Proper apparatus placement is crucial to success at the scene

Apparatus placement at the scene of an emergency directly affects firefighters' ability to properly use all the equipment on the apparatus. Appropriate positioning can simplify a room-and-contents fire, and make a multiple-alarm fire more manageable. On the other hand, poor positioning can make it difficult, if not impossible, to accomplish even the most basic fireground objectives; at the very least, it can force crews to make longer hose stretches, and at the worst, it can make it impossible to use aerial devices and other equipment affixed to the apparatus. Individual fire situations may require special positioning, but standard operating procedures (SOPs) can help departments ensure all responding personnel understand the proper locations to position on a fire scene.

Fundamentally, the position an apparatus must take on the fireground directly relates to the function that apparatus must accomplish at the incident.

PHOTO ERIC RASMUSSEN When dealing with a multi-story occupancy, it's advantageous to place the ladder company at the building corner.

A DIFFERENT APPROACH
Positioning effectively requires some work on the part of the driver and the officer. Both should try to visualize the location if possible. They should also reference maps (printed or electronic) to determine the various ways to access the location and the best angle of approach given the functions the apparatus must perform. Approaching from the same direction as the other apparatus responding to the call might seem to make sense, particularly if it saves you time, but it may require you to park a block or more away from the scene, essentially negating the value of the fixed equipment on your apparatus.

Approaching from a different direction might allow you to set up directly in front of the first-arriving apparatus; it may also allow you to access a different hydrant conveniently located just past the fire building that no other apparatus can use.

FIRST ON SCENE
The first-arriving engine generally must take a position that allows it to advance hoselines into the fire building for fire suppression. Some departments use a forward lay procedure (laying "in" to the fireground), while others use a reverse hoselay procedure (laying "out" from the fireground, leaving attack hoselines at the scene). In areas without hydrants, the engine typically maneuvers into the scene and determines how and where to leave supply lines so tankers or additional arriving engines can easily supply them. 

The first-arriving ladder/rescue/special service apparatus must gain a position that allows them to effectively ventilate and ladder the building and perform search and rescue operations. The position must also allow crews to stretch cord reels to the building to power lights, fans and other support equipment. Placing the apparatus near the fire building facilitates faster retrieval of additional equipment, such as tools, lights, ground ladders, etc.

SOPS FOR POSITIONING APPARATUS
Developing basic SOPs for common responses will help apparatus gain the position needed for an effective firefight. Below I provide some suggestions for responses to single-family dwelling incidents and building fire, or box alarm, incidents.

Single-Family Dwelling
Typically, fire departments respond to single-family dwellings with two engine companies and one ladder company (known as a "2 and 1" assignment in some locales). For the ladder company to access these structures, it is most useful for the first-arriving engine to either stop short of or proceed past the fire building. This can create problems, especially on cul-de-sacs, narrow or dead-end streets, or long driveways, where coordination must occur between responding companies. The ladder company must arrive either just ahead of or just behind the first engine so the ladder company can gain the critical position. Once the second engine commits, it's impossible to position the ladder company in a functional location. This scenario also requires the ladder company to run early on the assignment, so as not to unduly delay positioning of additional responding units.

Another problem in this type of street arrangement: water supply. Reverse lays are virtually impossible without significant maneuvering (a bad idea at a working fire scene); a forward lay by the second engine necessitates the response of a third engine to pump the hydrant where necessary, tying up additional resources.

If the roadway is accessible from both directions, the first-arriving engine and ladder company must communicate so that the ladder knows which way to come in. A somewhat different, yet still effective strategy involves the initial engine pulling up short of the fire building and stretching a supply line in behind it. The ladder can then access from the opposite direction, pulling up nose-to-nose with the initial engine. This tactic allows supply engines, tankers, etc., free access to perform water-supply evolutions behind the first-arriving engine without worrying about blocking the ladder company's access. One downside of this tactic: The first-arriving engine officer won't be able to see three sides of the fire building from the cab.

Departments that normally position their initial engine just past the fire building may want to use preconnected hose layouts because crosslays can be difficult to stretch behind the apparatus.

Departments that normally position their initial engine just past the fire building may want to consider using preconnected hose layouts. Crosslays can become difficult to stretch behind the apparatus, so it may be more advantageous to install a selection of preconnected handlines off the rear hosebed if crosslays aren't already available.

A number of other positioning strategies can come into play on a single-family dwelling fire. If possible, position a company at the rear of the fire building. When dealing with corner houses, try positioning the ladder company on the corner so it can easily access two sides of the building. Position smaller rescue or special service units in the driveway or on the lawn to keep the road open for larger equipment. If using a quad or quint, position it directly in front of the home so it can function as an engine with the initial crew, and a ladder as additional manpower arrives on the scene.

PHOTOS GLEN E. ELLMAN On cul-de-sacs (left), or narrow or dead-end streets, (right) the ladder company must arrive either just ahead of or just behind the first engine so the ladder can gain the critical position. This means the ladder must also run early on the assignment, so as not to delay positioning of additional responding units.

Building Fire (Box Alarm Response)
Typical fire department responses to building fires include 3–4 engine companies and two ladder or rescue/special service companies (known as a "4 and 2"). On these larger buildings, space and accessibility may not always be problems, but proper positioning allows the incident commander to use the responding equipment in the most efficient manner.

PHOTO GLEN E. ELLMAN If the roadway in front of a single-family dwelling is accessible from both directions, the initial engine can pull up short of the fire building and the ladder access from the opposite direction, pulling up nose-to-nose with the engine.

Once again, ladder company accessibility to these buildings is important; however, when dealing with a multi-story occupancy, it is more advantageous to place the ladder company at a building corner, with the aerial turntable facing out from the corner. This provides aerial access to two faces of the building and minimizes exposure of the apparatus to a collapse. Regardless of where the ladder companies are located, try to position the turntables of the apparatus as close to the building as possible while still protecting them from collapse potential. This will maximize the elevating equipment's reach.

For the "4 and 2" response, typical engine company assignments might include:

• First arriving: front of the building, primary attack line on the fire floor
• Second arriving: water supply for the first engine, backup line on the fire floor
• Third: rear of the building, primary line to the floor above the fire or adjacent exposure
• Fourth: water supply for the third engine, backup line to the floor above the fire or adjacent exposure

And for ladder companies, assignments might include:

• First arriving: front of the building, corner by quadrant 1, ladder company operations on the fire floor
• Second arriving: rear of the building, corner by quadrant 3, ladder company operations on the floor above the fire or adjacent exposure

Of course, you may decide to alter your assignments somewhat based upon local preferences.

PHOTO PAUL M. ROSS JR. Remember: Position chief's vehicles or command vehicles in driveways, on lawns or other locations, not in the way of incoming equipment.

When operating at buildings with access to only one side, place the ladder companies at the two available corners. Ladder company officers and drivers should preplan hazards in their response areas to determine special access routes (I've used sidewalks, open lawns and other alternative access points, weather permitting). If you must use a lawn or other soft ground, ensure you can gain the position you need — a tow truck can always tow you out once the incident is over. Engine company officers and drivers should also be familiar with hydrants, sprinklers and standpipe connections in their districts.

ADDITIONAL TIPS
Many departments operate chief's vehicles or command vehicles that can arrive quickly, perform an incident size-up and provide direction to incoming apparatus. However, if these vehicles park directly in front of the fire building, they block incoming apparatus from much-needed positions. Chief's vehicles should be positioned in driveways, on lawns or other locations, not in the way of incoming equipment.

The larger supply lines used today can also block access to a building. This underscores the importance of quickly placing first-responding units and equipment where they are needed most, before our own devices limit our access to crucial areas on the fireground.

CONCLUSION
Whatever your positioning preferences, document them for training and future reference. Once you've established positioning guidelines or SOPs, practice them during drills and regular responses (including alarm systems) so that all units easily position on working fires.

Greg Jakubowski is a fire protection engineer and a certified safety professional with 27 years of fire-service experience. He is a Pennsylvania State Fire Instructor and serves as a captain with the Lingohocken Fire Company in Bucks County, Pa. Greg is also a principal in Fire Planning Associates, Washington Crossing, Pa., a company dedicated to helping fire departments and businesses preplan for emergency situations.