Truck Class History

Back in 2012, after several members attended truck company classes throughout the state, Chief Jason Stallings had the idea of the SVFD putting on a rigorous, hands on truck class to focus on "truck company street tactics".  Division Training Chief Jason Koepke took the lead and put together a 1 day classroom/hands on training at SVFD.  That class, in a mere 7 years, has turned into a 1 day seminar with speakers from throughout the fire service as well as 2 days of rigorous, non-stop hands on training.  We have students from throughout Virginia and have had students attend from as far away as the western part of New York, Tennessee, and Michigan. 

The class sports a wealth of instructors from throughout the Hampton Roads area as well as instructors from up and down the east coast.  We also have several sponsors to provide equipment for the class as well as raffle gifts for the students.  "Real Fire Training", which is a progressive, aggressive training organization has also become an important part of the class, providing instructors as well as props for students.  With the variety of instructors also comes a variety of training props, all built by the instructors.  We have flat and pitch roof simulators, forcible entry doors, vent/enter/search prop, steel-roll down door prop.  A "CAN" prop using live smoke and fire with a focus on can-man duties.  This is not all the props or training stations that are in the class but provides a little insight as to what we offer. 

So if you're looking for a rigorous, hands-on, down and dirty "street tactics" truck class, this is for you.  Our class is offered once a year, usually in the late winter/early spring and is well worth the experience.  Keep an eye on the SVFD website, SVFD Truck Company facebook page and this website for information about our upcoming classes.

Hopefully we will see you there!!!!!!!

What is a Truck Company?

Truck companies may sometimes be referred to as "hooks & ladder", an "aerial company", a "snorkel company" or maybe even a "quint". Such labels might partially describe truck company apparatus, but they do not even hint at the planning, personnel, equipment and training that are coordinated in an efficiently operating truck company.

The truck company provides access to, and exits for, all parts of the fire building. Truck companies crews also are responsible for the removal of heat, smoke and gases to allow greater visibly and permit engine company crews to move aggressively and safely within a fire building or exposed buildings. These examples do not by any means include all the duties of a truck company, but they do illustrate two important points about a truck company.

• Truck work is required at every fire.

• Truck company operations either accompany or precede engine operations.

Truck Company Operations:

Truck company apparatus and equipment have been designed to permit truck company crews to function effectively and quickly in accomplishing the five firefighting objectives.

1. Rescue victims.

2. Protect exposures.

3. Confine the fire.

4. Extinguish the fire.

5. Overhaul the fire ground.

All but the last of these objectives are carried out in an atmosphere of flame and smoke. Therefore, it is essential that firefighters understand the nature of fire and the factors that affect its spread, including building construction, type of occupancy, and types of fire load. Through training and experience, truck company personnel must acquire knowledge, skills and judgement in performing the nine basic duties of a truck company:

1. Rescue/Search

2. Ventilation

3. Laddering

4. Forcible entry

5. Checking for fire extension

6. Elevated master streams

7. Utility control

8. Salvage

9. Overhaul

At some fires, it might be necessary for a truck company to perform all these operations, other fires might require only some of these duties. Just as situations vary, procedures for each situation will also vary. With the exception of rescue, the duties are not necessarily performed in the order given above, that depends on the situation of the fire. As you can see though, truck work is physical and demanding. Individual riding positions should be used so that critical tasks are performed simultaneously and in conjunction with the engine company.