Single Axel Quint

[livewire09]

I have a question for any firefighter who has experience with being assigned to a 75' single axel quint company. If a department runs the quint as a first due comapny, do they set up for engine company ops or truck company? Trying to get a few ideas from different views for or new truck.

Stay safe!

Adam

[BC79er_OLDDELETE]

The best advice I've seen so far is position for ladder ops, and perform engine ops with limited manpower. Which made sense to me since you can always extend hose, but making that stick longer takes an act of God and a good welder. It comes down to size-up and priorities as to what manpower does first: S&R, suppression, rescue, ventilation, utilities, master streams, exposures, etc. There is no set answer on what to do every time with your FFs, but you only get one shot at putting the truck in the right spot. Once the hose is off, it's pretty much over with. And that's the same no matter what the size of stick or how many axles.

Have fun with the new truck & truckie work.

Brian

[Halligan84]

From my experience (volunteer, relatively quick response of 2 engines and a quint from different stations) pick a primary duty for the rig.. engine or truck. If you pick truck and routinely arrive well before an engine, you will have problems. If you pick engine, position for truck work and designate the next in crew to get the hydrant and supply the truck crew. We are primarily a truck company and the members are enthusiastic about this work, not too many guys want to drag a handline off too quickly. We arrive pretty much simultaneous or close to an engine. If we will arrive well before the engine, we position for truck work, but operate as an engine only. This change in operation is announced on radio and the 1st engine operates as the truck, using our rig. I wouldn't advocate splitting the duties of the crew unless I had in excess of 6 men. The quint works fine in our setting as long as you understand its all about the manning, the rig just gives alot more options on getting the job done.

[mstclair190]

livewire09,

To answer better, it would help to know what circumstances is the quint working? Is it part of a larger department with normal truck companies responding also? Does it respond with a regular engine from the same station? Does it have first-due engine responsibilities? Is it the only aerial unit?

My department runs a quint and an engine (from different stations) front-line. As such, we use it more as an engine with "something extra" than as a truck company. Due to limited on-duty staffing we pretty much try to position for use of the aerial if possible, then work as an engine company along with the guys off the engine. With a lot of tight streets and the overhead wires in some areas getting a usable position for the aerial ladder isn't always a possibility. The guys responding for the off-duty recall will take on more of the truck responsibilities as they arrive.

[livewire09]

Thanks for the feedback. Mark, let me answer your questions. We are a paid on call department. It will be responding with another engine from the same station and a rescue. We have not assigned responsibilities as of yet, the truck has not yet been purchased. We are doing research, such as this forum, to get ideas and opinions from those with experience. This is not the only aerial, there is an additional 105' ladder platform. Personnel has not been a problem. We are looking at doing more truck work with this new unit.

Thanks,

Adam

[FFFRED]

I've worked for two seperate depts. Both did completly different things with the Quints. The first one parked it like an Engine many times only to have the after thought of "ooops the ladder won't reach!"

The second one, when I was there always parked it as if it were to be used. If it couldn't reach it was parked as an Engine. This means leaving room for the jacks and making sure the turntable isn't blocked by wires or trees. When we showed up first we would stretch a line and operate as an engine when we were second due we would usually perform truck ops.

Best of luck.

FTM-PTB