About the Department > Company Operations

Rescue Engine Concept

In response to a shrinking volunteer membership and in an effort to streamline operations, Franklin Borough Fire Rescue opted in 1997 to purchase a combination pumper/rescue apparatus. This apparatus combines the functions of both a conventional pumper (engine) and a rescue vehicle into one vehicle. Rescue/pumpers are highly versatile companies and can be utilized, not only as an engine company, but also for any other functions for which they are trained and equipped. With the successful use of our first pumper/rescue, the department received a new pumper/rescue (see picture below) in December 2007 to replace the older model. In fact, quite a few of our neighboring departments currently operate (or have ordered) pumper/rescues.

In comparison with a standard pumper, a rescue/pumper typically has more compartment space and may be a few feet longer and a little higher. The additional compartmentation is necessary to carry typical firefighting equipment, ventilation fans, power saws, forcible entry tools, EMS equipment, and rescue equipment such as hydraulic rescue tools, cribbing and jacks, air bags, rope rescue equipment, swiftwater rescue equipment, generators, and air monitoring devices.

In general, an engine company is responsible for establishing a water supply and stretching hose lines to protect exposures, confine the fire to the smallest area possible, and of course, extinguish the fire. A truck company, sometimes referred to as a special service, is responsible for search and rescue, ventilation, forcible entry, placement of ladders, control of utilities, checking for fire extension, overhaul, salvage, and elevated master streams.

While the entire fire service is dedicated to saving lives and property, rescue and extrication deal exclusively with life-threatening situations. Rescue involves the removal and treatment of victims from areas of danger (such as situations involving the natural environment, structural collapse, or elevation difference) or entrapment by some type of man-made machinery or equipment. The responsibility of performing these rescues and extrications falls to the rescue company.

Rescue/pumpers operate as an engine company when they are the first or second-arriving engine at a fire and operate as a rescue/special service company at hazardous materials incidents and specialized rescue calls, such as vehicle collisions, high-angle rescues, confined space rescues, and trench rescues. At fires where the rescue/pumper is not the first or second-arriving engine, the incident commander is free to assign the crew to a wide-range of job functions. From ventilating, to performing a rescue, to extinguishing a fire, the rescue/pumper can handle the task.

Click here for our Standard Operating Guideline for Standard Company Operations.

Rapid Intervention Crew (RIC)

The objective and function of a rapid intervention crew is to locate and rescue lost, trapped, and/or injured firefighters on the fireground. In 1999, the department decided to take the lead in the area of rapid intervention by completing specialized training and acquiring new rescue equipment, some of which is specifically intended for the rescue of firefighters.

When firefighters face mayday conditions, saving them may require more than basic rescue techniques and training. Firefighters assigned to rescue their fellow firefighters are often placed in extraordinarily dangerous conditions. For these reasons, department members have been trained in self-survival, forcible exit techniques, firefighter rescue, and specialized rescue.

Upon arrival on a fireground, the rapid intervention crew reports to the incident commander for a briefing. The RIC then stages for deployment near the area where fire crews made entry into the structure. The RIC will have with them a variety of tools that can be used for most anticipated rescue scenarios. While staging, the RIC must constantly monitor the building for signs of collapse, track the location and progress of the fire, and monitor the location of crews in the building.

Rapid intervention crews are not intended to be used to perform other operations.

When firefighters become disoriented, deplete their air supply, or suffer injuries or illness that prohibit self-escape, the rapid intervention crew must be quickly activated. The RIC must enter the structure, locate the victim quickly, safely remove the firefighter from imminent danger, and provide immediate life-saving measures. The RIC then must remove the firefighter from the structure and transfer the individual to a awaiting emergency medical crews, if necessary.

Click here for our Standard Operating Guideline for Rapid Intervention Crew Operations.

Emergency Medical Services

At times, the fire company is requested to respond to medical emergencies to assist the ambulance and paramedic unit with additional help for patient extrication or for providing medical care essential to the patient's life and well-being. There may also be times that a fire company can arrive on scene prior to an ambulance, such as when the ambulance is returning from a previous call.

In addition to the high levels of fire rescue training, many of our active members are also trained and certified to various levels of emergency medical care, including several paramedics and emergency medical technicians. And, all of our fire apparatus carry Basic Life Support (BLS) medical equipment meeting the rules and regulations of Pennsylvania's Voluntary Rescue Service and/or Quick Response Service programs.

Pennsylvania Participating Department

On October 23 2003, the Office of the State Fire Commissioner (OSFC) recognized the Franklin Borough Fire Department as a "Participating Department" through its Participating Department Recognition Program. The OSFC established this program in November 1999 to recognize those emergency service organizations that support, promote, and encourage their emergency response personnel to voluntarily certify within the commonwealth's voluntary certification program.

Any emergency service organization, which has at least 10% of its active members certified to at least one of the various certification levels in accordance with nationally recognized and sanctioned professional qualifications standards, is eligible for recognition. Those recognized receive a certificate for public display and large decals for their apparatus designating them as a "Participating Department."

Copyright © 1996-2008 Franklin Borough Volunteer Fire Company, No. 1