Engine Operations›Engineer — Roles & First-Due
Engine Company Operations 2023 V-1 · OFD Quick Reference Guide, May 2024
What the seat owns, where the rig goes by arrival order, and where the Engineer's job stops and a firefighter's begins. Page numbers are the manuals' own per-chapter footers.
The primary responsibility of the Engineer is the safe delivery of the personnel, apparatus and equipment to a reported fire or emergency — and the delivery of water to the operating firefighting force.
Engine Company Operations 2023 V-1, Firefighter Assignments, p.1-8 — Engineer / ADO, RESPONSIBILITIESMaintain the apparatus of his/her station in a constant state of readiness
This includes all backup and other fire apparatus, excluding ambulances.
Effectively operate all apparatus to which they are assigned at any given time or place
Know how many hose lines, size, length, nozzles, and the flow rates of their apparatus
Per the OFD hydraulic standard. The chapter carries no pressures or flows of its own — it defers to that separate document.
Engine Company Operations 2023 V-1, Firefighter Assignments, p.1-8The Engineer must control how many and what type streams and hose lines are supplied — and should confer with and advise the officer when necessary.
Stated as authority, not as order-taking. The position may be filled by an Engineer or a qualified Apparatus Driver Operator (ADO) that possesses all OFD required certifications and is current with OFD proficiency. The Engineer must be thoroughly familiar with the engine apparatus, all the tools and equipment carried on board and the layout of the hose beds — knowledge of the amount and size of hose stretched is what lets the Engineer determine the proper pressures.
Engine Company Operations 2023 V-1, Firefighter Assignments, p.1-8Monitor the radio for instructions and information that may require action, and be ready to assist members in distress if ordered by the IC.
Engine Company Operations 2023 V-1, Firefighter Assignments, p.1-8Tools: radio · personal turnouts to include work gloves and helmet during pumping operations · personal TIC
Engine Company Operations 2023 V-1, Firefighter Assignments, p.1-8 — TOOLSThe Engineer's biggest single decision on arrival, and it changes with arrival order.
Give the Company Officer a sufficient view of the fire building. Leave the front of the building open for the Truck's aerial. Position as close as possible to the fire building.
Positioning close reduces the time, effort and number of lengths needed to connect to a water source — a coordinated effort between the Engineer, the Engine Company Officer, and the first arriving Truck Company. Other spotting considerations: water supply needs, FDC connections, line placement, fire location and intensity.
Engine Company Operations 2023 V-1, Firefighter Assignments, p.1-9 — B. On ArrivalDo not block apparatus movement on the fireground. Be able to lay a supply line from the first-in engine to the hydrant.
The Engineer of the second arriving engine is assigned to supply the first engine — without placing their apparatus at the front of the fire scene: lay a supply line away from the first engine, spot at the hydrant, connect, and supply the first arriving engine.
Engine Company Operations 2023 V-1, Firefighter Assignments, p.1-9 and pp.1-10–1-11Position out of the way of the direct fire scene, or take the alley behind the structure to provide additional lines more easily.
When stretching hose lines from the apparatus, position so it will not interfere with Truck Company operations.
Engine Company Operations 2023 V-1, Firefighter Assignments, p.1-9 and p.1-11The one place the manual puts water supply on the Engineer rather than the Back-Up Firefighter — see the duty split below.
Park in a location that allows for easy access by ladder trucks
Fully prepare the engine by completing all steps required to put the pump in service and supply water to hose
No hydrant connection made until otherwise warranted by fire involvement
Stay by the pump and monitor radio traffic for further assignments
Engine Company Operations 2023 V-1, Firefighter Assignments, p.1-9 — 1st Due-nothing showing and AlarmsWater supply · Pump operations · Observe the conditions of all the hoselines stretched
The Engineer must recognize the need for and initiate supply line operations when required. When arriving other than first due, remain aware of water supply needs of units already on the scene.
Engine Company Operations 2023 V-1, Firefighter Assignments, p.1-9 — C. SuppressionTactics the Engineer must be capable of performing: forward lay · reverse lay · FDC supply
Engine Company Operations 2023 V-1, Firefighter Assignments, p.1-9Forward lay: the connection shall be made using 5″ LDH. If the 5″ LDH connection cannot be secured on the hydrant, a minimum of two 3″ hoses shall be connected, one on each side of the hydrant.
Pony lines are acceptable where connections are short, as long as "5″ LDH first" rules are applied. Position the apparatus for a forward lay whenever the need for water supply is determined; a hydrant in the immediate vicinity may be used if it allows a rapid stretch and will not interfere with ladder company positioning.
Engine Company Operations 2023 V-1, Firefighter Assignments, p.1-11 and p.1-10Listen closely to the radio at all times for traffic concerning charging, shutting down or adjusting hose line pressures.
To establish and maintain proper pumping pressures, all Engineers must know how many hoselines, the size and length of the hoseline, the type of nozzles being used, and their flow. Monitor the residual pressure of the pump master intake gauge to determine the capability of supplying additional volumes.
Engine Company Operations 2023 V-1, Firefighter Assignments, p.1-11Orem splits the engine by seat, not by task. These are the seams where the Engineer's job meets someone else's — the places a drill goes wrong.
Five seats, and the seat is the radio designator.
Officer · Driver (Engineer) · Nozzle Firefighter · Tailboard Firefighter · Back-Up Firefighter. Positions are assigned by rank and designated by where the member sits. Calling the company gets the Officer ("Engine 32"); calling an individual is position plus company ("Nozzle 32", "Back-Up 32"). The manual states plainly that arrival order and occupancy type modify the basic assignments for every position.
Engine Company Operations 2023 V-1, Firefighter Assignments, p.1-1Water supply: the first arriving Officer makes the determination — the Engineer executes, and must self-initiate when required.
"The first arriving Engine Company Officer will make the determination for the need for water supply or communicate that responsibility to the second arriving Engine Company. In either case that information is transmitted from the first arriving to the second arriving Engine Company."
"The Engineer must recognize the need for and initiate supply line operations when required."
Both sentences are the manual's; both stand. The QRG's 1st Engine row matches the first: "Initiate water supply if determined by CO."
Engine Company Operations 2023 V-1, Firefighter Assignments, p.1-10 and p.1-9 · OFD Quick Reference Guide, May 2024, 1st Engine Company Functions
On a working fire, the hydrant connection is the Back-Up Firefighter's — regardless of arrival order, forward lay or reverse lay.
"Regardless of arrival order, the back-up firefighter is responsible for the hydrant connection on a forward lay or reverse lay."
Stated twice on the same page — once qualified further: regardless of arrival order, or whether a Tailboard firefighter is staffed.
The Engineer must still be able to run the entire hydrant sequence alone — Evolution 1.0 is titled "Position on hydrant & establish own water supply" and its objective is the Engineer securing their own supply with no lines flowing.
Engine Company Operations 2023 V-1, Firefighter Assignments, p.1-23 — Back-Up Firefighter, 2nd Due-working fire · ADO-Pumper Task Book, September 2024, Evolution 1.0
In the investigation mode the Back-Up Firefighter has no water supply responsibilities — those are deferred to the Engineer of the 1st due or to the 2nd due engine.
"The Back-Up Firefighter has no water supply responsibilities during the investigation mode. Those responsibilities are deferred to the Engineer of the 1st due or to the 2nd due engine."
Repeated for each occupancy type in the Back-Up Firefighter section.
Engine Company Operations 2023 V-1, Firefighter Assignments, pp.1-19–1-20 — Back-Up Firefighter, investigation mode
The lead length is the Nozzle Firefighter's — the first 100′ of hose and the nozzle.
"In most situations the Nozzle Firefighter is responsible for the first 100' of hose and the nozzle (lead length)."
If the Back-Up Firefighter is performing other duties not associated with the stretch — water supply, forced entry — the Nozzle Firefighter stretches and flakes the entire hoseline. Occupancy size and type determine line selection and length.
Engine Company Operations 2023 V-1, Firefighter Assignments, p.1-13 — Nozzle Firefighter, 1st Due-working fire
The Nozzle Firefighter signals the Engineer to charge the hoseline — verbal, by radio, or by hand signal.
"When the line is flaked and the Nozzle Firefighter is ready, they will signal the Engineer to charge the hoseline. This signal may be verbal, by radio, or by hand signal."
Supporting rule of thumb from the Back-Up Firefighter section: "if you are masking up, you should be calling for water."
Engine Company Operations 2023 V-1, Firefighter Assignments, p.1-15 — Nozzle Firefighter, C. Suppression; and p.1-25
Engineer-to-engineer on a relay: communications constant · 20 psi minimum residual at the attack pumper · shut down lines at the attack pumper first, then the supply pumper.
"Communications must be constant between the engineers to avoid insufficient pressure or excessive pressure."
"Residual on the attack pumper should remain above 20psi."
"Shut down lines at attack pumper first when ending operations then the supply pumper."
ADO-Pumper Task Book, September 2024, Evolution 1.7 (Pumping a hydrant as the supply pumper) and Evolution 1.8 (Participate in pumping a hydrant as the attack pumper)
OFD Quick Reference Guide for Initial Company Operations · May 2024
Wide table — scroll it sideways on a phone.
| Engine Company Functions | Residential & Multi-Family Residential 1-3 floors. | Mid Rise Structures 4 Floors and Above. | Commercial |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Size-up & 360 if not completed. Stretch initial attack line to fire floor. Initiate water supply if determined by CO. | Size-up & 360 if not completed. Stretch initial attack line to fire floor, using entrance closest to fire. | Size-up & 360 if not completed. Stretch initial attack line to fire floor, using entrance closest to fire. Initiate water supply if determined by CO. |
| 2nd | Complete water supply, Pump hydrant for 1st engine if needed. Stretch 2nd attack line (Outside, Floor above fire, Basement). | Establish water supply, Pump standpipe if 1st Engine determines standpipe operations. Assist 1st Engine with hoseline advancement. | Complete water supply. Pump hydrant for the 1st engine if needed. Stretch 2nd attack line (Outside, Floor above fire, Horizontal Exposure). |
| 3rd | Stretch back-up line to location of 1st Engine Company. | Pump hydrant for 2nd engine. Stretch 2nd attack line (Outside, Floor above fire, Horizontal Exposure). | Position on FDC. Pump FDC upon "working fire". Stretch back-up line to location of 1st Engine Company. |
| 4th | Stage apparatus at second water supply. RIC Functions | Initiate 2nd water supply, upon "working fire" lay line to cover side opposite side. Stretch attack line to 1) the floor above 2) horizontal exposures, 3) stand-by with line until directed. | Initiate 2nd water supply, upon "working fire" lay line to cover side Charlie. Stretch attack line to 1) the floor above 2) horizontal exposures, 3) stand-by with line until directed. |
| 5th | — | Complete water supply, pump hydrant for 4th engine if needed. Stretch additional attack line (Outside, Floor above fire, Horizontal Exposure). | Complete water supply, pump hydrant for 4th engine if needed. Stretch additional attack line (Outside, Floor above fire, Horizontal Exposure). |
Cell text as printed in the QRG, including its own punctuation. The residential 5th Engine cell is blank in the original. The QRG prints "RIC"; this site uses RIT — OFD documents use both. The tinted, rule-marked cell in the Commercial column is the 3rd Engine FDC assignment, which is the open item below. The QRG's own caveat: "This document is a quick reference document and is not designed to override or replace understanding of the full applicable Manuals."
⏸ OPEN ITEM — NOT SETTLED
On a standpipe / mid-rise building the two documents agree — the 2nd due takes it. They part company on commercial, and on the trigger. Both texts, verbatim:
"The second Engine Company arriving on the first alarm should take a position at the appropriate FDC standpipe connection and supply two 3" lines into the FDC Siamese and connect to the nearest hydrant. The third arriving Engine Company should relay pump to the second engine company from the next nearest hydrant."
— Engine Company Operations 2023 V-1, Standpipe Operations, p.6-16, Supplying Standpipe Systems
"Position on FDC. Pump FDC upon "working fire". Stretch back-up line to location of 1st Engine Company."
— OFD Quick Reference Guide, May 2024, Commercial column, 3rd Engine Company Functions
The QRG puts the commercial FDC on the 3rd engine and conditions pumping on the "working fire" declaration. Engine Ops Chapter 6 puts FDC supply on the 2nd due, with the Engineer making the connections and beginning pumping operations after securing a water supply — no such condition (Standpipe Operations, p.6-12, Second Arriving Engine on First-Alarm). It is also unstated whether the QRG's commercial line means a sprinkler FDC while Chapter 6 means a standpipe FDC — two different connections would mean no conflict, and different pump pressures.
Who decides: nobody on this page. Both readings are Orem's own, so the site's standing rule (Orem's manual governs) cannot settle an Orem-vs-Orem split. It goes to a Battalion Chief and a Captain for a ruling — written up with the verbatim sentences and page references as work-checklist item B13. Until they rule, do not treat either version as settled doctrine, and say on the drill ground which one you are running.
Sources. Orem Fire Department Engine Company Operations 2023 V-1, Chapter 1 (Firefighter Assignments) and Chapter 6 (Standpipe Operations) · OFD Quick Reference Guide for Initial Company Operations, May 2024 · ADO-Pumper Task Book, September 2024, Evolutions 1.0, 1.7 and 1.8. Both manuals paginate per chapter; every page number here is the manual's own printed footer.
Version: prototype · Last reviewed 2026-08-30 · Compiled by Engineer Jason Anderson