Fire Service Terminology Glossary

How to use this fire service terminology glossary

Fire service language runs from the apparatus bay to the fireground to the payroll office. A new firefighter learns it fast, and an administrator or vendor often does not.

This glossary defines common terms for apparatus, fireground operations, platoon staffing and training in plain language.

Apparatus & Equipment

Start with the vehicles and the gear that firefighters depend on.

• Apparatus: Any fire department vehicle used for response, such as engines, trucks and tenders.
• Engine: A pumper that carries water, hose and a pump to supply fire streams.
• Truck / ladder: Apparatus with an aerial ladder or platform used for rescue, ventilation and elevated streams.
• Tender / tanker: Apparatus that hauls large amounts of water to areas without hydrants.
• Squad / rescue: Apparatus carrying specialized rescue tools and equipment.
• Turnout gear / bunker gear: Protective coat, pants, boots, helmet, hood and gloves worn by firefighters.
• Self-contained breathing apparatus: The air pack firefighters wear to breathe in smoke and hazardous atmospheres.
• Apparatus check: The routine inspection of a vehicle, tools and equipment at the start of a shift.

Fireground Operations

These terms describe how crews size up, attack and manage an incident.

• Size-up: The first evaluation of an incident to decide strategy and resource needs.
• Offensive / defensive attack: Fighting a fire from inside the structure versus from the outside.
• Ventilation: Removing heat and smoke from a structure to improve conditions.
• Overhaul: Searching for and extinguishing hidden fire after the main fire is out.
• Primary / secondary search: The fast first search and the slower, thorough second search for victims.
• Rapid intervention team: A standby crew ready to rescue firefighters in trouble.
• Accountability: Tracking every firefighter's location and assignment on an incident.
• Incident commander: The person in overall charge of an incident.
• Pre-plan: A document with building layout, hazards and water supply prepared before an emergency.
• Mutual aid / automatic aid: Help from neighboring departments, either on request or dispatched automatically.

Staffing & Scheduling

Platoons, Kelly days and recall: the vocabulary of keeping every station staffed.

• Platoon / shift / crew: A group of firefighters who work the same schedule, often labeled A, B and C.
• Kelly day: A scheduled day off within a rotation that reduces average weekly hours.
• 24/48 and 48/96: Common rotations of 24 hours on, 48 off, or 48 hours on, 96 off.
• Callback / recall: Bringing off-duty personnel in to cover staffing or a large incident.
• Minimum staffing: The required number of personnel on each apparatus or station.
• Constant staffing: Filling every vacancy so daily staffing never drops below the set level.
• Acting / out-of-class: Working temporarily in a higher rank, such as a firefighter acting as officer.
• Detail / move-up: Assigning personnel or apparatus to another station to cover a gap.
• FLSA 7(k) work period: A federal provision that sets overtime thresholds over a longer cycle for fire personnel.

Training & Administration

Certification levels, training records and ratings round out the administrative side.

• Firefighter I / II: National certification levels for structural firefighting.
• Driver / operator: A firefighter certified to drive apparatus and operate the pump or aerial.
• Company officer: A lieutenant or captain who supervises a crew.
• Probationary firefighter: A new firefighter completing an initial evaluation period.
• Training hours: Documented drills and classes required each year by the department, state or ISO.
• ISO rating: A community fire protection score that can affect insurance rates and relies partly on training and equipment records.
• Station log / journal: The daily record of activities, staffing and events at a station.