Company officer

The Rescue Company

The Truck Company

The Engine Company

The engine company is organized to provide firefighters who deliver water at the fire scene, stretch hose lines, attack and extinguish fires in vehicles and structures. The apparatus designated as an engine has sufficient hose, a water pump, a water tank, and other tools and appliances to accomplish this task.

The primary function of a truck company is to provide firefighters for forcible entry, search and rescue of building occupants, ventilation, ladders, securing utilities, and overhaul functions at a fire scene. The apparatus designated as a truck company has a complement of ground ladders and an aerial device of 55 to 105 feet depending on local needs, with tools designed specifically for forcible entry, ventilation, rescue and overhaul.

The rescue company is organized to provide specially trained firefighters and specialized rescue equipment at an incident scene. The apparatus designated as a rescue company carries tools to conduct forcible entry and search and rescue at fire operations. In addition, most rescue companies also carry specialized tools to conduct vehicle extrication, confined space, or rope rescue operations.

A group of fire companies assigned to work together constitutes a task force or strike team. Apparatus and assigned groups have considerable influence on how, when, and where each company will operate. The type of apparatus and equipment corresponds to the purpose and duty of the fire company.

The company officer supervises a fire company in the station and at the fire scene. The authority for this position is delegated from the chief officer. The work involves responsibility for proper maintenance and operation of the fire station and fire fighting equipment.

The company officer also performs a wide variety of fire fighting and related duties, including inspections of equipment, personnel, and public buildings. Routine duties are performed with independence within established regulations, but under the general direction of a chief officer. The company officer is evaluated by observation of work in progress, results obtained, and by inspections of quarters and equipment.

Company Officers have different titles depending on the table of organization for their particular agency, but commonly used titles in the U.S. Fire Service include Lieutenant, Captain, Sergeant, or other ranks which reflect the paramilitary organization of most departments.

Company Officers in U.S. career fire departments are generally promoted after passing a series of written tests, oral interviews, and tactical evaluations. A certain amount of time in service or time in grade is also often required before an individual is eligible to test for the next highest rank within the department. Seniority may determine whether an officer is in charge of one responding apparatus, or is in charge of an entire station where multiple fire apparatus are housed.

Officer ranks above the company officer level are frequently referred to as "Chief Officer" ranks. Whereas a Company Officer is generally involved with fire ground tactical operations in addition to their supervisory duties, Chief Officers are rarely involved with hands-on fire ground operations.

The responsibilities of a company officer include:

· Meeting the organizations goals and objectives

· Keeping the work area free of health and safety hazards

· Building teamwork and cooperation

· Developing subordinates skills

· Keeping records and making reports

· The duties of a company officer include:

· Maintaining health and safety

· Enforcing departmental rules and regulations

· Managing company activities

· Collecting pre-incident plan data

· Conducting company fire inspections

· Conducting company training evolutions

· Facilitating company communications

· Building company motivation

· Implementing departmental goals and objectives

· Performing career counseling and problem solving

· Keeping department records and making reports.

Дата добавления: 2014-12-27