Upper Chichester Fire Department

3 days ago

You may notice several acronyms used on our posts when describing fireground operations. We wanted to take some time and explain these acronyms and terms for our followers that aren’t members of a fire organization.

These acronyms/terms describe the order in which units arrive on the fire scene, along with the tasks that they complete.

FDE: This means first due engine. An engine company carries water and hose. Their primary job is to put out the fire. The first due engine’s job is to lay a supply hose line from the hydrant to the fire scene and put an attack hoseline in service to put the fire out.

SDE: This means second due engine. The second due engine’s job on the fireground is to park at the fire hydrant that the first due engine layed a supply line from. They will connect to this hydrant and may boost the pressure, completing the water supply for the first due engine. This crew will ensure the first attack line is placed correctly or deploy a second attack line.

TDE: This means third due engine. The third due engine will establish a secondary water supply (in case of significant fire volume or issues with the first water supply). Once that is complete, they will deploy an attack line to the rear of the building (also called the Charlie side) and begin fire suppression.

FDS: This means first due special service. A special service is a vehicle with an aerial device or rescue capability. The reason this piece is considered “special” is because of the large amount of services and tasks they can perform. The first due special service will split into an inside and outside crew on a fire. The inside crew will force entry, search for victims/fire, and expose any hidden fire for the engine company to extinguish. The outside team will deploy ground ladders for the purposes of ventilation and firefighter or victim rescue. Additionally, they will compete vertical ventilation, which involves opening a hole in the roof of the structure to remove smoke, heat and gases. This improves conditions for interior crews and victims.

SDS: This means second due special service. This is the next arriving rescue or aerial unit on the fireground. This crew will work with the first due special service to search for victims, force entry, deploy ground ladders and ventilate. This crew will normally operate in areas not covered by the first due special service. This may mean searching floors, forcing entry or deploying ground ladders in areas that the first due special service hasn’t gotten to yet.

RIT: RIT stands for Rapid Intervention Team. This refers to a crew of firefighters with specialized training that are available on the fireground, in case of a firefighter related emergency. This may mean packaging/removing a downed firefighter, assisting a disoriented firefighter to safety and preventing incidents from occurring by ensuring proper egress from the building. This job may be performed by the fourth arriving engine company or third arriving special service.

We hope this clears up any confusion and creates a more pleasant viewing experience for all of our followers. Please feel free to message us with any questions, we are more than happy to clarify! ... See MoreSee Less