For drill this week West Mead #1 took three engines to Neason Hill Elementary to practice the “first five minutes” of a fire incident.

The competence and effectiveness of the first-due engine company are critical to the success of a fire incident. Placing the apparatus, sizing up the scene, instructing second-due units, applying water to the fire, and establishing water supply should be completed within the first five minutes of arrival. How well those tasks are done will affect the remainder of the incident.

West Mead #1 members split into teams of four to practice those first five minutes. The initial engine—28-13—arrived on scene to find a two-story residential building with fire showing on Alpha and Delta sides. After the officer radioed an initial size-up and established incident command and an operational channel, he requested the second-arriving engine to set up water supply from a nearby hydrant. The two-person crew deployed and charged an 1 3/4″ handline and prepared to accept incoming water from the second-due engine. The crew on the second engine—28-11—wrapped the hydrant with a 4″ supply line and completed a forward lay to the scene. The engine operator connected a supply hose to the attack engine, while the person on hydrant duty prepared the hydrant and charged the supply hose. Each team was coached through the evolution and timed to compare with other teams.

The drill provided practice with scene size-up, handline deployment, pump and hydrant operations, radio communications, and crew teamwork.