What does it mean to strike a box?

– Strike the box: This means give me a first-alarm assignment. Most of the time. – Strike out the box: The fire is under control. – Box the still: Upgrade the still alarm. – Still alarm: Less than a box–usually two engines, two trucks and a chief.

Why is a fire called a box?

No matter how the term is used or what area you may be from, “the box” usually refers to a fire. The term originally referred to the fire alarm box found on the street corner of many cities of towns across North America. The familiar fire alarm box or pull box was used for notifying the fire department of a fire.

What is the highest alarm fire Ever?

The highest alarm fire in history was a 16-alarm fire (some sources say 20 alarms) in Brooklyn, New York in 1995.

What is a still and box alarm?

A still alarm is a "silent" alarm, meaning reported from the use of a telephone.. A box alarm is struck with whats called a box, either struck by pull alarm, or rung out by alarm service such as ADT Fire Alarm, etc.... Hope this kind of helps!

How do fire alarm boxes work?

When the box is activated by turning a knob or pulling a hook, a spring-loaded wheel turns, tapping out a pulsed electrical signal corresponding to the box's number.

Strike Anywhere Matches Strike on the Box Matches, What's The Difference- Best Matches

Do fire boxes still exist?

In Boston, there are over 1,000 fire boxes, a system invented in the mid 19th century, something that still works even when modern technology doesn't.

What does box mean in FDNY?

A “box” area is one with a predetermined list of apparatus from various fire stations that will be dispatched to the incident at that location. Box alarms can vary based on time of day, incident type, weather, hydranted areas vs. non-hydranted areas and any other potential situation.

What is an all hands fire?

In the Fire Department of New York, that same preliminary progress report would be considered an “all-hands” fire – that is, all the first-alarm units are operating and being used or anticipated to be put to work. Those first-alarm units would equal approximately 60 firefighters and two emergency medical technicians.

What is a full still fire?

: a fire alarm transmitted (as by telephone call) without sounding the signal apparatus.

What does Squad mean on Chicago fire?

They carry enough equipment to handle fires, but when it comes to irregular emergencies or freak accidents, “Squad” is the way to go. “Squad” is in reference to the firefighters who carry additional equipment to resolve any situation that comes their way.

What is a sixth alarm fire?

There are 3 engines and a ladder added after each alarm. 18 Engine companies, 6 Ladders, 1 Rescue, and at least one Battalion Chief are included in a 6th alarm.

What is a 5 alarm?

5 Alarm Fire

This is usually the highest level alarm sounded for a fire. There are some fire departments with higher levels, but the general consensus is that a 5 alarm fire is the most dangerous. These types of fires can require as many as 100 firefighters in order to extinguish the fire entirely.

Why is it called a 5 alarm fire?

A two-alarm fire requires assistance from other departments for a couple more pumpers and ladder trucks. Some will go to the scene and the others will cover our stations. A five-alarm fire requires a lot more assistance from the outside due to the large size of the fire.

What do you call a female firefighter?

Definition of firewoman

: a female firefighter a volunteer firewoman.

What does cook your helmet mean?

Decarburization is a way of saying that, heating a helmet to a temperature that the structure of the steel becomes fluid and is then allowed to cool too fast prevents the carbon from remaining fully mixed within the steel.

What does salty mean in firefighting?

The Fire Service adopted this term to apply to its most seasoned firefighters. Replacing the open seas with "the fire floor," the term "salty" is something that is earned. It begins with your first crawl down a dark, smoky, hot hallway..... Gettin' Salty Apparel was created to key on the fact we all love to do our job.

Why do they call it a still alarm?

The definition of a still alarm is an alarm call into a fire station by telephone or any other means than the regular signal and emergency dispatching systems. An example of a still alarm is a phone call to a fire station to free someone trapped inside a car that's been in an accident.

What does 4 alarm fire mean?

For example, a code commonly used throughout the US was four rings, a pause, and another four rings (known to fire alarm specialists as "Code 4-4" or simply "4-4") to indicate a particularly intense fire, giving rise to the phrase "four alarm fire".

What does Second alarm fire mean?

TWO ALARM FIRE

A two-alarm fire call summons more trucks, with more firefighters, but more specifically, it calls for a hazardous materials vehicle and a support vehicle called a “supply shop.” These units provide additional equipment such as oxygen tanks.

What does 10-75 at the box mean?

on the box transmits the 10-75, which is a request (usually URGENT) for a FULL 1st Alarm assignment. It is when the entire FULL 1st Alarm assingment is put to work that the Chief in charge transmits the "ALL HANDS".

How much does firefighter gear weigh?

NFPA requires all sets of turnout gear to be retired at or before 10 years of service. The average set of turnout gear weighs as much as 45 pounds. This includes; helmets, gloves, hoods, boots, coats, and pants. Tack on other equipment like radios, lights, irons, and that weight can easily be doubled.

What is a 10 alarm fire?

A 10 alarm fire is the most severe type of fire. It's characterized by a large number of emergency vehicles and firefighters working to extinguish it. 10-alarm originated from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1881, with an ordinance that allowed up to ten units from each company to respond to an emergency.

Why do firefighters say K?

FDNY Terminology: Use of 'K'. The use of the letter K is a holdover from the days of telegraph. It was sent at the end of a transmission to indicate that I am finished sending and I await your reply. It is similar to the military use of the word over.

What does signal 5555 mean?

The 5-5-5-5 code has been used in the city's firehouses since 1870; it signals a death, generally of a colleague or the mayor, and tells firefighters to lower the American flag to half-staff.

Why is FDNY not NYFD?

Among other provisions, it wiped out the Metropolitan Fire District, established a new Boardof Fire Commissioners and the Metropolitan Fire Department became the "Fire Department ofthe City of New York". This act, indirectly, was responsible for the "F.D.N.Y." logo on apparatus instead of "N.Y.F.D.".