Quints Part 3

By
John Mittendorf
– July 23, 2010Posted in: FD Training
In our previous quint articles, we discussed several quint considerations such as financial and design criteria, staffing, and training. In this last article on quints, let’s look at several additional...

In our previous quint articles, we discussed several quint considerations such as financial and design criteria, staffing, and training. In this last article on quints, let’s look at several additional considerations such as compartment space, ground ladders, and operations.

COMPARTMENT SPACE
Single chassis quints are not blessed with an abundance of usable compartment space. When the middle portion of the apparatus is reserved for a pump, hose, water, and ground ladders, the depth of most compartments will be reduced, resulting in the need to prioritize commonly used equipment. The comment that quints have adequate compartment space becomes a wishful dream when engine and truck company tools-equipment are placed into shallow compartments. This is graphically illustrated when viewing most new quints, particularly quints with platforms. At a recent workshop, I observed a new quint with a 100′ platform with large compartment doors on either side of the apparatus. Upon opening the doors I noticed the compartments were only deep enough to store three SCBAs, two extinguishers, and three SCBA bottles. If you ever have the opportunity, compare the compartment space of a newer single chassis quint with the compartment space of a tillered quint! Remember, the lack of compartment space will dictate that equipment must be prioritized into two basic parameters: (1) equipment that is carried on the apparatus and (2) equipment that is left in the fire station. Remember an old fire department axiom, “equipment that is left in the fire station or on the apparatus is not usable if it is suddenly needed on the fire ground”.

LADDERS
If there is one fire department “tool” that is slowly receiving less emphasis on the fireground, it is the use of ground ladders. Primarily, this is due to three basic reasons as follows:

  • Reduced staffing.
  • Increase in fireground priorities (2-in, 2-out, RIC teams, etc).
  • A reduction of available ladders. With the implementation of quints the space required for a varied assortment of ground ladders is reduced to increase the amount of space for other types of multi-purpose equipment that must be carried. Therefore, the typical ground ladder compliment is minimal with a few ladders being the typical norm.

OPERATIONS
In concert with a quint being able to perform engine or truck company operations, let’s consider several operational concepts from the perspective of a quint being first-in to a structure fire:
Quint Company First On-Scene:
Although the initial placement of an engine or truck company is relatively uncomplicated, the placement of first-in quint apparatus can be challenging due to the following factors:

  • Quint apparatus can be used as an engine or truck company.
  • Normally, a quint officer must select either engine or truck operations due to common staffing constraints of three or four personnel. This staffing dictates that only one basic operation can be initially accomplished.
  • If a quint is multi-functional, it needs to be strategically positioned for the needs of an incident, which can often vary due to changing conditions.

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  • If later arriving apparatus have an aerial device and an aerial device is not necessary, spot and operate as an initial engine company. If an aerial device is necessary, spot as an initial engine company but leave appropriate room for later-arriving aerial device apparatus.
  • If later arriving apparatus do not have an aerial device and an aerial device is not necessary, spot as an initial engine company. If an aerial device is necessary, spot so the aerial device can be utilized. This focuses on positioning the apparatus for aerial use, which may preclude being in a prime position for potential hoseline operations.

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  • If later arriving apparatus do not have an aerial device, and an aerial device is not necessary, spot as an initial engine company. If an aerial device is necessary, spot as a truck company but operate as an initial engine company. This concept allows a quint to provide an initial attack line for the fire, and an aerial device for use by later arriving companies.
  • If later arriving companies have an aerial device, spot as an initial engine company, leaving appropriate room for the company with the aerial device, should aerial device operations become necessary.

Is a quint the answer for every fire department? Not even close, and in some cases, has proven to be a detriment. The key is to analyze the present and future needs of a district in concert with monetary constraints. If the concept of a quint meets specific criteria, ensure that proper staffing, training, and response SOP’s will yield the potential of this multi-functional company. Therefore, if a quint responds to a structure fire, quint personnel must be trained to effectively perform attack and/or logistical functional operations with equal expertise and not focus on “putting the wet stuff on the red stuff”.

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John Mittendorf

About John Mittendorf

John Mittendorf was a 30 year veteran of the Los Angeles City Fire Department and held the rank of Battalion Chief until his retirement in 1993. He has been a member of the National Fire Protection Research Foundation on Engineered Lightweight Construction Technical Advisory Committee. He has provided training programs for the National Fire Academy, UCLA, and the British Fire Academy in England. He has acted in an advisory capacity for five college fire science advisory boards and is the author of numerous fireground articles for magazines in the United States and Europe. He is the author of the books Ventilation Methods and Techniques, Truck Company Operations, and Facing the Promotional Interview. He currently lectures in the United States and the United Kingdom on strategy and tactics, truck company operations, fireground operations, ventilation operations, and the complete fire officer. He is a member of the editorial advisory board of Fire Engineering magazine.