Dispatch Rules

[cvrules90]

What are the rules regarding dispatching companies to incidents? When listening live, I can tell that an engine (or truck) is dispatched along with an AMR ambulance or Medic unit for medical emergencies.

[Kingscup]

Since there are generally more fire stations, engine/truck companies in a given area then there are ambulances, an engine/truck company can arrive on scene first and start paramedic assessment/treatment. I am not completely sure what you are trying to ask.

[cvrules90]

Since there are generally more fire stations, engine/truck companies in a given area then there are ambulances, an engine/truck company can arrive on scene first and start paramedic assessment/treatment. I am not completely sure what you are trying to ask.

Maybe my wording wasn't all that great. What I was trying to ask is, what is the protocol RVC fire follows when dispatching companies? That is, how many companies are dispatched to particular incidents (structure fires, alarm activations, vehicle accidents, etc...)?

[Kingscup]

I don't know the official dispatch policies of all types of incidents and some incidents can be changed at the discretion of the command center captain based on available information.

A truck company can replace an engine company on any of incidents below but for the sake of simplicity, I will just put engine.

Fire department paramedic ambulance/squad are added to the incident if apart of the standard response plan.

Medical emergency- 1 engine
Medical emergency cardiac arrest- 2 engines
Traffic collision- 1-2 engines
Ringing alarm (no apparent fire)- 2 engines

RVC uses a 4+2 concept on structure fires.
Depending on information obtained (single report etc), 4 engines and a battalion chief are dispatched. If information is obtained that there is likely a fire (multiple reports etc), 2 additional engines are dispatched. A breathing support can be dispatched also.

Second alarm structure fire- 3 engines, 1 truck, 1 battalion chief, 1 division chief

[cvrules90]

I don't know the official dispatch policies of all types of incidents and some incidents can be changed at the discretion of the command center captain based on available information.

A truck company can replace an engine company on any of incidents below but for the sake of simplicity, I will just put engine.

Fire department paramedic ambulance/squad are added to the incident if apart of the standard response plan.

Medical emergency- 1 engine
Medical emergency cardiac arrest- 2 engines
Traffic collision- 1-2 engines
Ringing alarm (no apparent fire)- 2 engines

RVC uses a 4+2 concept on structure fires.
Depending on information obtained (single report etc), 4 engines and a battalion chief are dispatched. If information is obtained that there is likely a fire (multiple reports etc), 2 additional engines are dispatched. A breathing support can be dispatched also.

Second alarm structure fire- 3 engines, 1 truck, 1 battalion chief, 1 division chief

This has really helped me a lot. Thanks for the clarification.