Assuming The Officer Role

Depending on the call and who responds to the station you may be asked to 'play officer'. This page describes what that means and what is expected of you. If you don't feel comfortable acting as officer please let your officer or senior firefighter know.

When Does This Happen?

This can happen on any type of call. Usually you end up 'playing officer' when a more senior firefighter or officer is acting as driver/engineer because you are not yet cleared to drive.

It can also happen when you are the senior firefighter on the crew and no officer is able to respond.

What Do You Have To Do?

• Find the address in the map book and determine the best route.
• If this is a fire, find the closest hydrant and one or two others that might be used.
• Handle radio communications
  • Contact dispatch to let them know you are en route.
  • Contact dispatch to let them know you have arrived.
  • Acknowledge radio communications.
• Work the lights and sirens.
• Collect PAS tags.

On Arrival

When you arrive on scene what happens next depends on what kind of a call your are on, who else is already there, and if you are the senior firefighter on your apparatus.

If there is a more senior firefighter or officer on the apparatus they will likely take over as officer when you get on scene. In this case they will take the PAS tags, give some assignments, connect with units already on scene, provide a sizeup report, and possibly establish command.

If you're "it" you'll need to do this. If other units are on scene, even if no command has been established, contact them for direction.