Baltimore City Fire Department

Baltimore City Fire Department (BCFD)
"Pride Protecting People"
Operational area
Country  United States
State  Maryland
City Baltimore
Agency overview[1]
Established 1859 (Founded 1797)
Annual calls ~235,000
Employees 1,800
Annual budget $155,002,404 (2016)
Staffing Career
Fire chief Niles Ford
EMS level ALS & BLS
IAFF 734 (firefighters) 964 (officers)
Facilities and equipment[2]
Battalions 6
Stations 38
Engines 31
Trucks 17
Squads 3
Rescues 1
Ambulances 37
HAZMAT 3
Fireboats 2
Light and air 2
Website
Official website
IAFF website

The Baltimore City Fire Department (BCFD) provides fire protection and emergency medical services to the city of Baltimore, Maryland. Founded in 1797 and established in 1859, the Baltimore City Fire Department covers an area of 81 square miles (210 km2) of land and 11 square miles (28 km2) of water, with a resident population of over 640,000 and a daytime population of over 1,000,000.[1] The BCFD responds to approximately 235,000 emergency calls annually.

History

Baltimore's early firefighting was performed by volunteers. The various companies engaged in serious rivalries, resulting in what a Baltimore mayor termed "irregularities".[3] For example, gangs operating out of firehouses participated in the Know-Nothing Riot of 1856. A municipal organization was established in 1859.

The Great Baltimore Fire in 1904 burned for thirty hours straight and decimated a major part of central Baltimore, including over 1,500 buildings. Mutual aid companies from as far away as Washington D.C., Philadelphia and New York City were called in to assist. The fire led to uniform national standards in fire fighting equipment and protocols. As with other large fires of the time, it was a predecessor to the stringent fire codes of today.

Operations

The Baltimore City Fire Department responds from 31 fire stations located throughout the city. The BCFD operates 31 engine companies, 17 truck companies, 4 squad companies, 1 rescue company, 3 fireboats, 22 full-time Advanced life support medic units, 3 full-time Basic life support ambulances, 1 peak time 12 hour(9am-9pm) Advanced life support medic unit, 11 peak time Basic life support ambulances, as well as numerous other special, support, and reserve units. These companies are organized into 7 battalions, each under the command of a battalion chief. Each battalion chief reports to the on-duty shift commander.

Staffing

Each BCFD frontline engine company, frontline squad company, frontline truck company and the rescue company are staffed with four personnel on each shift. Each engine company and squad company is staffed by a lieutenant or captain, a pump operator (driver), and 2 firefighters each shift. Each truck company is staffed by a lieutenant or captain, an emergency vehicle driver (EVD) (two drivers if the truck operates a tractor-drawn apparatus), and a firefighter each shift. The rescue company is staffed by a lieutenant or captain, an EVD and two firefighters. The captain of a BCFD company is in command of that company. In a fire station with more than one fire company, the senior captain of one of the two or more companies is the "house captain", in command of the fire station that the two or more companies share. Each BCFD medic unit is staffed by two personnel per shift, of which one is an Advanced life support provider. Each BCFD ambulance is staffed by two personnel per shift, of which one is an EMT. Each battalion chief's unit is operated by a battalion chief.

Response Profiles

All responses are dispatched to field units by the Fire Communications Bureau using pre-determined response profiles from the computer-aided dispatch system. Units can be special-called by any field unit once an incident is underway, however, the greater alarm system is typically used to request additional resources. Where the response calls for an engine, the response could be an engine OR squad.

  • Silent Alarm (1 engine & 1 truck): Vehicle fire, brush fire, trash fire, activated fire alarm system, odor investigations, minor spills
  • Tactical Box (2 engines & 1 truck): Structural fires reported extinguished; electrical fires; appliance fires
  • Task Force Alarm (1 BC & 3 engines & 1 truck): detached garage fires; tractor trailer fires; fires involving light rail or mass transit buses
  • Box Alarm (2 BC & 5 engines & 2 trucks & 1 medic [& Rescue 1 and Fire Boats in certain areas]): fire reported in structure
  • Rescue Alarm (1 BC & BCEMS & 1 engine & 1 truck & 1 squad & Rescue 1 & 1 medic & 1 EMSO): any entrapment, typically a vehicle accident with trapped persons. Special units added for specialized/technical rescues, such as harbor, swift water, building collapse, trench collapse, confined space, high angle.

Apparatus Descriptions

The BCFD utilizes a variety of standardized and specialized apparatus to carry out its duties.

  • Engine Company - The engine company is the backbone of the fire suppression operation. Every BCFD engine is manufactured by Pierce, and has a 500-gallon water tank. Engine companies carry a basic assortment of hose lines, appliances and adapters, forcible entry hand tools, basic and advanced life support medical equipment, five-gas air monitoring equipment, and a hand-held thermal imager. Most first line engine companies have a 1,500 GPM single stage pump. Basic hose line compliment is 1,200' of 4" 'Stortz' supply hose, 250' of 2.5" attack line, 300' of 3" setback/standpipe hose, 500' of 1.75" attack line, and 20' of hard suction hose. Engine companies have a daily minimum staffing of four; one Pump Operator or Acting Pump Operator, one officer (Captain, Lieutenant, or Acting Lieutenant), and two firefighters.
  • Truck Company - The truck company is a vital part of the suppression operation in Baltimore. Every truck company is outfitted with a minimum 100' aerial ladder, an assortment of portable ground ladders, extensive forcible entry tools, a Holmatro portable power unit with a combination tool,which is a mini version of the "Jaws of Life", several gasoline-powered ventilation and demolition saws, an electric reciprocating saw, basic life rope packs, basic and advanced life support medical equipment, a four-gas air monitor, a thermal imager, and a rapid intervention kit including a RIT air pack. The BCFD's fleet of ladder trucks is made up of both straight-body trucks and tractor-drawn aerials ("tillers"). Daily staffing of truck companies vary between straight-body trucks and TDAs; a straight-body truck is staffed by an Emergency Vehicle Driver or acting EVD, an officer (Captain, Lieutenant, or Acting Lieutenant), and two firefighters, while a TDA is staffed two EVDs or Acting EVDs, an officer or acting officer, and one firefighter. An additional firefighter may be assigned to certain truck companies during times of increased staffing.
  • Squad Company - the squad concept in Baltimore combines a basic engine company with a medium rescue company. Squad companies carry all of the same equipment as an engine company, plus a complete set of Holmatro hydraulic rescue tools, including Spreaders, Cutters, Rams, and Combi Tools,known as the "Jaws of Life", cribbing, pneumatic rescue airbags, gasoline-powered ventilation and demolition saws, advanced air monitoring equipment, basic Haz-Mat equipment, basic water rescue equipment, and tools to free occupants from stalled elevators. On a structural fire response, squad companies operate exactly as engine companies would, and squads have the same staffing as engine companies. Additionally, squads may be assigned to conduct truck or rescue operations such as forcible entry, search, or ventilation.
  • Rescue Company - Baltimore has historically been one of few large cities to have only one dedicated heavy rescue company. Rescue 1 is stationed in Downtown Baltimore, and responds on all reports of persons trapped, regardless the situation. It is equipped with two complete sets of Holmatro hydraulic rescue tools,including Spreaders, Cutters,Rams and Combi Tools, known as the "Jaws Of Life",a generous assortment of cribbing and struts for stabilization, high and low pressure airbag systems, numerous specialized saws, drills, and air hammers, an inflatable rescue boat, swift- and cold-water rescue suits and equipment, trench shoring equipment, equipment for structural collapse, a rescue tripod and confined space rescue equipment, a rapid intervention kit including RIT air pack, and scene lighting. Rescue 1 is part of the Special Operations Command, and responds to all rescue situations citywide, as well as all second alarm fires.
  • Fire Boat - One full-size fire boat is maintained by the BCFD. Fire Boat 1, the "John R. Frazier" is 87' in length and is capable of pumping more than 7,000 gallons per minute of water from draft. It is equipped with an on-board supply of 1,000 gallons of AFFF fire-fighting foam for battling hydrocarbon fires, has a complete supply of fire-fighting hoses and appliance, and a full-service medical treatment area. In addition to the on-board deluge monitors, the vessel is also capable of supplying water to land-based units. Fire Boat 1 is staffed by four members; a marine pilot, 2 marine engineers and an officer (Captain, Lieutenant, or acting Lieutenant). It is the only full-service, full-sized fire boat for the majority of the Chesapeake Bay.
  • Fire Rescue Boats - Two fire rescue boats are maintained by the BCFD. One is in frontline service and the other is in ready reserve status. The fire rescue boats are 30' in length and capable of pumping 1,500 gallons per minute of water from draft. They are equipped with Advanced life support medical equipment. The size of these vessels allows them to enter marinas and areas inaccessible by Fire Boat 1. Fire Rescue Boat 1 is staffed by two Emergency Boat Operators.
  • AirFLEX - This vehicle incorporate three special service fireground support functions into one apparatus. The first service is air cascade and breathing apparatus support. AirFLEX units are equipped with a supply of extra, full SCBA cylinders and a cascade and compressor for filling SCBA and SCUBA cylinders at the scene of incidents, as well as basic repair service for SCBA components. AirFLEX can also provide static breathing air via air lines for specialized rescues such as confined space, etc. The second service is floodlight service. Historically, in the fire service, before every front-line apparatus was equipped with power inverters, generators, and scene lighting, stand-alone floodlight units responded to support night-time operations. Original AirFLEX units were equipped with multiple portable floodlight fixtures for such operations, but have adapted to current needs; modern AirFLEX units are equipped with mobile light towers for scene lighting at incidents. The third service is high-expansion foam. Each AirFLEX unit is equipped with a high expansion foam generator, a supply of foam concentrate, and the delivery hose. High-expansion foam is traditionally used for stubborn fires in below-grade or confined environments, where water cannot adequately penetrate, and entry by firefighters is unsafe or unrealistic. In addition to the three "namesake" services, AirFLEX units also provide drinking water for fire scenes, and a supply of freshly charged portable radio batteries for extended incidents. AirFLEX units are staffed by one Emergency Vehicle Driver (or acting EVD). Two front-line AirFLEX units are in service continuously, splitting the city east and west of Charles Street for primary service. An AirFLEX unit is dispatched on working fires, or fires where the Fire Communications Bureau believes that the balance of companies will be utilizing SCBA. An AirFLEX unit is also dispatched automatically on any report of a fire in an ocean-going ship at port, fires below grade (tunnels), and on responses where the SCUBA team is utilized.
  • HAZ-MAT - The Baltimore City Fire Department utilizes two first-line Hazardous Materials (HAZ-MAT) response units. HAZMAT-1 is a full-service response unit equipped with an extensive cache of equipment for all types of hazards, including chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosive (CBRNE) incidents. Equipment includes computerized sensors and databases for identifying unknown potentially hazardous substances; static and dynamic air sampling and monitoring equipment; personnel protective equipment for all levels of incidents; spill control and overpack equipment; damming and diking supplies; personnel decontamination supplies; command and control equipment, including an indoors command post. Alternatively, HAZMAT-3 is a spill control unit, built on a commercial "plumbers body" utility truck. HAZMAT-3 responds to the bulk of HAZMAT requests, and carries bulk absorbent and spill control supplies for hydrocarbon spills (ruptured fuel tanks, heating oil spills, etc.). HAZMAT-3 is also equipped with a pump-off device for removing remaining hydrocarbon fuel from a damaged storage vessel. HAZMAT-1 and HAZMAT-3 are cross-staffed by a single HAZMAT-trained Emergency Vehicle Driver. If both units are needed simultaneously, the on-duty HAZ-MAT coordinator, or a member of the HAZ-MAT task force will bring the second unit to the scene.

Stations and apparatus

Battalion Neighborhood Engine or Squad Company Truck Company EMS (Emergency Medical Services) ambulance or medic transport unit Command Unit EMS (Emergency Medical Services) Command Unit Special Unit
First NorthwoodEngine 4Truck 29 [4]
First HighlandtownEngine 41Battalion Chief 1

[5]

First Canton IndustrialEngine 50Medic 2 EMS 1[6]
First Fells PointEngine 5Truck 3Medic 10 [7]
First GreektownTruck 20Medic 20 [8]
First Belair-EdisonEngine 27Truck 26 [9]
First Butchers HillEngine 51 [10]
Second Old TownEngine 6Truck 1Medic 7, Ambulance 24Battalion Chief 2, Shift Commander (Car-5) Battalion Chief EMS Mobile Communications Unit,
AirFLEX 2		[11]
Second East Baltimore Midway Truck 5Medic 16 EMS 2 [12]
Second Federal HillEngine 2 [13]
Second Madison ParkEngine 13Truck 16Medic 4 [14]
Second WaverlyEngine 31Medic 3 [15]
Third Sandtown-WinchesterEngine 8Truck 10Medic 15Battalion Chief 3 [16]
Third Beechfield (Fort Hollins)Engine 14Medic 21 [17]
Third IrvingtonEngine 30Truck 8Medic 12 [18]
Third EdmondsonEngine 36 EMS 3[19]
Third Morrell ParkSquad 47 [20]
Third Edmondson VillageEngine 53 [21]
Third PigtownEngine 55Truck 23 [22]
Fourth LauravilleEngine 42Medic 6 Battalion Chief 4 [23]
Fourth HampdenEngine 21Truck 25 [24]
Fourth ChinquapinEngine 43Medic 18 EMS 4[25]
Fourth Roland ParkEngine 44Medic 19 [26]
Fourth GardenvilleSquad 54 Truck 30Medic 13 [27]
Fourth HamiltonEngine 56 [28]
Fifth DorchesterSquad 40 Truck 12Medic 11Battalion Chief 5 [29]
Fifth Hilltop Engine 46 Truck 27 EMS 5
Fifth WalbrookEngine 20Truck 18Medic 8 [17]
Fifth Park HeightsEngine 29Medic 17 [30]
Fifth Mount WashingtonEngine 45Medic 14 [31]
Fifth MondawminEngine 52 [32]
Sixth DowntownEngine 23Medic 1, Ambulance 23 Battalion Chief 6 EMS 6AirFLEX 1, HazMat 1 & 3

Rescue 1, Collapse 1

 [33]
Sixth Locust PointSquad 26Truck 6Medic 5 SCUBA 1, SRO 1[34]
Sixth BrooklynEngine 35Truck 21Medic 9 [35]
Sixth Curtis BayFoam Engine 57 [36]
Sixth WestportEngine 58 [37]
Sixth Fort McHenry Fire Boat 1
Fire Rescue Boat 1 & Fire Rescue Boat 2		[38]
Engine Company 2, 800 Light Street (Taken October 2015)

The movie Ladder 49 portrays the BCFD, with a fictional truck company (referred to as a ladder company in the film).[39] Additionally members of the BCFD served as advisors for the film.

Frequencies

This is a list of frequencies to program into a scanner or radio to listen to BCFD radio communication[40]

All Frequencies are in MHz
Channel Frequency Use
1 154.310 Main
2 154.370 Fire ground 1
3 154.385 Fire ground 2
4 154.325 Fire ground 3
5 154.415 Citywide Dispatch
6 154.145 Ambulance Dispatch
7 153.830 Portable

Baltimore Civil Unrest of 2015

During the civil unrest in Baltimore that took place from April 27, 2015 to April 28, the Baltimore Fire Department was backed up with multiple calls and also battled against rioters. Many fire trucks were damaged by rioters where bottles and rocks were thrown at the fire trucks as they were responding to incidents. In one case there is also video footage of a citizen cutting a fire truck's fire hose in an effort to hinder their effectiveness. The Baltimore Fire Department responded to 144 vehicle fires and 15 structure fires during the course of the unrest. Many surrounding areas such as Howard County Fire & Rescue, Anne Arundel County Fire Department and Prince George's County Fire Department sent crews to Baltimore to help the Baltimore Fire Department during the riots.[41]

References

  1. 1 2 "Message From The Chief". Baltimore City Fire Department. Retrieved 5 February 2015.
  2. ↑ "Fire / BCFD Leadership Team". Baltimore City Fire Department. Retrieved 24 January 2015.
  3. ↑ Clarence H. Forrest (1898). Official history of the fire department of the city of Baltimore: together with biographies and portraits of eminent citizens of Baltimore. Williams & Wilkins. pp. 56–57. Retrieved January 7, 2011.
  4. ↑ "Station of Engine 2". Retrieved 4 February 2015.
  5. ↑ "Station of Engine 41". BCFD IAFF. Retrieved 4 February 2015.
  6. ↑ "Station of Engine 50". BCFD IAFF. Retrieved 4 February 2015.
  7. ↑ "Station of Engine 5". BCFD IAFF. Retrieved 24 January 2015.
  8. ↑ "Station of Truck 20". BCFD IAFF. Retrieved 24 January 2015.
  9. ↑ "Station of Engine 27". BCFD IAFF. Retrieved 24 January 2015.
  10. ↑ "Station of Engine 51". BCFD IAFF. Retrieved 4 February 2015.
  11. ↑ "Station of Engine 6". BCFD IAFF. Retrieved 24 January 2015.
  12. ↑ "Station of Truck 5". BCFD IAFF. Retrieved 4 February 2015.
  13. ↑ "Station of Engine 2". Retrieved 4 February 2015.
  14. ↑ "Station of Engine 13". BCFD IAFF. Retrieved 24 January 2015.
  15. ↑ "Station of Engine 31". BCFD IAFF. Retrieved 4 February 2015.
  16. ↑ "Station of Engine 8". Retrieved 4 February 2015.
  17. 1 2 "Station of Engine 21". BCFD IAFF. Retrieved 4 February 2015.
  18. ↑ "Station of Engine 30". BCFD IAFF. Retrieved 4 February 2015.
  19. ↑ "Station of Engine 36". BCFD IAFF. Retrieved 4 February 2015.
  20. ↑ "Station of Squad 47". BCFD IAFF. Retrieved 4 February 2015.
  21. ↑ "Station of Engine 53". BCFD IAFF. Retrieved 4 February 2015.
  22. ↑ "Station of Engine 55". BCFD IAFF. Retrieved 4 February 2015.
  23. ↑ "Station of Engine 42". BCFD IAFF. Retrieved 4 February 2015.
  24. ↑ "Station of Engine 20". BCFD IAFF. Retrieved 4 February 2015.
  25. ↑ "Station of Engine 43". BCFD IAFF. Retrieved 4 February 2015.
  26. ↑ "Station of Engine 44". BCFD IAFF. Retrieved 4 February 2015.
  27. ↑ "Station of Squad 54". BCFD IAFF. Retrieved 4 February 2015.
  28. ↑ "Station of Engine 56". BCFD IAFF. Retrieved 4 February 2015.
  29. ↑ "Station of Squad 40". BCFD IAFF. Retrieved 4 February 2015.
  30. ↑ "Station of Engine 29". BCFD IAFF. Retrieved 4 February 2015.
  31. ↑ "Station of Engine 45". BCFD IAFF. Retrieved 4 February 2015.
  32. ↑ "Station of Engine 52". BCFD IAFF. Retrieved 4 February 2015.
  33. ↑ "Station of Engine 23". BCFD IAFF. Retrieved 4 February 2015.
  34. ↑ "Station of Engine 26". BCFD IAFF. Retrieved 24 January 2015.
  35. ↑ "Station of Engine 35". BCFD IAFF. Retrieved 4 February 2015.
  36. ↑ "Station of Engine 57". BCFD IAFF. Retrieved 4 February 2015.
  37. ↑ "Station of Engine 58". BCFD IAFF. Retrieved 4 February 2015.
  38. ↑ "Station of Fire Boats". BCFD IAFF. Retrieved 4 February 2015.
  39. ↑ "Baltimore Fire Lieutenant Shares Experience As 'Ladder 49' Technical Advisor". Firehouse. Retrieved 6 February 2015.
  40. ↑ "Baltimore City, Maryland (MD) Scanner Frequencies and Radio Frequency Reference". www.radioreference.com. Retrieved 2017-06-25.
  41. ↑ "Stretched thin, Baltimore Fire Department calls in backup". Retrieved 2015-04-29.

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