dickbroom

That question really varies from department to department. Here's a basic outline for a theoretical large municipal department: (your results may vary)

1st alarm: (multiple phone reports of a building on fire) 3 engines (4 ff each), 1 ladder truck (4 FFs), one Battalion Chief (17 ish people total)

2nd alarm (first arriving units do not expect to contain the fire quickly): 2 engines, 1 truck, 1 rescue company (4 FFs), One Air/light unit (either cross staffed by an engine or truck or staffed separately), one Battalion Chief (17 ish more FFs) Also, if not already included on the initial alarm, law enforcement (for arson investigation and traffic control), the power and gas companies, and at least one ambulance will be dispatched.

The third alarm and greater typically means the fire continues to grow or is in a especially hazardous building such as a nursing home, hospital, chemical factory, etc... and brings out more specialty type apparatus and may initiate a recall of off duty staff depending on the size of the department. As an example, 2 engines, 1 truck, 1 hazmat company (4 FFs), 1 command post/rehab unit (crossstaffed usually), one Batallion Chief, and one Division Chief or higher. (18 ish FFs making 51 ish FFs on scene total)

Greater alarms are scaled similar in terms of manpower but also include more specialty stuff such as a public information officer for the media, additional command staff including typically the fire chief, representatives from public works, environmental protection, insurance investigators, state or national law enforcement and so on depending on what is burning and how it is thought to have started.

I hope that helps.

Haha have any other acts used the plane in your tenure there?

Hey there fellow Reno area guy. What happened to the prop airplane from Hello Hollywood, Hello?

A lot of lifeguard services pay a premium for EMT training with the standard lifeguard stuff. I know several people who EMT for pools and such in the summer and do ski patrol in winter. (that or wildfire stuff in summer which also pays a premium for EMT training)

I vaguely recall that when I was way younger too. Funny to think they've hung on to it 35 years