Operations
At the PFD, we have made every attempt to take fire/rescue operations and break them into their most basic functions. We have stuck to a traditional northeast approach to engine, truck and rescue company operations with the thought being that the engine company is responsible for water and it’s delivery. The truck company is responsible to ensure primary search and ventilation with the rescue company supporting the truck’s efforts.
The leadership here since 1991 has felt that if tasks are kept basic and well defined, firefighters will take responsibility in their task, completing them with more of a sense of mission. It has been our experience that a group of people with no clear, specific direction tends to miss important tasks and open themselves to creating redundancy.
Keeping this sense of direction in mind, riding positions were developed and assigned. As shown below, each position has a title and a list of specific duties. Fire school is used as the basis for all training. Completion of a New Jersey Firefighter Level I does not earn an automatic ticket to ride the apparatus in key positions. The PFD program takes the firefighter’s base knowledge acquired in FF 1 and incorporates it to fit our system.
Training is provided for the firefighter upon his/her completion of New Jersey’s Firefighter Level I to orient the firefighter with the responsibilities of each position. Following this training, a hands-on exercise is completed for the firefighter to demonstrate competency, addressing any problem areas. It is at this point that the firefighter becomes a ‘primary firefighter’ and thereby issued the appropriate shield corresponding to his/her level of training. Firefighters are routinely refreshed on the positions to ensure currency. Apparatus riding positions are something that we at the PFD live by. They are practiced close to 400 times a year because we use them religiously on every incident.
Engine Positions (title and responsibilities)
Chauffeur
- Safely drive the apparatus and its crew
- Operate as Motor Pump Operator
Officer
- Act as Incident Commander
- Assist with hoseline deployment
Force
- Forcible entry
- Act as Hydrant, if operating as 4 man crew
Can
- Locate and extinguish fire
Hydrant (Primary FFs do not ride this position)
- Hook to hydrant
- Deliver water when requested
Truck/Rescue Positions (title and responsibilities)
Chauffeur
- Safely drive the apparatus and its crew
- PPV to the front door
- Throw ground ladders or operate main
- Vertical ventilation
Officer
- Primary search
Force
- Forcible entry
- Assist Officer with primary search
Outside Vent Man (OVM)
- Report from the rear of the building
- Ventilation, either horizontal or vertical
Force Extra
- Assist Force
OVM Extra
- Assist OVM
We strive to have every firefighter on the fire grounds competent to the level indicated on their helmet shield, associated directly with which piece of apparatus with which they responded and their position on that apparatus. Every attempt is made to ensure firefighters are educated enough to be an independent fire ground operator able to overcome obstacles with minimal supervision. Through education and clearly defined expectations, the PFD system alleviates the incident commander from micromanaging an incident. This allows the incident commander the time to focus on the overall progression of the incident.
As firefighters develop, we encourage education. It is important for firefighters to go places and meet other firefighters. This interaction helps us learn from others mistakes and learn what works in other places. There certainly is no sense in recreating the wheel! Firefighters are reminded to be open minded enough to see that just because things are not the same, it does not automatically make them wrong. What works in Pennsville, New Jersey may not work someone else’s town.
Shield Requirements
Citation Bars
Pennsville Fire & Rescue likes to honor our members with citation bars that are worn on their class ’A’ dress uniforms. The citation bars recognize our firefighters for achieving certain levels of training, as well as distinguished performance while serving the community. Citations may be awarded to individuals or units for such reasons as saving a life or meritorious service. Citations are awarded yearly by the Chief and presented to members at the annual banquet.
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