-scene.  

Whether you’re driving the engine, the truck, the ambulance or the chief’s rig, there are two essential considerations for placement of your rig.  

Have you ever heard the saying, “The first five minutes determines the next five hours?” Granted, we’re usually talking about the strategy of the first-arriving officer. But it also rings true when we think about apparatus placement. 

Whether you’re driving the engine, the truck, the ambulance or the chief’s rig, there are two essential considerations for placement of your rig.  

One, where is it most effective to position your vehicle? For example, the ambulance crew may arrive first at a fire scene. The driver should position the ambulance so that it can rapidly leave the scene if transport is necessary. 

Second, how can you avoid hindering the access of other apparatus? Have you ever seen an engine lay-in to the fire with the supply line in the middle of the roadway, blocking access for any other responding units? 

Positioning units as they arrive in the first few minutes of an incident may help determine whether an incident proceeds efficiently or becomes a drawn-out event. The chief should not park in the roadway. The ambulance should be positioned to allow a quick exit. The engine driver should lay-in keeping the supply line close to the side of the road. The positions of the apparatus should lead to a smooth operation at the incident. 

So, the next time you arrive at a fire scene, be sure to pay attention to where you park your unit. A few seconds of planning and observation just might save the overall operation.  

And that’s Today’s Tip from Lexipol. Until next time, Gordon Graham signing off.

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