The responsibilities of today's firefighter extend well beyond the job title. In fact, nearly 70 percent of Tacoma Fire Departments call volume consists of medical emergencies. When not responding to alarms, firefighters have a variety of other duties including fire code inspections, pre-fire planning, community presentations on fire prevention and other public safety issues.
Search and Rescue: The first priority at a fire scene is to search for and rescue any potential victims in the involved structure.
Fire Suppression: After confirming that human life is not endangered, firefighters work to extinguish the fire while stopping its spread. Before attacking the main body of the fire, "cut-off lines" are used to surround the fire so it will not spread to adjacent areas.
Salvage Operations: Firefighters attempt to minimize damage to personal property from fire, water and smoke by using tarps and removing valuable items if possible.
Ventilation: To reduce smoke and heat so that the fire may be located and extinguished more quickly, firefighters may ventilate the structure by cutting holes in the roof or breaking windows.
Mutual Aid: In addition to incidents within the city limits, TFD has "mutual aid" agreements with several fire departments in surrounding communities to help each other on major incidents.
Medical Call: TFD provides first response on medical calls, assessing and stabilizing patients.
Alarm Activation: A unit is dispatched to locations where a fire or water flow alarm is set off.
Carbon Monoxide: A unit is dispatched when a CO detector activates.
Broken Water Pipe: Usually residential; an TFD unit will secure an area where water from a broken pike could create a hazard until the Water Department arrives for repairs.
Wire Down/Arc: A TFD unit will secure an area where damaged wires could create a hazard until a Tacoma Power repair crew arrives. If necessary, firefighters may request that power be cut.
Water Rescue/Fire: Our Fire Boat can respond to incidents where a victim is in danger (overturned boat, etc.), or respond to fires connected to boats or structures on Commencement Bay.
Technical Rescue: The Technical Rescue Team will respond to incidents requiring high-angle or confined-space rescues.
Spill: TFD cleans up small fuel spills that result from accidents or at gas stations.
Hazardous Condition: TFD helps monitor and/or mitigate situations that involve hazardous materials such as chemical spills or ruptured gas lines.
Investigate Odor: A unit will respond to a citizen concerned about an unusual or potentially dangerous odor and attempt to pinpoint its cause.
Lockout: A unit will be sent to vehicle lockouts when an individual is endangered due to the situation.
Fire and Life Safety Presentations: Firefighters teach classes on a variety of fire and injury prevention topics.
Day Care Visits: Upon request, firefighters visit day care centers and explain the basics of fire safety to children.
Station Tours: Firefighters at stations welcome visitors, which sometimes include informal guests and other times, are scheduled visits by community organizations.
Special Appearances: Firefighters and apparatus often fill requests by communities or organizations to make appearances at special events such as parades, festivals, etc.
Inspections: Tacoma firefighters conduct maintenance inspections of existing structures annually.
Hydrant Flow Tests: Firefighters check flow capacities of water mains for existing and new structures in the city.
Pre-Fire Plans: Firefighters often familiarize themselves with structures located in their territories to identify hazards and risks so they are better prepared for an emergency response.
Skills Improvement Training: Advanced training in a particular discipline that often involves multiple companies (i.e. propane fires, flash-over training).
Annual Continuing Education: Completing a minimum set curriculum that applies to all Operations personnel delivered in modules.
Specialty Training Requirements: Specialty units such as technical rescue team, hazmat team have additional training requirements.
Professional Development: Firefighters at various ranks participate in professional development training to help prepare them for the next level of service.
Outside Training Opportunities: Many firefighters seek training opportunities outside of TFD, often presented by professional fire service organizations. Examples include the National Fire Academy, incident command seminars, driving courses, etc.
Apparatus Maintenance: Routine maintenance and restocking of apparatus in stations.
Upkeep of Station: Firefighters are responsible for general cleaning and routine maintenance of station building.
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