The very first firefighters …show more content…
The very first modern fire engine was introduced in 1905 and belonged to the Springfield, Massachusetts Fire Department. These trucks were made by the Knox Automobile Company in Springfield, Massachusetts. One year after the first apparatus was introduced the Springfield Fire Department was fully outfitted with fire trucks supplied by Knox. For the majority of the 19th century firefighters would stand on the tailboard or the sides of the fire trucks while responding to calls. Doing this inherently created a significant risk to firefighters. The first audible warning devices were bells mounted on the front of the fire truck and manually rung. In 1910 John Ahrens and Charles Fox founded the Ohio-based Ahrens-Fox Fire Engine Company that operated from 1910 – 1953. In its time the Ahrens – Fox fire engine placed third place for performance and functionality. From 1930 – 1960 significant changes to fire trucks occurred. In 1930 the aerial ladder was invented that could reach as high as 150 feet. The need for this type of truck was increasing due to larger buildings being built in American cities. In 1940 these aerial trucks were being fitted with platforms known as cherry pickers to aid in victim rescue. Lastly, in 1960 the modern day fire truck was invented. This vehicle was equipped with water pumps, aerial ladders, and enclosed seats for the firefighters to sit on. This design is still being used …show more content…
Whether it was a Roman leader commanding troops to pass buckets of water to the fire, or having a highly organized command structure called the Incident Management System. Modern firefighting has adopted the Incident Management System as the form of command for all types of incidents. The National Incident Management System was developed on February 28, 2003. It provides a nationwide template to enable federal, state, local governments, private sector, and nongovernmental organizations to work together effectively. It allows all agencies to prepare, prevent, respond, and to recover from all forms of domestic emergencies. To be able to effectively manage an incident you need to be organized. The Incident Management System enables agencies to have an organized command structure providing hierarchy of authority, responsibility, and a formal channel for communications. IMS allows for specific responsibility and authority of every party involved in the incident. Span of Control is the number of subordinates who report to a single supervisor at any level within the command structure. One person can effectively manage three to seven people or resources. The IMS states that anyone who has command or is in a supervisory position should not directly supervise more than five people. In addition, the Incident Management System makes it a lot easier to keep track of the personnel working under you and keep