What does “all hands” truly mean

Jargon. Noun. The language, especially the vocabulary, peculiar to a particular trade, profession, or group. Inspired by the teachings of Aaron Fields

To be successful at fireground operations, we must prepare for the highly predictable scenarios we encounter and be able to adapt to incidents that are unique in their circumstances. By defining what ‘all hands’ means, we can plan for our second and third due operations and their required reactions to create a seamless fireground. 

“All hands” refers to the notion that the entirety of the apparatus will be involved in a task that removes them from the standard or traditional operations of a first-due engine company. The personnel will not be present or available at the first-due apparatus and should not be counted on to complete the responsibilities of a first-due apparatus. 

 First, we must identify what we expect of a single-engine company as they arrive on the scene of a working fire. 

Example: Engine X arrives on scene with three personnel to a working structure fire. The officer performs an IRR, conducts a 360, performs a follow-up, and determines if the IAP remains current or changes. The firefighter is stretching the hoseline to the desired location, and the apparatus operator can pump the required line and either secure permanent water or create the water supply plan. 

Now, let us examine what occurs when the personnel encounter variables that require them to adapt from the initial fire control assignment and go “all hands” on a rescue. 

Example: Engine X arrives on the scene to find a single-family dwelling fire, with fire showing from the alpha side front door and venting from a window. Upon 360, the resident notifies the officer that a child is in a Charlie side bedroom and identifies the window through which the victim sleeps. The engine x officer has three personnel and must decide how to address this scenario. This would become an “all-hands” on a rescue, and require unconventional thinking to deal with the hazard of the fire and the civilians involved.

One way to address this issue is for the driver to stretch the quickest line possible (think front bumper line) and apply exterior water. In contrast, the officer and firefighter address the rescue. In this case, the officer should declare “Engine X will be all-hands on a rescue”. Engine Y, arriving second due, recognizes this declaration and can now forecast their assignments based on the initial decision of Engine X. Engine Y officer in charge will take over as the IC, performing a 360, declaring any changes to the IAP, other pertinent information in the follow-up report, and continuing with necessary assignments for further arriving apparatus. The apparatus operator will act as the first due apparatus operator. They can utilize Engine X or Engine Y as the attack engine for the duration of the incident (depending on factors, including apparatus location, familiarity, etc). The officer and firefighter will begin stretching the appropriate attack line and complete extinguishment on the seat of the fire, coordinating with later-arriving units as they would from the first due officer position. 

The third due will now move up in its projected order of operations, acting as a second due and finishing the water supply (if necessary), deploying a second line, or performing other support operations. 

Double Companies

Double companies present an opportunity to maximise life safety and fire control objectives. They can all stretch a line with an apparatus and handle rescue operations simultaneously, leveraging available manpower to remove and protect endangered occupants. “All hands” can be utilized if these apparatuses find themselves alone (Engine X  with Truck X OOS, Engine Y with Rescue Y on an EMS call, etc.); they should not be in an all-hands situation with two companies that can perform simultaneous tasks. 

Companies with a Battalion in-house provide a unique circumstance where the Battalion can assume the IC1 role immediately, allowing Engine X to focus on the task, location, and objective, thereby preventing the need for a second due as incident command. Suppose they find themselves without Battalion X in proximity, and the scenario presents itself. In that case, the all-hands declaration should still be declared to allow the further arriving units to predict the changes in order of arrival operations. 

What “all-hands” is not

All-hands rescue is not the ability for the first in the unit to disregard all the responsibilities of the company officer and apparatus operator to “do work.” The true sign of a good company is the discipline to do what is necessary for the operation. In incidents where reports of victims are present but no known location, a handline should still be stretched by the first due to extinguish the fire and communicate the increased rescue profile to the second-arriving unit.