What does an Engine company do and what are their jobs on a fire scene?
The job assigned to a Engine Company is determined by the type of building involved in the fire and the arrival sequence on the truck. For this discussion, we will consider a small box or “A” assignment, which is the usual assignment sent to a report of a house fire. This type of assignment would include two engines, one ladder, one medic, one rescue, and one battalion chief. In this situation the Columbus Fire engine companies on a fire scene are primarily responsible for extinguishment and water supply. The first engine company to arrive on the scene of a working fire is charged with extinguishment. Columbus Fire policy is for a quick interior attack on the fire whenever possible. This includes making quick entry to the fire building to find and extinguish the source or seat of the fire. Throwing water at smoke from outside a window will not put out the fire. The old adage is “you have to put the wet stuff on the red stuff.” Of course every fire is different, there is no such thing a
