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A~
AFFF
Foam
Firefighters often use a
foam known as aqueous
film forming foam, or
AFFF. AFFF foam is used
on class A fires and
class B fires although
it is best suited for
static pools of
flammable liquids. AFFF
creates a layer of film
between a fuel and the
oxygen in the air,
causing the fire to
suffocate.
Aerial
Truck
Also
known as a ladder truck
or just plain truck. A
hydraulically powered
ladder, mounted on a
vehicle that also
carries several
different length
extension ladders,
extrication gear,
ventilation equipment,
and lighting. May or may
not have a bucket or
platform on the end.
Air
Bottle
A
fiberglass wrapped
aluminum cylinder of
compressed air that is
used by our self
contained breathing
apparatus. Each bottle
carries approximately 66
cubic feet of pure
compressed air at a
pressure of 4500 pounds
per square inch.
Air
Pack
A
self contained breathing
apparatus (SCBA) the
firefighter straps onto
his back to provide
breathing air.
Attack
Line
A pre-connected hose
line, typically 150 to
200 feet long, used by
firefighters to make an
initial attack on a
fire.
Attic Ladder
A ladder usually 8-10
feet long that usually
can be folded so that
the two beams touch each
other. Also called a
scuttle ladder.
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Ball Valve
A valve with an
internal ball that stops
the water flow. Ball
valves are used in many
applications, such as
in-line valves, hydrant
gates and nozzles.
Beacon
A warning light with
rotating lamps, similar
to a lighthouse beacon.
The Federal Beacon Ray
was once the standard
for all fire apparatus
prior to the invent of
the light bar.
Blitz
Line
A pre-connected 2
1/2 inch hose line used
to get a large amount of
water on a fire in a
hurry.
Blitz Monitor
A small, portable
monitor that can be
deployed by a single
person. Blitz monitors
are supplied by a 2
1/2" line and
typically will flow up
to 500 GPM. An example
would be the Akron Brass
Mercury.
Butterfly
Valve
A type of valve that
uses a flat plate to
control the flow of
water. Butterfly valves
are used on fire
apparatus and typically
are used on larger
lines, such as front and
rear suctions and tank
to pump lines.
Booster
Line
Booster lines is a hose
that is usually one inch
in diameter and rubber
jacketed. They are used
on small fires using the
water carried in an
apparatus' booster tank
and are usually stored
on reels.
Booster Tank
The tank on a pumper or
quint that supplies
booster lines and hand
lines at a fire until a
connection with a water
source can be made. The
booster tank on most
pumpers is between
500-1,000 gallons. The
tank on a quint is
usually smaller,
carrying only a couple
of hundred gallons.
Bubble
Gum Light
Another name for the
beacon Ray warning
light.
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Check
Valve
Check valves are
used in apparatus
plumbing to prevent
water (or foam) from
flowing backwards
through the system.
Cross
Lay
A term for a hose
bed mounted cross ways
on the apparatus body,
typically at the front
near the cab. Cross lays
are used to store
pre-connected hose lines
or hose bundles used for
quick attack.
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Deck Gun
A large and fixed water
nozzle attached to a
engine. Deck guns
deliver larger amounts
of water than hand-held
hose. (See also Master
Stream).
Double Header
A term used when two
supply lines are laid
from the hydrant to the
fire scene by a single
apparatus.
Drafting
Pulling water from a
source other than
accepting pressurized
water from a hydrant or
another fire apparatus.
Cisterns, lakes, ponds
and swimming pools are
often used in drafting
operations. Many
departments in rural
areas and without fire
hydrants use drafting.
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