Operational Scenarios

Fire Fighters perform a multitude of roles in both Staff and Line Operations.   

Staff Operations include Fire Prevention, Safe Programs & Education, and Public Relations.   

Line Operations include Structure Fires, Medical Calls, Motor Vehicle Accidents, Water Rescue, HAZMAT Incidents and responding to Mutual Aid calls with other surrounding communities.  

This section provides representative operational scenarios for some of the more prominent line operations required by our Chelmsford Fire Department.  While representative of typical scenarios, these scenarios are fictional.  They are intended to provide more insight into what is required to respond to each type of scenario.  

Fire station locations along with the staffing and equipment required in those locations impact response times that can mean the difference between life or loss of life and preservation or loss of property.  

Considerations related to each of these scenarios include:  

• Structure Fire
  • First, Second Due company arrivals on scene 
  • Water supplies 
  • Fire Fighters on scene during incipient stage vs. later 
  • Officer(s) on scene, roles required and span of control 
• Medical Emergency 
  • Time for Fire/EMT & EMS crews on scene 
  • Ability to exercise “Pit Crew” resuscitation effort 
  • Having Company officers on scene to prioritize tasks and work with crews 
• Motor Vehicle Accident 
  • Apparatus and Crews arrival on scene 
  • Having company officers on scene for task prioritization and crew support 
• Mutual Aid Request 
  • Response times from Stations to scene 
  • Multiple engines/apparatus typically required from multiple stations 
  • Remaining assets and staff re-allocated among Town stations 
  • Officers on scene vs. officers remaining in stations for Town calls