Providence Fire Department

Providence Fire Department (PFD)
"In Omnia Paratus"
Operational area
Country United States
State  Rhode Island
City Providence
Agency overview
Established March 1, 1854
Annual calls 43,686 (2012)
Employees 501
Staffing Career
Fire chief Clarence A. Cunha
EMS level ALS & BLS
IAFF 799
Facilities and equipment
Divisions 1
Battalions 1
Stations 14
Engines 14
Rescues 1
Ambulances 7
HAZMAT 1
Fireboats 1
Website
www.providenceri.com/fire
local799.org/index

The Providence Fire Department (PFD) provides fire protection and emergency medical services to the city of Providence, Rhode Island, United States, under the jurisdiction of the mayor of Providence.

The Providence Fire Department is the largest fire department in the state of Rhode Island, and the second largest fire department in New England, after the Boston Fire Department. It is also one of the oldest organized fire departments in the United States. All firefighters in the PFD appointed in 2001, or later, serve as EMT-Cardiacs with the department's Emergency Medical System, with members appointed prior to 2001 serving as EMT-Cardiacs or EMT-Basics.

In 2012, the Providence Fire Department responded to 43,686 emergency calls. The busiest Engine was Engine 3, which made 4,698 runs, and the busiest Ladder was Tower Ladder 1, which made 1,892 runs.[1]

History

The Providence Fire Department became the second professional paid organization in the country on March 1, 1854. However, much of the organizational structure, heritage, tradition and pride of the Providence Fire Department can be traced to the creation of a volunteer fire service established a hundred years earlier.

1754 brought a request by the Providence towns people to the General Assembly to appoint James Angell, and Obidiah Brown to evaluate and assess a tax in order to raise money for the purchase of the town's first large water engine. The same act of legislation also required every Providence homeowner to acquire a pair of two gallon leather buckets to carry water to the new engine thus, forming a bucket brigade.

A second larger engine was purchased in 1759 and again the citizens of Providence petitioned the General Assembly, this time to enact a law to establish two classes of fire officials. The first were the "presidents of the firewards". Their primary function was to formulate policy but when a fire erupted they gave directions for tearing down or blowing up any house or houses to prevent the further spread of fire. The Presidents carried a tin speaking trumpet painted white as a symbol of their authority and used the trumpet to amplify their voices during overall command at the scene of working fires.

The second category of officers, were the "fire constables" or "firewards." They were empowered to direct actual firefighting efforts. Firewards issued orders on the noisy fireground and kept the men on the hand pumpers in time through their red trumpets. Disobeying their commands was ill advised as this would bring heavy fines.

Some time later a third category of volunteers known as enginemen were appointed to operate the engines. All volunteers were required to wear a PFD hat badge on their Hat, and a number shield on their helmet along with our one of a kind Maltese Cross on our uniform identifying which engine company they were a member of. This practice is still used to identify company members. While the speaking trumpet was in use for many years as a communication device it also has carried on to this day in another important way, as an insignia of rank. Uniform badges are one trumpet for Lieutenant, two for a Captain, and crossed gold trumpets for Chiefs, and up to five in number to signify the Chief of the Department.

Another company tradition that was practiced by Providence Fire Companies is the nicknaming of the apparatus or station to represent company pride. In the volunteer days, the companies that formed went by proud and colorful names such as the "Water Witch Company", the "Pioneers", the " Whatcheer Fire Company", the " Gaspee Company", and the "Atlantic" to name a few. Today, "Roadrunners", "Broad St. Bullies", " HIghlanders", "Wharf Rats", and "Screaming Eagles" are some of the nicknames in use.

Competition, and rivalries intensified among the various volunteer fire companies to the point that it began negatively impacting their conduct, and efficiency on the fireground. Their behavior did not go unnoticed. In hopes of regaining order, and discipline of the fire service the City Council passed an ordinance effective March 1, 1854 creating a paid fire service directed by a Board of Engineers, and a Chief Engineer who answered to the Council. When the department organized to a paid fire service there was a considerable degree of continuity in the department because most of the old engine companies maintained their identity, their station, and their apparatus. The organizational structure that exists in today's department is quite similar with ranks from Chief to Firefighter.

The change from volunteer to paid service was just one dramatic change of many for the fire service. Innovations, and technological advances were constant. Suction engines were introduced eliminating the need for bucket brigades. Steam engines came next in 1859 allowing for reduction in manpower but created the need for horses to pull the heavy equipment. Finally, the introduction of motor driven apparatus in 1911 has led to today's modern firefighting apparatus.

Other notable innovations that affected fire service were improvements in the water supply system. The introduction of a telegraph street box alarm systems in 1861, until we purchased a Gamewell system in 1870, and later telephones, this was and is an important weapon in preventing fire spread by enabling quicker notification than the bell-ringing procedures. All of these old street boxes are still in use throughout the city over a hundred fifty years later.

The measures taken at the formation of the Providence Fire Department to protect lives, and property from being destroyed from fire, and other calamities with the use of innovative tools, techniques, and technology are still the trademark of our exceptional fire department.[2]

Organization

The Providence Fire Department(PFD) is organized into 2 major divisions of Operations: Administration and Operations. Each of these divisions is commanded by an Assistant Chief. There are 4 other sub-divisions of the fire department: the Bureau of Operational Control(BOC), the Bureau of Fire Prevention, the Division of Training and Professional Development, the Division of Maintenance, the Supply Division, and the Rescue(Emergency Medical Services) Division. The Bureaus of Operational Control and the Division of Training and Professional Development are commanded by Captains.

The division of Operations commands 4 Deputy Chiefs and 4 Battalion Chiefs, who supervise 23 Captains, 69 Lieutenants, and 338 Firefighters. Each shift is commanded by a Deputy Chief and a Battalion Chief.

Chain of Command

Operations

The PFD Fire Suppression Division is organized into 2 Battalion Districts. The first district is commanded by a Deputy Assistant Chief/Tour Commander (Division 1), while the second district is commanded by a Battalion Chief (Battalion 3). Battalion 2 was recently deactivated due to budget cuts.

Staffing

Each Engine Company and Ladder Company are staffed with a crew of 1 Driver, 1 Officer, and 1-2 Firefighter/EMT's. Each Rescue Ambulance is staffed with a crew of 2 Firefighter/EMT's, and the Special Hazards Unit is staffed with a crew of 1 Driver, 1 Officer, and 2 Firefighter/EMT's.[3]

Fire Station Locations and Apparatus

Below is a complete listing of all fire station and apparatus locations in the city of Providence according to Battalion District.

Engine Company Ladder Company Rescue Company Special Unit Spare Unit Chief District Address Neighborhood
Engine 2 Ladder 7 Rescue 3 Battalion 3 3 10 Branch Ave. Mount Hope
Engine 3 Tower Ladder 1 Rescue 4 Special Hazards 1, Collapse/Trench Rescue Unit Special Hazards 2 (Spare) Division 1, Car 10(EMS Battalion Chief's Unit) 1 325 Washington St. Federal Hill
Engine 4 3 270 Rochambeau Ave. Blackstone
Engine 5 3 155 Humboldt Ave. East Side/Wayland
Engine 6 Rescue 2 1 489 Hartford Ave. Hartford
Engine 7 Ladder 4 Rescue 5 Air Supply Unit 1 Special Hazards 3 (Spare) 3 151 N. Main St. Downtown/College Hill
Engine 8 Tower Ladder 2 1 201 Messer St. West End
Engine 9 Ladder 8 Marine 1 3 223 Brook St. College Hill/Fox Point
Engine 10 Ladder 5 Rescue 1 1 847 Broad St. Lower South Providence/Elmwood
Engine 11 Special Response Unit 1 1 274 Reservoir Ave. Reservoir
Engine 12 Ladder 3 Rescue 7 3 426 Admiral St. Wanskuck
Engine 13 Foam Tender 1 Engine 13 (Spare) 1 776 Allens Ave. Washington Park
Engine 14 Ladder 6 Rescue 6 Dive Team Trailer 1 630 Atwells Ave. Valley/Federal Hill
Engine 15 Haz-Mat. 1, Car 56(Fire Investigation Unit), Car 79A(Arson Squad), Car 79B(Arson Squad) 3 136 Mt. Pleasant Ave. Mount Pleasant

Other Facilities

The PFD's Maintenance Facility is located at Waverly St. and Dexter St. Spare Engine's 16 and 17, as well as Spare Ladder's 9 and 10 are stored at the Maintenance Facility.

The PFD's Fire Alarm Dispatch Office is located at 1 Communications Pl.

Closed/Disbanded Fire Companies

Apparatus Specifications

Below is a complete list of all Providence FD apparatus, their manufacturer and specifications, and date.

Engine Companies

Ladder Companies

Special Units

Rescue Ambulances

Communications

The dispatchers, lieutenants and captain at the Bureau of Operation Control (BOC, also called Fire Alarm) have protocols which in conjunction with Aegis Computer Aided Dispatch software by New World Systems, determine whom to send to what type of emergency. Who is sent depends on how an alarm for help is received and what the closest available (and appropriate) apparatus are at the time of the alarm.

Each type of alarm for help is categorized as either a Box Alarm, Still Box Alarm, Special Signal, or Still Alarm.

Response Guidelines

Structure Fire Response

A Box Alarm is an alarm for help received from either a street box alarm pulled by a person witnessing an emergency or from a master box alarm found in many high occupancy residential and commercial buildings, schools, dormitories, hospitals, churches. A box alarm assignment may be increased or reduced at the discretion of the BOC or responding chief depending on additional information available, such as a caller stating that construction workers accidentally set off a smoke detector with dust or paint, which in turn transmitted a master box alarm to the BOC. On the other hand, the response may be increased accordingly if a fire-related condition is found or called in.

A Still Box is an alarm of fire, smoke, or other fire-related condition in a building received by telephone. In the event of multiple calls reporting a fire, a 4th Engine Company and a 3rd Ladder Company will be added to the assignment as the "F.A.S.T." (Firefighter Assist and Search Team). Upon transmission of a Code Red, indicating a Working Fire, a 5th Engine Company will be dispatched as the "Command Company", to assist the incident commander as needed and to bring the Air Supply Unit. The 5th Engine officer will become the "I.S.O." (Incident Safety Officer). A Rescue Ambulance will also be dispatched to a confirmed fire if not already sent.

The incident commander may request additional fire companies in the form of an additional alarm assignment (i.e.- 2nd alarm, 3rd alarm, 4th alarm, etc.) if more personnel and apparatus are needed. Alternatively, any combination of companies may be requested to the scene in addition to companies already responding on a special signal.

Alarm Type Alarm Level Units Assigned
Box Alarm (Street Pullbox) 1st Alarm Assignment 1 Engine, 1 Ladder (after 23:00hrs.)
Box Alarm (Master Pullbox) 1st Alarm Assignment 3 Engines, 2 Ladders, 1 Chief
Still Box Alarm (Structural Fire) 1st Alarm Assignment 3 Engines, 2 Ladders, Special Hazards, 1 Chief
Still Box Alarm (Structural Fire, Multiple Calls Received) 1st Alarm Assignment 4 Engines (1 F.A.S.T.), 3 Ladders (1 F.A.S.T.), Special Hazards, 1 Chief, 1 Rescue
Code Red (Working Structural Fire, *Upgrade*) 1st Alarm Assignment 5 Engines (1 F.A.S.T., 1 Air Supply), 3 Ladders (1 F.A.S.T.), Special Hazards, 2 Chiefs, 1 Rescue, Air Supply Unit
2nd Alarm (*Upgrade*) 2nd Alarm Assignment 2 Engines, 1 Ladder, 1 Assistant Chief
3rd Alarm (*Upgrade*) 3rd Alarm Assignment 2 Engines, 1 Ladder, 1 Assistant Chief, 1 Rescue
4th Alarm (*Upgrade*) 4th Alarm Assignment 2 Engines, 1 Ladder, Chief of Department
5th Alarm (*Upgrade*) 5th Alarm Assignment 2 Engines, 1 Ladder
6th Alarm (*Upgrade*) 6th Alarm Assignment 2 Engines, 1 Ladder

Special Signal Response

A Special Signal is the dispatching of additional companies to an incident which has already been dispatched, without adding an entire additional alarm assignment. A Special Signal Assignment is equal to that of a "Special Call" Assignment in other cities. Examples of common Special Signals:

Still Alarm Response

A Still Alarm is any alarm of an emergency which is not a box alarm, still box alarm or special signal. There are some standard responses, but a still alarm response is determined by the BOC depending on the needs and nature of that specific call.

Alarm Type Alarm Level Units Assigned
Medical Emergency, BLS Still Alarm 1 Rescue
Medical Emergency, ALS/Forcible Entry Still Alarm 1 Engine, 1 Ladder, 1 Rescue
Motor Vehicle Accident (MVA) Still Alarm 1 Engine, 1 Ladder, 1 Rescue
Motor Vehicle Accident (MVA) with Fuel Leak Still Alarm 1 Engine, Special Hazards
Motor Vehicle Accident (MVA) with Rollover/Entrapment Still Alarm 1 Engine, 1 Ladder, Special Hazards, 1 Rescue, 1 Chief
Vehicle Fire Still Alarm 1 Engine
Vehicle Lockout Still Alarm 1 Engine, Special Hazards
Building Lockout/Forcible Entry Still Alarm 1 Ladder
Downed Wires Still Alarm 1 Engine
Water Leaks/Flooding Still Alarm 1 Engine
Commercial Fire Alarm (CFA) Still Alarm 1 Engine, 1 Ladder
Carbon Monoxide (CO) Alarm Still Alarm 1 Engine, Special Hazards
Elevator Emergency Still Alarm 1 Engine, 1 Ladder, Special Hazards, 1 Rescue, 1 Chief
Industrial Emergency Still Alarm 1 Engine, 1 Ladder, Special Hazards, 1 Rescue, 1 Chief
Gas Leak Still Alarm 1 Engine, 1 Ladder, Special Hazards, 1 Rescue, 1 Chief
Water Rescue Still Alarm 1 Engine, 1 Ladder, Special Hazards, 1 Rescue, 1 Chief, Dive Team Van, Marine Unit
Ice Rescue Still Alarm 1 Engine, 1 Ladder, Special Hazards, 1 Rescue, 1 Chief, Dive Team Van, Marine Unit

Radio Codes

The officer in charge of the first arriving fire company is responsible for giving an initial situation report to Fire Alarm, and relaying whether or not additional resources are needed. The codes used by the Providence Fire Department are:

Car Assignments

References

  1. ↑ http://www.providenceri.com/efile/4249
  2. ↑ http://www.providenceri.com/fire/history
  3. ↑ http://www.providenceri.com/fire/stations

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