Government > Departments > Fire and Emergency Services > Equipment

Equipment

The Department of Fire, Emergency Services, Buildings and Codes has a twenty-seven million dollar budget. To carry out the functions of a modern fire department members are stationed at eight “firehouses” throughout the city. These stations are strategically located though out the twenty-seven square miles of the City of Albany.

In each of these firehouses is quartered Engine’s, Aerial Ladders, Paramedic Units, or the Rescue Squad. Engines and Ladders are staffed with an Officer and three firefighters, Paramedic Units are staffed with an Officer and a Firefighter paramedic. The Rescue Squad is staffed with an Officer and five firefighters.

There are eight Engine Companies in the City. Sometimes these units are also referred to as “Pumpers”. Their primary function is the rescue of occupants and the supplying and applying water to a fire. Engines carry a wide variety of different size hose. Five-inch diameter hose is used to supply water from a hydrant to the engine or from one engine to another. Two and a half inch hose line is used to attack a large fire or a fire in a large open commercial structure. One and three-quarter inch hose line is used to attack a fire in most single-family buildings.

There are four Aerial Ladders in the City. Their primary function is the rescue of trapped occupants, forcing entry into a building, salvage work, and overhauling the fire scene. These firefighters use their ground ladders to ladder a building and their aerial to gain entry to upper floors. They carry thirty-five foot, twenty-eight foot, and sixteen foot ladders on their truck. Sometimes these units are referred to as “Truck” companies.

The Paramedic units have a primary duty to treat injured occupants or provide advanced life support when they are on emergency (EMS) medical calls. At the fire scene, if they are not treating a patient, they will assist the Engine or Ladder companies. Sometimes these Paramedic Units are referred to as Rescue rigs.

The Rescue Squad is the team that will search for trapped occupants. They are also responsible for the buildings utilities, salvage work, and restoring sprinkler systems to working order. The Rescue Squad carries a large variety of tools and equipment. They respond to auto accidents where extrication of a victim is necessary. The Rescue Squad is also the City’s primary “Hazardous Materials” unit and water rescue crew. These members will research an unknown substance, and if possible stop, plug, or contain a leak. This unit is sometimes referred to as a “Heavy Rescue”.

Some of the situations were you might see one or more of these units are as follows.

For the small fire outside a structure, grass, car or trash fire usually closest Engine Company is sent.

An “alarm of fire” is referred to as any time a citizen calls 911 and reports a fire in a building. This will require the dispatching of three Engines, two Ladders, a Paramedic Unit, the Rescue Squad, and a Battalion Chief. If the first arriving unit reports nothing showing or a small fire, some of these units will be returned to service.

Medical calls in the City are handled in one or two ways. These are either basic life support (BLS) or advanced life support (ALS). If a call is for a minor cut or fall, the closest Engine or Ladder is dispatched. If the call is for trouble breathing, heart attacks, or a serious medical condition, the closest Engine or Ladder and the closest Paramedic Unit is dispatched. In most cases an ambulance is also dispatched automatically.

For the serious vehicle accidents, roll over, etc., an Engine is dispatched for a water supply in case of fire, a Ladder company for extrication, the Rescue Squad for extrication, and a Paramedic Unit for advanced life support. If units are not needed, they will be returned to service by radio.

During 2007, the Department responded to over twenty thousand calls for service in the City of Albany.