What Does The Number Of Alarms Mean At A Fire? | Traffic

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For a one-alarm fire, typically designating flames at a single-family residence, four pumper trucks are dispatched along with two other units such as a ladder truck or a squad vehicle.

If incident commanders decide they need more resources, they strike additional alarms. With each alarm, a specific number of units is dispatched to join those already on the scene. Here is the breakdown:

  • 1st alarm -- Four pumper trucks, one ladder truck, one rescue squad, safety officer and a district chief who serves as incident commander
  • 2nd alarm -- Two more pumper trucks, another ladder truck, another rescue squad, hazardous materials unit, supply shop unit, medical officer, another district chief, platoon deputy
  • 3rd alarm -- Two more pumper trucks, another ladder truck, another district chief
  • 4th alarm -- Two more pumper trucks
  • 5th alarm -- Two more pumper trucks.

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