- Joined
- May 11, 2021
- Messages
- 314
Most runcards around the nation move the 2nd Alarm companies in as relocators, hence making them closest to the fire. Ideally the cards are written that way all the way through. I believe FDNY uses that same concept.
There was a recent multiple alarm fire in the Bronx where Ladder 33 was first due. Then following along, one of the 2nd Alarm ladders was Lxx/Act L33. Then on the 3rd Alarm, one of the ladders was Lxx/Act L33. So the relocating ladders were being "funneled" into the fire.
Where it can become confusing, and hence the need for sharp dispatchers, is when you have multiple incidents going on (car fire, CFR run, gas odor) in the early phase of a structure fire where the 2nd, 3rd & 4th are struck in rapid succession. That's when you might see an obvious 2nd Alarm company not being sent to the fire until the 4th Alarm because they were tied up at a minor incident.
Another point to consider is that sometimes you'll read on a rundown where someone asks a question, "I don't see E95 on the rundown, but they got a relocator." E95 may have moved up in coverage and never made it to the scene, but E95 is a "must-fill" so they get a relocator.
It can be a real challenge for dispatchers at times, to say the least!