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The definition of a fire engine is a mobile apparatus for directing an extinguishing agent upon fires.  A fire engine is also referred to as an engine, wagon or pumper; they all have the same job in the fire service.  The fire engine’s primary job is to establish a water supply and extinguish the fire with the hose that are carried on it.  Fire engines usually carry between 500 gallons of water to 1000 gallons.  This depends on the type of water supply in the area.

The hoses carried on a fire engine vary in sizes and types.  These  sizes are from 1” booster line or forestry line to 1 ½”, 1 ¾”, 2” and 2 1/1”attack hose.  These lines have a nozzle on the end to apply the water.  In addition to using water as extinguishing agent foam is also used.   Foam is carried on the engine either mixed in the main water tank, in a separate tank or in pails that have to be added using an adductor.  Fire engines also carry 3”, 4” or 5” hose used primarily for supply hose.  These hoses are what bring the water from the hydrant or water supply to the engine to refill the main tank water and continue to provide water to extinguish the fire.  The 3” hose can also be used to supply water to “deck guns” or “tail guns” which are usually used for a defensive operation.  In rural areas fire engine may have to carry a type of hose known as “hard suction” or “hard sleeve”.  These types of hose are used when an engine has to draft from a “dry” hydrant, pond or lake.

Fire engines carry other tools and equipment to assist with the extinguishment of fires.  The tools and equipment vary between engines depending on the departments regulations; however the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) set a minimum requirement that manufactures must meet prior to delivering a new fire engine.  Fire engines carry ground ladders, a 24’ or 28’ extension ladder, a 14’ or 16’ roof ladder and a 10’ or 12’ attic ladder.  Some engines have light towers or scene lights which assist with lighting on the scene of an incident.  There may be a strainer or floating strainer which is used in conjunction with the “hard suction” for drafting from ponds or
lakes.  The strainer will help prevent debris from getting into the pump on the engine.  Some engines carry exhaust fans for ventilation.

Tools that are carried on engines are normally carried on all types of fire apparatus.  Tools carried on an engine include a flat head axe, pick head axe, pike pole or hooks, spanner wrenches for connecting and disconnecting hose, circular saw or chain saw, brush “tanks” (a back pack that carries water), brush rakes, portable radios, hydra assist valve, manifold, hydrant bag with tools and adaptors to connect to a hydrant, multiple sizes and types of hose adaptors, tool box with assorted hand tools.  The tools carried on an engine again depends on the departments regulations.

The most important part of a fire engine is the pump.  The pump is usually behind the pump panel, which can be in various locations.  The pump panel can be located on the front, driver’s side, rear, the top, or officer’s (passenger) side.  The pump panel will vary in size depending on how many cross lays or attack lines, the number of intakes and discharges there are and if the engine has a foam system.  A fire engine, pumper or wagon (whatever it is referred to) is set up to best serve the area in which it is being used, but they all have the same job to do.

The engine company is comprised of personnel that respond on the fire engine; however, it goes a little further.  The personnel that respond on the fire engine must be trained in engine company operations for residential fires, low rise or high rise fire, commercial fires, brush fires, vehicle fires, just some examples of how the crew must be prepared to extinguish any type of fire.  In addition to fire suppression engine companies are responsible for assisting hazardous material units with decontamination.

An engine company’s responsibility on the scene of most incidents is fire suppression.  The engine crew must be proficient in the hose management when it comes to fire suppression.  The engine crew must be able to maneuver attack hoses ranging from 1” forestry hose to 2 ½” attack lines, 3”, 4”, 5” or 6” supply hose.  The engine company normally will work in conjunction with the Truck company (the truck company is responsible for searching and ventilation and may be referred to as a ladder company).  The first priority for all crews working on the scene is life safety.

Most Engine Companies have riding assignments for the crew responding on the engine.  The positions of an engine company may vary according to department regulations.  In a “perfect” situation the positions on most engine companies will be drive/operator, officer, hydrant, nozzle, back up, and hook up.  Some engine companies may have eight positions on their engine and use two members for a back up line.  Each position has a responsibility; it is the member riding in that position to know how to complete their assignment.

The first position of an engine company is the driver/ operator.  The driver/operator may also be referred to as an engineer or chauffer.  This position must be filled to get the fire engine to the scene of the incident.  The driver/operator is responsible for getting the fire engine to the scene, securing a water supply which may be from a hydrant or the engine or may have to draft from a “dry” hydrant, pond lake or stream.  If the fire engine is first to arrive, the driver/operator will be responsible for getting water to the attack lines at the proper pressure.

The second position to be filled is the Officer.  The officer is responsible for the entire crew on the fire engine.  The officer will assign the positions and direct the engine crew in its operations.  The officer will decide what size hose line will be used by the crew in accordance with department regulations.

The third position is the hydrant position.  The hydrant is responsible for making sure that the fire hydrant is clear of any obstacles and is working properly prior to hooking the supply hose up to it.  Once the supply hose is hooked up to the hydrant and to the fire engine the driver/operator will call to the hydrant to “charge” the line.  After the line is charged, the hydrant position will report back to the engine company officer for further assignment.

The fourth position is the nozzle.  The crew member on the nozzle is responsible for “pulling” the attack line and getting the nozzle to the fire room.  Once at the fire room or area of the fire, the nozzle person will direct the attack line towards the fire to place the water on it.

The fifth position is the back up person.  The back up person is responsible for “flaking out” the attack line.  This person will make sure that all of the kinks are out of the hose once it is charged and then assist the nozzle person with directing the hose towards the fire.

The sixth position is the hook up person.  The hook up person is responsible for assisting the driver/operator with hooking the supply line up to the fire engine.  Once this job is complete the hook up person will report to the engine company officer for further assignment.

Due to the shortage in volunteers and cut backs in the career service most fire departments will have only four members on an engine company.  The National Fire Protection Association has set guild lines (NFPA 1710 and 1720) for companies responding to fires.  The minimum staffing guild line is four members per crew.