Charlotte Fire Department - Apparatus

Apparatus

Battalions

• There are currently eight battalions. 1–8 are in charge of their assigned stations. Battalion 8 was created on May 9, 2009 as the Airport Operations Chief. Battalion 1 drive a Ford Crown Victoria. Battalions 2-8 operate a Chevy Tahoe.

Engine Companies

• There is an engine company at every assigned station. This company main task is to attack the fire with either its 1.75 inch or 2.5 inch hoseline. It also carries 1,200 feet (370 m) of 5 inch supply line. It can also provide in EMS, motor vehicle accidents, ventilation at a fire, RIT and many other tasks. The inner city engine companies have 500-US-gallon (1,900 L) water tanks. The outer area (city line) carry 750 US gallons (2,800 L) of water. All engines carry 30 US gallons (110 L) of class B foam concentrate.

• Engine 32. The apparatus have a 750 gallon water tank truck body, but has a 500 gallon water tank. The extra space is a compartment on top to hold minor haz-mat equipment.

• Engine 38. There new apparatus will carry battery operated Hurst rescue tools in the front bumper. The only engine company to carry rescue tools.

• Below is a chart of the current engine companies as of January 2011. The American LaFrances are being phased out.

Ladder Companies

• There are 15 ladder companies in Charlotte. They all are Spartan/Smeal Aerial, years models ranging from 2001 to 2012. They all are quints. What makes it a quint are the 5 tasks: pump, aerial device, ground ladders, hose lines and a water tank. They all carry 370 US gallons (1,400 L) of water and 30 US gallons (110 L) of foam concentrate. It also carries 800 feet (240 m) of 5 inch supply line.

• These trucks use hydraulic Phoenix rescue tools. Ladders 1, 23 & 27 use battery operated Hurst rescue tools. The aerial ladder length is 105 feet (32 m). Other equipment consist of ropes for high or low angle rescue, cribbing for extrication, EMS supplies, two chain saws for ventilation, a circular saw (K12) to open large holes on metal material and many other equipment.

Rescue Companies

• There are two rescue companies, Rescue 3 and Rescue 10. To become a member on the rescue, rigorous training has to be completed. Training classes are USAR, public safety diver (PSD), trench rescue, swiftwater rescue (SRT) and confined space rescue. These rescue personnel are also EMTs. They usually respond to medical calls when either Engine 3 or 10 is out of service. This is done because rescuers need to be available for special calls.

• They respond to all working fires. These two trucks are the only vehicles in the CFD that carry an SCBA refill cascade station. They also carry hydraulic Phoenix rescue tools and battery operated Hurst rescue tools.

Haz-Mat Companies

• Station 13 and 32 personnel are Haz-Mat technicians. To become one they go under the same training as the rescue personnel with the exception of public safety diver. But to add onto that are multiple Hazardous Material classes.

• There are four haz-mat companies in Charlotte. These companies are operated from either an engine or ladder company. Haz-Mat 1 is cross manned by Engine 13. Basically when there is a haz-mat situation, the crew of Engine 13 swap there gear onto Haz-Mat 1 and proceed to the scene, putting Engine 13 out of service. Haz-Mat 2 is cross manned by Ladder 13. These two trucks cover the north Charlotte and uptown area.

• Haz-Mat 3 is a vehicle owned by the state. Ladder 32 cross manned the vehicle. It responds as Haz-Mat 3 in South Charlotte at a city level. If there is a state level emergency, it responds as Regional Response Team 7 (RRT-7) The following counties are covered by RRT-7: Alexander, Anson, Cabarrus, Catawba, Cleveland, Gaston, Iredell, Lincoln, Mecklenburg, Rowan, Stanly, and Union counties.

• Haz-Mat 4 was created for the Democratic National Convention. As of January 2013 equipment is being placed on the truck. A location for a permanent home is unknown at this time.

• Haz-Mat 5 is not cross manned by a company. This vehicle was stored outside in the back at Station 32, but moved to 36 due to the cold weather and the hot summer heat. This vehicle holds extra equipment for Haz-Mat 3. Its usually called out at the state level, also as RRT-71. Station 36 personnel are not Haz-Mat certified, but do carry a Class-A drivers license.

ARFF Airport Companies

• Fire Station 17 is located at Charlotte/Douglas International Airport at runway 36R-18L. The facility is owned by the City of Charlotte, Aviation Department but the CFD firefighters operate Blazes 1, 2, 5, and 7 on a daily basis. Battalion 8 and Engine 17 are also housed at Station 17. All personnel are ARFF certified. Blazes 1, 2, 5, 7, 41 and 45 are owned by the City of Charlotte. Blazes 4, 42, 43, 46, 18, and Rescue 5 are owned by the North Carolina Air National Guard (NCANG). There are eleven firefighters and one Battalion Chief at Station 17.

• Fire Station 41 is located on the west side of the Airport property between runways 36L-18R and 36C-18C. This new station opened July 2010 with 5 drive thru bays. The new station is owned by the NCANG. Blazes 41, 42 and 43 are currently in service with seven CFD personnel on duty 24 hours. Everyone assigned to the station is also ARFF certified.

Tankers

Water Tankers

• The tankers are specially designed as a regular engine apparatus. The only difference is that it longer, it holds a drop tank, it has the ability for the driver to deliver water without leaving the cabin and other features. There are six tankers spreading around Charlotte. They each have a 1500 gpm Waterous water pump, carry 1,000 US gallons (3,800 L) of water and 300 US gallons (1,100 L) of foam concentrate.

• The idea of ordering these tankers was back in 2005. In the past if the city was overrun with calls (ex. multiple flood locations with people trapped, multiple box alarms in the city) a reserve engine would drive to logistics, gear up the truck, put four operation personnel on board and start it as a temporary engine company. Well the department decided to make trucks ready to go if ever needed, plus the older tankers were soon needed to be swapped out with new rigs.

• In 2006 they started with two trucks, 71 and 72. 71 was at Station 9, 72 at Station 28. In 2007, 73 went to Station 21 and 74 at Station 35. The 70s numbers were used because if a tanker is needed in Charlotte for water or foam support, it responds as (ex. Tanker 71). If the truck is responding to calls with four personnel on board in Charlotte, its (ex. Engine 74). But if a fire department in another county is calling for assistance, the closest truck would respond as (ex. Engine 73). The numbers changed in early 2009, placing a "Tanker" decal and the stations number. Tanker 37 was delivered in early 2009, it never had the number 75. Tanker 40 went into service September 2010.

• From January 10–14, 2011 a snow storm hit the Charlotte area, causing the call volume to increase. Because of this the extra manpower from the front line companies were moved to the tankers. Five of the six tankers went into service as engine companies. Normally if a move up is needed at a station, a front line apparatus would do that. But in this event the Engine 70's companines did the move ups.
  • Tanker 9 -> Engine 71. The apparatus was moved to Fire Station 39. Fire Station 9 do not have the room to hold eight personnel.
  • Tanker 28 -> Engine 72
  • Tanker 21 -> Engine 73
  • Tanker 35 -> Engine 74
  • Tanker 37 -> Engine 75
  • Tanker 40 -> Engine 76. The apparatus was changed to E-76 but it was not staffed with personnel during the storm.

Foam Tanker

• This special tanker (Foam 1) is used for only foam operations. It is a 2003 International/Central States Tanker. It went into service August 2009. It carries 1,300 US gallons (4,900 L) of foam concentrate in its booster tank. It has a 1250 GPM (gallons per minute) pump, a Williams foam system which is also on all CFD fire trucks, a drop tank and an aerial light system for night operations. It has a crosslay hose bed, but its currently not in use. The only hose line is the 1,200 feet (370 m) of 5" supply line. This apparatus is currently located at Fire Station 25. This unit does not carry water.

• Originally this apparatus started service as Tanker 12 at Fire Station 12. It replaced an old aging tanker. The 2003 model carried a 1,000-US-gallon (3,800 L) water booster tank, 300 US gallons (1,100 L) of foam concentrate, an in-service crosslay hose bed and other basic tanker equipment. At the beginning of Fiscal Year 2008 (July 2007) the tanker moved to the newly built Fire Station 37. When the current Spartan tanker (Tanker 37) entered service, the International tanker went to a factory for a change of booster tanks. The two booster tanks were replaced with one 1,300-US-gallon (4,900 L) booster tank. The CFD wanted to put the apparatus at Fire Station 21, since its so close to Tank Town, but the two bay station is full with an engine and a tanker. In order to keep it close by, Brush 25 was moved to Fire Station 33 becoming Brush 33. Foam 1 moved into Fire Station 25. The apparatus is available within the city for any foam operation.

Brush Trucks

• There are five brush trucks in Charlotte. Brushes 5, 20 and 31 are 1998 Ford F-350 pick-ups. Brush 31 was at Station 28, but moved to 31 to make room for Tanker 28. Brush 33 is a 2001 Chevy 2500 Pick-Up. Brush 19 was a Ford, but moved to Station 29. After its accident a 2005 Chevy 3500 Pick-Up was delivered.

• They all carry about 100 US gallons (380 L) of water, water pump, EMS gear, brush fire tools such as shovels and rakes. Obviously they carry extinguishers. There also used in woods to assist with a missing person. Also when there is a multiple fire box alarm with a wooded area in danger, about three brush units would start as a brush group, led by a Battalion Chief. There task is to prevent trees, shrubs and anything of that nature to not ignite.

USAR-NCTF-3

• The USAR team in Charlotte are trained for any particular task. Urban Search and Rescue, North Carolina Task Force 3 (USAR-NCTF-3) is the name for the team based in Charlotte, NC. This team is one of eleven teams in the NC state. There are six teams: Task Force Blue 1, Blue 2, Red 1, Red 2, White 1, and White 2. Each team has thirty members and everyone is certified in USAR. Each member has a specialty in some kind of field. Some are trained in building collapse, trench rescue, natural disasters and even weapons of mass destruction. Most members are from Rescue or Haz-Mat. To become a member the USAR training is a ten-day straight training process. It is located at a USAR training grounds in North Carolina, at the CFD training academy.

• The USAR team have a good amount of vehicles ready for deployment. USAR 1 and USAR 2 is stored at Station 11. Station 11 members are USAR certified. USAR 3, 4, and 5 are 18 wheeler tractor trailer trucks that stores many equipment. USAR 6 has a tractor with a flat-bed like that can carry equipment (ex. bulldozer). These trucks are stored at a small warehouse facility on yorkmont rd. There are also a crane and a lull, retired from the U.S. military, an articulating loader, and a back hoe. These vehicles are stored at the academy.

• USAR 1 responds to emergencies in Charlotte. USAR 2 responds to emergencies out of the county that requires an extended amount of days.

• Currently USAR 2 is not in service, its equipment went to USAR 4.

Dive Team

• Within Charlotte there are certified divers located at Stations 3, 10 and 38. To become a diver a class called "Public Safety Diver" (PSD) is run for thirteen days. Most of the calls that the team responds to are body recoveries. If a diver is ever needed, one of the Rescue companies would respond to the call with their Dive Truck. If more divers are ever needed, the other Rescue will be en route or Engine 38 would respond. The department would most likely send E-38, so the second rescue can be available for a special call. When on scene they would gear up in their dry suits, put on a SCUBA tank, attach a rope to themselves with the other side tied off to the members on shore. The diver would then enter the water and sweep the area, looking for a vehicle or a person (matters what the situation calls for).

• Dive 3 is a Chevy pick-up with SCUBA tanks, wet and dry gear with other dive team equipment. Dive 10 is a what looks like a UPS delivery van. It has the same gear as Dive 3, but holds more. Dive 38 is currently in Boathouse 38. This is a rescue boat, not to be confused with a fireboat. The boat can respond to other counties in assisting with a body recovery. The house is located in the Lake Wylie area, in southwest Charlotte.

Fire Boat 38

• Description coming soon

Other units

• 1 Communication Unit shared by surrounding counties (MOC 1)
• 2 Field Comm Units: Communication Division (Field Comm 1, Field Comm 2)
• 1 Decontamination Unit (Decon 1)
• 1 SMAT type III Unit (State Medical Assistance Team)