Do you know the difference between a Fire Truck and a Fire Engine? Read below to find out! Also once you understand the lingo, you can view the current staffing and equipment in and near the Porter Ranch area below.

ALS: Advanced Life Support Ambulance is sent for incidents involving traffic accidents with injuries, strokes, heart attacks, difficult respiration etc.  Normally an ALS ambulance is dispatched to a life threatening type of situation. Staffed by 2 firefighter/Paramedics. Known as Rescue 96 at Fire Station 96.

BLS: Basic Life Support Ambulance, is sent for incidents involving non-life threatening types of incidents involving sprained ankles, broken legs, stubbed toes and minor cuts and abrasions.  Normally a BLS ambulance is dispatched to a non-life threatening type of situation.  Staffed by 2 Firefighter Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT).  Known as Rescue 828 at Fire Station 28.

Medical Qualifications: All firefighters are trained to a minimum EMT level and are called EMT’s. Some Firefighters have a higher level advanced medical training and in most cases, is the highest medical authority at an incident. They are called “Firefighter/Paramedic” They can administer certain drugs with guidance from a local hospital and can deliver advanced medical care and treatment that Firefighter EMTs cannot. Firefighter/Paramedics are always assigned to a ALS transport ambulance.  Firefighter EMT’s are always assigned to a BLS transport ambulance.

Fire Engine: This is defined as an Engine Company which carries water, hose and hydraulic pump.  It is staffed by 4 firefighters which includes a Captain for supervision, Engineer who drives and operates the pump, and two Firefighters. One firefighter on board may be a paramedic. Nearest one is at Fire Station 8 (At Tampa North of Rinaldi) known as Engine 8.

Fire Truck AKA Hook and Ladder:  This is defined as a Truck Company with ladders, hand tools, Jaws of Life, forcible entry tools and ventilation equipment. It is staffed by 5 firefighters which includes a Captain for supervision, Apparatus Operator who drives the truck, and three firefighters.  Nearest one is at Fire Station 96 (At Marilla West of  Topanga) known as Truck 96.  

In the case of a house fire, an Engine Company arrives to extinguish the fire, making sure occupants are out of the house and neighboring houses are protected and not in danger. With a fully involved house fire, an Engine Company will do a fire attack on the interior of the house, while the Truck Company ventilates the roof to assist the Engine Company operations. 

Light Force:  This is defined as a Truck Company with an Engine, staffed by 6 firefighters.  There are 5 members on the Truck and only one member on the Engine, the Engineer driver.

Brush Patrol:
Looks like a pick up truck carrying water and hose. Staffed by 2 firefighters when necessary, for example, High Hazard Brush days. The staffing is usually taken from a BLS Ambulance and is activated for a specific period of time.  Known as Brush Patrol 8.

FAQs

Why does the LAFD send a Fire Engine when I need an ambulance or paramedic?  

All Emergency Medical Service (EMS) Incidents get the closest Fire Engine or Fire Truck which may have a  Firefighter/Paramedic as part of the staffing.  That ensures a quick assessment by a Firefighter/Paramedic which might be life saving in the event of a catastrophic medical emergency.

Why do they send so many vehicles?

It depends on the available apparatus. Because the closest paramedic to your house may be staffed on a Fire Truck or Fire Engine, that paramedic can begin treatment in the quickest possible time.  Meanwhile, the nearest ALS ambulance is on the way but may be coming from a long distance away. Multiple resources may be dispatched depending on the number of patients or complexity of the terrain, ex cliff or river rescues, Jaws Rescues etc.

Fire Station Staffing

Fire Station 8, Tampa, Equipment and Staffing
Fire Engine 8 = 4 firefighters
Total 4 per shift

Used to also have:
BLS 808 = 2 firefighters (frequently used as a manpower pool elsewhere)
Brush Patrol 8 = 2 firefighters (mostly unstaffed)

Fire Station 28,
Corbin
Currently has Equipment and Staffing, known as an Engine Company:
Fire Engine 28 = 4 firefighters
BLS 828 = 2 firefighters (Staffed by bulldozer operators for LAFD. M-F 8-5 they are out cutting fire roads etc. So the BLS is only staffed evenings and weekends)
Total 6 per shift (with 2 gone during the day)

Previously had:
Fire Engine 228 = 1 firefighter
Truck 28 = 5 firefighters
BLS 828 = 2 firefighters
Brush Patrol 28 = 2 firefighters (mostly unstaffed)
Total 8 per shift (with 2 gone during the day)

Fire Station 96,
Marilla (near Lassen & Topanga)
Currently has Equipment and Staffing, Light Force Only
Engine 296: 1 firefighters – Part of Light Force 96
Truck 96: 5 firefighters – Part of Light Force 96
Rescue 96: 2 paramedics (ALS ambulance)
Total 8 per shift

Previously had a Task Force, a more typical Fire Station
configuration:
Engine 96: 4 firefighters
Engine 296: 1 firefighters – Part of Light Force 96
Truck 96: 5 firefighters – Part of Light Force 96
Rescue 96: 2 paramedics (ALS ambulance)
Total 12 per shift

Fire Station 107,
Devonshire and Winnetka
Engine 107: 4 firefighters
Rescue 107: 2 paramedics (Nearest ALS ambulance to Porter
Ranch)
Total 6 per shift