The City of Racine Fire Department takes great pride in responding swiftly and effectively when emergencies arise within our community. In the event of a house fire, we typically dispatch a comprehensiveComplete; including all or nearly all elements or aspects of something. response consisting of three fire engines, one ladder truck, one quint, one ambulance, a command vehicle, and a safety officer. On average, approximately 21 firefighters are on the scene to manage the incident.
At a working house fire, not all firefighters...
The City of Racine Fire Department takes great pride in responding swiftly and effectively when emergencies arise within our community. In the event of a house fire, we typically dispatch a comprehensiveComplete; including all or nearly all elements or aspects of something. response consisting of three fire engines, one ladder truck, one quint, one ambulance, a command vehicle, and a safety officer. On average, approximately 21 firefighters are on the scene to manage the incident.
At a working house fire, not all firefighters are directly engaged in extinguishing the flames. Each company—and each firefighter—has defined responsibilities and tasks upon arrival. Key operational objectives include:
- Fire suppression
- Ventilation of the structure
- Search and rescue of occupants
- Assessment of the building’s structuralRelating to or forming part of the structure of a building or other item. integrity
- Providing medical assistance to both civilians and firefighters
A fire scene is inherentlyIn a permanent, essential, or characteristic way. dangerous. Firefighters face a wide range of life-threatening hazardsA danger or risk., including toxic smoke, hazardousAnything that involves danger materials, and potential structuralRelating to or forming part of the structure of a building or other item. collapse. While many on-scene injuries are minor, some can be severe or even career-ending.
Sending an insufficient number of personnel in the initial response can allow a fire to escalate beyond the control of on-duty suppression resources, increasing the likelihood of critical injuries or fatalities. For this reason, the department places a strong emphasis on preparedness.
Firefighters participate in regular monthly fire suppression training within their respective companies, and department-wide training sessions are conducted as scheduling permits.
Our commitment to training and adequate response ensures we can protect both the community and our personnel in the face of these unpredictable and high-risk situations.
