Fire and Emergency Services Orientation and

Terminology5th Edition

Chapter 2 — Roles of Fire and Emergency Services

Personnel

Learning Objective 1

Distinguish among the different types of fire companies.

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A company includes a CO, a D/O, and one or more firefighters.

2–3

An engine company has many different roles.

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A truck company may perform two functions simultaneously.

2–5

A rescue/squad company has several different functions.

2–6

REVIEW QUESTION

What duties will a Rescue Squad/Company perform that a Truck Company will not?

2–7

Identify the duties of fire suppression (operations) personnel.

Learning Objective 2

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Firefighters perform various duties and meet specific requirements.

2–9

A driver/operator has additional duties and responsibilities.

2–10

A company officer supervises a fire company.

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A battalion/district chief supervises a group of fire companies.

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REVIEW QUESTION

Why could the title and roles of a Battalion/District Chief vary?

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Define the roles of training division personnel.

Learning Objective 3

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The instructor is responsible for the delivery of training courses.

2–15

Training officers run intra-departmental training programs.

2–16

Recognize possible positions for fire service administration.

Learning Objective 4

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Human resources recruit and hire personnel.

2–18

A grant administrator has several functions.

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A safety officer oversees the safety and health program.

2–20

A PIO is the department’s primary contact with media.

2–21

An assistant chief is typically assigned to a specific function.

2–22

The fire chief is the chief executive officer of the department.

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REVIEW QUESTION

What officer is charged with overseeing a fire department’s occupational safety and health program?

2–24

List special operations personnel duties.

Learning Objective 5

2–25

An airport firefighter protects life and property at airfields.

2–26

A haz mat technician is a firefighter with specialized training.

2–27Courtesy of Steve Baker

A technical rescuer performs various types of rescue.

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(Continued)

A technical rescuer performs various types of rescue.

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Marine firefighters are land-based firefighters specializing in the marine domain.

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Courtesy of John Lewis

Wildland firefighters use special skills and equipment to suppress wildland fires.

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Industrial firefighters are employed by private companies.

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REVIEW QUESTION

What are four possible types of special operations positions in which a firefighter can specialize?

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Explain how fire prevention (community risk reduction ) personnel assist in building community fire safety.

Learning Objective 6

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The fire prevention division has several responsibilities.

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A fire inspector conducts technical work in the fire prevention program.

2–36

A fire investigator determines the cause of all assigned fires.

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The public fire and life safety educator is the hub of the public fire education program.

2–38

Courtesy of Beverley Walker

FPEs and PEs review site and building plans, note violations, and recommend changes.

2–39

REVIEW QUESTION

What positions typically make up the fire prevention (community risk reduction) division in a fire department?

What personnel roles can be filled by sworn civilians or outside contactors depending on the size of the department?

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Compare and contrast the duties of emergency medical services personnel.

Learning Objective 7

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Personnel may be trained as a first responder, EMT, or paramedic.

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A first responder has one primary function.

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An EMT provides BLS for those whose lives are in danger.

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A paramedic is the highest patient care position in EMS.

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An EMS Chief/Officer supervises an EMS company.

2–46

REVIEW QUESTION

What are the four types of Emergency Medical Service personnel that could be a part of the fire department?

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Describe the role emergency management personnel has in community safety planning.

Learning Objective 8

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Emergency management is the discipline of anticipating risks and limiting their consequences.

2–49

REVIEW QUESTION

What roles will emergency management personnel play in community safety planning?

2–50

Recognize other fire department personnel who assist in carrying out the broad mission of the fire department.

Learning Objective 9

2–51

The backbone of the communications system is the telecommunicator.

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IT personnel maintain and troubleshoot various types of information technology.

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Facilities management personnel perform many functions.

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Maintenance personnel keep apparatus running properly.

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Summary

• In the last thirty to forty years, the fire service’s mission has begun to change dramatically.

• Fire service personnel must be prepared to meet many highly technical specialties.

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