Definition: basic firefighting apparatus assigned to every station that responds to all types of rescues, fires and medical calls; carries a water supply and hose.
Primary roles: placement of hose lines to supply water for rescue, fire extinguishment, exposure protection, patient evaluation and stabilization on medical calls, and primary extrications.
Water carried: 300 gallon to 750 gallon tanks
Equipment carried: medical equipment (including automatic defibrillator), either a 1500- or 1250 gallon-per-minute fire pump, hose, all have a quick attack hydraulic rescue tool for vehicle accidents and two have heavy hydraulic extrication equipment, plus ground ladders.
Amount of hose carried: 750 feet of 5-inch hose, 800 feet of 3-inch hose, two 200-foot quick-attack firefighting hose lines.
Staffing: 4 firefighters
Number in department: 11
Number of reserve units: 2
TRUCK (a.k.a. “truck” or “aerial”)
Definition: an apparatus that is larger than an engine and mounted with an aerial platform and fire pump.
Primary roles: forcible entry, search and rescue, assist with evacuation, ventilation of structure, placement of ladders, check for fire extension, salvage, overhaul, secure structure; also backs up engines for manpower and fire pump.
Water carried: 200-300 gallons
Equipment carried: aerial that is 95 feet in length, a vehicle extrication rescue tool and other rescue equipment, forcible entry tools, ground ladders, and 8kw generator.
Amount of hose carried: 550 feet of 5-inch hose, 400 feet of 1 3/4-inch attack hose.
Staffing: 4 firefighters
Number in department: 5 platforms
Number of reserve units: 0
RESCUE UNIT
Definition: a vehicle that responds to fires as initial attack, as manpower back-up to engines, for positive pressure ventilation, minor hazmat incidents, auto extrication and rescue, primary first aid, and defibrillator responses.
Primary roles: to provide specialized rescue capabilities and hazardous materials mitigation, to fulfill planning and manpower requirement at structure fires, to light the fire ground when appropriate, provide heavy hydraulics for auto extrication.
Water carried: 300 and 500 gallon tanks
Equipment carried: high-powered lighting, rescue tools, specialized hazmat monitoring and mitigation equipment, rescue equipment, 27kw generator, air compressor, air tools, heavy hydraulics, Hurst extrication equipment; one has a 9000W light tower, both have smaller 500 & 350 gpm pumps.
Amount of hose carried: 400 feet of 1 3/4-inch and 3-inch supply hose
Staffing: 4 firefighters
Number in department: 2
Number of reserve units: 1 (shared with ESU and Hazmat)
ESU – EMERGENCY SUPPLY UNIT (a.k.a. “air light truck”)
Definition: advanced supply unit that responds to fire & rescue scenes to supply breathing air and extra lighting when needed.
Primary roles: the ability to produce breathing air on scene and fill both SCBA and truck-mounted air tanks; a 9000W light tower supplies added light to emergency scenes; supplies added line voltage circuits to power various tools; also carries equipment and supplies between stations and stores daily.
Equipment carried: 43kw generator, 22 CFM breathing air compressor and six storage tanks, one - 9000W light tower, cord reels, spare SCBAs and bottles, one fill station & controls.
Staffing: 1 firefighter
Number in department: 1
Number of reserve units: 1 (shared with Rescue & Hazmat)
HAZMAT UNIT
Definition: truck and trailer designed to carry the equipment needed for hazardous material response.
Primary roles: to define and control hazardous waste incidents, responding with the proper equipment and containment devices to neutralize or minimize the damage done by chemical, biological or nuclear spills throughout Southern Ontario.
Equipment carried: containment devices, bags, cans, plastic containers, an assortment of various gas and chemical analyzers, data bases, and communication devices to properly reference material handling information, high-end chemical response suits and breathing apparatus, and many other specialty tools used in hazmat control.
Staffing: Hazmat technician – shared with truck and engine crews
Number in department: 1
Number of reserve units: 1 (shared with spare ESU)
COMMAND POST
Definition: large mobile command and control facility
Primary roles: when incidents get too large to control from the Command Car, the Command Post is set up to provide a centre for command and support structure, giving officers from different departments (water, gas, etc.) a location for consultation and direction.
Equipment carried: 12kw generator, communication and computer equipment
Staffing: no permanent driver
Number in department: 1
Number of reserve units: 0
COMMAND CAR
Definition: sport utility vehicle used for incident command
Primary roles: to transport division chiefs to incidents and to be the command centre at the incident, thereby responsible for command and control.
Equipment carried: 5-lb. Class “A” fire extinguisher, 2 SCBAs, gas analyzer, communication equipment and reference material
Staffing: 1 driver, 1 officer
Number in department: 2
Number of reserve units: 0
APPARATUS SERVICE UNIT
Definition: service vehicle used to transport technicians and equipment to various sites, with 4-wheel drive capability.
Primary roles: to transport technicians and equipment plus fuel, to off-site locations to repair all apparatus; to supply fuel and technical assistance at major conflagrations; to transport heavy objects around the city when needed; snow removal and emergency personnel transportation during inclement weather.
Equipment carried: 100 gal. diesel tank plus pump with 50 ft. delivery hose, assorted hand tools, power tailgate, and snow plow.
Staffing: 1 emergency equipment technician
Number in department: 2
Number of reserve units: 0
ASSORTED EQUIPMENT
Five - 4-wheel drive vehicles for administrative duties and for emergency transport in inclement weather
23 cars to transport fire prevention officers, communication officers, and administrative personnel
Two antique vehicles for public education and parades
Two large 40kw mobile generators, two stationary generators, and six portable generators to supply power during blackout conditions.
